8. Creepy Crawly Hot Dog Octopuses
Bring a touch of sea-monster mystery to lunch with classic hot dog octopuses. This nostalgic favorite is always a hit with kids and takes minutes to prepare. Take a high-quality hot dog or veggie dog and slice it in half crosswise. Working on the cut end of each half, make vertical slices upward about two-thirds of the way to create eight distinct “tentacles.” Boil or pan-fry the hot dogs; as they cook, the heat will cause the sliced sections to curl outward, mimicking octopus tentacles. Use a toothpick to dab small dots of mustard or ketchup for the eyes, or press in black sesame seeds. Serve these creepy creatures on a bed of blue-dyed mashed potatoes or green leafy salad to complete the underwater scene.