Stop Blogging and Cook

PART OF AN OSCAR PARTY MENU

[Bobby wants plain toast, which isn't on the menu]
Bobby: I’d like an omelet, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast,
no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce.  And a cup of coffee.
Waitress: A #2, chicken salad sand. Hold the butter, the lettuce, the mayonnaise,
and a cup of coffee. Anything else?
Bobby: Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich,and you haven’t broken any rules.
Waitress: You want me to hold the chicken, huh?
Bobby: I want you to hold it between your knees.
~ Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces (1970)

TODAY’S PREPARATION

Get ready for Party Number Two of the year.  The Oscars air next Sunday evening at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific time.  Assemble some interesting foods, snacks and beverages, gather before the flat screen with your closest friends who follow these things.  Whether you’re serving snacks for a few friends or a full dinner-sized buffet, begin planning now so you will have sufficient time for execution.  I’ll be adding preparations for the next week to those already offered so you will have a variety to choose from.

Cider can still be found in the green markets, so if you haven’t tried it yet, it is a great beverage to serve hot or cold (winter seems to be hanging around for a while) and people will appreciate coming in from the cold to a hot mug of cider, with or without rum.  Couldn’t be easier, mulled cider gives you a big bar bang for the time spent.  Great to have if the kids come along.

Today’s Preparation is Liptauer, an Austrian, Hungarian & Italian cheese spread popular.  It can be made with sheep or goat’s milk cheese, but I’ve made it with Greek yogurt.  It’s less salty, and has a smoother consistency.   Spread on whole wheat or rice crackers, pita bread or mini pumpernickel bread slices.  It’s easy and has a unique flavor of caraway seeds and anchovies.

Tags: food, good for you food, healthy choices, hors d'oeuvres, Liptauer Spread, Oscar Party, real food, whole food