Since gross-looking food is really only suitable to serve at Halloween time, I often pull out an old children’s cookbook, Gross Grub, by Cheryl Porter, for dish ideas to serve at my annual Halloween BOO-ffet. I’ve always been fascinated by one of the recipes in the book called Cat Litter Casserole, and unlike many casseroles of the same name, Porter makes her own “cat dumps” rather than using link sausages; they look so real, it may take some coaxing to get guests to eat them. I offer my version of Cat Litter Casserole; actually I don’t think rice looks as much like kitty litter as quinoa, and since quinoa and vegetables are healthy, my version of this yummy casserole will even add some nutrition to fun, repulsive-looking Halloween food.

Of course you’ll want to purchase a small litter box to serve the casserole in (one that can sit on a warmer on the BOO-ffet and can hold a glass casserole dish or a disposable foil baking pan since even though the litter box is impeccably clean, I can’t bring myself to actually serve food out of it), and of course a new cat litter scoop; they should both go through the dishwasher or be thoroughly sterilized. Just the thought of eating from a litter box is disgusting, so this dish will certainly gross everyone out! The cat dumps can be made ahead, and actually, the entire casserole can be made ahead and reheated before serving. Yum! Yum!

12 Servings

Kitty Litter
1 cup quinoa
1 onion, finely ground
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, finely ground (this gives it a gray color to resemble real cat litter)
1 tablespoon granular chicken bouillon, or 3 bouillon cubes
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter

Cat Dumps
1 cup Master Baking Mix, or commercial baking mix such as Bisquick
1 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
1 pound bulk sausage, (your favorite kind - turkey, pork, hot, mild, flavored)

1. Measure the quinoa into a fine strainer and rinse with cold water.
2. Transfer the quinoa to a rice cooker.
3. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and set the cycle to run on the plain rice cycle. Alternatively, place the ingredients in a large saucepan on the stovetop, bring to a boil, stir, cover, and turn the heat to low; cook until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
4. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.

5. Make the cat dumps: Preheat oven to 350°.
6. Mix the master baking mix, cheese, and sausage.
7. Take small portions and form them into irregular-sized oblong pieces to resemble cat dumps.
8. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet (at least 1/2 inch apart) and bake 20-25 minutes or until crusty.
9. Assembly: Fluff the quinoa mixture and place it in a casserole dish or foil pan (that fits into the litter box) with half of the cat dumps.
10. Arrange the remaining cat dumps on top, covering some with parts of the litter to look like a full litter box. If you don't know what it's supposed to look like, check your cat's litter box (or your neighbor's if you don't have a cat).

Amount Per Serving
Calories 249 Calories from Fat 128
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 51% Protein 17% Carb. 32%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 14 g
Saturated Fat 6 g
Cholesterol 33 mg
Sodium 560 mg
Total Carbohydrate 20 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 10 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 5% Calcium 0% Iron 11%

If you want a copy of Gross Grub, it can be purchased on Amazon: Gross Grub

Want more Halloween ideas? There are over 130 Halloween recipes in my Halloween Cookbook, Quick Cooking for Halloween. It can be ordered from Amazon: Quick Cooking for Halloween: Over 130 Recipes to serve at the Annual Halloween BOO-ffet!