Halloween Dinner Recipes

Whether you're feeding your family or feeding a whole crowd; it pays to be prepared with something everyone likes. Comfort foods are always a big hit and easy to prepare.

Chili for a Crowd: 3 medium onions, chopped; 2 finely chopped bell peppers; 2 stalks celery, finely chopped; 8 lbs. hamburger; 2 (3 oz.) bottles chili powder; 1 small can tomato paste; 2 cups stewed tomatoes; 2 cans tomato sauce; 3 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 Tbsp. salt; 1 can chili salsa; hot chili pepper to taste; sprinkling of oregano; chili beans (optional). Brown hamburger and mix in all other ingredients. Simmer slowly for an hour or more. This recipe freezes well.

Fry Bread: 4 cups flour; 2 Tbsp. baking powder; 3 Tbsp. sugar; 2 tsp. salt; water to moisten. The trick to light fry is not to handle dough too much, just lightly mix together and roll our to 3/4 inch thickness. Cut in 3 inch squares. Cut a slit in the center of each square and fry in hot oil until done. This is good with chili or soup and as a base for fry bread tacos. Or after frying, put it in a cinnamon sugar mixture for a dessert fry bread.

Fry Bread Tacos: These are basically not too different from regular tacos or a taco salad. The fry bread is the base instead of a tortilla. And layer whatever Tex-Mex type foods you like. These include: refried beans, black olives, salsa, lettuce, shredded cheese, seasoned ground beef , sour cream, guacamole. Put food items on the top of the fry bread and eat heartily!

Cowboy Cookies: 1 cup butter; 1 cup white sugar; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 eggs; 1 tsp. vanilla; 2 cups flour; 1 tsp. soda; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. baking powder; 2 cups rolled oats; 1 package chocolate chips. Cream butter, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, soda, salt, and baking powder; mix just until blended. Add oats and chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoon on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Corn Salad: 2 cups fresh or frozen sweet corn; 3/4 cup chopped tomato; 1/2 cup chopped green pepper; 1/2 cup chopped celery; 1/4 c. minced onion; 1/4 cup prepared ranch dressing. Mix all ingredients together and serve. (This recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.)

Sour Cream Pound Cake: 4 cups flour; 2 tsp. baking powder; 2 cups sugar; 1 cup butter, softened; 2 c. sour cream; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 4 eggs; 1 tsp. vanilla or lemon extract; 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts.
Mix flour, baking powder, soda and salt in a mixing bowl. In separate bowl beat sugar and margarine until light and fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in extract. Stir in dry ingredients alternately with sour cream; add nuts (optional). Pour into tube or bundt pan. Bake 45 minutes in 350 degree oven. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.