Veggie Tails and Flowers for Fancy Veggie Basket

My Mother began making fancy cut veggie baskets for special occasions after I left home, so I didn't have the chance to watch or help her much. Now that she's passed to the other side of the veil I had to recall, search for photos of her vegetable basket and online to "see" how to make various veggie tails and flowers.  In addition I asked myself questions.  I began to get some inspiration of my own--possibly from her whispering suggestions in my ear.  I felt her nearby as I thought of her, which made for a priceless time.   

What follows is how I make radish roses, green onion tails and stems, carrot crinkles and flowers, jagged cucumber circles, celery tails and turnip flowers. 

Mummy Dogs and Pumpkin Shakes

Last night we had a kids Halloween party and I served mummy dogs and pumpkin shakes.  Sorry no pictures -- missing camera, bummer for the holiday.

Mummy Dogs (Serves 8)
8 Hot Dogs or Veggie Dogs
1 Package breadsticks in a can
Mustard and Ketchup
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray a cookie sheet.  Pop open the can of breadsticks.  Separate them into 8 pieces.  Wrap one long piece of dough around 1 hot dog.  Leave a space for the face of the mummy.   Repeat until all 8 are wrapped.  I let each wrap their own.  Bake and when the hot dogs are cool, dot the ketchup and/or mustard with a toothpick and make eyes on the face.  Serve.


Pumpkin Shakes (Serves 2)
1/2 Cup Pumpkin (I used canned)
1 Cup Rice, Almond or Cow’s Milk
Pinch Cinnamon
Pinch Nutmeg
1 Tbsp Agave Nectar
1. Place all the ingredients in a blender.
2. Puree until smooth.
3. Serve.

Thanks to Weelicious for this recipe.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Tonight is our Recipe Exchange and we are to bring Hors d'Oeuvres.

Well, when my Mother served Hors d'Oeuvres at the Embassy, if she didn't serve this appetizer, one diplomat would say to her, "Nope I came for nothing"!  What was it he wanted?  It was a date wrapped in bacon!  She also wrapped chicken livers in bacon.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Ingredients:
bacon
pitless dates
paprika
toothpicks

Directions:
Line up 1/2 strips of bacon on a cookie sheet.
Sprinkle paprika on them. 
Bake, then wrap a bacon strip around a pitless date and secure with a toothpick. 
Serve with a spicy dipping sauce. 

Fruit and Cheese Sticks

This is such an easy appetizer for your kids to make for their own party. 

Fruit and Cheese Sticks

Ingredients:
cheese, cubed 
grapes 
toothpicks

Place a piece of cheese and a grape on a toothpick.