Oscar Party Night Recipes

(Published on iSurf News on February 25, 2011)

 If you are ready to "Roll Out the Red Carpet", you can entertain just like a Hollywood event. When your guests arrive, have them to "autograph" your guest book and then start the party with a trivia game, asking questions about previous "Best Pictures" Or "Leading Roles". Hand out voting ballots before the awards show begins so your guests can cast their vote. Have prizes for those that predict the winners. Some clever prizes could include movie rental coupons, movie posters or packets of microwave popcorn. Don't forget the papparazzi. Have someone ready with a camera to catch all the action!

Here are some quick & elegant recipes for your Oscar Party. Remember the presentation is just as important as the food itself.

Bruschetta Appetizer

●2 tablespoons olive oil
●4 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
●3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
●2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
●1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
●1 (4 ounce) package herb and garlic feta, crumbled
●1 (1 pound) loaf sourdough bread, thickly sliced
●1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Mix in tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and garlic. Cook and stir until heated and slightly tender, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, blend cream cheese with herb and garlic feta. In a toaster or an oven heated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), lightly toast the sourdough bread slices. Spread toasted bread slices with the cream cheese blend. Top with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with desired amount of mozzarella cheese.

Easy Hummus

●3 cloves garlic, minced
●2 tablespoons lemon juice
●1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
●1 tablespoon ground cumin
●2 oz fresh jalapeno pepper, sliced
●1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
●salt and black pepper to taste

In a blender or food processor, combine garbanzo beans, jalapeno, cumin, lemon juice, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the reserved bean liquid. Blend until smooth.

Sun-Dried Tomato Cheesecake Squares

●1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
●6 tablespoons butter
●1 egg
●1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
●1 tablespoon olive oil
●6 cloves garlic, chopped
●2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
●3 eggs
●16 ounces cream cheese
●1 cup sour cream
●1/2 cup chopped green onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. To Make Crust: In a medium bowl blend flour and butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and blend just until dough begins to clump. Press dough onto the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish (dough will be thin). Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool and set aside (Note: Keep oven on at same heat.)

To Make Filling: Place tomatoes, reserved oil, garlic and oregano in a blender or food processor. Chop finely. Blend in eggs. Add cream cheese (should be room temperature) and blend all until smooth. Add sour cream and blend until all mixed together. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and stir in green onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste and pour filling into reserved crust. Bake in the preheated oven until filling puffs up and is light brown, about 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature and cut into squares. Serve.


NEXT WEEK--Mardi Gras Recipes!
 Remember......Life is short. Eat Dessert first!!