If you want to make the guacamole up to 3 hours in advance, spread it in your dish, squeeze some lime juice over the top, then cover it with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the guacamole, and refrigerate until party time. You can cut and fry the chips earlier in the day, just let them cool then put them into an airtight container. Don't plunge them into the guacamole until the party starts, and make sure to make plenty of extra to replenish the scene.

Have a ghoulish time!

Ingredients for the Guacamole Graveyard. Photo: Wendy Goodfriend

Recipe: Guacamole Graveyard

Makes enough for 6 people

Ingredients:

Tortilla tombstones and ghosts

- Corn tortillas*
- Canola oil

*Note: 6 or 8 inch tortillas are fine; the amount you need depends on how many shapes you want to make. I made about 7 shapes to start with, and was able to cut 2 or 3 from each tortilla. Be sure to make extra, at least 2 to 3x more.

Guacamole

3 ripe avocados
1 ripe tomato, halved, seeded, and finely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 to 2 limes
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Instructions:

1. To make the tortilla tombstones and ghosts, cut out tombstone and ghost shapes (or get crazy and try a cat or a tree) from the tortillas using a sharp knife. They should be about 3 or 4 inches tall.

Cut out tombstone and ghost shapes from the tortillas. Photo: Wendy Goodfriend — Cut out tombstone and ghost shapes from the tortillas.

1. In a heavy frying pan, warm 1/2 inch of oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the tortilla shapes and fry, turning once, until crisp, about 30 seconds to one minute. Remove with a slotted spatula to paper towels to drain, flattening the shapes with the spatula if they start to curl.

Add the tortilla shapes and fry, turning once, until crisp, about 30 seconds to one minute. Photo: Wendy Goodfriend — Add the tortilla shapes and fry, turning once, until crisp, about 30 seconds to one minute.

Remove with a slotted spatula to paper towels to drain, flattening the shapes with the spatula. Photo: Wendy Goodfriend — Remove with a slotted spatula to paper towels to drain, flattening the shapes with the spatula.

1. To make the guacamole, cut the avocados in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Using a metal soup spoon, scoop out the avocado flesh and add it to a mixing bowl. Discard the skins.
2. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocado until not quite smooth. Add the tomato, cilantro, lime juice, and salt and stir to combine. Spread the guacamole in a shallow 9-inch square or round serving or baking dish (a pie or cake pan also works).

Using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocado until not quite smooth.

Spread the guacamole in a shallow 9-inch square or round serving or baking dish . — Spread the guacamole in a shallow 9-inch square or round serving or baking dish.

1. Just before serving, set the ghosts and tombstones into the guacamole to create a graveyard. Dig in!

Guacamole Graveyard. Photo: Wendy Goodfriend

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Halloween Treat: Guacamole Graveyard with Tortilla Gravestones and Ghosts