Three sweet charcuterie recipes for Halloween

DECADENT CANDIED BACON

Bacon is certainly a must in the fabulous world of sweet deli meats - and one of the most beautiful foods in the world, if you ask us.

Here's a candy-style version that literally melts in your mouth. The stuff of dreams.

What you need

• A package of Olymel naturally smoked bacon

• Maple syrup

• Brown sugar

• Baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper

How to make

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Spread the bacon slices on the baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper, so as to fill the sheet while leaving a little space between the bacon slices.

3. Brush the tops of the bacon slices with maple syrup.

4. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the bacon slices. Once melted, it will coat the bacon to form a candy-like coating. Don't use the back of your spoon, and sprinkle generously!

5. Bake the bacon for 15 minutes.

6. Remove the tray from the oven, turn all the slices over and repeat steps 3 and 4.

7. Return to the oven for a further 15 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked through.

8. Remove the bacon from the oven and leave to cool on a plate for a few minutes before enjoying!

You can serve this sweet treat to your guests on its own, or use it to enhance a snack, such as vanilla ice cream or popcorn.

POPCORN WITH CARAMEL, HAM AND BACON

These days, popcorn comes in a multitude of varieties. Here's a sweet version, especially for deli lovers, with not one, but two sweet deli meats!

What you'll need

• A packet of Olymel minced ham of your choice

• A portion of candied bacon (see previous recipe) cut into small pieces

• A bag of popcorn

  You can use pre-packaged caramel popcorn available in most grocery stores. However, we suggest you prepare a homemade version with the following caramel recipe.

• A baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

For the caramel :

• 1 cup salted butter

• 1 cup brown sugar

• A few drops vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

How to make

Caramel popcorn

1. Pop the popcorn. Set aside in a large bowl.

2. For the caramel, melt the butter in a saucepan.

3. Once the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and stir well to combine the two ingredients.

4. Bring the mixture to the boil over medium heat.

5. Once boiling, simmer without stirring for 4 minutes.

6. Add a few drops of vanilla essence and stir lightly to blend with the rest.

7. Simmer without stirring for a further 1 minute before adding the baking soda.

8. Stir for a few moments, then pour the mixture over the popcorn.

9. Stir the popcorn with a spoon to evenly cover all the grains of caramel.

10. While the caramel is still hot, spread the popcorn on a baking tray so that the caramel hardens without forming a huge ball.

Delicatessen toppings

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Spread ham slices on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

3. Brush ham slices with a little maple syrup.

4. Place in the oven for 5 minutes.

5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, turn the slices over and continue baking for 7 to 8 minutes, or until crisp.

6. Leave to cool.

7. Cut the cooled ham and candied bacon into roughly equal pieces.

8. Stir into your popcorn and enjoy!

A frightfully good mixture, which goes perfectly with a horror movie.

MINI GHOSTS OF HONEY-ROASTED BOLOGNA

Simple to make, these ghosts are sure to please. Don't hesitate to make this recipe with your little monsters.

What you'll need

• Fairly thick slices of Olymel bologna (about 1 cm), available at your local deli counter

• Honey

• A ghost-shaped cookie cutter, easy to find online or in any good kitchen store.

How to use

1. Cut mini ghosts out of bologna slices using the cookie cutter.

2. Heat a little oil in a frying pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the ghosts in it. For more even cooking, we suggest you don't stir the ghosts too much, so that they toast evenly.

3. After a minute or so, turn the ghosts over to toast the other side.

4. Once the desired doneness has been achieved, remove the ghosts from the heat.

5. Brush with honey and enjoy warm.

Even though they're ghosts, we guarantee you won't be afraid to eat them!

Your mouth already watering? We understand - we're salivating too, just looking at them.

If you'd like to explore the world of sweet deli meats further, just remember that sugar in all its forms is your best friend: honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, molasses. Keep some on hand at all times, and let your imagination run wild!

Happy Halloween!