Pepita Brittle and Orange Margarita

Who says Halloween is just for kids? For those of us empty nesters and singles, we can celebrate the occasion with some grown-up tastes.

Try this gorgeous Orange “Pumpkin” Margarita for example. Decorate the glass by rimming it with some green sugar crystals and floating an orange slice on top. The stem is created by inserting a piece of green “Good and Fruity” candy, simple yet fun. No, I didn’t create this; I saw it in the Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate Magazine for Halloween. Her drink recipe is different and it is called the Jack-O-Lantern, but the idea is similar. Big folks like to have fun too you know.

The Pepita Brittle comes from the Martha Stewart Living Magazine for October. I’ve made peanut brittle but had never tried it with pumpkin seeds. The only thing I did differently was I added a “light” sprinkling of chipotle powder on top to excite the flavor experience with a bit of heat with the sweetness of the brittle. I loved it. Have fun this Halloween.

If you have kids, enjoy the holiday with them. If you don’t, gather some friends and family and celebrate anyway. Happy Halloween.


Orange “Pumpkin” Margarita

Ingredients:
1 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Triple sec
4-6 oz Orange juice
1 splash Lime juice
Mixing instructions:
Combine tequila, triple sec, and orange juice over ice, and stir. Top it off with a splash of lime juice or sour mix.


Pumpkin Seed (Pepita) Brittle
(Martha Stewart HALLOWEEN Mag., 2009)

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for baking sheet
½ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup honey
1 cup hulled pumpkin seeds, toasted


Butter an 11 by 17-inch rimmed baking sheet.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and honey. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is medium amber and candy thermometer registers 280 degrees, about 6 minutes.

Stir in pumpkin seeds. Cook until mixture reaches 300 degrees, about 2 minutes. Pour into prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely, break into pieces.

I made some simple sleeves out of parchment paper to put the brittle into. This keeps your guests from getting sticky fingers.

To see another post I have on Pepitas, follow this link.