Neighborly Halloween Gathering

Getting ready for Halloween night is quite a challenge, especially on a weeknight.

• Pumpkins needs carving...
• Pumpkin seeds cry out to be roasted...
• Candy must be carefully selected and artfully displayed...
• And oh, yes, trick-or-treaters require suiting up...
• Finally, a hot meal needs to get into your trick-or-treaters before they set off on their journey.

It just makes sense to get some real food into their stomachs before kids hit the street. To start off the eve, I'll lure the neighborhood children and their chaperones to my house. There aren't too many kids or adults who'll refuse homemade Mac and Cheese (extra hearty with added chicken). I'll also have a big pot of spiced apple cider simmering on the stove that'll make the house smell fantastic.

Once our little monsters head out the door, I'll bring out my stash of grown-up appetizers for the remaining adults and maybe we'll even spike that cider with a little rum or brandy.

All that's left is to sit back to enjoy the parade of costumes that come to the door. How easy a party is that? And, if you happen to see a particularly worn-looking adult at your door, you can always slip her a mercy canape.

This punch looks great and smells divine. Oh yes, the taste is splendid too -- warm apples, warm spices, and a splash of citrus.

A one-dish wonder that packs foods everyone loves -- cheese, macaroni, cheese, chicken, and cheese.

These little packets of goodness are packed with spinach and cheese. Like their Greek cousin, spanakopita, but easier since these use refrigerated dough in place of fussy phyllo.

As one reader said, "Quick, fun, and hot!" -- how perfect is that?

Long before wraps became the rage in America, Asian cooks folded savory fillings within rice-paper wrappers, thin pancakes, and lettuce leaves. The lettuce leaves provide a crisp, fresh contrast to a spicy filling.

A savory dip with cream cheese and sour cream base, enlivened with a dollop of horseradish and studded with shredded carrots -- appropriately colored for Halloween.

Melted brie is sinfully simple and devilishly delicious.