Oscar Night Party ~ Appetizers, Hors d'oeuvres & Cocktails

Rosy Glow

It is almost Oscar Night & Hollywood is getting ready to celebrate this Black Tie event.  Many of us will also get all dressed up & host our own Oscar Party.  If you decide to have one, your guests will need some food & drink to enjoy while they cheer for their favorite actors.  Hmmm, What to eat?...What to drink?  No matter what you call them ~ hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, amuse-bouche, or nibbles ~ it's time to find the best munchies for your Oscar Party & a few fun cocktails, too.

I grew up in the shadow of the studios & that means you are constantly surrounded by the film industry.  I enjoyed that part of my life in Los Angeles.  Whether it is having your own celebrity sighting (much more common than you would think), watching a movie being filmed where you just happen to be, having friends/family that work in the industry, being an extra, or even just going to the movies ~ it creates a sense of magic that is hard to resist.

One of the first 'Mocktails' ~ Pomegranate Shrub

Since movies & TV are such a big part of our daily entertainment (no matter where you live), it's no wonder people like to get in the party spirit.  Here are a few fun food & drink items that this former California Girl enjoys.  Some might be a bit unusual, but since people from Cali can be a bit unusual...well, you get the drift.  Living in LaLa Land will do that to you.   

You can take the girl out of California, but you can't take the California out of the girl!  :)

Kir & Kir Royale ~ Classic French Cocktail

Manhattan ~ 60's Favorite 

  ~~~ Smoked Trout Pate & Trout Cocktail Spread, with Crackers ~~~   Why, you ask? Well, I bought some trout, but when I cooked it there were just too many little bones to worry about. What to do, what to do... I know, pick out all those pesce, er... I mean pesky (haha) bones out (which kinda tore up the fish) & make something else out of it. So I did. For the Trout Cocktail Spread (on the left) - I mixed the shredded cooked trout with some cocktail sauce, lemon juice, pepper & dill. It has the same texture/look/taste of mini shrimp.  Serve on a bed of shredded cabbage with crackers.~~~ For the Smoked Trout Pate (on the right) - Mash some cooked trout with a little mayo, ranch dressing, cream cheese, salt, pepper, dill & a few drops of liquid smoke - until it is the consistency you like.  It makes a very tasty pate. Garnish & serve with your favorite crackers.

Broccoli 'Chips' & Salsa

Broccoli 'Chips' with Salsa
serves 2-4

4-6       broccoli stems (use florets for
            something else)
-           favorite salsa

1)         peel the broccoli stocks, getting
            rid of all the thick outer skin

2)         cut the stocks thinly on the diagonal,
            into 'chips' ~ try to make a big as
            you can for ease of dipping

3)         serve with salsa

What a lowfat, low carb, low cal way to get your
Mexican food fix!  I just love salsa, but hate all
the calories/carbs that go with it.  This is very figure friendly - Hollywood stars LOVE that!  :)

Marinated Radishes ~ These are surprisingly good & so easy. Put some cut up radishes in a Ziploc baggie with a couple tablespoons of soy sauce (or Braggs Amino Acids), a little bit of water, oil, your favorite spices & pepper. Marinate a few hours or overnight in the fridge.  Serve with toothpicks. 

A lowfat, low cal, low carb, vegetarian treat. Can't get much more Californian than that!

           ...and the Oscar goes to...                           

Marinated Radishes ~ A lowfat, low carb, low calorie, vegetarian appetizer!