Haunted Forest Platter

Step into the spooky season with this delightful and eerie Haunted Forest Platter, a creative appetizer perfect for Halloween gatherings or themed parties! This recipe combines crispy roasted broccoli "trees," crunchy parmesan and sesame-studded breadstick "logs," and adorable mozzarella "ghosts" with black olive eyes for a festive touch. With its tantalizing mix of textures and flavors, this platter not only looks hauntingly magical but also tastes divine. Complete with a creamy side of hummus or ranch for dipping, this dish comes together in just 45 minutes and serves as a fun, edible centerpiece. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween bash or simply indulging in some family-friendly spooky fun, this platter is sure to be a ghostly hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 package pre-made breadstick dough
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
• 6 slices mozzarella cheese
• 12 pieces black olives
• 0.5 cups hummus or ranch dressing

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a bowl, toss the broccoli florets with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread the broccoli out on one of the prepared baking sheets.

Step 3

Place the broccoli in the oven and roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the edges are crisp and slightly charred.

Step 4

While the broccoli roasts, prepare the 'fallen log' breadsticks. Roll out the pre-made breadstick dough onto a lightly floured surface, twisting each piece into uneven, gnarly shapes to resemble logs.

Step 5

Brush the twisted breadsticks with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and black sesame seeds for texture. Arrange them on the second baking sheet.

Step 6

Bake the breadsticks on the middle rack of the oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Step 7

Cut ghost shapes out of the mozzarella cheese slices using a small ghost-shaped cookie cutter. If you don’t have a cutter, use a paring knife to carefully cut the shapes.

Step 8

Slice the black olives into thin rings. Use the rings as eyes for the ghost mozzarella shapes, gently pressing them into the cheese.

Step 9

On a large platter, arrange the roasted broccoli to form a 'haunted forest' base. Scatter the breadsticks among the 'trees' to look like fallen logs.

Step 10

Place the mozzarella ghosts strategically throughout the forest for a spooky effect.

Step 11

Serve the platter with a bowl of hummus or ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	701.4 grams (701.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1401

Total Fat 100.20g	128%
Saturated Fat 31.60g	158%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.40g
Cholesterol 118mg	39%
Sodium 4606mg	200%
Total Carbohydrate 68.50g	25%
Dietary Fiber 16.20g	58%
Total Sugars 8.70g
Protein 67.40g	135%

Vitamin D 27IU	135%
Calcium 1542mg	119%
Iron 10mg	53%
Potassium 547mg	12%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.4%

Protein: 18.7%

Carbs: 19.0%