Halloween Begins: Stout Braised Cippolini Onions

I don't care what people say about December, in my mind, this is the most wonderful time of the year.  We've already started with our celebrations.  We're watching Halloween movies, listening to Halloween music, the house is decorated (more on that later) and on Saturday we attended Legoland's Brick or Treat. 

We had such a good time last year that we knew we wanted to do it again this year.  And this year Thatbaby is old enough/tall enough to actually partake in some of the rides.

 But not all of the rides.  So while Thatboy and Thatkid rode some of the "big kid" rides (back row)...

Thatbaby and I hung out at the splash park.

Thatkid is very interested in Star Wars, so he made a beeline for the Star Wars lego figures.  And begged me to take his picture with some of his favorites.

 

He also built some kind of starship at one of the many lego tables around the park.

 

  

When it started to get late, the park started transforming into Brick or Treat...and we started our own transformations.

Thatkid had 2 requests for Halloween this year, the first was that he wanted to be Kion, leader of The Lion Guard.  The Lion Guard is a new Disney Jr. show which follows the adventures of Kion, Simba's son, and his friends as they protect the Pridelands from bad guys (mostly hyenas).

His second request is that the rest of the family dress up as the other members of The Lion Guard.  So Thatbaby became Ono, the egret with outstanding vision.

And Thatboy and I became Beshte the strong hippo and Fuli the fast cheetah. 

The decorations were out in full force. 

Both boys got loaded up with candy at the Brick or Treat stations.  Although this year there was no lego-set giveaway.  Thatkid chose not to do the costume contest this year.  Instead, we took in a show - Mad Max's Monster Machine.  Thatbaby was surprisingly focused and interested in it.  Looks like we have another live theater fan in our midst.

I love going to Legoland Brick or Treat.  It's such a great way to ring in the holiday season.  It makes it really feel like fall is upon us.  Which is my other favorite part of October.  I love so much about this month!  And since summer vegetables are officially past their prime, it means I get to move onto heartier stuff.  Sweet onions braised in a rich, dark beer gives it a glaze that definitely says "summer is over. Long live the fall."

Stout Braised Cippolini Onions

12 oz cippolini onions

2 Tbsp olive oil

4 celery stalks, cut into 2 inch batons

2 garlic cloves, minced

6 carrots, peeled

2/3 cup stout

1/3 cup tomato juice

3/4 cup vegetable broth

1 Tbsp brown sugar

 salt and pepper

1.  Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Place onions in boiling water for 3 minutes, then remove to an ice bath.  Peel outer later of skin.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan.  Add the onions and celery and fry over a moderate heat until golden (about 10-12 minutes)
3. Add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes, then stir in the carrots.
4. Add the beer, tomato juice, vegetable broth, and sugar, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan, reduce the heat, and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Arrange the vegetables in a serving dish, then season the sauce and pour over.