Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Halloween Snacks For Teens

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau

We are having a Halloween party for our teens this weekend so I've been thinking about snack and appetizer recipes that I can make for the crowd. We are asking everyone to come dressed as zombies, and we have decorations I've either saved over the years or I bought after Halloween last year.

I don't go all out for themed food because their friends are 15 through 18 years old, and mostly boys. They do love the decorations but inhale the food too quickly to appreciate anything cute. I do have Halloween and fall themed serving platters and bowls that I use each year. I'm making two pans of brownies, and putting out a large bowl of Halloween candy. I will probably serve tortilla chips, nacho cheese and the fixings. I also love dips and I might serve one or two of the following recipes for those that want something besides nachos.

Crab Dip

Ingredients:
2 packages cream cheese (8 ounce each)
2 cans crab meat (6-8 ounces)
2 tablespoons horseradish
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped green onion or chives

Combine all ingredients with a large wooden spoon until mixed well. Cover and chill until just before serving time.

Dried Beef Dip

Ingredients:
3 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each)
4 ounce jar dried beef
1/2 of a large sweet onion, minced

Shred the dried beef, and soak in warm water for 5 minutes to soften. Drain and add to the cream cheese and minced onion. This can also be put into a food processor to blend more completely. Scrape out into a serving dish and serve with bagel pieces, or pretzels.

Clam Dip

Ingredients:
8 ounce block of cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 10 1/2 ounce can of minced clams, drained
1 tablespoon minced onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
dash or two of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Soften cream cheese at room temperature. Blend with sour cream. Add the clams, onion, spices and lemon juice. Mix together well until smooth. Chill til serving. Makes 2 cups. Serve with vegetables to dip, pretzels or crackers.

I have an article on OFL featuring Halloween entertaining ideas from 1905. Click Here.

~Brenda