.Ladies' Fingers and Men's Toes.

.Ingredients.
Red or green food coloring, (optional, for fingers)
24 blanched almonds, halved lengthwise
2 cups warm water (110 degrees), plus 3 quarts, plus 1 tablespoon
1 tablespoon sugar
1 package active dry yeast (1/4 ounce)
Vegetable oil
5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1 tablespoon coarse salt
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 large egg
Sea salt
Fried rosemary (optional, for toes)


.Instructions.
1. Place a small amount of food coloring, if using, in a shallow bowl, and, using a paintbrush, color the rounded side of each split almond; set aside to dry.

2. Pour 2 cups water into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough-hook attachment. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Sprinkle with yeast, and let stand until yeast begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Beat in 1 cup flour into yeast on low speed until combined. Beat in coarse salt; add 3 1/2 cups flour, and beat until combined. Continue beating until dough pulls away from bowl, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup flour. Beat 1 minute more. If dough is sticky, add up to 1 cup more flour. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth, 1 minute.

3. Coat a large bowl with cooking spray. Transfer dough to bowl, turning dough to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap; let rest in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a 6-quart straight-sided saucepan over high heat; reduce to a simmer. Add baking soda. Lightly coat two baking sheets with cooking spray. Divide dough into quarters. Work with one quarter at a time, and cover remaining dough with plastic wrap. Divide first quarter into 12 pieces. On a lightly floured work surface, roll each piece back and forth with your palm forming a long finger shape, about 3 to 4 inches. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. Or, to make toes, roll each piece so that it is slightly shorter and fatter, about 2 inches. Pinch in 1 place to form the knuckle. When 12 fingers or toes are formed, transfer to simmering water. Poach for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fingers to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough, blanching each set of 12 fingers or toes before making more.

5. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush pretzel fingers and toes with the egg wash. Using a sharp knife, lightly score each knuckle about three times. Sprinkle with sea salt and rosemary, if using. Position almond nails, pushing them into dough to attach. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on wire rack.


.Tips.
Fingers and toes are best eaten the same day; or store, covered, up to 2 days at room temperature.


(Source: Martha Stewart)


Enjoy!

.Cauldron Curry.

.Ingredients.
FOR THE CURRY PASTE
1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds, toasted
2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, toasted
1 teaspoon coarse salt
3 serrano chiles, sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 stalks fresh lemongrass, trimmed and chopped (1/2 cup)
8 garlic cloves, minced (1/4 cup)
2 scallions, chopped (1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest (from 2 limes)

FOR THE STEW
2 ounces spinach (1 cup)
1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened regular coconut milk
1 can (14 ounces) unsweetened light coconut milk
1 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1 inch thick (21/4 cups)
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup fresh basil
Serrano chiles, thinly sliced, for garnish
Squeamish Squash with Rice
Lime wedges, for serving


.Instructions.
1. Make the curry paste: Grind coriander, cumin, peppercorns, and salt with a mortar and pestle, or with the bottom of a heavy skillet. Add remaining ingredients, and grind until a paste forms. (Curry paste can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months.)

2. Make the stew: Puree 5 tablespoons curry paste, the spinach, and 1 cup regular coconut milk in a blender until smooth. Reserve remaining curry paste for another use.

3. Bring remaining regular coconut milk and the light coconut milk to a boil in a medium Dutch oven or heavy stockpot. Reduce heat, stir in curry-spinach mixture, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add zucchini, and cook until slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until zucchini is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add basil, and garnish with serrano chiles. Serve with rice and lime wedges.

.Tips.
The curry paste can be made in advance, minimizing last-minute fuss, and the stew cooks quickly. Using a combination of regular coconut milk and light coconut milk reduces the calories.


(Source: Martha Stewart)


Enjoy!

.Bedeviled Eggs.

.Ingredients.
prepared put not put together deviled eggs
cayenne pepper or hot sauce
red bell pepper
dark green scallions
chives


.Instructions.
1. Mix up deviled eggs using your favorite recipe, and add a dash of cayenne and some hot sauce for kick. 2. Bring them to life with pointed facial features: Triangles of red bell pepper and dark green scallions make horns and a goatee; snipped chives form a skinny 'stache.


(Source: Martha Stewart)


Enjoy!

.Goblin Flatbreads.

.Ingredients.
Pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
extra-virgin olive oil
Salt


.Instructions.
1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Roll out dough, and use a paring knife, scissors, or cookie cutters to create features (we used crescent, football, and diamond shapes). Brush with oil, and sprinkle with salt. Bake until "ghoul-den," 10 to 12 minutes.


(Source: Martha Stewart)


Enjoy!

.Pumpkin Veggie Tray.

.Ingredients.
A large serving tray or cutting board
1 large bag of baby carrots
1 cucumber
1 head of broccoli
1 carton of your favorite veggie dip
Ramekins or small bowls


.Instructions.
1. Create an outline for your pumpkin by laying some of the carrots out in an oblong circle. Once the carrot outline is to your liking, carefully fill in the circle with the rest of the carrots.

2. Remove enough of the carrots to create a cucumber-filled smile. Set the carrots you removed on top of the other carrots within your pumpkin.

3. Place halved cucumber slices in the space you created for your carrot pumpkin's smile.

4. Fill your ramekins with the veggie dip and shimmy them into place where you want the pumpkin's eyes and nose to be.

5. Slice off the stem of the broccoli head. Place the broccoli at the top of your pumpkin.


(Source: Taste of Home)


Enjoy!

.Monster's Toes.

.Ingredients.
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups flour
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin
18 berry-shaped gummy candies


.Instructions.
1. HEAT oven to 350°F.

2. BEAT butter in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add flour and dry gelatin mix; mix well.

3. ROLL dough into 18 toe-shaped pieces; place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheet. Flatten 1 end of each. Use sharp knife to make crosswise slits in each toe for the knuckles. Flatten gummy candies slightly with rolling pin. Place 1 on flattened on end of each toe for the toenail.

4. BAKE 10 to 14 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet 5 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.


.Tips.
How to Double Recipe - Prepare as directed, doubling all ingredients. Makes 36 servings, 1 cookie each.


(Source: Kraft)


Enjoy!