Tantalizing Thursday - Halloween Edition

Welcome to Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187 Chatter. Halloween is upon us and I

am thrilled. This holiday is special not only because I have three children who delight in all of the festivities associated with the day, but because it is my husband’s birthday! We get to

have an extra celebratory time during Halloween complete with cake and presents. But mostly we keep the day for the children and commence with the Trick-or-Treating as soon as dusk falls. Before we hit the streets we first carve our pumpkins and turn them into Jack O’ Lanterns. To prepare the gourd we scoop out the “guts” which includes the stringy orange pulp and the numerous seeds. I painstakingly collect the seeds and try to “depulp” them in an effort to prepare them for this, a most favorite and simple recipe in our household.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Procedure by: http://allrecipes.com

1. Rinse pumpkin seeds under cold water and pick out the pulp and strings. (This is easiest just after you've removed the seeds from the pumpkin, before the pulp has dried.)
2. Place the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet, stirring to coat. If you prefer, omit the oil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Sprinkle with salt and bake at 325 degrees F until toasted, about 25 minutes, checking and stirring after 10 minutes.
4. Let cool and store in an air-tight container.

Even with three large pumpkins filled with seeds, my husband and boys devour this treat before the next morning! Lightly salted, distinctive flavor and addictively good, roasted pumpkin seeds are an annual Simple Joy in our household.

Of course, the children need to eat a meal before they start Trick-or-Treating. Most are too anxious and excited to want to sit down for a meal, but if it is a fun, engaging, and interesting one, they will! I recommend pizza! But not traditional pizza, although that is always acceptable, but Taco Pizza with a Jack O' Lantern motif!

Jack O’Lantern Pizza
Recipe by: http://BettyCrocker.com

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
1cup Old El Paso® salsa (any variety)
3/4Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ Niblets® frozen corn
1/4cup water
2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/3cup very hot water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese (8 ounces)
Toppings, such as orange and green bell pepper strips, sliced ripe olives and cherry tomato wedges, if desired.

Directions:

• 1. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 450ºF. Grease 12-inch pizza pan. Cook beef in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain. Stir in salsa, corn and 1/4 cup water. Heat to boiling; remove from heat.
• 2. Mix Bisquick, 1/3 cup hot water and the oil until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes. Let stand 5 minutes. Press dough in pizza pan, using fingers dipped in Bisquick; pinch edge to form 1/2-inch rim. Spread beef mixture over dough. Sprinkle with cheese.
• 3. Bake 11 to 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Arrange Toppings on pizza to form jack-o’-lanterns.

Crowd pleasing, full of protein, fiber, and fun, these pizzas make dinner on Halloween night palatable! To make the dinner go even easier, use a prepared crust such as Boboli brand pizza crusts. Swap out the vegetables your family won’t eat for the ones they will. Prefer to spice it up? Make two pizzas, one for the mild taste buds and one for the fiery ones! Substitute the cheeses, salsas, veggies, and toppings that work for your family and indulge in this tasty Halloween Night treat.

Wondering about dessert? That’s what the Trick-or-Treating is for, so indulge!

Happy Halloween to you all and a very Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband! He makes every day a treat!

Please join me tomorrow for the holiday-themed Friday Music Blog to cap the week.