Halloween party ideas please!

[InDubiousBattle]

We're having a small Halloween party, 10 adults and 8 kids (all under 5) and I'm looking for some inspiration. Kids will most likely be happy with hot dogs and there's lots of stuff online for cupcakes etc but I'm needing something for the adults. I don't fancy doing chilli, lasagne or curry and I did pizza last time we all got together and pies the time before that. No particular dietry requirements and I'm and enthusiastic cook so don't mind spending a bit of time doing something fancy but needs to be a buffet as our table won't fit everyone round it! Any ideas??

Soups that can be served in a mug (not Cup a Soup). Roast a large joint of pork and do a mini hog roast, rolls filled with meat, stuffing, crackling and apple sauce. Could also do similar with joint of beef.

Google Halloween recipes. Alternatively www.bbcgoodfood. co.uk. What about a Halloween pumpkin dish like pumpkin muffins or something for it.

I would do a slow roast spiced leg of lamb and serve it with couscous. flatbreads and some salads - cooking the lamb for so long means it literally just falls apart and is really easy to eat - just a fork required so great for buffets - and you can use the bread to scoop it up too

I would do a Spicy Rapid Roast Chicken. This is the kind of recipe that you just throw together. No need to truss or fuss. Pop it into a very hot oven and it is ready in a hurry.

How about a soup (I like pumpkin/squash for Halloween) either plain/roasted or with chilli/coconut milk for a spiced version. This can be served in mugs whilst people mingle. Then a big tray of nice sausages with rolls, fried onions, sauces and toppings (salad, cheese..), and if you like, some homemade potato wedges.

NecessaryOnABicycle your suggestion sounds good and yummy! Hope you can also post the recipes and the procedure.

For roasted squash soup:

I get the squashes (probably 1 between 4 people for decent sized fruits) and cut them in half. Scoop out the seeds and put cut side up on a tray. Give a good drizzle of olive oil, plenty of salt and pepper, and some crushed garlic/chilli flakes/whatever you fancy over the cut sides. Roast at 180 for about 45 mins to an hour until it is really soft. In a pan, sweat a chopped onion in a little oil or butter along with any spice you fancy (a couple of spoons of curry powder are fine, or whatever paste you like, or a bit of chilli, or nothing). Once the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop it with a spoon into the onion pan, and blend with a little stock or coconut milk (or both!) and season to taste.

I hope that helps, although I realise it isn't really a recipe!

Potato wedges:

Cut potatoes into wedge shapes, I don't bother peeling. Put in a large pan of salted water, bring to the boil and cook for just a minute or two more to very slightly soften. Drain them really well and let them steam for a bit so they are nice a dry. Toss in oil with a teaspoon of paprika, a few crushed cloves of garlic and lots of salt and pepper. Spread them out on a tray and bake at 180 for about half an hour until a bit crispy.

Nigella Lawson's ham in coca cola (or the cherry coke variation), served cold with a colourful salad and buttery baked potatoes. Plus all the usual nibbly bits that folks can graze on. For dessert I'd make a big heap of chocolate brownies and a massive retro trifle.