Ham and Cheese Spiders

I spun off my earlier post of Ham and Cheese Sliders and turned them into spiders. I used this recipe for French Bread Rolls to make the spider body and legs. I was in  a hurry to get these in the oven so they ended up looking like crabs. Next time I will spend more time making them look better.

Ham and Cheese Spiders
Makes 7-9 spiders

1 recipe for French Bread Rolls or  if you are short on time you can use 1 (12 oz.) tube refrigerated flaky buttermilk biscuits, separated into 10 biscuits. Also use 1 (11 oz.) tube refrigerated bread sticks. separated into 12 bread sticks
1 c. chopped fully cooked ham
24 (about 1 cup) small slices of cheese (Swiss works great)
Mayonnaise
2 tbsp. sliced olives

For the sauce:
1½ tbsp. yellow mustard
8 tbsp. butter, melted
1 tbsp. finely minced onion (or 2 tsp. dried minced onion)
½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Poppy seeds, for sprinkling


Preheat oven to 350. Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut 3 -3 1/2 inch circles. Place on greased baking sheets. Roll 8 legs for each spider about 1/2 inch thick. Press each leg into the dough circles on the baking sheet. Tuck 1/2 inch ball of foil under each leg so it stands up in the center.


Add the ham and cheese to the middle of the dough circle. Top with another 3 1/2 inch circle of dough. Pinch edges to seal.


In a small bowl combine the sauce ingredients. Brush over tops of spiders and legs, sprinkle with poppy seeds. Place 2 sliced olives to resemble eyes. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned.

Monster Claws

Another fun Halloween food.

Monster Claws

5 small red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
Paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425. Cut 2 wedges from end of each potato slice to resemble claw.

Place oil in a 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan; tilt to coat bottom evenly. Place potato slices evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle slices with paprika, turn to coat with oil and sprinkle with paprika. Bake 5 minutes. Turn slices; bake 4 minutes longer or until just fork tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bloodshot Eyeballs

Anyone that knows me knows how much I LOVE Halloween. I especially love to make fun and spooky food. I had fun making these eyeballs.

Bloodshot Eyeballs

2 c. confectioners sugar, divided
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
3 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 lb. white candy coating (Almond bark)
24 Reese's pieces or M&M's
1 Tbsp. water
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. red food coloring

In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 cup confectioners sugar, butter and peanut butter. Shape into 1 inch balls; place on a waxed paper lined pan. Chill for 30 minutes or until firm.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt white candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip balls in coating and place on waxed paper. Immediately press a candy onto the top of each eyeball for pupil. Let stand for 30 minutes or until set.

In a small bowl, combine the water, food coloring and remaining confectioners sugar. Transfer to a heavy duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe wavy lines downward from pupil, creating the look of bloodshot eyes. Store in an airtight container.  (You can use the store bought icing to get that dark red color since it is nearly impossible to get that color just by adding red food coloring.)