An appetizer for Halloween that’s scary!
Imagine arriving at a Halloween party with an appetizer that’s scary… but only at first glance! The Halloween appetizer arm, as spooky as it is delicious, captures everyone’s attention and taste at first sight and bite. Soft on the inside thanks to the soft sandwich bread, cooked ham, mayonnaise, wrapped on the outside in more cooked ham, with fingers made of crispy puff pastry, this appetizer is a real hit. Perfect for impressing friends and family during a Halloween-themed party, it combines irresistible taste with the scenic effect of a monstrous arm… but delicious!
You might also be interested in these recipes:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 8 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Halloween
Ingredients
- 9 slices sandwich bread
- as needed mayonnaise
- slices cooked ham (about 20)
- slices cheese (about 5)
- as needed puff pastry
- as needed water
- 5 almonds
- 5 slices cooked ham (or raw)
- as needed ketchup
Tools
- Food Wraps
- Rolling Pin
- Kitchen String
Steps
To start, lay down plastic wrap on your work surface and arrange, in three rows of three, the slices of sandwich bread slightly overlapping each other. This will help you keep everything compact when you roll it.
Use a rolling pin to flatten the bread slices, then spread a generous layer of mayonnaise, place the slices of cooked ham all over, and the cheese in the center.
Now, using the plastic wrap as a guide, gently roll the bread into a log, and seal it tightly with the wrap. Use kitchen string to tie the bottom part, leaving about 3 inches, and press this portion slightly to simulate the hand of the severed arm. Leave it in the fridge for about 30 minutes so it holds its shape.
Now for the fingers. Cut the puff pastry into strips and roll them to form cylinders. Wet the end of each with water and attach an almond to simulate a nail. Bake the fingers in the oven at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes, until well golden. Remove from oven and let cool.
During this phase, you can take the opportunity to bake the fingers and Halloween Mummies with puff pastry and sausages (another recipe to serve on the Halloween table) at the same time.
Take the arm, remove the plastic wrap, and cover it with more slices of cooked ham. Drizzle ketchup on some parts of the ham, letting it drip to simulate blood.
Once cooled, wrap each finger with a slice of raw ham, leaving the almond exposed as a creepy nail.
Assemble everything by placing the fingers in the part you previously pressed to simulate the hand. Add a few drops of ketchup for an extra bloody effect, and your horror arm is ready to serve.With its mix of soft and crunchy, it will be the perfect appetizer for a chilling party!
Storage and Tips for Your Halloween Appetizer
Regarding the storage of the Halloween appetizer arm, it’s important to follow a few simple precautions to keep it fresh and tasty until serving time.
You can prepare the arm in advance, storing it in the fridge well wrapped in plastic wrap. This way, the bread will retain its softness, and the filling will stay fresh. The puff pastry fingers, however, should be baked and assembled just before serving to ensure they remain crispy.
If you have leftovers, you can store the remaining slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.
However, the puff pastry fingers tend to lose their crunchiness over time, so it’s best to consume them the same day.
Useful Tips:
• If you want to prepare the fingers in advance, you can shape them and keep them in the fridge, ready to bake. Bake them just before serving for perfect results.
• If you prefer a different flavor, you can substitute the arm filling with other ingredients like tuna, grilled vegetables, or a spreadable cheese cream.
