Food and Beverage
Spooky Snacks that Make Halloween Pop
From watching scary movies to dressing up as ghouls and goblins, spooky season means it’s time to pop up your loved ones’ favorite snacks for a ghostly good time.
(Family Features) From watching scary movies to dressing up as ghouls and goblins, spooky season means it’s time to pop up your loved ones’ favorite snacks for a ghostly good time. Before heading out to trick-or-treat, gather your minions in the kitchen for some family-friendly fun crafting these haunting yet tasty treats.
Throughout October, you can honor National Popcorn Poppin’ Month with eerie, delicious eats like Spooky Popcorn Spider Web, Green Halloween Zombies, Witchy Popcorn Balls and Popcorn Caramel Apples that add festive fun to the Halloween excitement.
As a perfect ingredient in treats of all types, popcorn is beloved for its seed-to-snack simplicity as a non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free snack that’s naturally low in fat and calories. Add in its irresistible smell, taste and versatility, and it’s easy to see why it pairs so well with spooky celebrations.
Find more Halloween treats at popcorn.org.
Spooky Popcorn Spider Web
Yield: 1 spider web
- 1/4 cup butter
- 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 9 cups popped popcorn, divided
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
- black string licorice
- candy eyes
- Line round pizza pan with parchment paper; set aside. In large saucepan over low heat, melt butter; stir in 5 cups marshmallows, stirring constantly, 3-4 minutes, or until completely melted. Stir in vanilla. Remove from heat. Stir in 8 cups popcorn until coated. Spread onto prepared pizza pan in irregular round shape, about 1-inch thick, to resemble spider web. Refrigerate about 15 minutes, or until firm.
- In microwave, melt remaining marshmallows about 20 seconds, or until melted. Using spatula, string strands of melted marshmallow over popcorn spider web to create cobweb effect.
- In heatproof bowl set over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt 3/4 cup chocolate chips; cool slightly. In large bowl of remaining popcorn, pour chocolate over popcorn, folding gently to coat. Spread mixture on waxed paper-lined baking sheet, separating into eight small clusters. Affix two candy eyes to each popcorn cluster. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes, or until set.
- Melt remaining chocolate chips. Cut licorice into 1-inch lengths. Using small spoon, dab circles of chocolate onto spider web. Affix chocolate-coated popcorn onto chocolate circles. Affix licorice lengths to chocolate popcorn clusters to resemble spider legs.
- Refrigerate 15 minutes, or until set. To serve, cut into smaller pieces.
Witchy Popcorn Balls
Yield: 8 popcorn balls
- 16 chocolate wafer cookies
- nonstick cooking spray
- 3 quarts popped popcorn
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
- 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons (1/2 of 3-ounce box) lime gelatin dessert mix
- green food color (optional)
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- licorice strings
- 8 chocolate ice cream cones
- orange sugar sprinkles, placed in small dish
- jelly beans
- candy corns
- Spread sheet of waxed or parchment paper over work surface and place wafer cookies on it.
- Spray large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.
- In medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Adjust color with 1-2 drops food color, if desired. Pour mixture over popcorn and mix until coated.
- Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and press firmly to form into eight balls. Place balls on eight wafer cookies. Press candy decorations into popcorn balls to form “eyes,” “nose” and “mouth.”
- In small, microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips, covered, 10 seconds. Stir to aid melting. Repeat as needed until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate on top of each popcorn ball. Press licorice strings into chocolate to form “hair.”
- Dip cone edges into melted chocolate then orange sugar sprinkles. Place on remaining wafer cookies to form “witches’ hats.” Place hats on popcorn balls. Allow chocolate to set about 45 minutes before serving.
- Serve or seal individually in plastic wrap.
Green Halloween Zombies
Yield: about 7 pieces
- 2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn
- 6 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons lime gelatin powder
- red gum balls
- candy corn
- flat green candy strips or fruit leather
- green sugar sprinkles
- Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
- In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir marshmallows into butter until melted. Stir in gelatin powder until evenly colored.
- Pour melted mixture over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. With buttered hands, shape popcorn into seven ovals.
- Flatten one oval slightly and squeeze one end to form “skull” shape. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ovals.
- To decorate: Press two gumballs into each skull to form “eyes.” Press candy corn into skull to form “teeth.” Use scissors to trim candy strips and press into top for “hair.” Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.
- Allow “zombies” to set about 20 minutes before wrapping individually in plastic wrap or serve immediately.
Popcorn Caramel Apples
Yield: 4 apples
- 1 quart freshly popped popcorn
- 1 package (9 1/2 ounces, 35 total) caramels, unwrapped
- 1/4 cup light cream or half-and-half
- 4 lollipop sticks or wooden candy apple sticks
- 4 apples
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- sugar sprinkles
- decorative ribbon (optional)
- Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside. Place sheet of waxed paper on work surface.
- In small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat caramels and cream. Stir frequently until caramels are melted and cream is blended into caramels.
- Push one stick into apple center and dip into caramel. Spoon caramel over apple to coat. Repeat with remaining apples
- Place caramel-coated apple in bowl of popcorn and press popcorn onto caramel to cover. Place apple on waxed paper to set; repeat with remaining apples.
- In small, resealable plastic bag, microwave chocolate chips 10 seconds and press chips to aid melting. Repeat, heating at 10-second intervals, until chips are completely melted. Cut small corner off bag and squeeze chocolate onto each apple, allowing chocolate to drip down sides. Sprinkle with sugar sprinkles.
- Tie bow to each apple stick, if desired. To serve, cut apples into slices.
SOURCE:
Popcorn Board
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage
You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy
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recipes
5 Steps to Grill Vegetables
(Culinary.net) Burgers, brats, steak, chicken, pork chops and all the flavors of fresh meat get all the love on the grill, but a well-rounded meal calls for sides and veggies.
Grill Vegetables
Before you plan your next backyard barbecue, incorporate tasty vegetables – peppers, asparagus, onions, tomatoes, zucchini and more – for an all-out blitz of fresh-grilled flavor. Consider these simple steps to properly grill your crispy veggies:
- Light the grill. Step one, of course, is to prep a hot grill. For the best cooking experience, you’ll want medium-high heat or even high heat for quick, direct grilling. By lighting the grill ahead of veggie prep, you’ll allow plenty of heating time to complete your other tasks.
- Prepare vegetables. Depending on what you plan to cook, there’ll likely be some preparation to undertake, such as cutting off stems and blemishes or removing pits and seeds. In addition to cleaning up your ingredients, you may want to chop, dice or slice based on the recipe.
- Coat vegetables with olive oil. Drizzling just a small amount of olive oil over your vegetables and tossing to coat adds a couple benefits. First, it helps the outer layer crisp rather than dry out, plus it aids in seasonings – like salt and pepper – sticking to the vegetable instead of falling off while on the grill or in a pan.
- Consider using foil packets or skewers. If char marks aren’t your thing, tossing chopped or diced veggies into a foil packet before hitting the grill steams them for a bit of a softer texture. Alternately, wooden skewers soaked in water (to prevent burning) can help keep smaller chunks of veggies from slipping through the grill grates while still achieving a crispy exterior.
- Pay attention to grill times. Different types of vegetables and preparation methods call for different cook times, but 5-10 minutes over direct heat generally gets the job done. The smaller you chunk, chop, slice or dice, the less time it’ll take.
Find more grilling tips at Culinary.net.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage
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Lifestyle
Mac and Cheese Recall: Potential Spoilage Concerns Affect Products at Major Retailers
Mac and Cheese Recall
In a recent announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), two types of macaroni and cheese products sold at major retailers have been recalled due to concerns over potential spoilage. The recall affects Reser’s American Classics Macaroni & Cheese and Reser’s American Classics Macaroni & Cheese White Cheddar, as part of a broader recall of Reser’s Fine Foods deli salads and refrigerated items.
Scope of the Recall
The affected macaroni and cheese varieties were distributed across five states: California, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The specific “use by” dates for the recalled products are as follows:
- Reser’s American Classics Macaroni & Cheese: Use by dates of September 14 and September 16, 2024.
- Reser’s American Classics Macaroni & Cheese White Cheddar: Use by date of September 11, 2024.
In addition to the macaroni and cheese products, the recall includes a variety of other items such as potato salad, scalloped potatoes, pasta salad, corn, egg salad, spinach dip, gravy, and various desserts.
Cause of the Recall
According to the FDA, the potential spoilage was linked to “temperature abuse” during transportation, specifically due to a malfunctioning refrigeration unit on a trailer. A representative from Reser’s Fine Foods confirmed to FOX Business that the issue was isolated to a single truckload of product delivered to only one distributor location.
“The recall was initiated on July 29, 2024, and no affected products ever made it to the store shelves,” the representative stated. They further reassured consumers that any items purchased from stores are safe to consume.
Retailer Responses
Major retailers, including Safeway, Stop & Shop, and Walmart, which stock Reser’s macaroni and cheese products, have stated that their stores were not impacted by the recall. However, Target, another retailer selling the products, did not provide a comment when contacted by FOX Business.
Consumer Safety First
The FDA and Reser’s Fine Foods have stressed the importance of consumer safety in this situation. While the affected products have not reached store shelves, customers who may have purchased any items from the recalled batch are encouraged to check the packaging for the specified “use by” dates.
As always, consumers are advised to be vigilant about food safety and to report any concerns to their local health department or the FDA. For those who may have questions or require further information regarding this recall, contacting Reser’s Fine Foods directly or checking the FDA’s website can provide additional clarity.
In conclusion, while the recent recall raises concerns over food safety, companies and regulatory agencies are working diligently to ensure that consumers remain informed and protected. As the situation develops, staying updated through reliable sources is essential for maintaining food safety standards in your household.
Read the story on Fox Business.com: https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/mac-cheese-sold-major-retailers-recalled-potential-spoiling
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
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Food and Beverage
Find Comfort in Food with Crispy Chicken Strips
(Family Features) Cooler weather brings the joy of comfort food, and it’s hard to find a dish more comforting than fried chicken. This Fried Chicken Tenders recipe makes it easy to cook tasty strips to golden perfection – just pair with your favorite dipping sauce (or none at all) for a classic weeknight meal.
Find more fall meal ideas at Culinary.net.
Fried Chicken Tenders
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- Oil of choice, for frying
- 1/2 stick butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 3 pounds chicken breast, cut into strips
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup barbecue seasoning of choice
- 1/4 cup mesquite seasoning
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- dipping sauce of choice (optional)
- Fill Dutch oven or large frying pan halfway with oil and butter; heat over medium heat.
- In large bowl, mix eggs and milk then place chicken strips in mixture.
- In separate bowl, mix flour, barbecue seasoning and mesquite seasoning. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Remove 4-6 chicken strips from milk mixture and cover completely in flour mixture.
- Drop pinch of flour in hot oil; if it crackles, it’s hot enough. Once hot, fry battered chicken 4 minutes then, using tongs or fork, turn over and fry 4 minutes. When done, chicken will be golden and almost float. Remove from frying pan and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Serve with dipping sauce of choice, if desired.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage
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