Award shows, much like the Super Bowl, are fun-filled occasions involving family and friends glued to the television, waiting in anticipation for their team — or acting ensemble, to win. So why not make a party out of the Oscars too? Since the Super Bowl has come and gone, people are turning their attention to the remaining award show of this year, which will air on Feb. 24.
If there is a long night of watching television ahead of you and your guests, snacks better be involved — especially between those annoying commercial breaks. Like the actor using his palette of skills and emotions to bring his character to life, it’s time to use your palette of flavors and favorite foods to make a creative spread of snacks to nibble on. Here is a chance to make a quirky version of your favorite junk food treats. One of the best ways to do that is to take inspiration from your favorite movies that are nominated for Best Picture.
For example, in honor of the film “Life of Pi”, try making some samosas or pakoras. Samosas are Indian pastries, filled with mashed potatoes and a ton of spices, and pakoras are deep-fried vegetables also originating from India. One bite of these exotic appetizers and you will never want to eat Totinos pizza rolls ever again.
Inspired by “Silver Linings Playbook”, an interesting idea would be to make or buy something utilizing crab meat. In the movie, Pat’s mother nonchalantly speaks of making something called “crabby snacks — which are not very common in South Florida. A snack food traditionally made in the Northeast, crabby snacks consist of an English muffin topped with crab meat and a cheese spread. Maybe it’s an acquired taste. Instead of that, why not get some mini crab cakes? Crab cakes are as sophisticated as The Oscars, yet their fried crunch has that close-to-home junk food appeal.
For the musical lovers at the party, maybe put out some cheese and fruit; some traditional French snacks as a nod to “Les Miserables”. There is no need to go crazy and purchase a $15 wheel of brie; any regular cheese and crackers platter should do just fine and are available at the local grocery store. Plus, it may serve as a more familiar food for the less-adventurous eaters. Just don’t put out a loaf of bread; “Les Mis”’s Jean Valjean might steal it.
After the appetizers have been devoured, it’s time to break out the desserts. There’s always that one guest with a sweet tooth, so here are some great ideas for dessert. One movie-inspired idea that will be really easy to make or buy is vanilla cupcakes, which are available at the local grocery store. These are inspired by the white cake toward the end “Django Unchained”. Like all the previous food ideas, cupcakes are all portable and easy to hold, so there’s less of a need for plates and silverware.
For some more dessert ideas, get inspired by the food people normally eat at the movie theater, then take it to the next level. The most popular movie food, of course, is popcorn. But instead of a bag of Orville Redenbacher, how about some caramel corn cashew cookies?
Another great addition to the dessert spread is anything with chocolate. Whether you like Sno-Caps or Raisinets, tuxedo strawberries are sure to please. These delicious treats involve strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, then decorated with both dark and white chocolate to resemble a tuxedo. You can use plain chocolate bars, or try melting your favorite candy bar, like Almond Joys or York Peppermint Patties for the jacket part of the tuxedo.
Parties, of course, are about much more than food. Try spicing your Oscar party up even more by asking your guests to dress up as characters from their favorites movies. Perhaps even decorate your party space with a red carpet that leads from the front door to the living room or kitchen. Guests can also be invited a few hours before the awards ceremony airs so that they have more time to mingle.
While the Oscars may not seem like an occasion that typically involves a social gathering of sorts, it is actually fairly common. Like the Super Bowl, many movie fans are rooting for a certain person this year; that kind of common interest can really be what brings people together. So on Academy Awards Sunday, seize the opportunity to pull out all the stops and create an unforgettable night for you and your guests to celebrate films and friendship.
To find the recipes for these delicious party favors check out these websites.
Caramel popcorn and cashew cookies:
http://www.bakersroyale.com/cookies/caramel-corn-and-cashew-cookies/
Crab cakes:
http://allrecipes.com/recipes/appetizers-and-snacks/seafood/crab-cakes/
Samosas and pakoras:
http://www.food.com/recipe/indian-samosa-15348
Tuxedo strawberries:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Tuxedo-Strawberries
