Halloween Entertaining Recipes: Part 1

For those of you who are throwing the Halloween party of the year, you are going to want to impress your guests with fabulous drinks, treats, and tabletops for an ever remembering event. With every holiday, you can always mix together the perfect cocktail or decorate the perfect dessert to accompany the holiday's mood!

Let's start with the refreshments: Candy Corn Cordials 

• 2 ounces orange liqueur 
• Juice of half lemon
• 1 large egg white
• Candy corn for garnish

Add 4 ounces of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Strain into 2 chilled martini glasses and garnish with candy corn.

Keep it fabulously classy: Candy Corn Parfait 

• 1 large orange
• 1 - 2 tablespoons orange liqueur 
• 3 tablespoons lemon curd
• 1/4 cup whipped cream
• 1 tablespoon crushed shortbread cookies

Peel and segment the orange with a paring knife, removing the membranes and white pits. Chop the segments and toss with the orange liqueur in a bowl; set aside for about 10 minutes.

Spoon the lemon curd into a small liqueur glass or brandy snifter in an even layer. Top with a thin layer of whipped cream, then pile on the oranges and dollop with the remaining whipped cream. Sprinkle with crushed shortbread cookies, if desired.

Time for scary hors d'ouerves: Crispy Phyllo Wrapped Hot Dog

• One 16 ounce package bun-size hot dogs 
• 2 ounces cheddar, cut into 16 thin slices
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 sheets phyllo dough
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• Your favorite dip

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut a slit in each hot dog piece and stuff with a slice of cheese. Set aside. Combine the salt, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl.

Working with one sheet of phyllo at a time and keeping the rest covered under a damp towel or paper towels, lay a phyllo sheet on a large cutting board or counter and lightly brush with melted butter. Lightly sprinkle with some of the spice mix and fold in half lengthwise. Brush the top with more melted butter and cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips. Using 2 pieces of stuffed hot dogs per phyllo sheet, wrap half of the strips around each piece of hot dog to create a mummy look. Leave a small section of hot dog exposed towards the top so it looks like the top part of the face peeking out from the phyllo wrappings. Don't worry about frayed edges or tears-- it will add to the mummy look.

Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining phyllo, melted butter, spice mix and hot dogs. Remelt the butter if it cools down too much while forming the mummies.

Bake until the phyllo is crisp and golden brown, about 25 minutes. If desired, dot ketchup or mustard eyes on each mummy using a toothpick and serve with extra sauces for dipping.