SAM HALLOWEEN RECIPES

Steps:

• With a mixer, blend 16 ounces room-temperature cream cheese with 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, 3 tablespoons minced onion, 2 tablespoons salsa, 2 teaspoons ground cumin and 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno. Scoop onto plastic wrap and use the wrap to form the mixture into a 5-inch pumpkin-shaped ball; chill at least 2 hours. To serve, unwrap, roll in crushed nacho-flavored tortilla chips and press a bell pepper stem into the top.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Unroll 1 pie crust on work surface. Cut two (8- x 5-inch) hands from pie crust; place on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush edges and fingers of one dough hand with beaten egg; spoon 3 tablespoons pie filling in center of hand. Top with second dough hand, pressing edges and fingers together to seal. Crimp edges around base of hand with a fork. Use a paring knife to score knuckles and fingernails as desired. Brush surface of hand lightly with beaten egg.
• Bake at 425°F until golden brown, 16 to 18 minutes, shielding edges and fingers as needed to prevent over browning (filling may ooze slightly). Cool on pan 10 minutes. Serve warm or gently transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.