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HALLOWEEN RECIPES FOOD & COOKING ARTICLE

Celebrity chef Phil Vickery comes up with recipe ideas for Halloween

Every year Halloween seems to become more and more important for kids so why not make it a bit special for them with some great recipe ideas from Chef Phil Vickery. If you've seen any of his Carnation Pudcasts you will know the sort of great recipes he comes up with . . . all of which are easy to make, so why not get the kids involved!

FIENDISH PUMPKIN CAKE

FIENDISH PUMPKIN CAKEIngredients

1.35kg (3lb) pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and diced
½tsp grated nutmeg
150g (5½oz) light brown sugar
1tsp salt
115g (4oz) desiccated coconut
397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
1tsp vanilla extract
55g (2oz) butter, melted
55g (2oz) raisins

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 190°C, 375°F, Gas Mark 5.
  • In a large pan add the pumpkin and cook in boiling water for 20 minutes, or place in a large bowl and microwave on high with 3 tablespoons water for 10 - 15 minutes until soft.
  • Mash and cool slightly.
  • Grease an 18cm x 25.5cm (7in x10in) rectangular baking dish.
  • In a large bowl mix together the remaining ingredients and the cooked pumpkin.
  • Spoon into a prepared dish and bake for 55 - 60 minutes until slightly brown and firm to the touch.

Makes 6 - 8

WEB CHOCOLATE TRIANGLES

WEB CHOCOLATE TRIANGLESIngredients

225g (8oz) dark chocolate, broken into pieces
115g (4oz) butter
397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
275g (10oz) digestive biscuits, coarsely crushed
25g (1oz) raisins

To decorate:
White royal icing

Method

  • Line an 18 x 28cm (7 x 11") baking tin with foil.
  • Place the chocolate, butter and milk into a saucepan, heat gently until melted.
  • Add the biscuits and raisins. Stir well.
  • Press mixture into prepared tin and chill until firm.
  • Cut into triangles and pipe three circles using the white royal icing over each.
  • Using a cocktail stick drag from the centre to the edges of the circles to form a spider's web.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Makes 20

BLACK JACK TOFFEE

BLACK JACK TOFFEEIngredients

350g (12oz) butter or margarine
225g (8oz) black treacle
450g (1lb) dark brown sugar
397g can Carnation Condensed Milk

Method

  • Melt the butter in a non-stick pan.
  • Add the treacle, sugar and milk.
  • Bring slowly to the boil and simmer for 35 - 40 minutes, stirring constantly to a temperature of 132°C (270°F), using a sugar thermometer.
  • Pour into the tin.
  • Chill until set, turn out and break into pieces using a rolling pin or hammer.

Makes 1.35kg (3lb)

GHOSTLY MILKSHAKES

GHOSTLY MILKSHAKESIngredients

1 frozen banana
150ml tub 0% fat Greek Yoghurt
4tbsp Carnation Condensed Milk
Handful ice cubes
Tip Top Squirty Cream

Method

  • Skin and chop the frozen banana and throw into a blender with the yoghurt and condensed milk.
  • Add the ice cubes one by one as you blend - don't forget the lid!
  • Add a little water or milk to adjust the consistency.
  • Draw faces with a marker onto plastic or paper cups.
  • Pour in the banana smoothie and top with a peak of Tip Top Squirty for the ghosts' whipped top!

Serves 2

GRAVEYARD CAKE

GRAVEYARD CAKEIngredients

225g (8oz) butter, softened
4 large eggs, beaten
397g can Carnation Condensed Milk
225g (8oz) self-raising flour
1tsp baking powder

1 tub vanilla icing
1 x 4 finger Nestlé KitKat
Halloween sweets and coloured icing tubes

You will also need:
20cm (8 inch) cake tin, lined with baking paper

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas Mark 4.
  • Grease and base line a 20cm (8in) spring form cake tin with baking parchment.
  • Place all the cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat using an electric hand whisk until just smooth and pale.
  • Pour into the prepared cake tin and bake for 55 - 65 minutes until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the cake.
  • Allow cooling completely before decorating.
  • Place on a serving plate and cover with the vanilla icing.
  • Cut the KitKat in half and stick into the cake to make tombstones.
  • Write on the tombstones in white icing and top with your favourite ghoulish sweets.

Serves 8 - 10

Still looking for inspiration? Why not logon to www.carnation.co.uk where you can look through a variety of Phil's tasty recipes and download the pudcasts.

Email Hub-UK : info@hub-uk.com