Looking for a creepy recipe to prepare for Halloween? The following Creepy Cannibal Casserole may be just the perfect dish. I served this casserole at my annual Halloween BOO-ffet, and it was very popular when I tested it and fed it to the Official Hancock Tasters. When we think of cannibals, we usually imagine hunters lost in the jungle who have been captured by natives; the hunters are either boiled in a large pot, or more often, roasted on a spit. The "hunters" in the following recipe are roasted on skewers, and placed atop a delicious mixture of fideo pasta (available in the Mexican section of most grocery stores) with vegetables and flavorings. Even if it's not Halloween time, this casserole is good, and you can eliminate the eyes from the hunters to take any horror away.

12 Servings

Hunters:
2 eggs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup medium salsa
2 tablespoons dehydrated onion flakes
1 tablespoon salt free fajita seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
15 6" skewers

Sliced green olives

Casserole Base:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
7 to 8 ounces fideo (very thin vermicelli)

1 small onion, chopped
4 medium tomato(es), cored and finely chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon salt free fajita seasoning
1 cup water

1 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese

1. "Hunters:" Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix the eggs, bread crumbs, salsa, onion flakes, fajita seasoning, black pepper, and salt; stir in the ground beef and mix well.
3. Scoop 1/4 cup portions of the mixture and form each around a skewer.
4. Place them on a broiler pan (so any fat will drain off) and press in two olive slices to resemble eyes.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes or until just cooked through.
6. Meanwhile, make the casserole base: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet with a lid.
7. Add the fideo and stir over medium heat until golden brown.
8. Stir in the onion, tomatoes, chili powder, salt, fajita seasoning, and water; bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer, and cover.
9. Let cook 10 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is just done; stir in the cheese.
10. Arrange the "hunters" over the pasta and serve.

Amount Per Serving:
Calories 285 Calories from Fat 123
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 43% Protein 28% Carb. 29%

Nutrient Amount per Serving:
Total Fat 14 g
Saturated Fat 5 g
Cholesterol 93 mg
Sodium 487 mg
Total Carbohydrate 20 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 20 g

Vitamin A 12% Vitamin C 22% Calcium 0% Iron 11%