Ghoulicious Burritos

Luring your children to the dinner table before trick or treating can be a tough sell. So try creating a Halloween meal.

Witch’s Brew Burritos? What kid could resist? A satisfying chicken burrito is just the thing to eat before making the candy rounds. And the little vampires will be thrilled to see that the pomegranate seeds from Pirate’s Booty stain their fingers. Oooo!

This all comes together quickly, too, so you can be ready to help with costumes or sneak some candy on your own.

Menu

Witch’s Brew Burritos

Pirate’s Booty

Witch’s Brew Burritos

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes

You can use a spicy black bean dip instead of refried beans, if you prefer.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt, pepper

1 tablespoon oil

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 burrito-size cilantro- or spinach-flavored tortillas

1 cup refried beans

1 avocado, peeled and thinly sliced

2 tomatoes, cored and diced

2 cups grated mild Cheddar cheese or grated Mexican-blend cheese

1/2 cup mild taco sauce

1/2 cup sour cream

* Slice chicken breasts into strips, and slice strips in half. Season with salt and pepper.

* Heat oil in medium skillet over high heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with chili powder, lime juice and garlic. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

* Divide tortillas between 2 baking sheets. Spread each tortilla with 1/4 cup beans, 1/4 cup sliced avocado, 1/4 cup tomatoes and 1/2 cup cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly, 1 to 3 minutes.

* Pour 2 tablespoons taco sauce over melted cheese on each burrito. Divide chicken among tortillas. Top with 1 to 2 tablespoons sour cream. Roll up tortillas by folding bottoms up 1/4 of the way, then sides so that they overlap each other.

4 servings. Each serving: 689 calories; 1,063 mg sodium; 151 mg cholesterol; 47 grams fat; 22 grams carbohydrates; 45 grams protein; 1.48 grams fiber.

Pirate’s Booty

Active Work Time and Total Preparation Time: 5 minutes

2 Asian pears

1 pomegranate

* Slice pears. Quarter pomegranate. Place 1 quarter on each plate, surround it with the pears, and let children mine their own rubies.

4 servings. Each serving: 39 calories; 1 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 1 grams protein; 2.23 grams fiber.

GAME PLAN

30 minutes before: Slice pears and quarter pomegranates.

25 minutes before: Mince garlic, dice tomatoes and slice avocado. Slice chicken into strips and cook.

10 minutes before: Preheat broiler. Spread beans, tomatoes and avocado on tortillas.

5 minutes before: Broil burritos. Add chicken and sour cream, roll up and serve.

INGREDIENTS

Shopping List

1 large avocado

1 can refried black beans

1 package grated Cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 Asian pears

1 pomegranate

Sour cream

Mild taco sauce

2 tomatoes

1 package cilantro- or spinach-flavored tortillas

Staples

Chili powder

Garlic

Lime

Oil

COOK’S TIP

Here’s an easy way to separate pomegranate seeds from the rind and white membrane. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Cut the pomegranate in half from the stem top down. Cut or break each half into about 3 sections. Put the pieces into the water and break and pull the white membrane apart from seeds with your fingers. The seeds will float to the top. This is quick and easy, and not messy at all.

*

Plate from Smith & Hawken stores.