Comfort Food

For Halloween this year, I will be making my kids haystacks and pumpkin shaped grilled cheese sandwiches (I have a healthier version for dieters as well). I want to make sure they get a good meal in before eating all that candy and it also had to be something quick to make. Haystacks is essentially layered corn chips, chili and shredded cheese in a bowl. The ultimate comfort food before going out and trick or treating on a cold night. If you want to know how to make these yourself, here is the directions:

Heat up a couple of cans of chili on the stove (as many cans as your family or you would need) on med-high heat (until bubbly). Fill the bottom of the bowl(s) with a layer of corn chips, then layer that with some nice hot chili and then layer that with a topping of shredded cheese (we use Cheddar, but you can use whatever cheese you prefer). For the grilled cheese you would butter two slices of bread (times however many sandwiches you'd need), put cheese (like craft slices or velveta) in between the unbuttered sides of the bread and cut with a Halloween cookie cutter (I am using pumpkins). Cook on med-low until each side nice and browned.

For a healthier version: For the Haystacks: Substitute regular chili with a meatless chili and omit the corn chips. You can also substitute regular cheese for low-fat cheese.

For the grilled cheese: Use whole wheat bread, low-fat cheese and cooking spray instead of butter.

Happy Halloween!