Five-Star and Fabulous: Host the Oscar Party of Your Dreams

No Comments | Written on February 20, 2012 at 11:00 am, by The Editors

A Communal Table

There are a few ways to approach Oscar night. Sure, you can throw on your bunny slippers, order in a pizza and settle in for the long haul. But just because you’re not walking down the red carpet sparkling beneath the weight of $5 million in Harry Winston diamonds doesn’t mean you can’t get a little glam on. Invite a few of your fellow film fanatics over and set out a celeb-worthy spread that’ll make everyone feel like a star for a night.

Inspired by the breezy, casual elegance that seems to suffuse L.A., we’ve compiled a five-star list of delicious recipes from some of our favorite food blogs (somehow these remind us of lounging by the pool at the Viceroy in Santa Monica, or quaffing cocktails at the Chateau Marmont). There’s a decided Asian influence here, which feels perfectly synched with the West Coast vibe — and enough flair to tickle even the most jaded starlet.

Cocktails

What’s a Hollywood bash without cocktails? Of course, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Champagne, but if you’re looking for drinks with a little twist, try one of these vivacious libations.

101 Cookbooks’s Blood Orange Gin Sparklers are an ingenue’s dream: the blood oranges give them their seductive hue, while a hint of rosemary hits the tongue like a whiff of delicious gossip.

We’re gaga for Baked Bree’s whimsical Jell-O Shots! Who knew this frat-party staple could be transformed into a confectioner’s delight? Pick from Liquid Marzipan, Pineapple Coconut, Creamsicle, Margarita and, perhaps our favorite, Pink Lemonade.

There’s a decided retro-Hollywood glam going on over at Interesting Drinks for the Interesting Drinker. The Italian Spritz is like something out of a Fellini flick, while the Caramel Apple Martini seems like the kind of drink Joan Crawford might order on a whim.

Nibbles

An array of snacks interspersed with light but satisfying small plates (each full of fresh flavors) is the perfect way to entertain on Oscar night. Let’s face it: the show is likely to go over three hours, and unless you’re dying to see who won for best sound mixing, you’ll welcome the chance to pop in and out of the kitchen.

101 Cookbooks’s Wintery Spring Rolls — mushrooms, lettuce and (gasp) brown-sugared tofu, all set off with a piquant ginger-onion paste — seem like the sort of thing you’d find at a high-end spa.

A Middle-Eastern classic, the Mahummara Dip from A Communal Table is an easy roasted-red-pepper dip that gets its depth from pomegranate molasses. Top it with a few ruby-red pomegranate seeds, and it looks like a million bucks.

Who knew that with a little heat and some creative spicing, you could turn ordinary potato chips into a red-carpet dazzler? The Bitten Word’s Doctored Potato Chips are pure genius!

It’s not a stretch of the imagination to picture The Curvy Carrot’s Mushroom & Mascarpone Tarts gracing a silver platter at any of a hundred Oscar after parties. Make them yourself, and you can have as many as you like.

Sure, they’re pretty, but can they be a star? Fresh crab atop a dreamy stack of tomato, mango, avocado and jalepeno — Sass & Veracity’s Crab Stacks with Ginger-Lime Dressing have celebrity written all over them.

Move over Wolfgang Puck: Closet Cooking’s Thai Chicken Pizza with Sweet Chili Sauce is gourmet pizza with a capital “G.” Better yet, you can whip it up in less than half an hour.

No Recipes’s delectable little Nikuman (a.k.a. Chinese Sweet Buns) are the perfect tide-me-over as you endure yet another interminable musical number.

Dessert

Just before you finally get to all the big awards, it’s time to revive everyone’s enthusiasm with a sweet treat.

Simple, elegant and with a hint of vampy allure, A Communal Table’s Blackberry Fool can be prepped ahead of time and left to chill in the fridge.

These Nutella No-Bake Fudge Cookies from The Novice Chef are just the sort of comfort-food that’s perfect for that star who’s had a bad week in the tabloids — just throw on your enormous sunglasses, nab a jar of Nutella at the store, and don’t worry that you haven’t a clue how to work your Viking oven.

End your evening on a wonderfully light, refreshing note (no matter which movie wins best picture) — Shockingly Delicious’s 5-Minute Melon Rosemary Sorbet isn’t only amazingly easy to make, it’s super chic.