this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2023
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Food and Cooking

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So I know Halloween isn't a day with a huge meal tradition like xmas or tday, but I'm having some dear friends stay with me that weekend and I would love to cook up something Halloweeny. So I'm curious, do any of you have any go-to meals/dishes for Halloween? No real requirements here, it can be outright spooky/gross or just autumn themed, and anything in between. Looking mostly for savory ideas, as the treats will be flowing already. I did the pinterest thing but love sourcing from communities like this. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/ideas!!

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[–] dumples@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I always hated Halloween food that were suppose to be gory or spooky. They end up just looking dumb and don't taste good. Go with a traditional autumn food. I recommend bread and soup.

We have been making these:
https://lundsandbyerlys.com/wild-rice-soup/
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/cozy-autumn-wild-rice-soup/

[–] anon6789@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I mostly agree with you about the looking bad and not tasting good, but I have made the "Meat Hand" before and that was just as good as normal food if you like meatloaf. Just make your recipe of choice but form into a hand shape, top it with a little cheese before baking, and cook on a sheet pan, then transfer into mashed taters. Looks great/horrifying, hard to mess up, and tastes like regular food. Plus ketchup makes "blood.". Options fingernails are just onion slivers and the wrist is the onion core/center part.

Pic below isn't mine, but mine came out looking just as good.

[–] dumples@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That actually sounds good. Meatloaf isn't something I would think of

[–] anon6789@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago

You should try it! I forget where I saw the idea originally, but my ex was very into Halloween, so we made it.

I normally don't like meatloaf, but the different shape and the crunchy cheese gave it a texture I enjoyed better, so IMO it's even better in hand form then it is as normal meatloaf!

[–] storksforlegs@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Its the onion fingernails that really push this over the edge haha...

[–] anon6789@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

It's the little details that make things special 😂

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is awesome! What a fun idea!

[–] anon6789@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago

It's really simple and the results are well worth it. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I dug through my archives and found my pics of the one I made.

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yummy! I've been trying to source legit wild rice from a tribe in Minnesota but it's proven tougher than I thought. Any suggestions on where to source?

[–] dumples@kbin.social 4 points 1 year ago

I usually get it at a high end grocery store here but that is usually cultivated or mass harvested. Not sure how to best get tribal harvested but I'm sure you can find some online

[–] tuckerm@supermeter.social 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

A go-to fall meal for me is something in the instant pot (or a regular pot, just takes longer) with:

  • sweet potatoes
  • lentils
  • raisins
  • onion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • curry spices + cinnamon

I found a recipe for that a while ago and absolutely loved it. I don't really go by a recipe anymore, but it's something like this: https://www.briana-thomas.com/sweet-potato-lentils/

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago

Lentils are so underappreciated, love this idea!

[–] BricksDont@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

My family has always made beef stew for Halloween! Served with Hawaiian rolls and butter on the side :)

It's pretty similar to this recipe (though personally I leave out the anchovies and pork): https://www.copymethat.com/r/6LA2PJwJL/best-beef-stew/

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

Beef stew is one of my fav meals in general, so this is a great tradition that I may steal!

[–] Masimatutu@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This might be obvious, but pumpkin soup.

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Obvious is good! I've never made pumpkin soup actually. Any pointers or recipes you like?

[–] Masimatutu@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Not much, but I do recommend using enough onions, and maybe a carrot. Adding some ginger also adds.

[–] Radiant_sir_radiant@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The above is sound advice. I'd like to add a generous amount of butter to the list - it adds flavour and smoothness.
Speaking of which, you also may want to add one small potato per pumpkin, though I wouldn't experiment with this until the potato-less soup is in a satisfactory state.

Also, try using a high-quality vegetable broth instead of salt for seasoning. Go easy on the other spices then.

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

Potatoes improve everything, great tips. Thanks!

[–] dumples@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Don't forget to add some acid. I recommend apple cider vinegar

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm with you there. I prefer more acid than most, apple cider is a great call. Thanks!

[–] dumples@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

In the fall I want it in everything

[–] storksforlegs@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

Lol there we go!

[–] Masimatutu@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

A big problem with Lemmy right now is of course the lack of activity on small communities. Although it does not address the issue, you might want to test your luck on some bigger community such as !asklemmy@lemmy.ml.

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 5 points 1 year ago

Yeah, this is my attempt to increase the activity around here. Your point is well made though!

[–] Devi@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think halloween for me is more sweet treats than savoury, how about cooking up an afternoon tea? You could cut sandwiches into ghosts and pumpkins with some cookie cutters. Make some cute muffins, cakes, etc. Here's a few I've seen.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/985231158156707/

https://www.eastbournelifestyle.co.uk/how-cute-is-this-halloween-themed-afternoon-tea/

https://www.alternativecatering.co.uk/product/halloween-afternoon-tea-adult-children/

Then add a few spooky cocktails and you have a nice themed evening.

[–] newtraditionalists@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

What a delightful idea, thanks for the suggestion!