Food TV

I don’t know about you, but this is my favorite time of year. Leaves are changing, or they would be if I lived in a place that had seasons, and the air is cooling. It’s the time of year when animals put on a second layer of fat, and humans do much the same. The best food of the year comes between October first and January first every year. After that it’s back to the same resolutions that we set every year, to lose that extra fat we gained over the holiday season. Dieting is not allowed in these cool autumn and early winter months, but good food and fun is.
The first part of this holiday season, is of course Halloween. And nobody celebrates Halloween like the Food Network. From Sandra Lee’s beautiful Semi-Homemade Masquerade Ball to the huge Food Network Halloween Party Hosted by Emeril every year, the yummy food and amazing costumes can’t be beat. It seems this is the time where we see more cupcakes, caramel corn, and creepy adult beverages, and I love it shamelessly. This year I have already watched Giada’s Halloween show,and it was excellent indeed. With orange and chocolate cookies, and some gorgeous almond brittle we couldn’t have asked for more tasty goodies. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the Food Network stars have in store for us over the upcoming month, but I promise, I’ll keep you updated, with details, and my favorite recipes. Here’s one quick one that I love while you’re waiting… And hey, don’tbe afraid to let the kids help!!!

“Wicked Cupcakes”
(taken from the www.foodnetwork.com)
Cupcakes:
1 1/2 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cups prune juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoons salt
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
4-ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 drop food coloring (green), optional

Chocolate wafer cookies
Licorice strips
Toasted coconut
Small candies

Special equipment: 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with paper liners

For the cupcakes: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F. Set liners in muffin cups.
Put the chocolate and prune juice in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave on low power, stirring occasionally, until completely melted.
Whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg and yolk with an electric hand mixer at high speed until slightly thick and lemon colored, about 3 minutes. Slowly add buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until thoroughly combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.

Divide the batter among muffin tins, filling them 1/2 of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean and the tops spring back when pressed gently, about 25 minutes. Cool the cupcakes in the tin on a rack for 10 minutes then remove from the tin and cool completely.

For the frosting: Beat the butter, peanut butter, and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and milk mixing until the frosting is smooth. Add food coloring as desired. Refrigerate the frosting until firm.

To decorate the cakes: For the witches hat, score a circle in the middle of a cupcake. Cut a deep cone-like shape with a knife held at an angle. Rotate the cupcake to complete the circle and remove the center. Repeat with all the cupcakes. Generously scoop or pipe enough frosting into the center of each cupcake to fill the whole and to come over the cake to make a face. Top with a chocolate wafer cookie. Put a dot of frosting in the middle of the wafer cookie and invert the cone shaped piece of cake on top to make a witches hat. Use skinny licorice, toasted coconut or cereal flakes for hair and candies for eyes and/or nose. Refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving.