Halloween admittedly might not be the first date that springs to mind when it comes to the culinary calendar; it's an occasion we tend to associate more with carving pumpkins and scary films than getting creative in the kitchen. But we're willing to find any excuse to whip up something new, and the spooky season is certainly no exception. With that in mind, we're gathering our nearest and dearest, digging out our best costumes and using the recipes below to curate the perfect Halloween dinner party feast.

While these delicious dishes might not actually give your guests a fright, their dark, moody colours and striking look will create just the eerie ambiance that All Hallows Eve calls for. Looking for more inspiration? Don't miss our guides to the ultimate gothic menu, a Halloween feast created entirely out of pumpkin and both offal and squid ink-packed recipes.

This elderberry cocktail is incredibly simple to make (perfect if you’re hosting a crowd) but we think its vibrant colour makes it a perfect aperitif for your Halloween supper. Take a look at our elderberry cordial recipe to create the cocktail’s base, and get extra points for foraging your elderberries – we’re just in time to catch the end of the season.

Mini roast potato canapés are always a winner, but the striking contrast of the savoury white miso mayonnaise and black caviar on top mean we think they deserve a place in this list (they're also perfect for your festive menu planning). Running out of time to make the mayonnaise? Mash some white miso with a very small splash of rice vinegar before whisking it into a good, shop-bought mayonnaise.

This stunning beetroot tarte Tatin is a spectacular vegetarian centrepiece for your spooky season feast. It takes the classic French recipe – usually made with apples – and gives it a savoury twist, flavouring it with the piney freshness of rosemary and a buttery caramel.

An under-used offal cut, lamb heart is not only packed rich flavour, but it also might be new to your guests and a fantastic Halloween main. In this sandwich recipe, the meat is complemented by a sharp mint and anchovy dressing and a punchy aioli. To brush up on preparing the lamb heart, head this way.

Inspired by the flavours of coq au vin, this hearty risotto brings us the richness of a French red wine stew of chicken, bacon and mushrooms. While it's the perfect crowd-pleaser if you're hosting a gang, it would also make a warming dinner if you're having a quiet Halloween at home.

This Northeastern Spanish-inspired rabbit and snail stew makes an impression visually, but it's also a rustic dish which delivers when it comes to flavour. Serve it with crusty bread to mop up the sauces, and add a touch of luxury with some grated black truffle. Some cooked snails are sold with their shells but separated from them. If that’s the case, just tuck the snails back into their shells before adding them to the stew.

A fantastic vegan main dish, this noodle soup is a celebration of the beautiful earthiness of mushrooms. Combined with soy, miso, mirin and rice vinegar, the intense broth is the perfect canvas for slippery udon noodles, lightly cooked pak choi and umami-rich seaweed.

The sweet, glistening purple glaze of this mulled wine-braised red cabbage earns it a spot as a side dish in any Halloween menu, as far as we're concerned. Wedges are pan-fried until lightly charred, before being braised. That braising liquid is then reduced into a syrup to finish the dish.

This vibrant beetroot borani – an Iranian dip – is the ideal partner for our slightly smoky and spicy (thanks to ancho chilli flakes) potato skins. If you can't get your hands on ancho flakes, try another smoky chilli alternative, such as chipotle.

Dark chocolate and the red of sliced fresh cherries come together to create this eye-catching dessert. Inspired by the classic 1970s pud, black forest gâteau, this take is filled with a kirsch-infused cream. They're certainly delicate, but it's easier than you might think to whip these up at home – just make sure to read our guide to making chocolate éclairs before you begin.