This post is sponsored by my long-time friends at ALDI, written 100% by me.

October is such an exciting time of year, and I want all the things. Apples in every variety… pumpkins and gourds galore…and all of the fixings to make Halloween scrumptious, fun, and festive. ALDI has our back, being our Halloween headquarters, from Halloween candy to décor to party buffet must-haves, while delivering affordable products that won’t spook your wallet.

I love cruising through my neighborhood ALDI store to stock up on the season’s best. While you can always count on your favorites, like fresh meats and produce and ALDI-exclusive chocolate, it’s fun to expect the unexpected, with their on-trend, seasonal favorites that are affordable, too.

Here is my plan of attack this year for Halloween trick or treaters and the family after-party. And I can get it all at ALDI!

Spooky Halloween Deviled Eggs with Avocado

As a chef and party host and planner of many years, I have learned that guests love deviled eggs in all sorts of varieties. To zhush things up, try my Spooky Deviled Eggs recipe, with green centers made with fresh avocado pureed with the yolks. A pinch of cumin and lime zest make things interesting. This is a protein-packed appetizer made with Simply Nature Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs to hold the adults over until dinner. Get my recipe below.

Chili Bar with the Fixings

Every Halloween I make a double batch of my chili recipe, which is a total crowd-pleaser. Start it earlier in the day so when you’re running around later and getting everyone ready, it simmers to perfection. I’m using Simply Nature 100% Grass Fed Ground Beef. At dinnertime, pull out the fresh fixings, like Cheddar Cheese, plain Greek yogurt, diced avocado, corn chips, and lime wedges. Everyone can tailor to their liking. Get my recipe below.

Halloween Drinks

Give the adults what they want with Jacob Einig Halloween Sweet Red, an ALDI-exclusive wine. And that festive bottle! You can always find award-winning wines and world-class beers at ALDI, many of which are under $10. I love that.

For the kids and anyone looking for a zero-proof beverage, you can easily stir together my Witches Brew, a homemade, balanced drink without any added sugar. Made with 100% pomegranate juice, fresh-squeezed grapefruits, and orange juice, and topped with sparkling water. Get my recipe below.

ALDI Halloween Sweets

Set out platters of these two ALDI Halloween sweets:

Bake Shop Apple Cider Donuts

Park Street Deli Pumpkin Pie Dessert Hummus

Serve with Benton’s Honey Graham Crackers and apple slices.

Halloween Trick-or-Treat Candy

Swing through the candy aisle at ALDI, where you’ll find affordable bags of your kids’ (and yours!) Halloween favorites, plus more ALDI-exclusive Halloween candy. You can even grab that now while doing your routine shopping and check it off your list.

Sounds amazing, right? Get yourself to ALDI, stat! What are you waiting for? There are ALDI stores popping up all over, with more than 2,100 stores in 37 states. Use the store locator on ALDI.us to find the store nearest you.

On social media, share your favorite recipes, photos, tips, and tricks, by using the hashtag #ALDIlove

My Halloween Recipes

Spooky Deviled Eggs with Avocado 

• 1 dozen Simply Nature Grade A Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs
• 1 ripe, medium avocado
• 2 tablespoons Burman’s Mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Burman’s Dijon Mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill Ground Cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill Sea Salt
• Freshly ground  Stonemill Peppercorn
• 1/8 teaspoon  Stonemill Chili Powder
• 12 Southern Grove Pistachios, shells removed, halved crosswise
• 1 can Tuscan Garden Large Pitted Ripe Olives, sliced

Place eggs in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a low boil over high heat. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for 12 minutes. Transfer the eggs to a storage container in the sink and fill with ice and cold water to cool the eggs quickly and prevent discoloration. Peel the eggs and slice them in half lengthwise, wetting your knife occasionally to make smoother cuts.

Gently remove yolks and place them in a food processor (or a medium bowl). Arrange egg whites on a sheet pan lined with a paper towel.

Add avocado, mayonnaise, lime juice, mustard, cumin, salt, pepper, and chili powder to the food processor or bowl and puree or mash until smooth.

Spoon filling into a small resealable plastic bag, pushing out the air, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Right before serving (to prevent browning), cut 1/4 inch from either bottom corner of the bag. Twist the top of the bag to push all of the filling into one corner and fill the egg whites with the yolks.

Garnish with a pistachio and sliced black olive in the center.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Makes 12 servings, 2 pieces each

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 100 calories, 8 g total fat (2 g saturated fat, 186 mg cholesterol, trace carbohydrate, 6 g protein.

Chili Bar with the Fixings

From my book Clean Eating for Busy Families, revised & expanded

• 2 teaspoons Simply Nature 100% Avocado Oil
• 1 pound Simply Nature Organic 100% Grass Fed Ground Beef)
• 1/2 teaspoon Stonemill Sea Salt
• Stonemill Peppercorn Mill
• 2 tablespoons Stonemill Chili Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Stonemill Ground Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Stonemill Paprika
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced (1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 (28-ounce) can Happy Harvest Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can Simply Nature Organic Red Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup Simply Nature Organic Beef Bone Broth
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Stonemill Oregano Leaves

Toppings: Happy Farms Mild Cheddar Shredded Cheese, shaved aged cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes, diced avocado, lime wedges, Clancy’s Corn Chips, and Friendly Farms Sour Cream

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the oil and once it begins to simmer, add the beef, salt, and pepper, and brown for 4 minutes, reducing the heat if needed. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, and paprika to toast during the last 20 seconds. Add 2 tablespoons of water and scrape up any brown bits with a wooden spoon.

Add beef and remaining ingredients (except toppings) to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours until onions and beef are tender. Serve hot with toppings. Can be stored chilled for up to 4 days.

Total Prep and Cook Time: 6 hours • Yield: 4 servings, 1 rounded cup each

Per serving: 271 calories; 7 g total fat; 2 g saturated fat; 29 g protein; 17 g carbohydrate; 6 g dietary fiber; 53 mg cholesterol.

Witches Brew Zero-Proof Cocktail

• 3 cups Specially Selected Premium 100% Pomegranate Juice
• 1 cup freshly squeezed juice from Star Ruby Grapefruit
• 1 cup Simply Nature Not From Concentrate Organic Orange Juice
• Peeled grapes, for the “eyeballs” garnish

Pour all the juices into a pitcher. Chill for a few hours. Serve over ice. Garnish with the grapes and mandarin slices, adding the grapes to the glass after the ice.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes 4 servings, 8 ounces each

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 115 calories, 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 27 g total carbohydrate (0 g fiber), 0 g protein.

The post Blog first appeared on Michelle Dudash, RD.