Oscar Nibbles

 Tomorrow is Oscar night and that means parties. You can still have treats if it's just you and your TV set.Whether it's for a big party or a cozy sit on the couch ,bring on the bites.

Pizza in any form is always a fun nibble during this classic awards show. Make one with a different twist.Use Middle Eastern lavash bread  for a truly crispy crust. Two flat breads can fit n one large cookie pan.You can have one loaded with meat while the other can be pure veggie. If it's just yourself or another person, then think that kid classic English muffin pizzas. Again you can have fun with the toppings and put evertyhing on from anchovies to olives You can do the same with everything bagels too. For even crispier crusts and even quicker cooking use an air fryer. Both types can be baked in under a few minutes. You could also buy a bag of Totino's pizza rolls and air fry them for  a tasty hors d'ouevres.  Of course popcorn is de rigeur for this ultimate movie night. Your best bet is popping kernels in a Colonel Popper for a healthier pop. These can be popped in olive oil and then flavored with Kernel Season;s popcorn seasonings. This  brand is neat with all these different flavors. Try the movie corn one which os a blend of butter and salt along with their ranch.They also have caramel along with chocolate and sugar cookie for a sweet bite.

If you're having a party or just have a appetite, then think appetizers.PF Chang's has some interesting ones like their vegan egg rolls which come with a sweet duck suace and their Kung Pao cauliflower. These are perfect bites to watch as favorite movies and actors wins. If you want something a bit more sophisticated then then think spinach cups.These are puff pastry cups filled with a spinach -cream cheese and feta cheese mix, spiked up with sauteed onions, lemon zest and dill. Egg binds the filling together and gives it a custardy feel. These only take twenty -five minutes to bake up in muffin tins and the filling can be made well in advance.Serve these along air fryer crab cakes for a lovely sophisticated bite. Crabcakes are an easy make , using lump crab meat, egg for binding galric powder and chives Panko crumbs give them body and a golden hue when fried in an air fryer. Wash these down with a good champagne to celebrate. If you want something heartier, then think small French dip sandwiches with individual ramekins of gravy for guests. If it's just for you then, soak the sandwich  in a big bowl and enjoy.

Oscar night means Oscar nibbles. These can be  homey English muffin pizzas or sophisticated crab cakes.Make it a fun food night no matter what you serve.

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Oscar Party - A Glam Night In

Nothing beats an Oscar party. There's fun and excitement along with a chance to celebrate the winners and favorites. It's also a chance to have lush food,  and eat your beloved stars and directors. Get out the champagne bottles and party rich !!!.

Of course you could have foods that tie into the nominated movies. The Darkest Hour could be celebrated with fish and chips. It's a great choice but choose something a bit more decadent. Think clotted cream with strawberries or smoked Scottish salmon on Melba toast.You could also do Yorkshire pudding cups filled with roast beef  and gravy. The Shape Of Water takes place in Baltimore and you could serve crab cake sliders with cole slaw but try the more elegant.crab legs in butter.Crab legs can be bought at any seafood market or grocery store. If these are a bit out of your budget then think shrimp instead. Serve it with the easy to make champagne beurre blanc sauce. This is just sauteing champagne vinegar, and brut champagne with shallots and thyme and then adding one cup of chilled and diced butter.Chopped button mushrooms are also thrown in  for texture and flavor. Call Me By Your Name takes place in Northern Italy.  A truly posh dish is risotto with truffle oil. If this is just a bit too expensive, then just think about a Parmesan risotto laced with cremini mushrooms. Finish with a truly decadent sabayon, the Madeira laced eggy custard of Northern Italy.

Another idea is eating like the stars. Caviar can be spooned on crackers. Pair it with a dry water cracker so that the taste isn't overshadowed. The roe can be mixed with crab and put on a roasted potato slice. Many after Oscar parties will feature filet mignon. This tender cut can be turned into a tasty hors d'ouvre by putting them on crostini.Another idea is turning them into kebobs with the addition of grape tomatoes and green peppers. The meat can also be turned into mini Beef Wellingtons.They're relaltively easy to make, thanks to using store bought puff pastry.Mushrooms, shallots and onions are  finely chopped up to create duxelles which are also included in the puff. Prosciutto can be added as well, wrapped around the filet mignon before it's enrobed in dough.What to drink with all of this? Champagne , of course! You could splurge on Dom Perignon at $150 a bottle  or Cristal at a whopping $199 a bottle. For a more affordable yet still rich sip, try Moet & Chandon for $60. End with  cupcakes dusted with gold sanding sugar and the lush coffee Kopi Iwuak,which is made from a Asian palm civet's poo. Yup civet mess.,It may be gross but it's supposed to be the best in the world. If this is too gross then settle on Starbucks Rwanda Blue Bourbon blend at $24 a pound.It has a black cherry and butter flavor, perfect with Godiva truffles .

Oscar night is a time of celebrating and eating well. Toast your faves with a glass of champagne and lush, rich nibbles and treats. There's nothing like a glam night of fun!!!

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.

Oscar Party Time

There's nothing more fun than Oscar night.Yes, it's pure excitement for the winners,There's glitz and glamour and the chance to win that little golden guy.Yet the most fun will be watching it from home .Create your own party with friends or just with family.Sit back ,with some Oscar worthy snacks. if you're planning a party, then go the Wolfgang Puck way.This Hollywood chef is known for his elaborate appetizers and hors d'ouvres.Try his baked Mac and truffles,but use porcini mushrooms (or anyones you like)If that's too much then try his bruschetta.This is the classic Italian appetizer but amped up with white anchovies, tapanade and goat cheese.He also has a California guacamole that laced with roasted garlic that gives the dip a smoky flavor.Use as a filling for tacos or as dip.Chef Puck is famous for his pizzas too and you can easily recreate his any of his. For a luxe Hollywood one, add caviar on top of a rich tomato one(skip the cheese, it may be too much) Another way is creating movie snacks.Of course there's popcorn which is good just buttered, but can be amped up with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, chili powder or mixed herbs.Another fun snack are nachos and cheese. this is easy to make with just cheddar slices, milk butter and a pinch of flour for body.You can make this a true party plate by pouring the cheese over shredded chicken or chopped beef along with adding olives and sliced jalapenos. Another fun idea is dim sum.Dumplings are easy to make and there are so many different fillings from true vegan to a pork and shrimp combo. Serve with a Ginger soy sauce or a sweet plum one. You can also honor traditional drive in fare with sliders, home made fries and malteds too,and the last can be spiked with liquor for an added kick. Oscar night is a night of parties.Have your own with fun and tasty food.Celebrate Hollywood with style and flavor!

Get Ready For Oscar Night!!!

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl of fashion and film. Yup, it's Oscar Night 2009. No matter who you;re routing for Winslett or Streep, Slumdog Millionaire or Milk, you still have to eat. These gatherings are a bit more amped up than the average get together. let's face it you're not going to slurp down champagne during the March Madness finales or eat caviar during the Razzies (award for worst movie of the year). Plan something fun tasty and a bit more elegant than average.

Oscar parties usually require some flair and dash. Most party throwers serve champagne or martinis to deaden the pain of watching the less important Oscar categories. You can also serve sangria if you're also going to serve paella. Any fruity cocktail is good. Serve it in a long glass with a slice of lemon or lime or with a sprig of mint. If you want, you can make a champagne punch too. Bellinis, that wonderful mix of champagne and peach nectar or juice is good with light fare. This is usually served with brunch but it's good with any light chicken dish or even chicken sandwiches. Of course you can go all Hollywood and Wolfgang Puck and serve fancy bottled water too for the designated drivers. (Ginger ale is also good. It looks like champagne when it's served in a flute )

What to feed your hungry movie critics and fashionistas? During these hard times you can nix the caviar but still serve elegant foods.Take deviled chicken , mix with mayonnaise and tarragon and serve on mini croissants. Bruschetta is another good party food. You can make it with tomatoes, vegetables or with cut cold cuts for different twists. Paella is good. It feeds a lot and everyone can have either big or small servings.

Desserts can be just as stylish as any Hollywood chef's can. Buy chocolate cups (or make your own. Melt chocolate chips and then coat cupcake papers). Fill with any instant pudding and fruit. Top with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Also a fun chocolate fondue wouldn't go amiss here either.

Sit back tomorrow night and enjoy the glitz and the glamour. Hoist a glass of your favorite champagne to your fave winning . Enjoy Oscar night in true Hollywood style!