America’s biggest movie event – the Academy Awards – is just around the corner! I love watching the awards, starting with the red carpet arrivals. It makes for several hours of TV viewing, and no one wants to miss a moment by breaking away to eat a meal. So, I came up with this grazing menu of finger foods and small dishes that friends and family can nibble on throughout the broadcast. Whether you’re hosting an intimate evening with family or rolling out the red carpet in a formal affair, I’m pleased to share this “award-winning” menu!
Oscar Party Grazing Menu
Pomegranate Martini Recipe with Vodka
My Pomegranate Martini (or Red Carpet Martini) is elegant, colorful, delicious – and perfect for Oscar night viewing! It’s also easy to prepare, calling for only 4 ingredients.
Mushroom Pâté
Earthy and savory, luxurious Mushroom Pâté will soon be part of your regular recipe rotation. Made with dense, meaty cremini (baby Portobello) mushrooms, it’s easy to prepare, too! And, it’s so full of deep umami flavors, even your meat-eating friends will love it.
Country Ham Spread
Four ingredients and 5 minutes is all you’ll need to whip up a batch of crowd-pleasing Cream Cheese and Ham Spread. Super smooth, a bit salty and full of flavor, it’s the perfect way to use up leftover ham. And, it’s perfect any time of year – for picnics, football viewing, even holiday parties and potlucks!
Cheese Truffles
Cheese Truffles are an easy and elegant way to turn the traditional cheese ball appetizer into two-bite canapés. I first made these cheese truffles for a cocktail party my husband Robert and I hosted a few months ago to bless our airstream. It was really an excuse for a party – and also a way
Hand Held Chicken Pot Pie
Handheld Chicken Pot Pie Envelopes take a favorite comfort food and turn it into a charming, portable nibble that’s perfect for game night – or watching sports and other events on TV (like the Academy Awards!). Tender chicken and fresh vegetables are simmered in a luscious curry sauce, flavored with rosemary, thyme and oregano, then enveloped in a flaky pastry crust. Creamy on the inside, a bit crunchy on the outside, these adorable savory pot pies are guaranteed to please both family and friends.
Lemon Mayonnaise Coleslaw Recipe (serve in small cups with small forks)
Easy to prepare Coleslaw with Lemon-Mayonnaise Dressing takes the basic coleslaw recipe and amps up the flavor with additions of jicama, lemon juice and celery seeds. Bright, tangy, and oh, so delicious! And, it can be made up to 24 hours in advance, too.
Frozen Brandy Alexander with Ice Cream
Frozen Brandy Alexanders with Ice Cream are a memorable, fun and elegant dessert that I’ve been making for years. Traditional brandy Alexander ingredients of brandy and creme de cacao are turned into into a frosty milkshake by swapping out the cream for ice cream.
Mini Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chewy, spicy and delicious, these Oatmeal Raisin Cookies a perfect little bite of sweetness!
Pecan Snowball Cookies (a.k.a. Sand Tarts)
Snowball Cookies (also known as my Grandma Clayton’s Sand Tarts) are divine butter cookies that are filled with chopped pecans and rolled in powdered sugar.
Pecan Chocolate Toffee Bars
Full of buttery toffee flavor, Pecan Chocolate Toffee Bars are simply heavenly. A cookie base reminiscent of shortbread is prepared with brown sugar (providing that luscious toffee flavor) and, once baked, is topped with melted chocolate and chopped toasted pecans. Super easy to prepare, these Toffee Bars are true crowd pleasers!
