Stepping Out

Hooray for Hollywood

Roll out the red carpet for an award-winning Oscar night bash

Posted

Glitz, glamour and good friends are on the agenda this weekend, as most everyone will settle in front of the TV to revel in that over-the-top awards show, otherwise known as the 89th Academy Awards.
The spectacle, held on Sunday, is always a good time to get together with some pals — whether you are the discussing the merits of the nominated films or simply critiquing fashion choices and acceptance speeches.
Make your fete look A-list for an inspired Oscar night shindig that will keep everyone entertained all evening long.
Bring on the bling. Go wild with Hollywood-themed party accessories. Bejeweled serving platters and centerpieces with sparkling crystals are just the start. Complement the glistening decor with plates and serving ware in metallic tones that mimic the iconic trophies. You can go all out and even top it all off with a touch of whimsy by serving up snacks in trophy-shaped vessels, and labeling food on little signs designed to look like miniature film clapperboards.
Arrange ample comfy seating. Be sure guests are ready to get cozy for an extended stay — this a TV viewing event that does tend go on and on after all — with comfy seating for all. If couch and chair space is at a premium, add plush pillows and blankets to make floor seating a lavish experience.

Pick the winners. Have copies of an Oscar ballot ready and have your guests fill them out when they arrive. Monitor the results along the way and award prizes to those who picked the most winners Or create an Oscar pool. Have guests chip in a nominal amount ($1 to $5, for example) when they arrive, have ballots handy for guests to select the winners, collect the ballots prior to the first award being given, and at the end of the evening determine who gets cash (most wins, most losses).
When there’s a break in the action, use those moments for mingling and party fun — such as movie trivia, movie quotes, or favorite Oscar night moments.
Food fit for stars. Build your menu around this year’s nominees, giving dishes clever monikers that coincide with your favorite lines and scenes. And don’t forget that staple of movie treats — popcorn. Whether you create an enticing popcorn station with fun mix-ins or prepare snacks like festive Mini Popcorn Balls with Chocolate Fondue, popcorn is always a party pleaser.
Try these recipes to get you inspired.

Mini Popcorn Balls with Chocolate ‘Fondue’
1 bag microwave popcorn
Nonstick cooking spray
1/4 cup stick butter or margarine
1 package (10 ounces) marshmallows
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chocolate syrup
Colored candy sprinkles (optional)

Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Remove all un-popped kernels. Spray large bowl with nonstick spray; add popped corn.
In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add marshmallows and vanilla. Heat 5 minutes, or until marshmallows melt, stirring frequently. Pour over popcorn; mix well with spoon sprayed with cooking spray. Moisten hands with water before shaping popcorn mixture into 24 small balls, about 1/3-cup popcorn mixture each.
In small saucepan, heat chocolate syrup over medium heat 5 minutes, or until warm, stirring occasionally. Transfer to small, fondue-style pot.
Use wooden skewers or fondue forks to pick up popcorn balls and dip into chocolate and sprinkles, if desired.

Baked Calamari (inspired by Arrival)
A healthier version of the popular appetizer.

1 pound frozen squid rings
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 cups Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs
Tomato sauce for dipping
1/2 lemon (optional; squeeze over calamari rings before serving)

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Completely defrost your squid rings. In a small bowl, whisk the 2 eggs and set aside. In a separate bowl, add the flour. In a third bowl, add the panko bread crumbs.
Lightly coat a squid ring in flour, tapping ring against side of the bowl when finished so that any excess flour comes off. Dip your squid ring in egg to coat and then also tap it a few times to get off any excess egg drippings (Be careful to not have too much egg on your squid ring because you don’t want the bread crumbs to get too moist. If the excess egg drippings end up in the bread crumbs, it will cause them to clump up and then they won’t stick to the squid.).
Roll each piece a few times in the panko crumbs until fully coated. Place squid ring onto baking sheet. Repeat with remaining rings.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes until outer coating turns a golden brown. Flip rings over and bake an additional 10 minutes or until both sides are crunchy. Serve warm with tomato sauce. If desired, squeeze fresh lemon juice over finished calamari right before serving.

Chicken and Waffle Sliders (inspired by La La Land)
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch thick nuggets
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup panko
Vegetable oil, for frying
12 frozen mini waffles, toasted
Maple syrup, for drizzling
2 tablespoons melted butter

In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and buttermilk. Pour panko into a third bowl. Working in batches, dredge chicken tenders in the flour mixture then dip in buttermilk mixture. Toss in panko for the final dredge.
Meanwhile, pour about 1 ½ inches vegetable oil into a large, deep skillet. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches about 350° F, or until the oil is shimmering. (If a splash of water sizzles when you flick it into the pan, it’s ready.) Working in batches, add 3-4 chicken tenders to the hot oil using tongs. Do not crowd the pan, or the oil will cool! Cook until golden brown on one side, about 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook until the second side is golden and the chicken is cooked through, 2-3 more minutes. Place the fried chicken tenders on a cooling rack lined with paper towels.
Brush toasted mini waffles with melted butter. Top the half of the waffles with fried chicken and drizzle with maple syrup. Top with the remaining waffles. Insert toothpick into the center of each waffle slider.