On Halloween evening, it is fun to be extra creative with food. I like to come up with designs that are different and can be made the afternoon prior to the gathering so that more time can be allotted to other preparations. Try my chilled Sardine Jade Rolls, for the seasonal impact on your Halloween appetizer table or as a starter for dinner. First prepare the Pesto Sauce: grind and thoroughly mix fresh basil, 1 glove of garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil until the desired consistency is reached. Remove the sardines from the can and pat dry. Remove the tails. Coat the sardines with the homemade Pesto Sauce. Cut into small stick shapes: cucumbers and carrots. Wash and pat dry leafy lettuce. Now, prepare the Rice Paper wrappers by dipping those in hot water for about 15 seconds, until pliable. Fill one wrapper at a time with: one piece of leafy lettuce, 1 or 2 Pesto sardines, and a pile of cucumber and carrot sticks. Now, carefully roll the rice paper sheets to form the Jade Rolls. For a dipping sauce, soy sauce with floating gummy/gumball “eyes” will work wonders for the final impact. Bring it on – it’s been a scary year and you can pair it with some inventiveness. © Kelly McBride Loft