What's Cooking? Halloween Feast

It's getting so close to Halloween and I know you're having a party. Here are some last minute recipes. You still have time to go out and get these easy ingredients. Some are great for kids, others are adult only (OK you can make the NA version).

These are recycled from older posts. Click on the Title and it will take you right to the recipe.

      Shrimp Brains 

                                                                                                   Snake Sandwich

 Vampire Blood Punch  



These are all my own recipes. The image for the Punch is from Workman and they have their own Punch recipe. Screaming Red Punch it looks pretty good too.

What's Cooking? - Pepperoni Bread

Today I give you the 8 year old's new favorite. I made this for his birthday, and his little buddy and he gobbled it up.

A few days later, I asked how he liked the pepperoni bread I made him and he said in total shock "YOU made that Gramma?" I guess he liked it.

This is mostly a recipe for assembly, the trickiest part is making the dough, but you can use ready made pizza dough too. It will work the same.

Pepperoni Pizza


Dough for one large loaf of French Style Bread
You can use my French Baguette Recipe or a Large Pizza Dough

Approximately 28 thin slices of pepperoni

Approximately 1 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese

This is so fun you can easily get your little ones to help prepare this. Oh and Adults love it too.

Prepare your bread dough until the final rise. Knead on a floured board and spread out on a baking sheet.
Spread Mozzarella cheese from the edge closest to you to one inch from the top edge. Now place pepperoni slices over the cheese. See picture. You will leave 1"of the top edge bare, that will be to seal the dough.





Take the edge closest to you and roll the dough in over the cheese/pepperoni, making sure they stay in place. Roll all the way up and push the edge into the "loaf" to seal. Pinch the two ends closed and push it all into a loaf shape.

Cover with a towel and let rise again in a warm place. Bake your loaf in a 350F degree oven until golden brown. It might take a little longer than usual because of the filling. I usually can smell when the bread is done, but it should be somewhere around 15 minutes.

Let the bread cool and slice in about 1" thick slices. Fantastic when dipped in warm marinara or spaghetti sauce.

What's Cooking - Poppy's Beer Cheese Bread

I've been having a craving for Beer cheese Bread for quite a while, but whenever I do, I never seem to either have cheddar cheese or beer in the house. I don't think it would taste the same with mozzarella. Ew.

The other day we had almost all the main ingredients, so we looked up a recipe that we could make. Poppy found a great one, altered it to our liking and it was so good it lasted about 1 minute. I think we need to make another. Original recipe was found on allrecipes.com but here is our version.


Ingredients

3 cups flour (not self rising)
2 T white sugar
1 (12 oz) can beer
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 t baking soda
pinch salt
3 T butter melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 deg F (or 175 C) Grease a 9 X 5 loaf pan (we use spray)

In a large bowl stir together all ingredients except melted butter. Let stand for 5 minutes. Spoon batter into loaf pan and spread evenly. Pour melted butter over the top.

Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Toothpick inserted into middle should come out clean when done.

French Baguette Recipe

How can I give you the Recipe for my Tapanade without sharing my recipe for French Baguettes. I made mine with scant salt to reduce my sodium and a little more sugar for flavor. This recipe is also wonderful for a full sized loaf and as Pizza Dough. I must also add that my Grandson, the Dink, developed this recipe with me and if I didn't give him credit, I would never hear the end of it.

French Baguette

4 Cups White Flour
1 1/2 Cup Water
1/2 teaspoon Salt
4 Tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons rapid rise yeast

I put all of my ingredient in a bread machine on dough setting and let it do it's thing, but if you feel the need to knead (ha ha) feel free to mix and knead and rise and knead and rise again. Up to you.

When the dough is ready, divide into three sections. You will make three loaves.

I use this awesome perforated baguette pan. I love it, but you can form your loaf on a baking sheet too.

Make three loaves about 16" long. Let rise again and bake in a 350 degree oven until golden brown. These are crusty loaves and are perfect cut into thin slices and covered with your favorite topping, from jams to well, tapenade and goat cheese.

Bon Appétit

Flax Oatmeal Whole Wheat Bread

This is my own recipe for the yummy healthful bread I eat every day
Delish and Healthy - Makes a 1 1/2 pound loaf

1 cup water
2 Tbsp soy oil
3 Tbsp Molasses (or honey)
3 Tbsp Milled Flax Seed
1 Tbsp Vital Wheat Gluten (works better with but optional)
1 1/2 Tbsp non fat dry milk
1/4 c oatmeal
1 cup white flour
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp rapid rise yeast

I make this in a bread machine on wheat setting cause I'm lazy. You can knead by hand and rise if you want. I won't stop you