There is magic in the night when pumpkins glow by moonlight.
Halloween has always been a fun night in our home. When my sister and I were younger, it would include wearing the most perfect costume we'd picked out weeks before and then going around the neighborhood with friends to get the best treats...and maybe a few tricks for each other along the way.
I vividly remember Halloween nights, and the magic they brought to my childhood. I'm so thankful that we weren't deprived of wonder, magic and fun in our childhood...and in turn, that has carried over to our adulthood. How much richer I am because of them and my mom, too, for she always created (and still does!) the most magical, wondrous holidays. I remember one Halloween in particular because she'd made a yummy dinner...something autumnish, no doubt...but my sister and I didn't eat but just a bite or two because we were out of our minds with excitement to just get out the door and get some candy!
There was another year when we went to visit my aunt and uncle to show off our costumes. (We were always proud of our outfits.) He and my mom took us around his gigantic neighborhood and boy did we rack up...I'll never forget their faces when they saw how full and heavy our bags were.
Now that my sister and I are older, and until we have wee ones of our own, our Halloween nights aren't as dressed up. But that doesn't mean that we don't desire to have a bit of fun and magic in the night! Typically Halloween in our home consists of a yummy homecooked dinner, always something cozy and autumnish, and a seasonal dessert as well. Then we spend the evening and night watching favorite Halloween movies or episodes of shows we love. We may play a game or two...and we always, always carve a pumpkin. Usually, that gets done a day or two in advance...but on Halloween, we light a candle and make it glow...blissfully magical.
Every year the menu changes because that's just how we roll. We like trying new recipes and making each year unique. In the past, we've had chicken pot pie, chili, soup, or roasted chicken. Our desserts vary as well. We've had different cupcakes for various Halloweens and homemade candy with pretzels is always a fun and easy treat...and hard to resist, too!
Finally, we always, always, always must make Barmbrack. (RECIPE HERE.) It's a traditional Irish Halloween bread that we began making about four or five years ago...and now we cannot have Halloween without it. It would be a sin! I make it the day before and we nibble on it all week long. It's something we all look forward to all year because it's only made for October 31.
I wanted to share an easy, but delicious recipe for roasted chicken.
Apple Herb Roasted Chicken
You'll need a whole chicken that's been washed and patted dry. Place it in a baking dish and place a quartered apple, two celery stalks that have been quartered and about five baby carrots in the inside of the chicken. Tie the legs up and tuck the wings under. Brush the outside with melted butter and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper. Then generously sprinkle Herbs de Provence all over the chicken. Don't be lazy...give it a good sprinkle!
Then bake at 350*F for about 2 hours, or until a meat thermometer shows it's cooked through.
Immediately upon removing from the oven, brush the outside with 1/4 cup apple jelly that's been melted just a bit.
Serve and enjoy!
We enjoyed this chicken with cornbread stuffing and homemade chicken gravy and green beans with thyme and slivered almonds.
Our centerpieces are always quite simple, but I always love them. For this cozy Halloween evening, I've laid out a tea towel with a ceramic pumpkin we've had for years and a few little candles. I also grabbed a mini pumpkin from the produce section at the grocery store and included it as well.
As Sally Clarkson says, "food always tastes better by candlelight."
I'd have to agree.
And it makes the meal special and memorable.
And finally, for dessert, I made some cinnamon sugar baked donuts...and we enjoyed them with coffee.
Thanks for coming by, dear readers! I hope you have a magical and fun Halloween...
♥