Mac-O-Lanterns and Cheese

Since its been so long since the last Foodie Friday, I tried to find something really unique to get things started back up. I think I found what I was looking for...

This visually interesting dish is an orange bell pepper, carved into a Jack-o-Lantern and used as a bowl to serve macaroni. The recipe comes from The Food Network Kitchen, and although it seems pretty easy to make, I personally would probably just dump some boxed Kraft macaroni and cheese into a raw pepper and call it a day. But, don't be like me---if you're interested in serving this up as a unique Halloween side dish, follow the recipe over at Food Network. There's even a video and complete ingredient list.

I think this would make an adorable part of any family dinner, but since the macaroni spilling out the top DOES kinda look like brains, I'm sure it can be spookified up for a more mature audience!

Photo by Teri Lyn Fisher

Healthy Halloween: Veggie Trays

Usually my Foodie Fridays involve less-than-healthy options for Halloween themed breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, and even cocktails---but sometimes I like to provide a healthy alternative to the traditional sweet and sugary treats of the season! Today, I'm sharing a few ideas for Halloween veggie trays. Veggie trays are a great way to offer a healthy option at Halloween parties and gatherings, and can even be incorporated into a family snack tray. Here are some options:


I love how quick and simple this idea is. De-gut your pumpkin, and just slide the container of dip right into it. Add your favorite cut veggies and you're done. For a Halloween party, you could take the creativity a step further with a fun platter and added touches, such as some olive spiders!

Source: One Little Project

Nothing screams Halloween like a Jack-o-Lantern, and the adorable icon of the season makes a great shape for a veggie tray featuring MY favorite cut veggie, carrots! Again, you can really put your own mark on this creation, using various veggies for the stem, vine, grass, etc. Get creative! 

Source: Mom Endeavors

If Jack-o-Lanterns aren't your thing, or you want something a little spookier, how about a cauliflower skull? I like this option because it allows you to have a variety of veggies available without having to worry about making them into something specific, lol.

Source: Mommy on the Money

As a paranormal investigator, I HAD to include something that features a ghost! This one is similar to the cauliflower skull, but instead is a lil' ghostie made of cauliflower on a bed of other veggies. I seriously might need to make this one!

Source: Mommy on the Money

Halloween Fruit--Volume I: Ghost Edition

I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that Halloween ISN'T all about the candy. I mean, trick-or-treating is a HUGE tradition...as are all the yummy, sugary concoctions that are routinely the staples of any good Halloween party.

However, if you're watching your weight, unable to eat too many sweets, or simply just want a few healthier options to throw into the mix, Halloween or year-round, check out these frightening fruity favorites! There are hundreds of great examples, so this is a topic you'll see pop up again. Since I'm a paranormal investigator and researcher---I think I'll focus on GHOSTS for this first volume.

Okay, so let's EASE into the concept of fruit for Halloween, with these strawberries that aren't strictly healthy. It looks like they've been dipped in white candy melts (but you could probably use white chocolate chips, too). The face appears to be drawn on with food-grade markers, which you can find in the baking/cake decorating/party section of most stores, such as Walmart. But, you can probably use chocolate candy pieces or black icing as well. This photo came from Pinterest, with no original source, so if you know who owns it, lemme know and I'll give 'em credit!





I LOVE these ghost pears! They look fairly easy to make, and are pretty versatile. They would be just as awesome at a fancy Halloween dinner party as they would as a sneaky and fun way to trick your kids into eating more fruit. The complete recipe and photo come from Tesco: Real Foods. Go check 'em out for this idea, and many more great Halloween desserts, treats, and snacks!

Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy! Even the Wiggles can appreciate this spooky take on the fruit salad. Use mandarin oranges, pineapples, and whipped cream to create the traditional colors of candy corn---that famous Halloween candy that we all love to hate and hate to love---and top off with a ghostly marshmallow Peep! This is another quick and easy dessert, that combines a certain level of elegance with fun. The best part is, this can EASILY be made using canned mandarin orange slices and canned pineapple if you want to go that route, but can also be made using fresh ingredients for those who prefer that route. You could make a bunch of these at one time with minimal time and effort. Experiment with different serving glasses to change up the look. This particular version came from Love From the Oven.


A list of ghostly fruits could not be complete without the banana ghost and mandarin orange pumpkin platter. This cute idea was my first introduction to, and the inspiration for, this blog about healthy Halloween treats. It has been recreated numerous times (some much better than others) and shared all over the internet. It's SUPER easy. Peel your fruit. Cut your bananas in half. Stick on some chocolate chips for eyes/mouth, and a small piece of celery for your pumpkin stem. Plate and be done. This particular photo comes from Cozinhando Fantasias.