By By Lisa Tindell
Halloween is a great holiday for kids. Seems they love things that either are related to super heroes or a little on the yucky or gross side.
If you plan on having some youngsters, or even the young at heart, over to your home for a little holiday fun, you may be in need of a few recipes that will give your table a little frightening appearance.
As promised, this week's column is geared toward Halloween goodies. The recipes found here this week are for special drinks that are perfect for serving during a night of haunting and fun.
Green Punch
2 (3 ounce) packages lime flavored gelatin mix
1 quart hot water
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 cups white sugar
4 or 5 cups cold water
2 liters ginger ale
In a large saucepan dissolve the gelatin in 1 quart of hot water. Allow to cool. When gelatin is cool, pour into a large punch bowl, Stir in pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate, sugar and 4 1/2 cups cold water. Pour in ginger ale just before serving.
This next recipe calls for a hand to float in the punch bowl along with the beverage. You'll need either a dishwashing glove or a surgical-type glove to complete that portion of the recipe.
Witches Brew
1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries, thawed
2 and one-half cups cranberry juice
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
2 liters ginger ale
2 liters sparkling apple cider (non-alcoholic)
6 gummi snakes candy
To make the frozen hand: Wash and rinse the outside of a latex dishwashing glove. Turn glove inside out and set aside. In a 4-cup measuring cup, combine the thawed raspberries and cranberry juice.
Pour 2 cups of the raspberry mixture into a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over and let stand 2 minutes. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly, just until gelatin dissolves. Mix back into the reserved raspberry mixture in the measuring cup. Pour raspberry mixture into the inverted glove. Gather up the top of the glove and tie securely with kitchen twine. Freeze until solid, or several days if possible.
To serve: Carefully cut latex glove away from frozen hand. Place frozen hand, palm side up, leaning against side of a large punch bowl. Pour in ginger ale and sparkling cider. Garnish with gummy snakes.
Most punch recipes available for this holiday celebration either turn out to be green or red. This next recipe comes out black and makes for a very interesting drink offering.
Black Punch
1 small envelope unsweetened grape soft drink mix
1 small envelope unsweetened orange soft drink mix
2 cups white sugar
3 quarts cold water
1 liter ginger ale
To make a frozen hand, wash a disposable glove, fill with water, seal with a rubber band and freeze until hard. Stir together grape soft drink mix, orange soft drink mix, sugar and water until solids are dissolved. Combine with chilled ginger ale just before serving. Dip the frozen hand briefly in warm water, then peel off the glove. Float the prepared hand in the punch bowl for a ghastly effect.
If you plan to have a party geared toward adult entertainment, this next recipe calls for alcohol. If you have children in the house during the party be sure to keep them away from the punch bowl with the alcohol.
Green Grog
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate
2 (12 fluid ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate
2 (2 liter) bottles lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
1 (750 milliliter) bottle rum
2 quarts lime sherbet
In a large pot, combine limeade, lemonade and lemon-lime soda. Stir in rum (add more to taste if desired.) Mix in the lime sherbet.
Check back here next week when I'll have a few recipes for some snack and cake ideas perfect for this spooky holiday.
Until next week, Happy Cooking!