If You Can't Attend the Oscars on Sunday, Eat Like You're a Celebrity Anyway
The next best thing to attending Sunday's Oscars awards is indulging in Food Network's starworthy menu of elegant (but surprisingly easy) eats and drinks.
The 89th Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday night, and while you may not be able to score a coveted ticket to the ceremony, there’s no reason you can’t roll out the red carpet at home and make like you’re famous by indulging in awardworthy eats and drinks (even if you happen to be in fuzzy sweatpants instead of a skintight gown).
From bubbly Champagne cocktails and easy crostini to tender short ribs, rich chocolate cupcakes and more, Food Network’s ultimate collection of Oscar Sunday specialties is brimming with 5-star flavor, and it’s deceptively simple to pull off.
If movies equal popcorn, then there’s no better way to kick off an evening of reviewing the best in big-screen dramas than with a bowl of Pepped-Up Popcorn (pictured above). Our Food Network Kitchen’s next-level recipe yields a trio of tastes: a savory pick with nutty Parmesan, plus chili powder-dusted and chocolate-coated snacks as well. If you’re feeling more classic than creative, however, dig into Food Network Magazine’s tried-and-true Theater-Style Buttered Popcorn for a traditional salty, crunchy bite.
Anna Williams
You can be sure that the Champagne will be flowing in Hollywood before and after (and during?) the ceremony on Sunday, and in that same spirit, you, too, can raise a glass of bubbly with Food Network Magazine’s Red Carpet Cocktails. Laced with pomegranate juice and a splash of gin, these crimson-colored sippers can be mixed together in a flash.
More: Champagne Cocktails
Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
The beauty of crostini is that while these two-bite appetizers surely look elegant, they’re not much more difficult to make than an everyday piece of toast and they can be prepared in mere minutes. Giada De Laurentiis’ Pea Pesto Crostini is no exception, boasting a base of golden grilled bread and toppings of vibrant pea-garlic puree and sliced juicy tomatoes. To save time in the kitchen, follow Giada’s lead and start with a package of frozen peas.
While a simple steak may be the go-to meat offering at many awards banquets, to guarantee top taste and texture with minimal effort, look to fork-tender short ribs to fill the bill every time. Served with a succulent red wine sauce flavored with fresh thyme, Anne Burrell’s Braised Short Ribs recipe yields the most-moist meat after a few hours of slow cooking in the oven.
Ryan Dausch
It’s all about chocolate in Food Network Magazine’s Mini Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes, a richly satisfying dessert featuring layers of bittersweet decadence.
The key to achieving an especially bold chocolate flavor in the cake is to add a splash of hot brewed coffee to the mixture of chocolate and cocoa powder; this will only intensify the chocolate taste, not add a coffee flavor. Once the cupcakes have been baked and cooled, top each mini treat with a sweet, fluffy frosting for a special presentation.
More: Tiny Bite-Size Desserts
