Banana Ghosts With Peanut Butter Dip Food

BANANA GHOSTS AND BERRY GHOULS

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt white chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Peel bananas; cut in half widthwise. Insert sticks into bananas. Dip into melted chips, coating fruit completely; allow excess to drip off. Insert stick into a styrofoam block to stand., Insert a stick into each strawberry. Dip into green coating; allow excess to drip off. Insert into styrofoam block. Let stand until set. Using melted chocolate, pipe faces onto ghosts and ghouls., Place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 20 minutes. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving.

SPICY PEANUT-COCONUT DIP

Steps:

• Puree 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut cream, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon each sambal oelek (Asian chili sauce), rice vinegar and honey, 2 teaspoons grated ginger and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and top with chopped peanuts and cilantro; serve with cucumber and carrot sticks.

BEET-CASHEW BUTTER DIP

Steps:

• Put 3 medium beets on a sheet of foil and drizzle with olive oil; wrap in the foil. Place on a baking sheet and roast at 400˚ F until tender, about 1 hour 20 minutes; let cool. Rub off the skins. Puree the beets in a food processor with 3/4 cup cashew butter, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 jalapeno, 1 small chopped garlic clove and 1 teaspoon each chopped ginger and ground cumin; season with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup fresh mint and puree until smooth. Drizzle with olive oil and top with more mint.