How To Host an Oscar Party

Ready for all that glitz and glamour? This Sunday, February 22nd at 8pm...



Whether you choose to get festive and throw a black tie affair or just a casual couch-fest, make sure you've got your place stocked right.

For drinks, mix up classic movie star cocktails.
Think Jean Harlow (rum, vermouth and a lemon twist), Charlie Chaplin (apricot brandy, sloe gin, lime juice and a lime twist), a Marilyn Monroe (apple brandy, grenadine and a splash of Champagne), and, of course, Shirley Temple (7-Up, grenadine and a cherry).

(Budget friendly option- serve soft drinks and one signature drink, The Hollywood, (vodka, black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice).

Skip the big meal and serve movie style snacks.
For a new twist on movie popcorn, cook kernels in olive oil and toss with fresh parmesan, rosemary and kosher salt. Serve in takeout style containers (available at your local craft store).
Place movie theater candy (Twizzlers, Good & Plenty, M&M's, etc) in large glass containers with spoons for guests to scoop their own.
Instead of hot buttered pretzels, try them in mini size and different shapes (twists, rods, sticks...). Serve with an array of dipping sauces, like hummus, spicy mustard dip, pineapple chutney (we love Robert Rothschild!) or whatever flavors you like.

(Budget friendly option- take advantage of the after Valentine's Day sales and load up on candy and chocolate).

Don't forget the ballots! As your guests arrive, hand them cards with the movies and nominees and have them place their bets. Be sure to have a prize for the winner (whoever gets the most correct)- a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers... or the honor of hosting next years Oscars!

Historic Flavor

Lately it seems everyone's on a budget. Money is the main topic of conversation and the reason for most all of us to be cutting back lately on our usual luxuries.

I've been doing quite a bit of research lately on previous recessions in American history (did you know we've been through 19 recessions?!) including the infamous, Great Depression.

What's most interesting is what happens to families and home life during these times. People stay in more. We talk. We cook together. We focus on the important things in life, not the material things.
This sparked my interest in life during the Great Depression. What did people do? What did they eat? How did their differing cultures and backgrounds affect their food? There are many websites out there dedicated to the preservation of historic food of the 1930s, but what I love are the truly creative meals made out of love and necessity. A mother feeding her family on a pancake like bread made of flour, baking powder and water. An Irish immigrant family eating boiled haggis. Poorer families feasting on bone marrow before cooking it into a soup. And while I draw the line at braised tongue, I still couldn't help cooking a few Depression recipes.

My favorite was the Ginger Ice Box Cookie. The thing about ice box cookies is they were usually made in bulk, when mothers would save up their sugar rations and prepare a larger batch of cookies. Poorer families didn't have iceboxes, so the would often use the winter to their advantage and place the batter in the cold until it was chilled properly. These crunchy, spicy cookies can be easily modified depending on your taste.



Ginger Ice Box Cookies

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 4 1/2 cup flour

Cream sugar and shortening. Add well beaten eggs, then the molasses. Sift all dry ingredients and add to the first mixture. Form into rolls and place in refrigerator to chill (overnight is best). Cut into thin slices with sharp knife and bake in a moderate oven, 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.