By Alison Lewis with IngredientsInc.net
Since the kids start talking about which Halloween costume they are going to wear three months ahead of time, it seems like there would be plenty of time to come up with a creative Halloween dinner menu. It’s so fun to have friends over or host a neighborhood get-together on Halloween night. It’s something you and the kids will remember, and it starts the night off on the right foot.
Halloween doesn’t have to be one of those holidays where you get off track with all of the sweets and candy. Look to fall produce such as pumpkin, butternut squash, cranberries and fresh vegetables for wonderful healthy, fresh recipes. Start with this simple Chipotle-Spiced Pork recipe. It’s easy, fast (only 10 minutes), low fat and high in protein. It makes a great entrée for Halloween night with its spicy orange color.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds thinly sliced pork loin chops
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground chipotle pepper seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Preparation
1. Season pork evenly with chipotle seasoning, lemon pepper and salt. Sauté pork in hot oil in a large nonstick skillet and cook over medium-high heat 2 to 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
Adults-Only Halloween Dinner Ideas
Gremlins Martini from Better Homes and Gardens
Made with margarita mix and a fun skewer with kiwi, lemons, lime, orange and cherries, these are incredibly adorable and tasty too. Not in to margaritas? Try some of these healthy fall cocktails.
Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Enchiladas from In Good Taste
This southwestern recipe from Maris, the culinary contributor for DietsInReview, is filled with spinach, black beans and pumpkin puree. This would be perfect comfort food for a household.
Salad Sliders from Whipperdish
This creative appetizer salad starts with purple cabbage lettuce leaves filled with chopped orange bell pepper, dried cranberries, and pine nuts. This makes a great presentation and is filled with healthy ingredients.
Butternut Squash Crumble from White on Rice Couple
This savory crumble is a fabulous way to use butternut squash this time of year. Okay, this one is not so low fat, but can’t this be your splurge recipe? It’s divine!
Family-Friendly Halloween Dinner Ideas
Cauldron Full of Devilish Dip from “All You”
This dip is similar to homemade guacamole and is served in a pumpernickel round. It’s very festive and healthy too.
Orange Roasted Pumpkin Soup from Angie’s Eats
This soup is wonderful mix of homemade goodness with pumpkin, potato, onion and a touch of orange juice and curry.
Turkey Eyeball Pizza from Ingredients, Inc.
These easy-to-prepare pizzas are great for kids and adults from Ingredients, Inc. Feel free to use ground turkey or lean ground beef.
Halloween Green Bean Salad from Cooking Light
It’s filled with fresh green beans, red onion, fresh orange and grapes.
Halloween Dessert Ideas
Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes from Urban Baker
These “lightened up” cupcakes are so pretty. They use sucanat or brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies
Right out of DIR’s kitchen come these surprisingly healthy brownies, not to mention decadent. Using quality chocolate, pumpkin puree, and whole wheat flour, they are only 83 calories! Topped with pumpkin seeds and they’re simply adorable.