Wingin’ It Halloween Special Edition! Tac-O’ Lanterns

You like football. You like food. So do we! So much so, in fact, that we smash the two together to bring you a Buffalo Bills-inspired recipe each week. Whether it’s a take on an opponents’ fave or some real mad scientist **** coming your way, Wingin’ It is the spot to watch. This week we’re prepping for Halloween! The Miami Dolphins are a secondary concern.

Eh heh heh heh heeeeeh! Greetings, Bills and Ghouls, to a very special Wingin’ It! The BOO-ffalo Bills are set to gHOST the Maim-i MAUL-phins on Halloween! The last time these two SCREAMS met, it was a nightmare for Maim-i. EEEEE HEEEEEE HEEEEEE! Can the Phins stay alive against the number-one scoring defense in the NF-HELL, or are they already DOOMED? This week’s special treat will have you GOBLIN all game! Try not to burst as we bring you...

THE TAC-O’ LANTERN! [/FogMachine]

Tac-O’ Lantern

Serves: About 6
Active Time: 25 min
Total Time: 30 min

You’ll need: A spooky imagination. Paper towels

Ingredients

6 large tomatoes (Beefsteak or some heirloom)
1 lb cooked and shredded chicken breast
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
¹⁄₄ cup water
¹⁄₂ cup hot sauce
4 tsp cumin
1 Tbsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
¹⁄₂ tsp black pepper
1 tsp oregano
Whatever else you usually do with your tacos. Salsa, cheese, chips, olives...anything you like

1. Prepare tomatoes: cut a hole in the top of each tomato and hollow out the insides.
2. Carve faces/designs in the tomatoes. (It’s more fun if everyone carves their own!) Set aside on paper towels with the opening facing down to drain.
3. Prepare chicken: Add meat and butter to large sauté pan on MED, stirring in butter as it melts.
4. Carefully stir in water and hot sauce to pan. Add remainder of ingredients and stir in.
5. Cook, stirring occasionally, on MED until water has evaporated and chicken is coated.
6. Assemble Tac-O’ Lanterns. See below for ideas, but it’s basically shoving meat, cheese, etc. in the tomatoes you carved.

Wingin’ It Tips and Prep Gallery

Grid View

I started the recipe with cooked chicken. If you don’t have that on hand, it’ll take you an extra 5-10 min to do that step first. You can also add the butter in this step, especially if your pans need some extra help being “nonstick.”

One of the reasons I like taco night (besides that they’re awesome) is how straightforward it is. Cook meat. Add water and seasoning, etc. Cook down. Serve. The only real tip I have is to carefully consider how you pack the ingredients in. Adding salsa first can make a nice “vomiting tomato” effect. Adding it last can make a nice “exposed brains” effect. There’s a little of both in the gallery. Cheese near the openings can really highlight the face. My youngest did the one where the cheese is pouring out of one eye like maggots. Proud dad moment.