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Showing posts with label halloween. Show all posts
Showing posts with label halloween. Show all posts

Monday, October 31, 2011

Music Therapy with Miss Moon

What better way to celebrate a new week (AND Halloween!!!) then by doing the Time Warp?!?! It is just a jump to the left, after all!!! Enjoy, and go easy on the pelvic thrusts... you could pull something!!! LOL




Time Warp

RiffRaff:
It's astounding;
Time is fleeting;
Madness takes its toll.
But listen closely...

Magenta:
Not for very much longer.

RiffRaff:
I've got to keep control.

I remember doing the time-warp
Drinking those moments when
The Blackness would hit me

Magenta:
And the void would be calling...

Transylvanians:
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Narrator:
It's just a jump to the left.

All:
And then a step to the right.

Narrator:
Put your hands on your hips.

All:
You bring your knees in tight.
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane.
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Magenta:
It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me.
So you can't see me, no, not at all.
In another dimension, with
voyeuristic intention,
Well secluded, I see all.

RiffRaff:
With a bit of a mind flip

Magenta:
You're into the time slip.

RiffRaff:
And nothing can ever be the same.

Magenta:
You're spaced out on sensation.

RiffRaff:
Like you're under sedation.

All:
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Columbia:
Well I was walking down the street
just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an
evil wink.
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise.
He had a pickup truck, and the
devil's eyes.
He stared at me and I felt a change.
Time meant nothing, never would again.

All:
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Narrator:
It's just a jump to the left.

All:
And then a step to the right.

Narrator:
Put your hands on your hips.

All:
You bring your knees in tight.
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane.
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Side Note: I've always loved this Afro Sistah with the Pirate Hat.. she's dope!!! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYBODY!!!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Cinema, Cuisine and Cocktail: "Candyman"



Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and given the fact that I am a sucker of all things festive, that's saying a lot.

Inspired by the Food Network's Sandra Lee (Cupcakes and Cocktails), I decided to create a mouth-watering macabre menu to accompany a horror movie that will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth... "Candyman". Enjoy!!!

Friendly Ghost Cupcakes

Recipe Courtesy of Recipe.com

Ingredients

3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup milk
4 eggs
1 can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) (15 ounces)
1 package cream cheese, softened (3 ounces)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons miniature chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 regular-size muffin cups with paper baking cups.
2. In large bowl, beat Bisquick mix, granulated sugar, brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, the pumpkin pie spice, milk, eggs and pumpkin with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 3 minutes. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter on low speed about 30 seconds or until well blended. Beat in vanilla and 2 cups of the powdered sugar on low speed about 30 seconds or just until mixed, then on high speed about 1 minute or until fluffy. Beat in remaining 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, on medium speed. If too soft to mound, add additional powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.
5. Spoon frosting into large resealable plastic food-storage bag; press out air and seal bag. Cut 1/2-inch tip from lower corner of bag. Squeeze bag to pipe about 2 tablespoons frosting into ghost-shaped mound on each cupcake. Press 2 chocolate chips, flat sides out, into frosting for eyes.

Bumblebee Banana Cupcakes

Recipe Courtesy of Group Recipes

Ingredients

* 1 package (14 ounces) banana quick bread and muffin mix
* 1 cup milk
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 2 eggs
* 1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
* 5 drops yellow food coloring
* 12 large yellow gumdrops
* 1/2 cup chocolate frosting
* 12 semisweet chocolate chips
* 24 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
* 12 large white gumdrops
* Black shoestring licorice, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the muffin mix, milk, oil and eggs.
Fill 12 greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full.
Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a mixing bowl, combine vanilla frosting and food coloring.
Frost cupcakes.
Cut yellow gumdrops in half widthwise.
Use the rounded tops for heads.
Flatten remaining portions into ovals for bodies.
Place one head and one body on each cupcake.
Place chocolate frosting in a resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of the bag.
Pipe stripes on gumdrop bodies to resemble a bumblebee.
For the stinger, place one chocolate chip at the end of body with pointed end facing out.
Position two mini chocolate chips in front of head for eyes.
Cut white gumdrops in half lengthwise; position next to bodies for wings.

Witch-in-a-Ditch Halloween Cupcakes


Recipe Courtesy of The Knead for Speed

Ingredients:

* 2 cups sugar
* 1-3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa
* 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup skim milk
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1 cup boiling water (or coffee, to intensify the chocolate flavor)
* frosting
* sprinkles

Witch Legs

* 8-1/4″ straws, cut into thirds (2-3/4″ for each witch leg)
* Tootsie Roll Midgees (one per boot)
* Wilton yellow sparkle gel frosting

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or line two cupcake tins.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer just until combined. Stir in boiling water or coffee (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared tins.
3. Bake 20-22 minutes or until done – cupcakes should spring back slightly to the touch. Let cool completely before frosting.
4. Frost and distribute sprinkles on cupcakes.
5. Cut each straw into thirds. To form boots, microwave each Tootsie Roll on high for 7-8 seconds. Mold into the shape of a boot and let cool slightly. While its still soft, insert straw into top of boot, rotating straw as you apply pressure. Set aside and repeat with remaining witch legs.
6. Draw boot laces and/or buckles onto each cooled Tootsie Roll boot with yellow gel frosting. Let it sit to dry a while. Then insert two witch legs, boot side up, into each cupcake.

Sweet Skull


Ingredients

* 12 marshmallows
* Confectioners' sugar
* 24 unfrosted cupcakes (white or yellow works best)

* White frosting
* Junior Mints, chocolate chips, and slivered almonds

Instructions

1. Cut the marshmallows in half widthwise using kitchen shears dipped in confectioners' sugar (this keeps them from sticking).
2. Sweet Skull - Step 2 Carefully pull each cupcake liner partially away from the cake and tuck half a marshmallow between the paper and the cupcake to create the skull's jaw.

3. Frost each cupcake and marshmallow, then add Junior Mints with white frosting dots for eyes, a chocolate chip nose, and slivered almond teeth.

Vampire Bite Mocktail

Recipe Courtesy of Sandra Lee, Food Network

Ingredients

* 2 cups cranberry juice, chilled
* 1/2 cup apple juice, chilled
* 1/4 cup grenadine
* 1 1/2 cups seltzer water, chilled
* 1 tube red candy gel
* 4 gummy vampire teeth

Directions

In a pitcher combine the cranberry juice, apple juice and grenadine. Stir together then add the seltzer water.

Squeeze the candy gel onto a small plate. Rim the edges of 4 low-ball glasses in the candy gel. Pour in the drink evenly into the glasses. Garnish each glass with the gummy vampire teeth and serve.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Yummm! Frightfully Festive Halloween Party Recipes for Grown-Ups!

Most of us attended a Halloween Party or two as kids. The Halloween Parties I remember were catered with hot dogs-a-plenty, puffy cheese doodles, potato chips, blood red kool-aid and all the candy required to have me and the other guests bouncing off the walls! And I loved every moment of it! LOL

I am a bit older, and I'd love to throw a Halloween Bash for friends and family sometime. However, the hot dogs and candy menu seems a bit..... meh. So I took to the internet to look for the makings of a Posh, Chic, and FUN AS HELL Halloween Party Menu.




Photos courtesy of HostesswiththeMostess.com - this site is DOPE, y'all!!

Steak Bites with Bloody Mary Dipping Sauce

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray, Food Network

Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup vodka
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
1 rounded tablespoon prepared horseradish
Salt and pepper
1 1/3 pounds beef sirloin cut into large bite-sized pieces, 1 by 2 inches
Steak seasoning blend or coarse salt and black pepper
6 to 8 inch bamboo skewers

Directions
Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and onions and saute 5 minutes. Add vodka and reduce by 1/2. Add Worcestershire, hot sauce, tomato sauce and horseradish. Stir to combine the dipping sauce and return the sauce to a bubble. Add salt and pepper and adjust seasonings.

Heat nonstick skillet over high heat. Coat meat bites lightly in oil. Season with steak seasoning blend or salt and pepper, to taste. Cook the meat until caramelized all over, about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer dipping sauce to a small dish and place at the center of a serving platter. Surround the dip with meat bites and set several bamboo "stakes" or skewers along side meat.

Crispy Cheese Chips

Recipe Courtesy of Yum Sugar

Ingredients
30 wonton wrappers
Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions
Use a sharp knife to cut wonton wrappers diagonally in half to make 60 triangles.
Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange one-third of the triangles in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. If desired, for ruffled chips, line baking sheet with foil. Shape foil to make ridges. Lightly coat foil with cooking spray. Place wonton triangles on foil, draping over foil ridges.
In a small bowl stir together the olive oil, garlic, and basil. Lightly brush the wonton triangles with one-third of the oil mixture; sprinkle with one-third of the cheese.
Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 8 minutes or until golden. Cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining wonton triangles, oil mixture, and cheese.

Makes 60 chips.

Cauldron Curry

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6

FOR THE CURRY PASTE (MAKES 1 CUP)

1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds, toasted
2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, toasted
1 teaspoon coarse salt
3 serrano chiles, sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 stalks fresh lemongrass, trimmed and chopped (1/2 cup)
8 garlic cloves, minced (1/4 cup)
2 scallions, chopped (1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest (from 2 limes)

FOR THE STEW

2 ounces spinach (1 cup)
1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened regular coconut milk
1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened light coconut milk
1 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1 inch thick (21/4 cups)
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup fresh basil
Serrano chiles, thinly sliced, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving

Directions
Make the curry paste: Grind coriander, cumin, peppercorns, and salt with a mortar and pestle, or with the bottom of a heavy skillet. Add remaining ingredients, and grind until a paste forms. (Curry paste can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months.)
Make the stew: Puree 5 tablespoons curry paste, the spinach, and 1 cup regular coconut milk in a blender until smooth. Reserve remaining curry paste for another use.
Bring remaining regular coconut milk and the light coconut milk to a boil in a medium Dutch oven or heavy stockpot. Reduce heat, stir in curry-spinach mixture, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add zucchini, and cook until slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until zucchini is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add basil, and garnish with serrano chiles. Serve with lime wedges.

Pumpkin-Pie Parfaits

Recipe Courtesy of Food Network Magazine

Ingredients
13 gingersnaps, chocolate wafers or graham crackers
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin
2 1/2 teaspoons bourbon
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 cups cold heavy cream

Directions
Put 7 cookies in a resealable plastic bag and crush into crumbs with a heavy pan. Brush the bottoms and about 1 inch up the sides of 6 parfait glasses with the butter. Add a spoonful of crumbs to each and roll them around the insides of the glasses; pour out the excess crumbs and reserve for topping. Refrigerate the prepared glasses.

Put 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, the pumpkin, 1 1/2 teaspoons bourbon and the nutmeg in a food processor. Pulse until smooth, about 1 minute.

Put the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50% power until melted, about 1 minute, stirring halfway. Add to the pumpkin mixture and process until combined. Transfer to a large bowl.

Beat 1 /12 cups cream in a bowl with a mixer until soft peaks form; fold into the pumpkin mixture until smooth. Divide among the prepared glasses and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Beat the remaining 1/2 cup cream with a mixer until foamy. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon bourbon and beat until soft peaks form. Top the parfaits with the whipped cream, reserved cookie crumbs and the remaining 6 cookies.

Photograph by Andrew Mccaul

Okay, it looks like the reigning Queen of Entertaining is the go-to girl for this! Suffice to say, the next few Drink recipes are all courtesy of Martha Stewart's Halloween Central! LMAO

Almond Brownie Coffins

Recipe Courtesy of You-Know-Who

Ingredients

Makes 12 coffins

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 teaspoon coarse salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for marbling
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
8 ounces dark-chocolate-covered almonds, chopped
3 ounces marzipan
Royal Icing and Fleurs-de-lis

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square pan, and line it with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Butter and flour parchment, tapping out excess.
Combine flour and salt in a small bowl. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sift cocoa powder on top of butter, and whisk to combine. Let cool 3 minutes. Gently whisk in vanilla and eggs, then stir in sugars and flour mixture until just combined. Fold in almonds, then spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
Bake until the top is firm and set, about 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let cool for 20 minutes. Remove brownies from pan using parchment overhang, and let cool on wire rack. (Brownies will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.)
Using the large coffin template, cut out brownies. Dust marzipan lightly with cocoa powder, and mix until marbled dark brown. Roll out marzipan to 1/4-inch thickness. Using the small coffin template, cut out 1 marzipan coffin for each brownie. Gently press a coffin on top of each brownie.
Fill a pastry bag fitted with the smallest plain round tip with royal icing. Decorate marzipan with small dots around the edges, and apply 1 fleur-de-lis to each coffin with a small offset spatula, securing each with a dot of royal icing.

Pina Ghoulada

Recipe Courtesy of You-Know-Who

Ingredients

Serves 10 to 12

FOR THE "BLOOD"
3 tablespoons corn syrup
1/4 teaspoons red food coloring
FOR THE DRINK
20 ounces pineapple juice
1 can (15 ounces) cream of coconut
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup orange juice
10 ounces good-quality rum

Directions
Pour the corn syrup in a shallow bowl. Dip a toothpick into the food coloring, and stir a very small amount into the syrup to combine. Hold a glass by the stem, dip rim into the syrup mixture, and turn glass, coating entire rim. Turn the glass upright, allowing mixture to drip down sides. Dip the remaining glasses. Set aside.
Whisk together drink ingredients. Place 2 1/2 cups ice in a blender, and add 1 cup drink mixture. Blend until smooth; add more pineapple juice if mixture is too thick. Repeat with remaining ice and mixture. Carefully pour into prepared glasses; serve.

Sinister Cider Cocktail

Recipe Courtesy of What's-Her-Name

Ingredients

Makes 1 cocktail

Fine black sanding sugar
1 lady apple, chopped
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1 ounce maple syrup
1 ounce apple cider
2 ounces vodka
Ice
Club soda
1 thin crosswise slice lady apple, for garnish

Directions
Moisten the rim of a martini glass with water. Place sanding sugar in a saucer and dip rim of glass in sanding sugar to coat; set aside.
In a cocktail shaker, muddle together apple cubes and lime wedges. Add syrup, cider, and vodka; fill with ice. Cover and shake until well combined. Strain into prepared martini glass; top with club soda. Garnish with apple slice and serve.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

A Little [ELVIRA MISTRESS OF THE DARK] for a Saturday Night



"Here I Am"... I think it's appropriate for tonight!!!

HAPPY SAMHAIN/HALLOWEEN, EVERYBODY!!!!