Sunday, January 24, 2010

Halloween Potluck Ideas

Halloween Potluck Dishes Can Be Healthy


Halloween potluck parties call for a special kind of creativity. Halloween potluck items should be fun for both kids and adults alike. Tasty potluck treats can be be quick and easy to prepare using affordable and easy to obtain ingredients. Try something simple, yet surprising, like marshmallow ghosts and ghouls or spider cupcakes. Get the whole family involved in preparing your potluck dishes. Try for a mix a healthy and sweet items -- just because it is Halloween doesn't mean that it must be an all-candy potluck! Theme dishes can be funny, scary, healthy and delicious.


Healthy Halloween


Try a healthy main dish recipe with an Autumn/Halloween theme. Pumpkin-based dishes are appropriate and nutritious for a Halloween potluck. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread or pasta with a pumpkin sauce or garnish can make a great addition to a holiday-themed potluck that is heavy on sweets.


Simple and Surprising


Kids can help create simple yet surprisingly scary treats. "Apple bites" that resemble monster mouths can be prepared together with your children (depending on age) using simple apple slices and almonds. "Banana ghosts" and "Jello monsters" are also kid friendly recipes that promise loads of fun even before the party starts (see Resources for recipes).








Build on the Basics


Basic potluck treats can be modified with little effort to make them Halloween ready. Cupcakes can be decorated with spiderweb designs or monster faces. Cookies and cakes can be dyed black and orange, or blood red, for a scary effect (see Resources for more ideas).


Halloween shock and awe!


The most shocking treats can be created out of the simplest elements. "Creepy eyeballs" can be made with as hard boiled eggs and food coloring. For an even scarier treat, try covering doughnut holes in icing to resemble eyeballs and then stick them on forks for serving - the effect couldn't be creepier! Always keep in mind the ages of the children attending the potluck party and try not to get too scary for the little ones.

Tags: Halloween potluck, Halloween Potluck, Healthy Halloween, potluck treats