Happy Halloween

Here are some hauntingly delicious dinner ideas to keep you in the mood of the day – the perfect prelude to a spooky night! Your little ghosts and ghouls will need nourishing, comforting food before a long night of trick-or-treating. And don't forget to get them involved in making ghoulish treats to scare and delight their friends.

Garlic-based recipes (to keep the vampires away)

Garlic and coriander naan

Herb and garlic dip

Spiced garlic prawns and calamari

Rare beef steak with herb garlic butter

Comfort food to warm the soul

Hearty lentil chilli

Butternut mac and cheese

Prawn saganaki with feta

Mark Southon's Lamb ragù with watercress and mint pesto (TM6)

The versatility of pumpkin

Pumpkins are the symbol of Halloween. In Australia, we are relatively new to the centuries-old tradition of pumpkin carving, however pumpkins can be used in a whole host of other ways. Not only can they be a decoration for your home, they can also be used in the kitchen to create some truly delicious recipes.

Pumpkin inspiration

Easy weeknight pumpkin recipes

Pumpkin risotto with bacon

Pumpkin tart

Lamb with pumpkin and lentils

Warm Mediterranean couscous salad

Homemade Halloween treats

Ghost biscuits

Mini monsters

Scream cupcakes

Spooky shortbread fingers

Bright and vibrant beets

Beetroot is a versatile vegetable that will brighten your plate as well as your palate. It’s low in fat, full of vitamins and minerals, and packed with powerful antioxidants. The earthy flavour of beetroot works perfectly with a multitude of ingredients, both sweet and savoury. Try adding them to your salad, blitzing them for a tasty dip, or as a topping to your favourite stew for a sweet note and a splash of colour. The skins can be left on, washed and cooked, or peeled off.