"Monster Bash"

 

(ARA) - You're invited to a "Monster Bash." What's more fun than Halloween? Young or old, everyone seems to get into the spirit. Why not gather a group together this Halloween and have some spooky fun along with a frightening feast? When planning a Halloween party, it is best to consider the ages of all goblins that will be attending. Adults and children may both love the fun of Halloween, but the fright factor will be different. Once you have established your guest list, you can start to plan "tricks or treats." For tricks, start the guests off by having a "frightening fashion show" where they walk down a red carpet to show their costumes. Cover the carpet with spiders and webs and, if everyone is brave enough, turn the lights down low. Be sure to play some ghoulishly good music, such as "The Monster Mash," so that your party ghosts and princesses can get into the spirit. This is a good way to "break the ice" and let everyone showcase their costumes before the party begins. Follow up the fashion show with a few games such as pass the pumpkin or bobbing for apples. If guests will be heading out for candy, be sure to feed them a selection of healthy "treats." Why not start with deviled eggs? The incredible edible deviled egg is a party favorite and fits perfectly into a Halloween theme. The high quality protein from the egg will help witches and mummies feel full longer, which could help minimize their munching on candy. Deviled eggs are also the perfect appetizer before serving a Halloween meal such as "creepy crawly chili" (chili topped with gummy worms) and "tombstone tossed salad" (decorate the salad bowls with funny tombstones). If you really want to get into the spirit when planning your menu, why not dress your basic deviled egg recipe up in a costume by trying this recipe? For more recipe ideas visit www.incredibleegg.org. Mystery Pirate Ships Yields: Six servings Ingredients: 6 hard-cooked eggs 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish 1 teaspoon prepared mustard 1 package (2.5 ounces) smoked sliced, chopped, pressed, cooked ham 12 green olives, optional Directions: Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks. Set whites aside. Place yolks in a one-quart plastic food storage bag. Add mayonnaise, relish and mustard. Press out air. Close bag. Press and roll bag until yolk mixture is thoroughly blended. Push yolk mixture toward bottom corner of bag. Snip off about 1/2 inch of the bag corner. Squeezing bag gently from the top, fill reserved whites with yolk mixture. Place each filled egg on one ham slice. Turn two opposite corners up over the yolk mixture and gently press. For masts and flags, stick wooden picks topped with olives into the boats, if desired. Chill to blend. Courtesy of ARAcontent     Laura Glass