The Oscars

Every year for the last probably 15 years I have watched the oscars (I might have missed one while in Romania). I have a friend, Jenn, who plans these amazing oscar parties with themed food, based on the oscar nominations for best picture. These aren't dress up parties where you have to try and outshine the red carpet, these are come in your sweats but eat better than the stars type of party. It also takes a special guest list, someone who is informed and has seen the movies, as well as interested enough to stay for the entire 3-4 hour event, as well as the whole NOT talking part while enjoying the awards show. These are the requirements and the fact that you have to take your space into consideration as one must be comfortable as well! She also prints out the sheets for everyone to follow along with a pen and mark the winners, but before that she has everyone pick winners for a chance to win a fantastic prize!

In fact, my first time attending one of these blessed events, I had the chance to participate. Her mom taught me how to make tuxedo dipped strawberries with dark, milk, and white chocolate. So every since that first one way back in 2001 I always get to make the strawberries for her event (if we are living in the same town). She has a few traditions as well, including homemade pizza (with dough from Trader Joes, just a little plug as I'm fascinated with this $1.00 dough and can be frozen for up to a month and comes in wheat, herb, or white and you can make a billion different things with it). Some examples of years past are as follows:

What dreams may come (assorted mushrooms, maybe with a dip)
The Cider Houser Rules (spiked or unspiked)
Lord of the onion rings
Seabiscuits (maybe biscuits with shrimp sauce?)
Lemony’s Triscits
Améliets (omelets)
Schindler’s Crisps (star-shaped rice crispy treats)
Babe(y) back ribs
Pride & prejudice (black & white cookies… I know… I know.)
Peter Jackson & jelly sandwiches
Forest Gumbo
The last samurai made our sushi
Let Them Eat This Cake" for Marie Antoinette (we can decorate a cake in pink and black)
Last Chicken ala King of Scotland (Or King Prawns or King Ranch Casserole)
Blood Diamond Oranges
The Deviled Egg Wears Prada
The Queen of Tarts
The Good Sheppard's Pie
Letters from Iwo Jima- those tiny letter shaped pasta in an egg drop (or some other Asian) soup
Dreamgirlcles- even better that we won't have to cook!
Half and Half Nelsons Black and white cookies
Venus De Phyllo Something in phyllo dough, sweet or savory
The Strawberry Danish Poet
"Red Volver Cake"
Little Miss Sunshine Cakes - Little Miss Cakes with frosting suns painted on top
Cars-amel Popcorn
The Dip-arted - a fabulous dip

So this year, since I have moved back to Seattle (oh, and i have for those who didn't know), and away from Jenn in D.C., and have no friends to celebrate with, and want to carry on this tradition in my life, I will be making pizza with my great aunt and watching the oscars in honor of Jenn whom I would have never known such bliss! So will you be watching the Oscar's tomorrow night?