Sandra Lee’s Halloween Tips and Graveyard Dips!
1 Comment | Written on October 22, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni
This Sunday October 24th at 11:30am ET/PT on Food Network, the “Queen of Halloween,” Sandra Lee, will wow viewers with a special “Renaissance Halloween” episode of Semi-Homemade featuring five costumes created by legendary designer, Bob Mackie.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking with Sandra about her tips for costumes, decorations and, of course, recipes for Halloween. I was even able to ask a few questions on behalf of our Facebook and Twitter fans! She also told me all about her brand new cookboook, filled with 1001 semi-homemade recipes.
Facebook fans Rebecca and Jaymie both inquired about Sandra’s matching sets, wardrobe and tablescapes. Sandra explained that coordinating wardrobe and sets is not a new concept. If you look back at old episodes of the Lawrence Welk Show, Donny and Marie or Sonny and Cher, they often did the same thing. Sandra likes the idea of showing viewers what’s possible and appeal to a wide variety of different tastes!
Tina wanted me to ask Sandra about appetizer ideas for Halloween. Sandra said that when it comes to appetizers, the best bet is to stick with the classic favorites. Who doesn’t love cocktail wieners wrapped in puff pastry and dipped in mustard? Or a warm round of brie cheese topped with cranberry chutney? As easy as these appetizers are, they are always a crowd pleaser!
Here are a few other tips Sandra shared during our conversation:
Decorations: You can buy everything you need at the grocery store! Pumpkins, mums and even small bales of hay create great Fall tablescapes that can carry you from Halloween all the way through to Thanksgiving. You save time and money!
Costumes: Create “semi-homemade” costumes with some creative shopping in your own closet. No need to throw away ripped nylons. Simply pair them with some flashy jewelry and wild hair and you have a fantastic 80′s inspired costume!
Food and Drinks: It is all about having fun with minimal stress. Make cocktails by the pitcher but don’t add ice. When you are ready to enjoy, serve them up on the rocks.
This recipe for “Spooktacular Graveyard Dip” is one of our Top Ten Gross Halloween Recipes. A layered dip is always a hit with guests and a stress-free dish like this is on par with Sandra Lee’s entertaining philosophy!
Tortilla tombstones are placed in this dip, which layers cream cheese, sour cream, and green chilies with canned chili, cheese and lettuce.
Ingredients:
- 8 eight-inch flour tortillas
- Black food color writer
- 1 4-ounce can green chilies, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 15-ounce can prepared chili with beans
- 1 8-oz package shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 4-5 large whole pitted black olives
- Tortilla chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut tortillas into tombstone shapes, about 3-inches wide by 4-inches high. If using black food writer, write funny epitaphs on each tombstone. (For example: Yul B. Next or Al B. Back.) Spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. Bake until beginning to brown; turn; bake on other side and cool. In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese and sour cream. Fold in green chilies and green onions. Place in an 8×8-inch baking dish. Pour prepared chili on top of cream cheese mixture, then cover with shredded cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, then cool slightly. Cover cheese layer with shredded lettuce. Carefully set tortilla tombstones down into dip. Cut olives as follows to make spiders: Cut a small piece from closed end of each olive to make spiders head. Cut a slice from the side of each olive to make spider body. Cut remainder of each olive into 8 small pieces to make spider legs. Arrange spiders on top of lettuce around tombstones. Serve with additional tortilla chips.
Number of Servings: 4-6
Notes: Instead of food color writer, black food coloring mixed into some additional cream cheese and placed in a decorator bag can be used to write epitaphs after tortillas are completely cooled.
Categories:
Better Recipes, Celebrations and Parties, Fast and Fabulous, Holidays, On A Budget, Tips and Tricks | Tags: Appetizer Recipes, Cheese, Dips and Spreads, Easy Recipes, Halloween Party Recipes, Halloween Recipes, Mexican Appetizer & Drink Recipes, Mexican Recipes
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One Response to “Sandra Lee’s Halloween Tips and Graveyard Dips!”
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