Spooky Cocktails

Posted by Naomi Gabay

We've spent several weeks now talking about creepy Halloween treats for families and children, but now that the day is here, we can't forget about the grownups! Here are some spooky cocktails that will get us all into the spirit of the holiday.

Crescent Moon
2 ounces Martell cognac
3/4 ounce yellow chartreuse
3/4 ounce creme de banana
1 dash orange bitters

Shake ingredients over ice and fine strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist and a caramelized banana wheel on the rim.

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Week 15: Fruit and Veggie Challenge -- Asian Delights!

Posted by Lisa Mantineo

Who doesn't like a little Asian cuisine?  With a lighter look at sesame chicken, a delicious cabbage-infused steak salad, and a special green bean stir fry, this week's Fruit and Vegetable Challenge inspires you to enjoy more fruits and veggies by celebrating all things Asian.

If you're looking for more simple and savory recipes to maintain your health, our challenge is perfect for you! The goal of the program is to incorporate more produce into your busy schedule. If you want more info on the challenge, read our first post about it.

Lighter Sesame Chicken

Pork and Green-Bean Stir-Fry

Asian Steak Salad with Cucumber and Napa Cabbage

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Fast and Fancy: Autumn Squash

Posted by Jennifer Sendrow

Pigs' heads are chef Anthony Demetre's signature dish at Arbutus and Wild Honey, his London restaurants. However, he went vegetarian today on "Morning Living." For this Halloween edition of Fast and Fancy, chef Demetre brought us two elegant yet simple recipes using autumn squash: a butternut salad and a roasted pumpkin soup.

If you happen to be in New York City on Monday, you can join chef Demetre for the festivities at New York Taste, a charity event sponsored by New York magazine and Virgin Atlantic Airways to raise money for City Harvest.

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Revealed: Our Halloween Costumes!

Posted by Mario Bosquez

May I be the first to wish you a Halloween boo as Martha Stewart Living Radio gears up for a delightfully spooky "Frights-Day!"

This week, we've been talking about Halloween crafts, treats, and more! Plus, we still have more surprises in store for you! Tomorrow, tune in to "Living Today" to learn all about bats and get spooky cocktail recipes for this weekend!

Also, you might be wondering, "Who are the ghosts, spirits, and goblins that haunt Martha Stewart Living Radio?"

You are about to find out as this frightful photo gallery reveals the spine-chilling images (some going way back to childhood) of your favorite Martha Stewart Living Radio friends! On the right is me dressed as a pumpkin! You can see this image and many others in our photo gallery.

And remember, Martha's website has great low-cost, no-sew, and last-minute inspirations to bring out your inner friendly ghost!

What's your favorite Halloween costume? Have a happy and safe Halloween! And don't forget to check out our costumes!

Mario "Boo"squez

Outdoor Halloween Decorations

Posted by Kim Fernandez

On "Morning Living," we have been having lots of fun preparing for Halloween! We've been doing everything from a So You Think You Can Cackle contest to a Creepy Treats bake-off.

I recently mentioned on the show that I am big a fan of inflatable (aka blow-up) Halloween decorations. Here are a few houses in my neighborhood.  They range from cute to spooky inflatables. Also, I've included a picture of my own front yard which is more "fall" than Halloween. What do you think of inflatables? I'd love to get your thoughts.

A spooky graveyard on my neighbor's lawn!

Creepy Treats Contest!

Posted by Alexis Tirado

Can you believe Halloween is this week? Today, we're having a Creepy Treat bake-off on "Morning Living" ! Hosts Kim and Betsy and their producer, Maureen, are the contestants for this contest. See their thoughts below and vote on the scariest treat!

Also, if you want to submit your very own creepy treat, enter this contest!

Betsy Karetnick, Cohost of "Morning Living"
Recipe: Bug Brownies

Arachnaphobics beware! These big, bad brownie bugs are out to get you. They've got googly eyes and a tenacious disposition -- they'll stick to your thighs if you're not careful. Best of all, the brownie recipe is straight from the "Martha Stewart Cookies" book.

Kim Fernandez, Cohost of  "Morning Living"
Recipe: Skull Cake

For my creepy treat, I leaned toward the whimsical and made a skull cake. I found a skull-shaped candy dish and went to town with the idea. The eyebrows on the cake are made from gravestone candies, the nose is composed of bat candies and the teeth are the tips of gummy candies. This recipe is fun and easy to make and bound to delight your kids!

Maureen McMurray, Producer of "Morning Living"
Recipe: Dirt Cake

Under the supervision of my mom, dirt cake was my first foray into baking. Luckily, this cake is super easy to make. Simply mix 8 ounces of cream cheese with butter and powdered sugar. Fold this mixture into a chocolate pudding mix and set aside. Crush a package of Oreo cookies and spread 1/3 of the cookie crumbs in the bottom of a planter. Layer 1/4 of the pudding mixture on top, layer another batch of cookie crumbs on top of the pudding and continue. Garnish with fake spiders, flowers, gummy worms, and voila! -- you have a creepy treat!

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On the Hunt for Mushroom Soil

Posted by Dionne Victor

On Tuesday's "Homegrown," one listener called in for what she thought was the elusive mushroom soil.  It turned out to not be so hard to find after all, though.  The listener once lived in Pennsylvania, moved to Texas and now that she's back in Pennsylvania and she wanted to get her hands on the soil because of how it made her garden grow in the past.

Martinis for the Fall!

Posted by Naomi Gabay

Here in the Northeast, it's finally starting to feel like fall! The air is crisp and the leaves crunch under our feet. Rain Lampaniello, executive mixologist at Lever House in New York City, has created a cocktail menu perfect for these fall days. Now that we're spending more time indoors, try some of these fresh martini ideas at home with your friends and family!

Pear and Crisp
1/2 ounce Montecristo rum
1/2 ounce agave syrup
2 ounces spiced pear puree
1 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces Champagne

1. Mix all ingredients except Champagne over ice in mixing glass. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass with the Champagne. Garnish with pear wheel.

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Week 14 of the Fruit and Veggie Challenge: Smoothies in the Winter!

Posted by Alexis Tirado

For this week's Fruit and Veggie Challenge, "Everyday Food" (the radio show) is going to discuss a salad with a hint of pumpkin, beet risotto (even if you're afraid of beets you'll love this recipe), and a healthy pineapple-banana smoothie.

For those who are new to the Fruit and Veggie Challenge -- welcome! If you're looking for the perfect dish to warm you up and keep you healthy, our challenge is perfect for you! The goal of the program is to incorporate more produce into your busy schedule. If you want more info on the challenge, read our first post about it.

Try these recipes during the upcoming week!

Beet Risotto

Pineapple-Banana Smoothie

Salad with Radishes and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

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Fast & Fancy: Cornbread at 10,000 feet!

Posted by Jennifer Sendrow

Chef Kelly Patton’s 9545 Restaurant is named for its Rocky Mountain elevation, and its menu is inspired by fresh ingredients from Colorado’s farmers and ranchers.   We expected him to bring Fancy & Fancy recipes for lamb, or maybe even buffalo.  But when he joined us today on Morning Living, Chef Patton got creative with a simple ingredient we all probably have in the pantry: cornmeal!

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