Happy Hallowe'en!

Yes, most people think about chocolate and candy when they think about Hallowe'en food.  However, there are many recipe ideas out there for creative snacks, meals, and desserts.  Think witch's fingers, eyeballs, spiderwebs - the whole idea is to make 'normal' foods come to life with the Hallowe'en theme.

I found two such recipes that I wanted to share to inspire you, but feel free to share your favourites in the comment section.

Apple Bites

These toothsome treats are a fun and healthy break from Halloween sweets.

Ingredients

• Apples

• Slivered almonds

 Instructions

1. Just quarter and core an apple, cut a wedge from the skin side of each quarter, then press slivered almonds in place for teeth.
   

Tips:

If you're not going to serve them right away, baste the apples with orange juice to keep them from browning. 

 

Mummy Meat Loaves Recipe from Woman's Day

• Active time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 40 minutes
• Serves 12

Sweet cherry tomatoes are hidden in the center of these mini-meat loaves, offering a welcome burst of juicy flavor when you take a bite. Post Halloween, keep the recipe in rotation by piping the mashed potatoes as you would cupcake frosting.

 Recipe Ingredients

• 3/4 lb white or yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-in. pieces
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 2 Tbsp ketchup
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup panko or plain bread crumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, coarsely grated
• 3/4 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 12 grape tomatoes
• 3/4 cup lowfat sour cream
• 24 frozen peas, thawed

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with foil liners. Place the potatoes in a pot, add enough cold water to cover and bring to a boil. Add 1 tsp salt, reduce heat and simmer until just tender, 15 to 18 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper; stir in the bread crumbs. Add the garlic and carrot and mix to combine. Add the beef and pork and mix just until incorporated. Divide the meat mixture among the foil liners and push a tomato into the center of each one. Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the meat registers 155°F, 14 to 16 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the sour cream and 1/4 tsp salt and mash until very smooth. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-in. ribbon tip (Wilton 104). Transfer the meat loaves to a platter and pipe the potatoes back and forth over each top to resemble a mummy’s wrapping. Place 2 peas on each for eyes.

Have a safe and Happy Hallowe'en and practice portion control and mindful eating with your candy and chocolate.

Steph Wheler, RD
something nutrishus counselling & coaching
www.nutrishus.com

Pre-Hallowe'en Q's Day

I'm sure many dietitians and health professionals (and health conscious parents) dread the candy and chocolate that come with Hallowe'en.  Although many of our holidays and celebrations now revolve around candy and chocolate, it seems that Hallowe'en is a time of great indulgence. 

On a more positive note, Hallowe'en treats are already in small portions, so they can help you have control just by the smaller size.  Again, I want to stress moderation - for you and/or your children.  Set limits to how many pieces can be consumed in a day so that the candy and chocolate are not taking the place of healthier options.

If you're trying to figure out what treats to buy, Health Castle has written an article comparing different Hallowe'en candies and chocolate bars.  It's interesting to see how they match up.


Since it is Q's Day here at the Nutrishus Blog, I have 2 questions for you:
1) What will you be giving out to trick or treaters?
2) What is your favourite Hallowe'en treat?

Any questions, comments, answers, recipes, etc. are welcomed on Q's Day - have your say!

Steph Wheler, RD
something nutrishus counselling & coaching
www.nutrishus.com