Your Oscar Party Lush Or Simple

 The Oscars are this Sunday, March 27th and it's time to celebrate. Will you have a lavish Hollywood type of do or one that without all the drama? Will  it be a party for many or for one and two? either way , you can have a fun night ,full of delicious foods.

Even though prices have gone up, you can still have create a lush spread. Just cut down on the variety. You can have shrimp or lobster but not both. Pick the one you know your guests will enjoy more. Another fun bite are steak sliders.This is just cutting up grilled steak and  placing the cutlets on toasted brioches.What about sides. Stuffed artichokes would be a nice idea or asparagus drizzled with lemon butter.A fun idea for a cold dinner is the classic charcuterie platter.Have boule, those crusty rounds of bread instead of the usual baguettes.Also have a variety of crackers or savory shortbread.This is an easy bake with omitting the sugar in the recipe.Cheese and herbs are added in instead.As for the meat, think prosciutto, thinly sliced ham and dried salame.,You can also include black and green olives along with cornichons. Cheeses can be a richy runny Brie or a tasty Gruyere. Cheddar slices also work here as well.Have wine and champagne for drinks along with mock tails for those who don't drink.

What about when it's just you and another film buff? Think small but tasty.Homemade French bread pizzas are always a fun treat.It is also an easy make.Just split a baguette, hollow out the loaf and add olive oil, sauce and mozzarella cheese.Top with whatever you want. Try veggies like broccoli and peppers or meats like pepperoni, ham or even bacon. You can even do this with bagels or English muffins too.Homemade chili over cornbread is another fun dinner and best of all you can have the leftovers through the week.Another idea is air fryer chicken wings or nuggets. Serve these with ramekins of different sauces like honey mustard and barbecue.Keep in mind that you can also do this with batter dipped cauliflower too.Use your air fryer or toaster oven for making kale chips too.Of course popcorn would also be good too. Think about one popped in olive oil and sprinkled with dried rosemary.Cheddar corn is a tasty treat too. Finely grate a good ,solid cheddar over the cooked popcorn. Add bacon for a kind of a loaded snack. What to drink?Go with what you want. Beer, cider or even an ice cream soda woeks.

Celebrate lavishly or comfortablIty.It s the Oscars . Enjoy them with a good bite.

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A Need For Comfort

It's a crazy world out there between what's happening in the world and in the weather.It's time for comfort foods and foods that we can de-stress with , whether it's for a meal or a snack. It can be decadent or something relaxing.

Of course one of the best things to have is a cup of herbal tea.Not surprisingly it can help protect the body from stress as well as flood it with antioxidants to also reduce inflammation caused from stress. Chamomile and peppermint are the most recommended and every brand has a version, usually blended with green tea for more flavor. Other herbal blends are made from flowers such as lavender and rose. Lavender is the best for promoting a good night's sleep. Have a hot soothing cup in the evening. What foods can create the same calming effect? Turkey which contains tryptophan which makes you sleepy.It's also right up there with comfort foods ,especially when you have it with your favorite stuffing and homemade gravy. Pair it with green leafy vegetables that also help with calming. These are kale, collard greens, broccoli rabe and mustard greens. They're rich in folates which help the body manufacture neurotransmitters like seratonin and dopamine to regulate moods. Kale is good , both , cooked, crisped or raw. Try it like a spinach salad with bacon and sliced hard boiled eggs.Swiss chard is delicious with a mix of egg and vinegar,  all sauteed in butter.

Of course there are the old reliable comfort foods such as meat loaf and mashed potatoes.Think about making a loaf with ground turkey instead of beef for something different and for all that dopamine. You can still have it with gravy - but turkey gravy along with mashed potatoes. You could serve it with another comfort food Tater Tots. These are also great on their own , especially if you've crisped them up in the air fryer. These only take seventeen to eighteen minutes to cook up but the result is a crunchy on the outside , creamy on the inside bite that works well with different dips.Pizza is another one of those foods that can make us feel happy. Enjoy a meat lover's one from one of the best , Blaze. They also have variations that include  a cauliflower crust and topping with squash and even maple syrup. Of course homemade pizza is a great comfort food too. Everyone's childhood favorite is English muffin pizzas with sauce and cheese bubbling away on the muffin slices. You can also do the same with bagels too. Use the everything ones for a fuller flavor.Another home made comfort are chocolate chip cookies. You can stick with original recipe or toss in walnuts or almonds or sub in the chips with M&M's Have these with a glass of milk,  and a favorite book to get away from the world.

These are times to de-stress and stay inside. Have  a cup of lavender tea to warm up and relax or enjoy a turkey meat loaf They're perfect for an hour or two away from the cold and craziness around us.

Thanksgiving Eve Feasting

Everyone is anticipating the big meal on Thursday, but what tomorrow night? Thanksgiving Eve is a big night in the kitchen but not for eating. Many home chefs forego dinner just to squeeze in extra baking or food prep time. Don't . It pays to eat the night before.

It's usually a strange American tradition of ordering pizza the night before the big day. This can be helpful, especially when you want a hot meal or are dealing with starved kids. To some it's the way to go. It's usually fresh from the oven and always satisfying. A better solution that doesn't take much time is English muffin pizzas. These are a snap to make and home chefs can utilize their toaster ovens
 while the main one is used for baking pies. The kids can even make them, it's just slicing the muffins  drizzling olive oil, and tomato sauce on top. End with shredded mozzarella. The kids can also add their own toppings from pepperoni slices to chopped olives. The same thing can be done with pita bread too.A real crowd pleaser that's also easy to make in the toaster oven is French bread pizza. You can use French bread or the long hoagie rolls for this. Again , load it up with filling toppings so the family isn''t into nibbling at the pies or the premade hors d'ouevres.

If you prefer something light, then think of soup. It's easy to open up a can of Progresso or Campbell's. Want something a bit more home made tasting , then try Alessi Soups. It's an easy cook, with just adding four cups of water to the powdered mix. The result is a thick , fragrant potage that tastes like your nonna's soup. There's only one problem with soup . It' not filling. Make a small salad with it along with serving crusty hot rolls. Another easy  idea is any egg dish. They're filling and a good source of protein. Make some scrambled ones and serve on toast for a satisfying yet simple dinner . Microwave a few strips of bacon to make it a bit more substantial. A fritatta , stuffed with leftovers is a great way of cleaning the fridge to make room for Thursday's leftovers. Add any combo of veggies, cheeses and meats to create a flavorful and hearty meal to three to four eggs. The same applies to omelets. Again. serve both  with toasted French or Italian bread and even a relaxing glass of wine or hard cider.

Don't starve yourself when you creating the big feast for Thursday. Have a filling meal the night before and you'll feel better the next day. You'll need all your strength to tackle one of the biggest cooking days of the year.

A Comfy Oscar Party

Oscar night means Oscar parties. For many of us  - including those who weren't nominated  - it means watching them at home,with a favorite meal or snack to nosh on.Nothing beats enjoying favorite nibbles while watching favorite stars win.

Pizza is always a fun party food.It's so much better coming straight from the oven.If you don't want to  go through all the steps, there are the instant ones like Celeste's that offer pizzas for one. These are big enough to be shared for two.For those who love the idea of a fresh from the oven pie, try Pilsbury's pizza dough. It's already made and just needs to be rolled out, topped and baked, Top with such toppings as an all meat that includes salami, pepperoni and capicola, or a veggie one that has peppers onions and olives.another variation is English muffin pizzas. These are super easy to make and super fun to eat.These can be made in a toaster oven although they do come out crisper if they're baked in the oven. Want something a tad more glam? Think bruschetta. This is an easy make that just involves cutting up plum tomatoes and mixing them with basil, olive oil and garlic. You can add a dash of balsamic vinegar for some tartness. serve o toasted rounds of Italian and French bread.

A fun home party food is pigs in blankets. Take regular hot dogs and cut them into thirds. Wrap a crescent roll around them and bake  for thirty minutes. dip into sauces such as forty karat mustard , made extra golden like Oscar himself with the addition of curry. Also try a homemade honey mustard one made with wildflower honey and a spicy barbecue one. One of the easiest and tastiest - and my favorite is homemade guacamole and chips.Use the blackest ones  to create the dip. These are the ripest and will produce an ultra creamy dip . I like to use vine ripe tomatoes for a dash of color
and a jolt of needed sweet and tart. Remember to drizzle some olive oil in to give the texture some smoothness. Of course, the night is all about movies and that means popcorn. Go old school with air popped , then bathed in real butter. A sweet fun variation is kettle corn.It's an easy recipe that just involves adding sugar to kernels and oil and then popping over a low flame.Use white sugar for a popcorn ball taste or brown sugar for a caramel corn one.

Oscar nights mean Oscar treats, full of fun and flavor.Make your faves or try something new and adventurous. sit back, nosh, and root for your favorites to win.

The Versatile English Muffin

One of the best staples of any kitchen is the humble English muffin. It can be used for any meal and even makes a great night snack. If you think it's just a boring little crumpet, think again. It is versatile , going from a classic breakfast treat to a fun alternative  to hamburger buns.

It was Thomas Bath Thomas who brought this Victorian breakfast staple to the States from England in 1877. They were based on the English muffins that were sold in London at the time. They were slightly different in that they were thinner than the crumpets they were modeled on. Another change that Mr. Thomas made was  precutting them so they could easily be split apart with a fork. At first they were only sold to hotels and grocery stores. By 1880 they were so popular that Thomas had to open up a second bakery,One of the best aspects of them is that they're low in calories -only 130 per muffin and make a nice snack, especially with butter. Even though the original is the best, Thomas has other flavors and grains such as the seasonal pumpkin spice and whole wheat. Many love their blueberry and corn flavors too along with the honey wheat  and sourdough. The original, whole wheat and multi grain kinds are the most versatile. They are perfect for both savory and sweet recipes.Another great thing about them is that they're freezable and can be used weeks after they were first bought. Just take them out of the fridge and they can be thawed in the toaster or toaster oven.

English muffins are one of the best things to happen to breakfast. Thi early morning staple is a great starter with just a layer of butter or margarine and your favorite jelly.They're also a nice accompaniment to eggs sunnyside up or soft boiled ones, perfect for sopping up the yolk. English muffins are a great base for any breakfast sandwich. Try a classic of scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage. For zing add a drop of hot sauce to the eggs. A fried egg sandwich is another  light yet filling breakfast.One of the best recipes is Eggs Benedict. The muffin's  spongy texture is excellent for sopping up the buttery Hollandaise and runny yolk. The recipe can be varied with spinach being subbed in for the Canadian bacon for Egg;s Florentine or using a crab cakes for a lush , extravagant brunch.salmon can also be used for Eggs Atlantic or Eggs Benjamin. English muffins also make for great mini pizzas. It's just spooning  olive oil and  pizza sauce over the slices and then topping them with shredded mozzarella. Add fun extras such as sausage or peppers, onions or olives. The muffins also can be used instead of hamburger buns. They're even better because the nooks and crannies hold the burgers' juices , making them even tastier. English muffins can even be used for grilled cheese too for a different spin on the classic lunch bite.Add tomatoes and bacon for a take on the diner classic The Happy Waitress.

English muffins are a must have for any kitchen. They're a great way to greet the day or end it. They are perfect for both pizza and burgers. Best of all , have them hot from the toaster with just butter. Or create your own recipe. They are versatile and fun.

The Versatile English Muffin

English muffins can be used for almost anything. You can have them to start the day . They 're also good in a lunch or dinner or even for a quick snack. Pair them with any ingredient for a tasty and quick dish.

English muffins hav always been a a breakfast treat. After all there's nothing like one hot from the toaster, dripping with butter. However it makes an excellent base for a breakfast sandiwch. You can put either scrambled or a sunnyside up egg along with sausage and cheese on it. The famed Eggs Benedict require that the base be an English muffin, . You cna have the classic which also has Canadian bacon and Hollandaise sauce or variations. There's the Maryland Benedict thats subs in the bacon with a crab cake or the Californian style which features a slice of avocado added.

English muffins can also be used to make quick yet filling lunches and dinners.A simple recipe uses just cheddar with bacon. it's requires nothing more than just simple layering and then heating up in the toaster oven. You can even add a pickle or an onion for a British spin on it. A classic recipe is English muffin pizza. Just add pizza sauce, oil and shredded mozzarella and pop into the toaster oven for ten minutes or until the cheese melts. You can also prebake the muffins for a crispier crust. These pizzas also make good afternoon snacks especially if you're going to be eating the main meal a lot later on.

English muffins are versatile. You create a luxurious breakfast or a hearty lunch. They're perfect increating a fun dinner or easy snack. Try them in a variety of ways for some delicious eating.

Help In The Kitchen

September always promises to be a busy month. School is starting. Companies are revving up again after a slow and sleepy summer. This means that dinner won't always be on time or that there may be a lot of take out. What to do? get help in the kitchen. By help I mean teens. tweens and the occasional husband or partner.

Simple meals are the best way to go. Forget the microwave dishes. Those will turn out either over nuked or under. Think about real pasta dishes with real sauces. Showing the kids how to make pasta is easy. it;s just boiling spaghetti or fettuccine and served with a quick sauce. Here you can teach the kids how to throw together tomatoes and tomato paste alongwith cooked or fresh tomatoes some garlic and oil. Have them make enough so that's there can be leftovers for th e next night. Another easy dish anyone can make is French bread or English muffin pizza. All this requires is sliced Frenchor Italian bread or English muffins. Drizzle some oil, and then layer on pizza sauce, mozzarella and topping sand you have a fun but filling dinner. Another quick dinner is a hot roast beef or turkey sandwich, Just buy sliced meat, ready to heat gravy and some kaiser rolls. and then serve as a hot , satisfying sandwich on those chillier days.

Looking to lose the carbs then think of a quick salad Nicoise or a chef's salad. The firs ti s just adding a can of tuna fish , some hard boiled eggs, capers and tomatoes to mixed greens and toss with a simple vinaigrette. The chef salad is easy to create as well. Add some sliced ham , roast beef, salami along with American cheese . Toss some tomatoes too and top with a favorite dressing. Another quick salad is grilled chicken , You can buy the meat already grilled at your local supermarket and then just top over a simple salad. Another plus is that salads are the safest kind of meal kids can create. There;s no fear of burning or scalding.

Evening meals don't have to be a big production if you get the family to help you. There will be no worries about feeding them if you're running late. Just stick to simple meals that everyone can make and can enjoy.