David Meenan's Foodie Friends

WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
A big congratulations to all my seniors leaving my private studio this year. They received more than One Million Dollars in scholarships to attend their schools in the Fall! I am so excited for them and can't wait to see the great things they accomplish in the performing and visual arts as they advance their careers. I am going to miss them all!

Macy Swanton – NYU Tisch – BFA Drama - The Atlantic Studio RJ Vandenbrouck – Rider University – BFA Musical Theatre
Jack Sweeney – New York Film Academy – Los Angeles
Daniel Carnevale – Berklee College of Music
Gigi Failla – Marymount Manhattan – BFA Theatre Design and Technology
Bryan Reimertz – Western Connecticut – BFA Drama
Londyn Kirol – Florida State University - BFA Musical Theatre
Jordyn Javaruski – Western Connecticut – BA Theatre Arts
Maria Gerrero – Marymount Manhattan – BFA Theatre – BA Acting
Ethan Brandwein - Pace University – BFA Commercial Dance
Christian Alfano – University of North Texas

Enjoy the day from our garden to yours!

Monster Burgers
More Halloween fun! How about some Monster Burgers? Here are some fun ideas captured from the internet. Use your imagination and have a blast with the traditional burger!

WITCH FINGER COOKIES
Nothing says Halloween, more than these creepy cookies! Always a lot of fun!

Ingredients
· 1 cup butter
· 1 cup powdered sugar aka confectioners’ sugar
· 1 large egg
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
· 1/2 tsp salt
· 1/2 tsp baking powder
· 36 sliced almonds
· 1/4 cup strawberry jam
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the Cookie Sheet lined with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a stand mixer or large bowl with hand mixer, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until evenly mixed on medium speed.
3. Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine on medium speed.
4. Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl and mix into the batter in 3 separate additions.
5. When the cookie dough is combined use the Small Stainless Scoop (or cookie scoop) to scoop 1 tablespoon of cookie dough into a ball.
6. Next, shape the ball into a 3-inch rectangle finger shape.
7. Make a small pinch right beneath where the nail would be on the cookie. Then make another small pinch where the knuckle would be.
8. Using your index finger make an indent for the nail bed. Place a sliced almond as a nail in the cookie.
9. Next, using a small paring knife create indents under the nail bed and on the knuckle of the cookie for natural creases.
10. Finally, break off a small portion of the bottom of the finger so that it appears severed. Do the same thing for the remaining finger cookies and place them on the prepared cookie sheet 1 inch apart.
11. IMPORTANT: Chill cookies for at least 15-20 minutes to prevent spreading in the oven or you will have deflated fingers.
12. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. If they are not yet slightly golden bake for 2 minutes more until the desired color is reached.
13. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to the Stackable Colling Rack to cool completely.
14. You can use a dusting of cinnamon around the knuckles for effect.
15. In a small microwave safe bowl warm the strawberry jam for 20 seconds. Use a fine tip paint brush to paint strawberry jam around the nail bed. dip the severed end of the finger in the strawberry jam and transfer to a serving plate. Continue with remaining cookies.

What's for Halloween Dinner?
Spaghetti and Eyeballs (I mean Meatballs)
So simple to do and fun for everyone. Just take the meatballs and put a small round piece of Mozzarella Cheese topped with an olive and there you have it! Don't forget the Garlic Mummy Bread too! Just wrap it in mozzarella strips and again use some olives as the eyes. Surprise them and enjoy! (Thanks to Family Friendly Recipes)

HALLOWEEN RECIPES FOR EVERYONE!
Mac N' Cheese Jack O' Lanterns!

A fun treat for the whole family!
1. Cut the top off of the orange bell pepper. Hallow out the insides.
2. Submerge and Cook the peppers in boiling water for about 3 minutes. Remove them, and place them in an ice cold pan of water until the peppers are cooled down. This will allow you to carve them much easier.
3. Carve the fun faces into the peppers.
4. Fill with your favorite mac n' cheese recipe and enjoy the recipe and the smiles!

Thank you Teri Lynn Fisher and Food Network.

New Season, New Products! Make sure to check them all out on my website and also see great new recipes!