Spread worthy of an Oscar
The problem with hosting an Oscars viewing party is that the bar is set impossibly high. How does a mere mortal offer food and drink on par with all that conspicuous glamour and celebrity?
Keep it simple. Here’s what you do. Head to the grocer and grab a bunch of carbs — baguettes, fancy crackers, maybe a couple of rustic loaves of sourdough. Now head to the dairy case and get a few logs of soft goat cheese and a couple of tubs of ricotta cheese. We’ve got five easy ideas for dressing those cheeses. And since you’ll need to toast the victors, we’ve also assembled five easy ways to turn basic sparkling wine into classy cocktails.
FIRST, THE FOOD
Jazz up a tub of ricotta or a log of soft goat cheese using one of the following five topping ideas, then serve with crackers, toasted baguette slices, pita chips or crudite. Start with 1 cup (250 mL) of ricotta or a 4-oz (114-g) log of soft goat cheese (chèvre). Spoon or arrange the cheese on a platter and let it come to room temperature. Top with one of the following:
1. Herbs: Drizzle the cheese with 2 tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil. Top with 3 tbsp (45 mL) of any combination of the following chopped or torn fresh herbs — basil, tarragon, thyme, chives or parsley. Sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Sesame-garlic honey: In a small skillet, combine 3 cloves minced garlic and 3 tbsp (45 mL) honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in 1 tbsp (15 mL) toasted sesame oil, then drizzle over the cheese. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
3. Fig and almond: Heat ¼ cup fig (60 mL) preserves with 1 tbsp (15 mL) amaretto liqueur until just warm. Spoon over the cheese, then sprinkle with toasted chopped almonds.
4. Olive: Top with ¼ cup (60 mL) finely chopped green olives, 1 tbsp (15 mL) finely chopped fresh rosemary, the grated zest of one orange, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze.
5. Prosciutto-pear: Peel and dice a pear. Cook the diced pear with 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter in a skillet until just tender. Spoon over the cheese. Cook 2 slices of prosciutto in the same skillet until crisp. Break into shards and sprinkle over the pears. Season with pepper.
NOW, THE DRINKS
You can’t have an Oscars-viewing party without a bit of sparkling wine. Here are five ideas for taking basic bubbles and making them Oscar-worthy.
1. Mojito: Lightly muddle a strip of lime zest and 2 fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a glass with ½ tsp (2.5 mL) sugar. Add ½ tbsp (7.5 mL) lime juice, then top with sparkling wine.
2. Crushed: Add an orange twist, 2 lightly crushed raspberries and ½ oz (15 mL) orange liqueur to a glass of sparkling wine.
3. Ruby: Gently stir in ½ oz (15 mL) red grapefruit juice and ½ ounce pomegranate juice.
4. Rhubarb: Add 1 oz (30 mL) Rhubarb Tea liqueur and a couple shakes of rhubarb bitters to a glass of sparkling wine.
5. Honey-bourbon: Stir together ½ tbsp (7.5 mL) honey with 1 oz (30 mL) bourbon until completely dissolved. Add ½ tbsp (7.5 mL) Aperol and an orange twist. Top with sparkling wine.