The "trick" is getting everything done... the clock is moving so much faster today than usual... and I am hurriedly trying to tie-up loose ends for a third-grade Halloween party, getting costume details in order and making sure I'm in order!
No matter how much prep work I seem to do, Halloween day is a flurry of activities and a race to the starting bell at 6 PM sharp when the real fun begins...
The treat will be seeing all the cute kiddos on our door step. This year I'm planning to present them with a basket of shiny apples...APPLES!?? Not really, the treat will be when I show them the real candy-- I have full-size candy bars to pass out! I'm so excited...I hope they will be too!!
It's going to be a chilly Halloween night, with haunting winds and possible snow flurries!!
Brrrr... I will need something to warm up those frosty trick-or-treater's and their trusty chaperon when they return home!
Once they sink their fangs into this Dracula's Revenge, a gooey-cheesy dip; they will be sure to thaw out.
Quick, easy and marvelous for a bevy of hungry bats, or starving kids and husbands...
Cheesy Garlic Spinach Artichoke Dip
1 box or bag of frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and all the water squeezed out.
1 can of artichoke hearts, roughly chopped (5-7 in the can I used)
1/2 red bell pepper chopped fine
1 garlic clove minced
1 cup of mayo- We use Hellman's or Dukes
1 cup of shredded Parmesan
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese for the top
***
Mix the first 8 ingredients together. Spread dip into a baking dish. Top with a sprinkle of Monterey Jack cheese. Pop into a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and everything is melted and bubbly.
What to serve with Dracula's Revenge??
I like sliced french bread, tortillas, or celery... but for Halloween night... bat chips!!
For fun I added bat shaped tortillas to scoop up the cheesy goodness.
Take your favorite tortillas and on a cutting board, cut out the bat shapes with a cookie cutter. Of course, you can use whatever shape you like...ghosts or pumpkins would be cute too!
***If you like the tortillas crisped, lightly spray batty tortillas with cooking oil, lightly salt and pepper and bake on cookie sheet, in a 350 degree oven for about 5-7 minutes (keep a watchful eye...the tortillas can go from crisp and toasty to burned and gross in two seconds)
The toasted bats can be made ahead.
Wishing you and yours a hauntingly good Halloween!!!