Casual Halloween Dinner Party

Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 1 Issue 21

While I’ve always liked Halloween, the effort that goes into costume planning and a full out party is usually more than we’re ready to jump into.  It always sounds like a fun idea and then Halloween draws near, we look at each other and conclude that inertia has won and we’re not going to go to any extremes.  Well, this year, I’d say we took a middle-of-the-road approach and opted for a Casual Halloween Dinner Party.  

We had the fun and novelty of some themed food and what I’ll call a tame amount of decorations.  It was a good time and got the creative juices flowing.  However, my ever pragmatic self particularly likes that most of the recipes can easily fit into a normal, non-themed dinner party without batting an eyelash.  I just wouldn’t use names like “Bloody Coffin Brie” or “Blood Moon Soup” when serving them.  Some guests might be alarmed.  Strange, I know.  

So what, one might ask, does one have at a “Casual” Halloween Dinner Party? 

Appetizers

We started things off with some fun appetizers.  The “Bloody Coffin Brie” could also be presented as “Melty Chili Garlic Brie,” which perhaps better describes its creaminess with a little spicy kick.  Then there were the “Eyeball Hors d’Oeuvres” which in other circumstances, I’d call “Prosciutto Mozzarella Nests.”  In another nod to fall, one of our guests rounded out the appetizers with Warm Roasted Butternut Squash, Sausage, Feta Salad.  To accompany the opening spread, we were treated to some tasty bubbles in the form of Domaine Carneros Brut.  

Bloody Coffin Brie (a.k.a. Melty Chili Garlic Brie)

Eyeball Hors d’Oeuvres (a.k.a. Prosciutto Mozzarella Nests)

Green Slime (a.k.a. Garlicky Spinach Cashew Dip)

Main Meal

Moving on to the main meal we enjoyed some Stuffed Pepper Jack-O-Lanterns with a side of “Blood Moon Soup” (a.k.a. Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup) and Keto Black Bat Crackers.  While everything was tasty and well received, the Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup was definitely the M.V.P. of the night.  Since we had a lot of flavor going for the main meal, we paired it with an Italian Barbaresco that could stand up to the food.  

Blood Moon Soup (a.k.a. Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup) with Keto Black Bat Crackers (Yeah, I don’t have another name for these.)

Stuffed Pepper Jack-O-Lanterns (a.k.a. Stuffed Peppers)

Dessert

Finally, we wrapped up with two desserts–Sugar Free Witch Finger Cookies and Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding.  To cap things off, Scar made a quick spiced cocktail to keep with the fall feeling.  

Magic Potion (a.k.a. Sugar Free Blackberry Pisco Sours)

Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Sugar Free Witch Finger Cookies

As always, it was a lot of fun with friends and a lot of food.  Check out the menu and shopping list below for the details.  

The Details

Number of People: 7

Serving Style: Appetizers on the Table, Dinner Plated, Dessert on Table and Buffet

Guest Arrival Time: 7:00 pm

The Menu for our Casual Halloween Dinner Party

Appetizers

Melty Chili Garlic Brie (a.k.a. Bloody Coffin Brie)

You’ve got to try the flavor explosion for your mouth that is this Melty Chili Garlic Brie! Ooey-gooey brie melted with spicy chili and garlicky goodness. It’s the perfect blend of heat and cheesy decadence. You and your guests won’t be able to resist taking another bite!

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Prosciutto Mozzarella Nests (a.k.a. Eyeball Hors d’Oeuvres)

Delicious little flavor bombs, these Prosciutto Mozzarella Nests can be fancy or fanciful depending on your theme. The best part is how easy they are to put together!

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Green Slime (a.k.a. Garlicky Spinach Cashew Dip)

Packed with spinach and garlic and set off with a bit of lemon juice, this Garlicky Spinach Cashew Dip makes the perfect addition to your appetizer spread. It has all the decadence of a creamy dip without the dairy.

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Warm Roasted Butternut Squash, Sausage, and Feta Salad

Main

Stuffed Peppers (a.k.a. Stuffed Pepper Jack-O-Lanterns)

These Stuffed Peppers are packed with all the good stuff–tender bell peppers stuffed to the brim with savory cauliflower rice, juicy ground meat, a tasty sauce, and a medley of spices that will have you doing the happy dance with every bite.

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Sides

Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup (a.k.a. Blood Moon Soup)

Whether you need warmed up when the temperatures drop or are just looking for a soup that’s big on flavor, you’ve got to try this Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup. Made with fire roasted tomatoes and poblanos, this soup is perfect for your next dinner party or just to make for a weeknight dinner!

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Keto Black Bat Crackers

These Keto Black Bat Crackers are the perfect snack for those who crave a cheesy, crunchy treat while keeping things low carb. Made with real cheddar and infused with squid ink, these crackers are not only delicious but also a super cute addition to your Halloween themed dinner party (or just as a fun snack). You and your guests are sure to go batty for them!

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Dessert

Sugar Free Witch Finger Cookies

If you’re looking for some delicious and spooky treats that also happen to be low carb, sugar free, and coconut free, you’ve got to try these Sugar Free Witch Finger Cookies. They are the perfect addition to any Halloween themed gathering or just a fun snack. These cookies are sure to impress and delight your guests!

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Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Treat your taste buds to a fun fall dessert. This Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without all of the sugar. Imagine a warm, gooey, pumpkin-infused treat that’s low in carbs and high in flavor! It’s the ultimate fall indulgence. Get ready to fall in love with this pumpkin-licious low carb bread pudding, and treat yourself to a guilt-free dessert that’s sure to impress!

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Wine and Cocktail Pairings

Magic Potion (a.k.a. Sugar Free Blackberry Pisco Sours)

These fabulous Sugar Free Blackberry Pisco Sours make a deliciously refreshing drink that your guests can enjoy without the sugar.  Made with smooth pisco, sugar-free blackberry syrup, lime juice, and a hint of spiced cherry bitters, it’s a flavor explosion that’ll have people raving long after the last sip!

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• Domaine Carneros Estate Brut Cuvée
• 2018 Azienda Agricola Quazzolo Barbaresco
• 2014 Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon Henry Brothers Vineyard

Getting Ready for the Casual Halloween Dinner Party

Advanced Prep (2 or More Days in Advance)

The Usual Suspects:

• Pick up around the house for rooms people will see
• Make grocery list
• Go grocery shopping
• Plan out servingware

The Not So Usual Suspects:

• Put out any Halloween decorations you have / wish to display
• Make sure table linens are clean and ready to go

Food Prep:

• Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding
  • Cube keto bread (5 minutes)
  • Bake keto bread cubes (dry them in oven) (40 minutes) (Move on to chopping while these are in the oven)
  • Store in a zip top bag on the counter
• Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup
  • Cut poblanos in half and de-seed (5 minutes) 
  • Roast Poblanos (20 minutes) (Move on to other chopping)
  • Cool Poblanos (20 minutes) 
  • Peel and chop roasted Poblanos (10 minutes)
  • Chop onions, carrots, celery (10 minutes)
• Stuffed Pepper Jack-O-Lanterns
  • Slice mushrooms (5 minutes)
  • Dice onions, yellow peppers, green peppers, red peppers, carrots, and celery (10 minutes)
• Sugar Free Witch Finger Cookies
  • Make cookie dough (30 minutes)
  • Bake cookies (1 hour)
  • Decorate cookies (15 minutes)
  • Cool and store in refrigerator

Day Before Prep

• Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup
  • Make soup (Move on to making the Black Bat Crackers while the soup simmers) (55 minutes)
  • Cool and refrigerate
• Keto Black Bat Crackers
  • Make dough (30 minutes)
  • Bake (1 hour) (Move on to making the stuffing for the peppers while these bake and crisp up)
  • Cool and store in refrigerator
• Stuffed Pepper Jack-O-Lanterns (30 minutes)
  • Cook mushrooms
  • Cook ground pork
  • Cook vegetables
  • Combine all ingredients and cook stuffing
  • Cool and refrigerate (Move on to prepping the pumpkin bread pudding while the stuffing cools)
• Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding (20 minutes)
  • Combine all ingredients 
  • Put in casserole dish, cover, and place in refrigerator overnight

Day Of Timeline (Guest Arrival 7:00 pm (T))

• 5:00 pm (T – 2h)
  • Put Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup in crockpot / slow cooker on High to heat it through
  • Take Stuffed Pepper Stuffing out of refrigerator
• 5:10 pm (T – 1h 50m)
  • Stuffed Peppers
    • Prep orange bell peppers for stuffing – cut off tops, leaving stem intact
    • Hull out seeds and membranes
    • Stuff with stuffing
    • Carve jack-o-lantern face into sides
    • Stand in greased 9×13-inch casserole dish
• 5:30 pm (T – 1h 30m)
  • Preheat oven to 300°F for Stuffed Peppers
• 5: 40 (T – 1h 20m)
  • Prosciutto Mozzarella Nests
    • Put them together on serving plate
    • Cover with plastic wrap and stash in fridge
• 5:45 pm (T – 1h 15m)
  • Stuffed Peppers
    • Put peppers in oven at 300°F for 1 hour
• 6:00 pm (T – 1h)
  • Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding
    • Make maple glaze for bread pudding
    • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve
• 6:10 pm (T – 50m)
  • Set table
• 6:30 pm (T – 30m)
  • Melty Chili Garlic Brie
    • Cut Brie into coffin shape and spread chili garlic sauce on top
    • Cover with plastic wrap
• 6:45 pm (T – 15m)
  • Turn oven up to 350°F
• 6:50 pm (T – 10m)
  • Melty Chili Garlic Brie
    • Microwave brie until melty
    • Add pork rinds and / or keto pita chips for serving and place on table
• 6:55 pm (T – 5m)
  • Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding
    • Put Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding in the oven for 30 minutes
  • Roasted Tomato Poblano Soup
    • Turn crockpot containing the soup down to “Warm”
• 7:00 pm (T)
  • Pour wine and greet guests
• 7:25 pm (T + 25m)
  • Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding
    • Take Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding out of the oven
    • Take maple glaze out of the fridge