Taco Stuffed Jack-o'-lanterns

The internet is packed with creative food ideas for Halloween night.

Some are a frightful delight. 

And then...

there are others that are just downright creepy. You know the ones... 


like the guacamole barfing pumpkins... 


and the skeletons with hot dog intestines...


or the blood-shot eyeball hard-boiled eggs - Eew! 


They get worse and quite possibly require a few shots of something devilishly strong to even consider eating.

This Halloween don’t scare your family and friends with ghoulish fare, treat them to a G-rated dinner approved for all ages.

These wickedly cute Taco Stuffed Jack-o’-lanterns substitute fresh bell peppers for taco shells. 


Stuffed with spicy beef, black beans and brown rice, they are a perfect when there’s no time to fix dinner before the kiddos head out for the evening. 

Assemble them the night before, then pop them in the oven while everyone’s getting into costume.

Happy Halloween from my haunted kitchen to yours.

Taco Stuffed Jack-o’-lanterns

4 servings

4 orange bell peppers

1 pound ground round

1/4 cup red onion, diced

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup cooked brown rice

15-ounce can black beans, drained

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Heat oven to 350 F.

Wash peppers. Slice off the tops and set them aside. Scoop out seeds and ribs. With a paring knife, carve jack-o’-lantern faces into the sides of peppers. Set aside.

In a large skillet, cook beef and onions until beef is no longer pink. Drain.

In the same skillet, heat oil over medium and cook garlic 1 to 2 minutes. Return beef mixture to skillet. Stir in cooked rice, black beans, chile powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese over mixture and fold in.

Fill carved peppers with beef mixture. Place tops back on.

Place peppers, standing up in a glass baking dish. Add a 1/2 cup of water to the dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape.

Dining Room Reveal and Fall Tour

I thought about titling this post, The Breakup.

Because that’s essentially what I did.

After 12 years, I finally did it…

I broke it off with my home décor.

I’m not saying I never loved you, Tuscan Gold, really it was just me…

And, mister Red dining room, you’ll always hold a special place in my heart…

But it was just time. Time for a change.

Choosing a new paint color was the easiest part. 

Creamy neutral, you were right under my nose the whole time just hanging out in my laundry room and hallways...

Just waiting for me to notice you.

I decided to let you expand your horizons into the foyer, the great room, the kitchen and the dining room.

And you know what? I couldn’t be happier with the choice. 

The new neutral background makes the rooms brighter, feel more open, gives me a lot more options in terms of decorating.

I’ve fallen in love all over again.

Source list: gingham panels - Ballard Designs; buffalo check pillows, lamp, topiary and urn - The Butter Barn; table runner – HomeGoods; candle sticks, black linen napkins and pumpkin plates – Target; crocheted pumpkin – Galaxy Rose Crochet; and faux greens wreath – Found Our Haven.