Today is Halloween 2016. Maybe you are having a spooky Halloween party with scary costumes and some Halloween party food treats and appetizers to serve your guests. However, you’re likely pressed for time with your ghouls, I mean guests, showing up any minute now. Luckily, there are some easy Halloween party ideas to get you through this scary time.
For instance, if you’ve got an extra pumpkin, you can easily turn it into a party cooler or ice bucket. Simply choose a large and wide pumpkin, cut off the top third of the pumpkin with a keyhole saw or serrated knife, and scrape out the seeds and pulp. Line the pumpkin with a plastic or glass bowl to prevent it from becoming waterlogged. If the pumpkin is a little too small, carefully shave the inside of it with a spoon. You can then fill the bowl with bottled drinks and ice.
Oh, and save the pumpkin seeds and toss in a little bit of olive oil and sea salt, spread on a baking sheet, and bake in the oven for 45 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The following are some other last minute Halloween party ideas for your guests to enjoy.
Vanilla Tahini Truffles
Do some of your guests have a nut allergy? Vanilla tahini truffles are the perfect option.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. of raw tahini (sesame paste)
- 4 Tbsp. of coconut butter or coconut cream concentrate
- 1 Tbsp. of unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1-2 tsp. of pure maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon
- Pinch of Celtic grey sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. of pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp. of white or/and black sesame seeds for coating
Directions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine coconut butter, tahini, maple syrup, sea salt, cinnamon, shredded coconut, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Form one-inch balls, and roll each one in sesame seeds or shredded coconut. Set the truffles on a plate, and refrigerate so they become solid.
Three-Ingredient Chocolate Brownies and Balls
Want to serve chocolate to your guests but are low on time and ingredients? It is a good thing the following recipe only requires three ingredients, and it takes under a half hour to complete.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of nut meal (finely ground almonds or other nut)
- 1/4 cup of cacao powder
- 3 Tbsp. of maple syrup or raw honey
Directions:
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix in maple syrup, cacao powder, and nut meal. You can roll the mixture into balls or brownies, or even create a base for a pie. For the raw chocolate balls you can also add a quarter cup of melted cacao butter, a quarter teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, a tablespoon of coconut oil, a tablespoon of almond butter, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, or a quarter teaspoon of salt.
- For the brownies, place the mixture into a brownie pan, and set in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, and cut into squares and serve. You can also add a quarter teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract for more flavor.
Thai-Spiced Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are an easy Halloween treat that isn’t a dessert. Here is a spicy deviled egg recipe for when you are running low on time.
Ingredients:
- 6 organic eggs
- 2 Tbsp. of thick coconut milk
- 2 Tbsp. of Thai curry paste
- 1/2 tsp. of paprika plus a little for sprinkling
- 1/2 tsp. of mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp. of red chili sauce
- 1 green onion and a little paprika
Directions:
- In a medium pot, cover the eggs with cold water and bring it to a boil. Boil for a minute, and let cover and set aside for 10 minutes. Drain and fill the pan with cold water, and after five minutes, peel and eggs and slice them length-wise and remove the yolks.
- Place yolks, coconut milk, paprika, mustard powder, and red chili sauce in a small bowl, and mash until smooth. Put the yolk mixture into a zip top bag, and pipe it out into the white eggs. Use a green onion as a stem so it looks like a pumpkin, and sprinkle with a little paprika.
Sources:
“25 Last-Minute Halloween Ideas,” Martha Stewart website; http://www.marthastewart.com/856579/last-minute-halloween-ideas#231301, last accessed Oct. 31, 2016.
“Thai-spiced deviled eggs,” Foodista website; http://www.foodista.com/recipe/RBMZQ6CT/thai-spiced-deviled-eggs, last accessed Oct. 31, 2016.
Werner-Gray, L., The Earth Diet: Your Complete Guide to Living Using Earth’s Natural Ingredients (Australia: Hay House Australia, 2014), 162-164.
Sanfilippo, D., Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health and a Whole Foods Lifestyle (USA: Victory Belt Publishing Inc., 2012), 396.