This Halloween appetizer features little smokies cut to look like fingers and a trio of frightening Halloween dip recipes.
HOW TO MAKE LIT'L SMOKIES LOOK LIKE FINGERS
Turning the Lil' Smokies into horrid little fingers is really much easier, and much faster work than I had originally planned for. I found the simplest way to transform them was to stand them right-side up on the cutting board, and using a small, sharp knife (e.g. a paring knife) slanted at a diagonal toward the sausage, shave about a ½" worth of sausage away. This forms the fingernail. Then, lay the sausage flat and cut two slits directly under the nail, and three slits on the opposite end from the fingernail. This creates the finger and knuckle creases.
A TRIO OF HALLOWEEN DIP RECIPES
To accompany your Dead Man's Fingers, try any one of these awfully delicious Halloween dip recipes, created specifically to complement the flavors of the sausage: Mummy Mush, Dracula's Bloody Stew and (my personal favorite) Lizard Leg Brew
MUMMY MUSH (HOMEMADE PICKLE RELISH DIP)
Mummy Mush is a quick and simple Halloween dip recipe to whip up, with flavors very closely resembling a pickle relish. It is easy to make with the aid of a food processor and requires very little effort beyond the pushing of a button!
DRACULA'S BLOODY STEW (CRANBERRY BARBECUE DIPPING SAUCE)
Dracula's Bloody Stew was created to look like bloodied intestines and spilled guts (how terrible does that sound!) and begins on the stovetop with thawed cranberries and sugar. It quickly morphs into a tangy and sweet barbecue-style sauce, completely ideal for little sausage dippers.
LIZARD LEG BREW (SPICY PEPPER JELLY SAUCE & CREAM CHEESE DIP)
Oh, and let us not forget the Lizard Leg Brew. This slimy, spicy sauce starts with a rough chop of fresh jalapeños and quickly comes together on the stop top via the addition of red pepper jelly, vinegar and the help of a few spices. It is spicy, a little tangy and a lot of delicious. Once the sauce has cooled, it is poured over room temperature cream cheese and served.
MORE HALLOWEEN APPETIZER RECIPES
I love a good variety, so all three Halloween dip recipes are right up my alley, however, if you are hosting a Halloween party, very likely you may find yourself pressed for time. Entertaining always seems to come down to the last minute, doesn't it? The last thing you want is to feel overwhelmed by to-dos as guests are walking through the door. Bonus: all of these Halloween dip recipes can be made in advance, however, just one of the three is perfectly sufficient, and will make for a gruesome (and tasty) conversation piece amongst your guests.
If you're looking for more savory Halloween recipes to serve up at your Halloween party, try this Swamp Monster Spaghetti for the main course or kid-friendly Halloween dinner. Halloween Monster Meatballs make for another gruesome looking appetizer, and for sweet Halloween treat ideas, easy and simple Halloween Pretzel Rods are great for kid-friendly parties!, Halloween Blondies with peanut butter and Butterfinger candies are guaranteed to make your guests swoon, and Cyclops Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are spooky, yet totally delicious. Happy Halloween, and please, enjoy!
Dead Man's Fingers
Ingredients
For Dead Man's Fingers:
- 1 ½ pound (24 ounce package) Lit'l Smokies
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
For Mummy Mush Dip:
- 5 dill pickles minced
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise + 1 tablespoon
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of Kosher salt
To Make Dracula's Bloody Stew Dip:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 ¼ cup fresh or frozen cranberries (thawed)
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 2 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Lizard Leg Brew Dip:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 4 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
- ½ cup store-bought red pepper jelly
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
Instructions
To Make Dead Man's Fingers:
- Preheat the oven to 350° and have ready a rimmed baking sheet, lined with aluminum foil. Pat the sausages dry with paper towels. Stand sausage right-side up on the cutting board. Using a paring knife, shave about a ½" worth of sausage away. This forms the fingernail.
- Lay the sausage flat and cut two slits directly under the nail, and three slits on the opposite end to create the finger and knuckle creases. Transfer the sausage to the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with canola oil and toss to coat. Spread apart on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Serve warm alongside dipping sauces and enjoy
To Make the Mummy Mush Dip:
- Add half of the pickles and the remaining ingredients to the bowl of food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Process until well combined, and transfer to a mixing bowl. Stir in the reserved pickles. Makes 1 cup.
To Make Dracula's Bloody Stew Dip:
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, add the brown sugar and cranberries. Stir until the sugar has melted, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the remaining ingredients, and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, serve, and enjoy. Makes 1 ½ cup.
To Make Lizard Leg Brew Dip:
- Add canola oil to a small saucepan over medium-high heat and allow to come to temperature. Add the jalapeños, and sauté 4-6 minutes, or until softened. Add the red pepper jelly, cumin, smoked paprika and salt, and stir until the jelly has melted down. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Place the cream cheese in a serving dish and spoon jalapeño mixture over the top. Makes about 1 cup.
Notes
Nutrition
Bruce E Cole says
Love your website, just wish there was a recipe box where we can save the different recipts in a personal recipe box. Thank you.
Kelly Anthony says
Hey Bruce! Thank you so much 🙂 That is a great idea, and I'll absolutely keep it in mind for future TAK renovations! Thanks again!!
Jenn says
So fun and spooky! I love having some good appetizer recipes on hand for pre-trick-or-treating snacking and this is perfect!
Noelle Simpson says
Perfect idea for some halloween treat! Can't wait to try this out 🙂