For something authentic go on a field trip as a family to a local restaurant that serves Mexican food. Try to find tamales and mole negro on the menu, which are dishes typically served for Day of the Dead. The Mexican Restaurant we went to didn't have these but it did have amazing tacos, guacamole and churros for dessert.

DINNER:

MARSHMALLOW SKULLS:

Turn your marshmallows into decorated skulls using edible markers. But buy the thin type and not the thick type like I accidentally did – fine details are hard to do with the thick type as you can see in our picture.

LUNCH:

In Mexico families will picnic in graveyards to be near loved ones. You could always picnic in a favourite park of a loved one instead.

To read more about foods of the Day of the Dead check here: https://www.tripsavvy.com/foods-for-day-of-the-dead-1588709

Use purple paper or other bright colours to cover the table and dig in…

Foods

Fruit

Nisperos (or loquats) as well as tejocotes are enjoyed at this time of year and are frequently used to ornament Day of the Dead altars. But you might want to snack on some more recognizable fruits in your grocery store like bananas and oranges.

Decorated Snack Cup

Use Sharpies or other markers t decorate white cups to look like Day of the Dead Skulls and then fill with your child's favourite snack!

Hot Chocolate/ Atole/ Champurrado

I found this recipe for Champurrado, which is a thick Mexican Hot Chocolate. I looked at a few but they all called for Masa Harina which I cannot find in my humble Canadian grocery store, but the recipe I used called for Corn Flour which was something I did have.

Here's my adjustments: heat 2 cups of milk with 1 cinnamon stick, 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of granulated dugar in a saucepan. In a separate bowl mix 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of cornstarch and mix until disolved. Once chocolate has melted strain the cornflour mixture into the saucepan, stir and serve! Makes 2 skull mugs and a little left over for mom!

http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2012/11/how-to-make-champurrado-a-mexican-thick-hot-chocolate/

Day of the Dead

DESSERTS:

For something not authentic at all but something fun and easy to make at home try this:

Day of the Dead Individual Pizzas

Spreak tomato or pizza suace onto to a piece of naan bread or pita and decorate with slicesd peppers, olives, mozzarella balls, etc.

Tortilla Skulls and Guacamole

Use a skull cookie cutter to shape your tortillas(save the scraps to make chips as well) and place on tin foil on a baking sheet. Mix 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and brush onto the skull chips. Sprinkle with paprika, chili powder, sea salt and garlic powder. Bake in the oven at 375F until crispy like a chip.

Make your favourite guacmole. It can be as simple as mashing an avocado, adding sour cream or greek yogurt, a few spices, and a chopped tomato or some salsa, and the mixing in some lime juice and salt.

Excellent served alongside a nice chickent tortilla soup!

Dia de los Muertos

Candied Pumpkin – Calabaza en Dulce

I would really like to make this one day soon!

http://thelatinkitchen.com/r/recipe/sweet-pumpkin-dulce-de-calabaza

Something traditional that is actually made for the Day of the Dead and left on the altars is:

Pan de Muero or Day of the Dead Bread

I did not have enough time (or some of the ingredients) to make some for this Theme Day but if you'd like to try here are two recipes I found. Let us know via Social Media or email if you make some!

1) Vegan Day of the Dead Bread: http://dorastable.com/vegan-day-of-the-dead-bread/

2) Baked Panela Cheese for the Day of the Dead: http://theothersideofthetortilla.com/2014/10/baked-panela-cheese-membrillo-puff-pastry-recipe/

Some Delicious plates from El Cortez Mexican Kitchen in Edmonton

SKULL COOKIES:

Around Halloween time it’s pretty easy to find a skull shaped cookie cutter! Use this along with your favourite sugar cookie recipe and some homemade or store bought icing to decorate your own Day of the Dead skulls with your children. We added orange zest to the cookie dough to give the cookies a lovely flavour and the added orange flecks reminded us of the marigolds used on the Day of the Dead.

SNACKS: