Pumpkin Carving Party Appetizers

When it comes time for Halloween, everyone wants to act like a kid, eating candy, dressing up in ridiculous costumes and of course, carving pumpkins. This year I hosted the 2nd annual Pumpkin Carving Party, everyone is required to bring their own pumpkin and design idea. Contestants eat while they carve and at the end of the night the winner is chosen by a blind ballot.
The centerpiece for the appetizer table was an assortment of gourds and pumpkins that had been carved to be candle holders. It was a cheap and festive way to dress up the table.

Spooky Sausage Dip

This sausage dip recipe has an odd source, but it has turned out to be the biggest crowd pleaser in my recipe box. I was given the idea from a bartender at our local bar when I needed a last minute recipe for a party and it has been a hit ever since.

1 package Jimmie Dean Sausage Hot

2 bars of cream cheese

1 can Rotel (your choice Hot or Regular)

2 tablespoons diced pickled jalapenos

1. Brown the sausage

2. Drain the fat from the pan

3. Add the cream cheese, Rotel and jalapenos until creamy

4. Best served in a crock pot or hot off the stove

Bone Breadsticks with Bloody Marinara Sauce

1tube Pillsbury Garlic Bread Sticks

1 Jar Marinara Sauce

Parmesan Cheese

Garlic Salt

1. Flatten the garlic bread out on a baking sheet

2. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garlic salt

3. Cut into square pieces and then cut slits 3/4s of the way into the piece

4. Bake according to instructions

5. Serve warm with marinara sauce

Mummie Weiners

Before I even had a chance to take a photo of these, they were all gone!

2 packages of mini beef franks

2 rolls Pillsbury pizza dough

1. Roll the pizza dough out flat on a baking sheet

2. Cut the pizza dough into thin strips with a pizza cutter

3. Wrap the strips around the beef frank beginning at the bottom and overlapping as you move up, leaving the top uncovered

4. Bake until golden and puffy

5. Serve with ketchup dipping sauce

Deviled Egg Eye Balls

1 dozen hard boiled eggs

1/3 cup mayonnaise

4 tablespoons mustard

Black Olives sliced

Salt and Pepper to taste

Green and Red Food Coloring

1. Gently squeeze hard boiled eggs in their shells so they are cracked

2. Soak the eggs in water and red food coloring over night

3. Peal shell off under running water

4. Slice egg in half and remove yolks

5. Mix yolk, mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper and green food coloring together

6. Spoon yolks back into egg halves and place sliced olive on top