Bwahahaha – how is THAT for a thoroughly convincing Halloween prank? Back when we were kids, the big tricks we played at Halloween parties were putting our hands in bowls of various disgusting things while we were led around blindfolded. It is amazing what the mind will make you believe is happening, when you cannot confirm reality with your other senses.

This is sort of the same concept, only sideways. Your eyes are going to see something and convince your mind it is real. This will set up an expectation in your mind for one type of experience. But with one bite, your taste buds are going to send an alarming signal of cognitive dissonance straight to your brain. Help – something is wrong here!

 

INGREDIENTS

¾ lb. white or yellow potatoes

Kosher salt and pepper

2 large eggs

2 tbsp. Ketchup

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

½ cup panko or plain bread crumbs

2 clove garlic

1 medium carrot

¾ lb. ground beef

½ lb. ground pork

12 grape tomatoes

¾ cup low-fat sour cream

24 oz. peas

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

Heat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with foil liners. Place the potatoes in a pot, add enough cold water to cover and bring to a boil. Add 1 tsp salt, reduce heat and simmer until just tender, 15 to 18 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper; stir in the bread crumbs. Add the garlic and carrot and mix to combine. Add the beef and pork and mix just until incorporated. Divide the meat mixture among the foil liners and push a tomato into the center of each one. Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the meat registers 155°F, 14 to 16 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the sour cream and ¼ tsp salt and mash until very smooth. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a ½-inch ribbon tip (Wilton 104). Transfer the meat loaves to a platter and pipe the potatoes back and forth over each top to resemble a mummy’s wrapping. Place 2 peas on each for eyes.

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Quick Tip:  The green peas being used for eyes are fine if you are going to serve these meatloaf mummy “cupcakes” alongside other entrée offerings on your Halloween buffet table. But if you decide to pull the Halloween prank, switch the peas out for candy bits, such as green, orange, red or blue M&Ms. That will make this trick even more convincing!

Recipe and image courtesy of Jonny at Woman’s Day Kitchen