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Frightfully fun recipes for a Halloween party

Spook your guests with some culinary tricks along with treats. Chef Pino Maffeo of Restaurant L in Boston shares some of his ghoulish recipes

TODAY
updated 7:11 p.m. ET Oct. 30, 2006

On “Today’s Kitchen,” we have a ghoulish feast for your Halloween affair. Pino Maffeo, executive chef of Restaurant L in Boston, was invited on the show to show viewers how to whip up some scary dishes — not in taste but in appearance. Frighten your guests with these recipes:

Blood Shots in Test Tubes
Pino Maffeo, executive chef of Restaurant L

Makes 6 test tubes

INGREDIENTS

3 ounces Raspberry puree
3 ounces Cranberry Juice
2 ounces Grenadine
3 ounces Vodka
Dry ice
Gelatin sheet half
Ice

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

Bloom gelatin in water. Squeeze out.

Bring cranberry juice to a boil and add gelatin.

Add all other ingredients except dry ice.

Add liquid to test tube, put on ice once the liquid is a jello like texture.

Add a small piece of dry ice to each test tube.

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Arancini spiders (Italian rice balls)
Pino Maffeo, executive chef of Restaurant L

INGREDIENTS

2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
16 ounces
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 sheets nori, cut into thin strips
1 quart canola oil, for frying
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup rice flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 onion
16 ounces short grain rice
Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

In saucepan, add two tablespoons of oil on medium heat.

Add a 1/4 cup of finely chopped white onion.

Cook for 5 minutes and add 16oz short grain rice.

Cook another 5 mins stirring until rice is slightly toasted.l

Add water.

Cover.

Stir every 5 minutes for a total cooking time of 18 minutes. (If water evaporates too quickly you can add more if needed)

Remove from heat. Stir in butter and cheese and set aside to cool.

Mix nori into rice and divide mixture into 1 1/2-ounce portions. Roll each into a ball.

In a deep-fryer or tall-sided pot, heat canola oil to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk and season with salt and pepper.

Roll each ball in flour, dip into egg and milk mixture, and roll in breadcrumbs.

Fry balls in oil until golden brown, working in batches. Remove with spider or slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cut balls in half and fill with tuna tartar mixture. Close ball and add 8 pieces of fried pasta to resemble the legs of a spider. Add two scallion rings for the eyes and one scallion ring for the mouth. Secure with a littler bit of mayonnaise. Use fermented tea leaves for eye brows.

Place on plate and serve with soy sauce.

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