Best food for Oscar party?

[jessica]

Any ideas for Oscar party food? I don't want to serve just appetizers! (We will be a group of 10 or so)

I don't want to make a baked pasta dish, it seems too typical.

At first, I was thinking a meatloaf, but then people said they didn't like meatloaf.

Then, I though of a taco/burrito bar, but that might get too labor intensive for my guests, although I am really leaning towards that because people can customize. Any ideas on how to pull this off if I decide to do that?

thanks!

[Main Line Tracey]

Maybe a fajita bar. You can prep it all ahead of time and have the condiments ready. Then just cook the meat/veggies. If you go the mexican route, I would do some apps to start like a taco dip and other things, and a mexican style salad with creamy cilantro dressing.

Drinks can be fun like red carpet martinis (vodka, cherry juice and grenadine garnished w/cherry)

[MaspethMaven]

I hear you on baked pasta seeming too typical. What about shepherds pie or some kind of layered dish using polenta?

I was also thinking of individual macaroni and cheese with assorted mix ins. A large muffin tin, with simple mac and cheese recipe, then an assortment of prepped condiments--bacon crumbles, jalepenos, tomatoes..

[soypower]

How about a nice beef wellington? You can make a big one and slice into individual servings, or make mini beef wellingtons. Yum.

[Heatherb]

Mini sandwiches? My mother does sandwiches with high-quality turkey and beef tenderloin on dinner rolls for her parties. You can customize with spreads/fixings and they are very tasty.

[wyf4lyf]

We have an Oscar party every year. We make different food each year, depending on what movies are nominated, trying to base the dishes on either the title of the movie, the theme, a food that is featured in the movie, where the setting is, etc. Since the awards show is the focus, it's fun to have food that's kind of a conversation piece to go along with the movies featured on the show.

That said, make-your-own bars are very practical for this kind of party. More labor-intensive for you, really, but guests love them.

As for baked pasta, I have 2 recipes that are killer and not really "typical" if you'd like them. One is a Chicken and Pasta Gratin that uses creme fraiche and gruyere. The other is pasta, sausage and 3 cheeses (gorgonzola included) along with shitake mushrooms. So not your regular lasagne! :)

[Scagnetti]

Do post the recipes please.

I have a large family gathering coming up and I've been looking at baked pasta dishes.

[wyf4lyf]

Will do...I'll post each separately.

[evans]

Babel: Chicken Tagine on couscous
The Departed: Boston Baked beans
Letters from Iwo Jima: MREs & sushi
The Queen: Baked beans on toast
Little Miss Sunshiine: Grilled cheese sandwiches

[wyf4lyf]

Fun! I hadn't started thinking of the menu quite yet for this year. But I will keep these in mind. Not sure about two baked beans, though. Might get a little noisy. :) Definitely some tea and crumpets though!

[mellycooks]

Little Miss Sunshine: Waffles and Ice Cream!

[singleguychef]

here's my list:

Babel: Mexican Wedding Cakes (one of the storylines involves the nanny going to her son's wedding in Mexico)
The Departed: Boston Clam Chowder
Letters From Iwo Jima: Saketini
The Queen: Finger sandwiches and Earl Gray tea
Little Miss Sunshine: KFC fried chicken with honey mustard dip (KFC was their first family dinner in the movie)

I'm elaborating more on the above list on my blog: http://singleguychef.blogspot.com

[DCarbonaro]

Very good suggestions.
I have been working on my list for Sunday, too. I try to use foods from the movies that have been nomiated. This year, I've only come up with grilled gruyere cheese sandwiches from Devil Wears Prada (Andy's boyfriend makes this for her, and it is mentioned another time at the end of the movie). Pretty slim, I konw, but I'm working on it.

[Candy]

How about a big pot of gumbo with nice fluffy rice and a good green salad. You can combine a variety of ingredients. It is rich and warm and certainly not the usual baked pasta thing.

[Claudette]

My fajita party was a big success, despite having to keep the meats/shrimp warm. This time I've got a lot of vegetarians coming, so I'm making quesadillas, some w/ meat and some w/out: chicken/pesto/mozzarella; prosciutto/cream cheese/herb; tapenade/pine nuts/tomato/feta; mushroom/gruyere; blue/pear/pecan.

[piccola]

You could do fondue. It's a lot of prep, but almost no work afterwards. Plus people can eat just what they want. (I'd suggest cheese fondue because it works for vegetarians, too.)

[Claudette]

Fondue's a great idea, but we just did that last week, and the same guests are coming back. BTW: do you have a good way to adjust the heat? I'm using the gel sterno, and it's either too hot or too cool, and that little tin lever-thing can't seem to hit the middle.

[chunt]

Beef Tenderloin! You can prepare it the night before by rubbing it with olive oil, salt and chopped rosemary. Throw it in the oven at 450 (5 lbs) and it will be medium in about 30 minutes. Serve it with a sauce, Horseradish cream or gorgonzola is awesome! I'd probably make one other dish myself, like scalloped potatoes (gruyere and parmesian). Then skimp on the rest of the preparation and buy ready-made. Appetizers and finger foods from trader joe's are usually a good bet.

[mothrpoet]

The taco/burrito bar is so much prep! What about pulled pork sandwiches? Roast the pork with a good rub, or cook in a crock pot. Serve with a selection of sauces served in plastic squirt bottles: a NOrth Carolina vinegar sauce, a piquant mustard-based sauce, and a smokey tomato-based sauce. Serve on buns or a selection of rolls with cole slaw. All can be prepared in advance. Also, if you have a crowd of people juggling plates in their laps, a one-handed dish is a plus.

[sidwich]

Ribs are easy and inexpensive to entertain a crowd. Supplement with simple finger sandwiches and salad and you're set!

In the make your own vein that's a little out of the ordinary, I've had success with make your own sushi. It keeps people occupied, and some of my more eccentric guests have had a fine time experimenting with what can be added to a roll.

[Diane in Bexley]

We do an "elegant" Oscar party with not your average weekday menu. I love the following chicken recipe because it can all be prepared in advance and it takes no pampering to roast:

Serves 8:
8 very large chicken breasts with skin
1 box chopped spinach, defrosted and WELL drained
1 can water chestunuts, drained and chopped
1 box Knorr or similar vegetable soup mix
1 cup sour cream (can use light)
1 8 oz. cream cheese softened (can use light)

Preheat oven to 375 - mix all ingredients except chicken to make stuffing. Make pocket between skin and chicken leaving one side attached. Divide stuffing in 8 pieces, put into pocket. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder & garlic powder. Place in large greased 11X17 baking sheet, cover with foil. Bake for 30 min covered, uncover and bake 30 addiitonal minutes basting once or twice with juices.

We like to serve this dish with a rice pilaf with onions and mushrooms that can also be baked in the oven, roasted asparagus and usually a choclate mousse or tart.

[wyf4lyf]

Here's a link with menu ideas based on the nominated movies:
http://www.epicurious.com/cooking/men...

[starlady]

Mashed potato bar
Love this for parties just do up a big pot of mashed poatoes then put out in bowls anything you think could go on MP's.
People always go 3-4 even 5 times trying different combo's of stuff.
and lots of the stuff you want can be dead easy.
Bacon Bits - just buy the real ones
Sour Cream
Grated Cheese
Green Onions
Sala
Gravy
Sweet Corn
caramelized Onions

Depending on how much you have to spend you can get really creative.
Shrimps
Bernaise
Caviar
Crab meat
Smoked Salmon
Smoked Oysters

Or just ask everyone to bring their fave topping, just might want to get them to RSVP what it is so that you don't get a whole lot of just bacon and Sour Cream or something.

[Tom P]

I once went to a wonderful, elegant wedding where they had a mashed potato bar. They served the potatoes in large martini glasses, and you put your toppings on the potatoes in the glasses and ate them cocktail party style. It was diving. Don't forget some gravy as a side, either.

[chef chicklet]

I LOVE this idea TOM P! What a spectacular way to honor my beloved potato.
I am stealing your idea, and I see little shepherds pies developing in the glasses, hmmm.

Or, creamy mashed potatoes swirled with fresh spinach swirled in, then with garlicky bechamel, tender bits of filet mignon, carmelized onions, blue cheese, crispy procuitto and chives. WOW what a wonderfully comforting and classy starter, everyone will love you!
Another idea would be to mix in petite pois and baby onions, and top with a pat of tarragon butter. And you mentioned gravy, I have these adorable tiny gravy boats, that you could place along side to top your Spudtini!

I think this idea is just wonderful, and I am organizing an event and this appetizer would be perfect to serve at the reception. I have some champagne glasses that were designed a while back, more open like the martini glass,

Great job!

[Elizabeth]

This is great....now serve in champagne glasses!

[Stuffed Monkey]

You can also do batches of a couple of different color potatoes. White, Yellow, Sweet, Blue....

[JeremyEG]

I usually do Spanish for the Oscars. Tapas with wines to match. This year:
Starting with A Cava Bellini (with Blood orange Juice)
Grilled Bread with Roasted Peppers and Anchovies
Serrano Ham
Olives
Tortilla Espanola
Wild Mushrooms with Aioli
Sauteed Chickpeas with Spinach
Shrimp with Garlic
Lamb Meatballs with Cumin
Baked Goat Cheese with Rosemary Honey
Dessert

Most of it is made ahead or can be cooked in less than 5 minutes. Fun and yummy!

[fsimon]

I think it would be nice to have international food choices because so many of the nominated films are in foreign languages, have international settings and/or are directed or star people born outside the U.S. So I heartily support the fajita bar idea or the potato bar if you have toppings that are representative of foreign lands (notably Mexico, Morocco, Japan).

[fat ass]

I'm making Catherine Scorsese's lasagna with the hopes of celebrating Marty's first Oscar statuette (finally!). Not only is it thematically spot-on -- if I do say so myself -- but it can be made ahead fo time and warmed up between Best Doc and Best Editing. I'd only prepare food you don't have to tear yourself away from the broadcast to tend to, or you'll miss all the fin.

[Elizabeth]

What is Catherine Scorsese's lasagna recipe?

[Elizabeth]

In response to Jessica's request for Oscar party ideas, prepare a mashed potato bar with all the trimmings. Serve in champagne glasses!

[oakjoan]

Don't mean to be a spoil sport, but theme food for movies is too weird for me. I started to do it a few years ago and then couldn't get over that some movies were gruesome (ala Silence of the Lambs) or horrifying or deeply sad.

So, in order to sidestep that feeling, we always just have a big salad, fresh chilled crab and great, crusty bread. I always make a mayo with cayenne and garlic and provide lemon wedges for those who want something on the crab.

[Jennalynn]

I usually do a roasted sausage/peppers & onions... with a big arugula salad... Add good La Brea bakery rolls and if you prep all the veggies in advance, you're not stuck in the kitchen.

Easy.

[kuffpah]

If anyone reads this now....oh, how I wish I'd seen it when it was posted. Every year, I do an Oscar party. And every year, my foods are PUNS based on the title of nominated films. Here was menu for this year's Oscar bash. Enjoy, and let me know what you think at [e-mail]:

Oscar Menu:

Appetizers/Snacks:

Babel-Ganoush
Babaganoush
“Babel”

The Dip-hearted
Artichoke heart dip
“The Departed”

The Deviled Egg wears Paprika
Deviled Eggs
“The Devil Wears Prada”

A-guac-alypto
Guacamole
“Apocalypto”

Pirates of the Carib-bean dip
Bean Dip
“Pirates of the Caribbean”

Marie Antoi-nuts,
Nuts on a Scandal
The Pursuit of Happy-nuts
Mixed Nuts
“Marie Antoinette,”
“Notes on a Scandal”
“The Pursuit of Happiness”

Cheeses Camp
Assorted Cheeses
“Jesus Camp”

Main Course:

The Queen Eliza-beef in The Good Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie
“The Queen” and “The Good Shepherd”

Side Dishes:

Bo-ratatouille
Ratatouille
“Borat”

Lettuce with Oil and Cream-a
Salad with Sour Cream Vinaigrette
“Letters from Iwo Jima”

Desserts:

Little Miss Sunshine Cake
Sunshine Cake
“Little Miss Sunshine”

The Good German Chocolate Cake
German Chocolate Cake
“The Good German”

An Inconvenient Ruth
Baby Ruth Bars
“An Inconvenient Truth”

Dreamsicle Girls
Dreamsicles
“Dream Girls”

[jinet12]

Can you say CLEVER? This is great!

[kuffpah]

I posted my PUN Oscar Menu in 2007. I forgot to post in 2008 (e-mail me at [e-mail] if you are curious what it was). Here is my menu for 2009! Have a great Oscar BASH!

APPETIZERS:

Vicki Crostini Basil-Roma
Bruschetta
“Vicki Christina Barcelona”

The Change-Wing
Buffalo Chicken Wings
“The Changeling”

Rachel Getting Mole’d
Guacamole
“Rachel Getting Married”

The Dark Nut
Almonds (or Brazil Nuts)
“The Dark Night”

Wall-E Nuts
Walnuts
“Wall-E”

Somedog Fill-in-here
Pigs in a Blanket
“Slumdog Millionaire”

MAIN DISH:

The Roastler
Roast Beef Sandwiches (Hulk Hoagies!)
“The Wrestler”

SIDE DISHES:

Revolutionary Road-tini Salad
Rotini Salad
“Revolutionary Road”

The Range Casserole of Benjamin Button Mushrooms
Sauteed Mushroom Casserole
“The Strange Case of Benjamin Button”

DESSERTS:

Milk Chocolate
Chocolate Truffles
“Milk”

Apple Pan Doubt-y
Apple Pan Dowdy
“Doubt”

Frosted/Mixin’
Duncan Hines Cupcakes
“Frost/Nixon”

DRINKS:

Marga-Reader
Margaritas
“The Reader”

Tropic Thunder
Tropical Punch
“Tropic Thunder”

[LaLa]

wow you are creative...have a great party!

[Em24]

Amazing. I might borrow some ideas. For my party of 2. Think there may be too much food.

[kuffpah]

Here is my 2010 Oscar Menu:

APPETIZERS:

"An Edu-Cajun"
cajun dip 
"An Education"

"A Single, Serious Man-darin Dumpling" 
pot stickers
"A Single Man" and "A Serious Man"

"The Moussenger" feat. “The Fantastic Mr. Lox”
salmon mousse
"The Messenger" & “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”

"The Hurt Guac-er"
Guacamole
"The Hurt Locker"

“Crusty Hearts”
baked artichoke dip
“Crazy Heart”

SIDE DISHES:

"Up in the Hair"
angel hair pasta salad
“Up in the Air”

"Jolly & Julienne"
roasted julienne vegetables
"Julie & Julia"

"Incactus"
cactus salad
"Invictus"

"District Naan"
naan
"District 9"

“Freshious-paragus: Placed in a Nouvelle Dish with Saffron”
asparagus with saffron aioli
“Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

MAIN COURSES:

"Ava-tartare"
sushi 
"Avatar"

“The Egg Foo Young Victoria”
Egg Foo Young
“The Young Victoria”

"The Lovely Bones/Buns"
bao, chicken wings, ribs?
"The Lovely Bones"

DESSERTS:

"Inglourious Custerds"
custard tarts
"Inglourious Basterds"

"UP-Side Down"
pineapple upside down cake
"Up"

DRINKS:

"The Blend Side"
Daiquiris
"The Blind Side"

[sparkareno]

kuffpah----you are a genius!! what fun ideas,

[chowdcj]

For this special evening I always make W. Pucks famous "Chinois Classic Chicken Salad" which is always available back stage at any WP event because it's most everyone's favorite. I love this salad!!!!!!!! and so will you for it can be made to feed an Army just the way Mr. Puck does it. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could be there again this year.
My photo is attached of this great salad I make quite often. It like every other food is all about the dressing.
Chinois Classic Chicken Salad Ingredients
1 lb White meat chicken; roasted, 2 Heads radicchio; julienned
; and skin removed, 2 c Spinach; julienned
; julienned thin 1 Head romaine lettuce;
1 Head napa cabbage; julienned ; soft leafy green)

Instructions for Chinois Classic Chicken Salad
MMMMM--------------------FOR THE VINAIGRETTE-------------------------
2 bn Scallion; (white portion -only)
1/3 c Pickled ginger; packed
1/4 c Chinese mustard powder
1/2 c Shallots; chopped
1/3 c Honey
2/3 c Soy superior
2/3 c Ginger vinegar
2 c Peanut oil or vegetable oil
3 tb Sesame oil
1/2 c Chili oil

Garnish with fried -wonton-strips Combine first seven vinaigrette ingredients in a blender. Cover and puree for 1 1/2 full minutes. While blender is still running, slowly drizzle in the three oils until the vinaigrette is thick and emulsified completely. Check the seasoning and adjust as desired with salt and pepper. NOTE: The entire batch may not fit in a conventional home blender, so you may need to separate it into two parts. To Make the Salad Combine all cold lettuce and chicken in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette in two ounce portions, tossing the salad in between additions until well coated, but not over-dressed. Serve out to 4 chilled plates and garnish with fried wonton. Fried wonton strips - purchase wonton skins at an Asian market. Heat peanut oil to 350 degrees and cut the skins to 1/4 in thick. Sprinkle the strips (to separate) into the hot oil and fry until crisp and golden in color. Remove to drain onto clean towel and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cool. Yield: 4 servings Converted by MC_Buster. NOTES : From Chef and author Wolfgang Puck Recipe by: Good Morning America Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.

[kuffpah]

Here is the first draft of my Oscar Party Menu for 2011. As always, I am looking for feedback! This year, it has turned out oddly Asian themed. But it works out well, as a lot of the food can be ordered out for delivery hot and fresh just before the party begins.

SOUP

In-soup-tion
hot and sour soup
"Inception"

ASIAN APPETIZERS

127 Hours D’Oeuvres
hors d’oeuvres
“127 Hours”

Soy ‘Tori
Japanese yakatori
"Toy Story 3"

Swan-Ton/Won-Tron
won ton
“Black Swan” and “Tron”

How to Drain Your Rangoon
crab rangoon
“How to Train Your Dragon”

Winter’s Bones
chinese pork ribs
"Winter’s Bone"

ASIAN MAIN DISHES

The Seashell Nutwork
cashew shrimp
"The Social Network”

The Town-doori Chicken
tandoori chicken
“The Town”

The (Foo) Fighter
egg foo young
“The Fighter”

OTHER DISHES

Rabbit Mole
guacamole
"Rabbit Mole"

--Polenta/Goat Cheese Tart--

True Grits
polenta
"True Grit"

The Curds Are All White
goat cheese
"The Kids Are All Right"

DESSERTS

The King’s Peach
peach cobbler
"The King’s Speech"

[kuffpah]

Ready for 2012? Here we go!

APPETIZERS / SNACKS

A Soup-aration
Soup (TBA)
"A Separation" (I might drop this one -- foreign film and complicated to serve)

The Brie-scendants
Brie En Croute
"The Descendants"

Hu-goat
Goat Cheese Spread
“Hugo”

War Horseradish
Horseradish Dip with Crudite
"War Horse”

The Girl with the Rangoon Tofu
Crab Rangoon and Tofu
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Harry Potter-Stickers
Potstickers
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2"

Pinker, Paler, Salmon, Rye
Salmon Mousse on Rye Crisps
"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Hell and Guac Again
Guacamole
"Hell and Back Again" (Documentary Feature)

Foot-nut
Mixed Nuts
"Footnote" (Foreign Film, Israel)
MAIN DISHES

The Tree of Loaf
Meatloaf
"The Tree of Life"

Albert’s Kabobs
Mini Beef Kabobs
“Albert Nobbs”

My Wok with Mandarin
Mandarin Chinese Dish (Maybe combined with the next dish?)
"My Week with Marilyn"

Kung Pao Panda
Kung Pao Beef
"Kung Fu Panda"

La Tuna
Tuna
"La Luna" (Animated Short)

SIDE DISHES

The Kelp
Seaweed Salad
“The Help”

The Idas of Starch
Ore Ida Tater Tots
"The Ides of March"

Breads-Made
Assorted Bread
"Bridesmaids"

Margarine Call
Butter Spread
“Margin Call”

DESSERTS & FRUITS

Midnight in Porous
Sponge Cake
“Midnight in Paris” (funnier but a farther reach)

The Tartist
Fruit Tarts
"The Artist"

Rise of the Planet of the Grapes
Grapes
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

A Bitter Life
Lemon Sorbet
"A Better Life"

The Iron Lady-fingers
Lady Fingers
“The Iron Lady”

Extremely Lewd Inedibly Gross
English Spotted Dick
"Extremely Loud Incredibly Close" (I’m floundering here)

Honey Ball (Alternate in Appetizers)
Honey Glazed Donut Holes
"Money Ball"

BEVERAGES

Pina
Pina Coladas
"Pina" (Documentary Feature)

[Rbsohio]

Wow, you are very thorough. Your menu is awesome! See topic 829995 for more on this topic.