elsa mars | A Pinch Here, A Dash There

(Photo Found Here)

Well, it’s long overdue and about time for another “Dinner and a Movie” post. Some of you may remember that last Halloween I did a menu for The Shining. What fun that was!

So, continuing with tradition, I wanted to do another Halloween themed menu. What could be better for a menu than American Horror Story: Freak Show?! I look forward to it every October, and I must say, that although we are only 2 episodes in, I’m loving this season so far.

I would have done this post sooner, but as you all know, the crew of AHS are very good at keeping the small details of the show a secret, and making a menu required me watching it a bit to get a feel for it.

So far, we’ve been introduced to most of the characters, but there are still a few coming, which is why this menu will be in a few different parts.

The whole menu will be themed as carnival, or “freak show” food, as well as personal to some of the characters. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did creating it!

(Photo Found Here)

Of course, I want to start out with the lovely Elsa Mars, played by Jessica Lange. She is absolutely amazing in every season, and this one is no exception. Her character in this season channels a classic elegance (like she usually does). So, I took a spin on the caramel apple and gave it some extra class, using some red wine.

Elsa’s Red Wine Candy Apples

Makes 4

What You’ll Need:

+ 4 small apples, stems removed, and thoroughly washed (the coating won’t stick to wax on apples)
+ 1 cup granulated sugar

+ 1/4 cup water

+ 1 cup red wine (more for sipping on: optional)

+ 4 Tablespoons heavy cream

Start out by bringing the red wine to a boil in a medium pot over medium high heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the wine reduces by half. Pour out and set aside.

In the same pot, add the sugar and water. Stir, and bring to a boil until sugar is melted. Continue to simmer until it turns a dark amber color. Add the red wine in, and swirl in the heavy cream. Simmer until the mixture reaches 238 degrees F.

Place a stick through the stem hole of each apple, and swirl in the mixture, holding it upside down to let it run down the whole apple. Place on a piece of wax paper and allow them to cool and firm up.

Next up, we have the creepiest of them all so far on AHS: Twisty the Clown.

(Photo Found Here)

And in honor of him, we have a sticky, gooey, Killer Clown Kettle Corn. It’s sweet, it’s salty, and it has a marachino cherry glaze drizzled on top. Gory, yet delicious all at the same time!

Killer Clown Kettle Corn

Serves 4 to 6

What You’ll Need:

+ 3/4 to 1 cup popcorn kernels

+ 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar

+ 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

+ 1 Tablespoon salt

+ 1 small jar marachino cherries

Cook the popcorn in a popcorn maker, or on the stove: Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large pot. Add a few kernels and wait until you hear them pop. Then add the remaining kernels, and place the lid on. Cook over medium heat, shaking and moving the pot once in a while so the kernels don’t burn.

When the popcorn is all done, toss it in the mixture of sugars and salt.

To make the cherry glaze, place the contents of the jar in a small saucepan, and cook over medium high heat until reduced in half. Smash the cherries, if you like. Drizzle on top of your kettle corn, and serve!