Main Line Feast

Casting a Culinary Spell

Halloween parties are an annual tradition in our house, so I’m all about serving up witchy bites, brews and ‘boos’ this time of year.  

But much of the Halloween recipe ideas I see these days, could literally kill a party.  Food should be in the spirit of the occasion, don’t get me wrong.  But, c’mon, do you really want to bring your guests to this?   

Halloween food should be inspired, whimsical and reasonably recognizable. Guests prefer to eat something that’s appealing. And you’re less likely to be cursing in the kitchen, assembling impossibly detailed recipes.   

So aim for riveting  - not revolting - this Halloween. Here are ideas to get started:  

Fresh Pumpkin Soup (in a bread bowl)

Just when I thought I couldn’t eat another zucchini, our neck pumpkins began ripening in full force. And in an effort to make use of each every one of these beauties, this week I’m test-driving a whole series of recipes that highlight fresh pumpkin. Tonight’s recipe was too good not to share straight away. Pumpkin soup is brightened with a moderate balance of spices, and garnished with creamy goat cheese, salty bacon and a drizzle of maple syrup. Serve in a bread bowls (that I sourced from Panera) for the perfect pre-game Sunday night dinner.

Go Global – Czech Garlic Soup

Snow-covered grounds welcomed me to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, during the six months I spent living there as a student years ago.  

In the weeks that followed, as we discovered the city, there was one dish that warmed us up (in addition to the 50 cent pints of beer) … garlic soup (Česnečka).  Salty beef broth simmered with crushed garlic, diced potatoes and topped with bread cubes. So simple and comforting, I often wonder why I’ve never found it on menus here.