Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween Hot Dog Party!

This is my Me-maw:

She loves Halloween more than any other holiday, and that's saying a lot because this is a woman who loves her holidays. She completely redecorates her house in holiday-themed knick-knacks and wall hangings (even themed toilet seat covers and shower curtains!) for every major holiday. But her Halloween collection is out of this world. Me-maw's house is filled with motion-activated singing mummies and witches, fiber optic pumpkins, harvest wreaths, and even a Halloween tree (like a Christmas tree, but with spooky ornaments).

Every year on Halloween, our family gets together at her house in Arkansas for a little chili dog party! My mom always brings veggie dogs and vegan chili for me. And I usually make the hour drive to Me-maw's house with a small portion of vegan cheese to melt atop my dog. This time, I used some Cheddar Style Sheese:

My mom brought her re-created version of Pancho's Salsa:

If you grew up anywhere in the Mid-South, you've probably had Pancho's dip. It's the house salsa served at the Pancho's chain of Mexican restaurants that once peppered this region. Only a handful of the restaurants are left, but the grocery store dip sales are still a booming business. Years ago, my mom found one of those restaurant food re-creation recipes. She claims she made it a lot when I was a kid, but I don't remember. Anyway, this stuff is amazing!! It's pureed fresh tomatoes, onions, and other stuff spiked with cumin and seasoned with a little oil.

My mom also brought a couple dozen Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudgey Frosting (and yes, they were vegan!):

She used the basic chocolate cupcake recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and I think she improvised on the creamy chocolate frosting because my mom is awesome like that. Yummy!

And although I didn't dress up tonight, I'll leave y'all with a picture of my Halloween costume from Saturday night, which I wore to several parties.

If you can't tell, I was a Mexican wrestler, and I used my new fairy wings (a recent birthday gift) as my cape. My wrestler name was Hada del infierno, Spanish for "Hell Fairy."

How did you spend your Halloween?

11 comments:

Ada said...

Oh no bianca!

"El infierno de hadas" means Hell of fairies.

Hell fairy would be "Hada del infierno"


(take it from a natural spanish speaker) :)

The Health Sensei said...

LOL @ comment #1 :)

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

awesome costume!! I was a zombie on saturday night but last night I just stayed in and watched bad tv. That chilli dog looks ace.

Just Us said...

LOL at Ada.....great costume!
So cool that your Me-maw loves Halloween!
oh man....Panchos salsa rocked! I so need to figure out that recipe!~

Bianca said...

Thanks Ada! I changed it in my post. I blame Google Translate because that's what it told me. I don't speak a lick of Spanish...

Jenna said...

I just typed out a long-ass comment on my phone and it didn't post! Shoot! Oh well, the gist was that I LOVE Halloween too and want to hang out with your Me-maw!! ;)

bitt said...

love the costume

Erin said...

Maybe it was spanish for "hella fairies" :) Your family is the awesomest!

Sarah E. Jahier said...

Your granny sounds like me in 40 years! :)

Tender B. said...

Great costume. I love the idea of a hot dog party!

Lesley said...

I have to import Pancho's cheese dip to Nashville. :)

Also, the Recipe Finder in the CA published the recipe for the Tropicale Dressing from Pancho's. I LOVE THAT STUFF. And it's vegan!