Something wicked this way comes. Yep, Halloween is on its way. And though once – Queen of Darkness though I am – I dismissed Halloween as an overly commercial American holiday and rolled my heavily-kohled eyes disparagingly in its general direction, I am now a total convert.
My little ghouls on the other dismembered hand were hooked on Halloween from the moment they could say BOO! In fact they have embraced the occasion with the enthusiasm of a pack of thirsty vampires at a blood bank. Despite my initial resistance, their passion soon rubbed off on their cadaverous mother and I too now look forward to the horrible holiday in all its tacky, kitschy ghoulishness with suitably wicked glee.
And what’s not to love? It is a night when you let your children celebrate a pagan celebration of the occult. A night when you allow your beloved babies to not only talk to strangers, but boldly bang on their doors and greedily demand they hand over treats. A night when anything even remotely resembling nutrition is thrown out the window…
Wait, what?
Hang on a sec. That was the old me talking. The new gothically-enhanced me sees Halloween a little differently.
It is a night to celebrate with friends and family. It’s a night that teaches kids the importance of being neighbourly. It’s a night when our kids offer treats to our neighbours as well take. It is a night when they can get creative, dress up and express themselves however they want without fear of judgement.
And it’s one night of the year when I am happy to relax my normally strict nutritional code, because at the Eats Worlds annual Halloween party, I put a limit on their candy collections.
And to offset the poison toffee apples, oreo graveyards and blood splattered cookies I always prepare plenty of healthy, wholesome food… albeit cunningly disguised as monkey’s brains (jars of pork dumplings in sauce), zombie heads (pizza) or blood soup (borscht).
But most of all, this goth-mama thinks of it is a night where normally civilised people hit the streets to unleash their inner crazy, in a good way, not that this family is ever all that normal… or civilised.
I have to confess that over the last few years I have become such a Halloween convert that I go all out to decorate the house with cobwebs and tombstones, though given Morticia Addams is my style icon this isn’t a giant leap, and the Eats Worlds annual Halloween Spooktacular has become one of the not-to-be missed events of local primary school society. Well, at least it would be if you consider a dozen neighbours and friends popping by for a junior gore fest a society event.
This year we’ll be decking the halls with cobwebs and cadavers and we’ll also be trying some these simple ideas from our kooky pals at Carnival Cruise Line Australia, who are experts at putting the creepy into family cruising on Halloween.
And of course, we’ll be laying out all the usual edible blood, guts and gore, including these healthy halloween monster burgers hat are as nutritious as they are vicious and which make for a perfect last minute treat for your little ghouls.
Ingredients
- 6 Wholemeal Round Buns
- 500g Lean Beef mince
- 1 small carrot
- 1 zucchini, grated
- 1 small red onion, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1/2 cup chopped continental parsley
- 70g breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, lightly whisked
- 6 cheese slices
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Stuffed olives
- Red & Green capsicum
- Tomato sauce
Instructions
- Mix mince, grated carrot, zucchini, onion, garlic, parsley and breadcumbs in a bowl.
- Shape into six bun size patties.
- Cook patties on a medium heat in a frypan with a splash of olive oil until cooked through.
- Slice cucumber and olives into discs and use toothpicks to attach to top half of wholemeal bun
- Cut triangles from capsicums and insert into top of burger bun.
- Cut strips from alternate coloured capsicum and attach with toothpicks.
- Cut zig zag pattern into one edge of the cheese.
- Assemble burgers with lettuce, avocado, patty, cheese, tomato sauce, and decorated bun.
Kate
October 24, 2016 at 7:50 am (2 years ago)I can’t wait for Halloween either!
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:36 pm (2 years ago)Runs in the family
Kate
October 24, 2016 at 7:52 am (2 years ago)And those burgers look amazing after my decadent weekend this weekend!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
October 24, 2016 at 8:45 am (2 years ago)They’re so cute and scary at the same time! I don’t have much time for people that poopooh Halloween. I’m too busy decorating coffins for that 😛
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:36 pm (2 years ago)Bwahahaha! I couldn’t agree more. I’m off to boil some blood for a batch of cookies!
Sarah @sarahdipity
October 26, 2016 at 8:32 am (2 years ago)These are so cool, my son would love them!
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:37 pm (2 years ago)And they are super simple to make!
Cristin
October 26, 2016 at 8:33 am (2 years ago)Those burgers are the best! The little Halloween lover looking over my shoulder is begging for these for dinner.
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:38 pm (2 years ago)Maybe you should make them for your little ghoul on Halloween! My two love them
Julie
October 26, 2016 at 8:53 am (2 years ago)They look so cool and great to get kids involved in something that is healthy in amongst all the other sweet treats.
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:39 pm (2 years ago)I think it is so important to balance out all that sugar without spoiling the fun!
Christine @ Adventure, Baby!
October 26, 2016 at 9:30 am (2 years ago)They all look incredible! I’m forever in awe of the things you and the kids make.
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:38 pm (2 years ago)Thanks Christine. It wouldn’t be too hard to make these a veggie version!
Mim
October 26, 2016 at 12:21 pm (2 years ago)These look absolutely awesome, you’re so talented! And that goes for the burgers and the ghouls ha! x
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:39 pm (2 years ago)Awww. Thanks so much MIm
Maxabella
October 27, 2016 at 3:17 pm (2 years ago)Eeek, these are brilliant! Guess what I’m making for dinner on Monday! x
BOYEATSWORLD
October 27, 2016 at 3:40 pm (2 years ago)Yay! I hope your little ghouls love them as much as mine do!
Rachel
October 27, 2016 at 3:48 pm (2 years ago)They are the cutest little monster burgers ever!!! Love them!
#teamIBOT
Steven
October 27, 2016 at 4:14 pm (2 years ago)Those foods are creative and cute,,that will be suit for Halloween and nice article. The costume also great..thank you for sharing
Chasa Fulkerson
October 29, 2016 at 2:13 am (2 years ago)This food is too cute, a plus that it’s healthy too! I am going to have to book mark this so I can maybe use it for next year! Oh that kids are cute in thiur costumes too!
Chasa Fulkerson
October 29, 2016 at 2:15 am (2 years ago)their***