If you have been following my Tiktok then you know I am planning a spin the wheel screen to cuisine series throughout September and some of October in preparation of Halloween and the spooky season. This post is covering my plans for if hotel Transylvania pops up. Scream cheese (which will be served with smoked salmon and also jam and people can help themselves to whichever toppings they want), blood beaters from hotel Transylvania 2 which is essentially a beautiful autumnal cocktail/mocktail, and monster ball soup for mains which is essentially just matzah ball soup with monster faces carved into the matzah balls. If you are in the UK and aren't Jewish or a foodie, Matzah balls are made out of matzah meal. Matzah is a type of unleavened cracker/bread which the Jewish community ate whilst fleeing Egypt. You can find it in quite a few UK grocery stores. I can ALWAYS find them in Sainsburys (i've been to 4 different Sainsburys and they always have them) or you can purchase them online. If you can only find the bread/crackers but not the crumbs just bash them up till they are fairly fine. Yes, I know I keep referring to them as a cracker and I know they aren't. But anyone who isn't used to matzah and goes looking for them is likely to be confused as they are not your typical bread.
Let's kick it off with the scream cheese! This will work with shop bought cream cheese, but I would recommend using the best quality you can afford to make the shaping process easier. If you are using shop bought cream cheese, lay out some cling film on a clean counter. Scoop your cream cheese onto the cling film and shape the cheese into a cone shape. Wrap the cone as best as you can so that it keeps its shape then place in the fridge for 1-2 hours. Unwrap your cone, putting it onto a plate and use a spoon to carve out a mouth (it doesn't have to be too deep. We don't want to ruin any structural integrity) Then use the end of the spoon to carve out two small eye holes. You have your scream cheese. If you want to make cream cheese from scratch see my "homemade cream cheese" post - the link is here
homemade cream cheese If you do make it at home I would recommend making the cream cheese quite thick if you are able to.
When I see blood beaters, I think of cranberry juice, so I decided to make a spiced cranberry juice mocktail (although, If you are an adult feel free to add a splash of something special like tequila or Cointreau in here).
You will need: 1 stick of cinnamon, 1 strip of orange peel, 200ml of water, 75g sugar (or use a sweetener of choice), unsweetened cranberry juice, orange juice, grenadine or fake candy blood (not crucial but good for flare), ice.
Add your orange strip, cinnamon stick, water and sugar to a pan and bring up to a simmer. Reduce to liquid by about half then leave to cool completely. This will last in the fridge in a jar for a few weeks. Take a glass and run the grenadine around the edge then add 1-2 tbsp of the flavour syrup to your glass. Fill your glass halfway with cranberry juice and give it a stir, then add a generous amount of ice to your glass. Top up with orange juice and serve. If you are adding alcohol, add it when you add the syrup. Add more syrup if you want a more cinnamony flavour.
The main event. 'Monster ball soup'
You will need: 2.5 litres chicken broth/stock, 2 cooked and shredded chicken breasts (you could poach them in your chicken broth if you'd like), 2 sticks of celery, one white onion, 2 large carrots (all vegetables in medium dice), 2 grated cloves garlic, 1 Tbsp fresh dill (or1/2 tsp dry), 2 Tbsp fresh parsley (both herbs finely chopped or 2 tsp dry parsley), salt, pepper and schmaltz (chicken fat) or vegetable oil.
For the Matzo balls you will need: 150 gram Matzo meal, 1 tsp baking powder, 3 large eggs, 60g/4Tbsp schmaltz or vegetable oil, 100ml chicken stock, good pinch salt and pepper plus 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley.
Starting with the Matzo ball batter, mix all of the ingredients in a bowl really well for 2-3 minutes then cover and set aside for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a large pot over a medium heat.
Add some schmaltz or vegetable oil and start frying off your onion, carrot and celery. Cook for a good 10 minutes until slightly softened then add your garlic.
Cook out for 30 seconds then add your chicken broth and simmer until the vegetables are soft (about 20 minutes). Divide your Matzo batter into 12 equalish pieces and shape them into balls. Use your fingers to make mouth and eye shapes (or feel free to carve them with a knife).
Taste your soup and add salt and pepper to taste then add your matzo balls.
Cook for 20 minutes then add your chicken and cook for a further 5 minutes.
Stir in your parsley and dill and serve. If using dry dill and parsley add it to the broth before you simmer it to soften the vegetables.
If you have your own halloween get together, I hope you give these recipes a try.
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