The Nightmare Before Dinner

Book excerpt: The official cookbook of Beetle House, the Halloween-inspired restaurant with locations in New York and Los Angeles. Inspired by the works of Tim Burton—and all things dark and curious—The Nightmare Before Dinner features more than 60 gothically delicious recipes from chef-owner Zach Neil, including sauces and dips for the recently deceased, eerie appetizers, sinister sides, soups and salads for the living, macabre mains, devilish desserts, deadly drinks, and creepy cocktails. It also features vegan and vegetarian alternative or ingredient swaps for each and every recipe in the book, such as: Edward Burger Hands, inspired by Edward Scissorhands—a juicy burger with a Sriracha cream sauce, stuffed with smoked bacon, fried egg, pepper jack cheese, and avocado; with a pair of scissors shoved through it to keep it closed Silence of the Lamb Chops, inspired by Silence of the Lambs—a tasty lamb dish with a buttery mushroom and apple sauce, made gory with splashes of raspberry glaze Cheshire Mac and Cheese, inspired by Alice in Wonderland—a sweet-and-spicy take on one of America’s beloved comfort foods, served in a teacup Beetle Pie, inspired by Beetlejuice—a brilliant-green homemade pistachio pudding with a crunchy chocolate crust and a seedy and sweet blackberry jam The Fleet Street Martini, inspired by Sweeney Todd—a bright-red martini featuring Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey; pair with equally gory Love It Pot Pie Featuring an inspiring bonus section about table settings, decorations, and foods to serve at your goth-themed party, The Nightmare Before Dinner is the perfect cookbook to satisfy even the most frightful of appetites.