How to Make a Bleeding Brain Snack

At a Halloween party, there is nothing more enjoyable for the host than to be able to make his guests pale when they see what's for dinner. This bleeding brain snack, which is really a gelatin side dish, will make your guests think twice about overindulging.

Things You'll Need

• Brain mold
• Peach-flavored gelatin
• Skim milk
• Vegetable oil
• Green food coloring
• Red food coloring
• Plastic bag
• Corn syrup
• Bowl
• Whisk
• Serving platter

Instructions

1. Use vegetable oil to lightly grease the inside of the plastic mold.

2. Mix 1/2 cup corn syrup with a few drops of red food coloring until it resembles blood. Place the mixture into a thin, self-closing, 1-quart plastic bag; make sure all the air has been squeezed out before sealing the bag.

3. Place the contents of three 6-oz. packages of peach-flavored gelatin in a large bowl. Add 2-1/2 cups of boiling water. Use the whisk to stir the mixture until the gelatin dissolves completely. Add 1 cup of cold water and 12 oz. of light evaporated skim milk. Stir for 2 minutes, then add a few drops of green food coloring to bring the mixture to a flesh tone.

4. Pour enough gelatin mixture into the mold to fill it halfway. Place it in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes until it begins to set.

5. Place the bag containing the red corn syrup into the mold. Pour the rest of the gelatin mixture on top and place the mold in the refrigerator again until it is firmly set.

6. Un-mold the brain snack onto a large, rimmed serving platter. When the "brain" is cut with a sharp knife, the red "blood" will coat the knife and ooze out onto the platter.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a white or silver-colored serving platter to gain the full effect of the "bleeding brain."

• Plastic brain molds for gelatin are available at Halloween supply stores and joke and novelty shops. They are also available from the companies that manufacture or distribute them, such as SKS Sibley Company, P.O. Box 1351, El Segundo, CA 90245-9998.

• This dish is not for the squeamish, so ask those who might be uncomfortable watching the "dissection" to leave the room.