[caption id="attachment_923" align="aligncenter" width="201" caption="James Franco and Anne Hathaway will host the 83rd Academy Awards this Sunday, February 27 at 5 p.m. on ABC."][/caption] This Sunday night, some of our favorite actors, actresses, and movies will walk away with little gold statues, feeling on top of the world. And although the Oscars aren't a big deal to some, it's the Superbowl for Hollywood. But A-list celebrities aren't the only ones that can live up the red carpet experience. Sort through your closet, find your fanciest attire and host your very own Oscar party! Here's how: 1. Prepare Appetizers Fit for Fame: Whether they're warm and elegant, or quick and easy, serving appetizers on silver platters will make your party Oscar-worthy and affordable. Here are a few recipes we recommend:
1 pkg. (6 oz.) Stuffing Mix for Chicken
40 fresh mushrooms (2 lb.)
2 Tbsp. butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 cup Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Directions:
HEAT oven to 400ºF.
ADD hot water to stuffing mix in large bowl; stir just until moistened. Set aside. Remove stems from mushrooms; chop stems. Melt butter in skillet on medium heat. Add chopped stems and garlic; cook and stir 5 min. or until tender. Add to stuffing with spinach and cheeses; mix well.
SPOON into mushroom caps. Place, filled-sides up, in shallow pan.
BAKE 20 min. or until mushrooms are tender and filling is heated through.
Pineapple-Glazed Cocktail Meatballs
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce
1/2 cup undrained canned crushed pineapple in juice
30 frozen fully-cooked meatballs (16-oz. pkg.)
Directions:
MIX first 2 ingredients in large nonstick skillet.
STIR in meatballs until evenly coated.
BRING to boil on medium-high heat; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
2. Stir Up Award-Winning Drinks: There's nothing more elegant than sipping on something bubbly. Here are some drinks that are destined for success:
Ingredients:
1 pkt. (makes 2 qt. drink) or 2 pkt. (makes 1 qt. drink each) Pink Lemonade Flavor Drink Mix
2 cups pineapple juice
1-1/2 cups white grape juice
2 cups water
1/2 cup gin
6 lemon slices
Directions:
EMPTY contents of drink mix tub into large plastic or glass pitcher. Add juices and water; stir until drink mix is completely dissolved.
STIR in gin.
SERVE over ice cubes in tall glasses. Add lemon slice to each glass.
Ingredients:
1 pkt. (makes 2 qt. drink) or 2 pkt. (makes 1 qt. drink each) Raspberry Ice Flavor Drink Mix
2 cups water
2 cups low-calorie cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup vodka
2 cups cold club soda
6 frozen cranberries
Directions:
EMPTY drink mix into 2-qt. glass or plastic pitcher. Add water, juice cocktail and vodka; stir until mix is dissolved.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until chilled.
STIR in club soda just before serving. Pour over cranberries in martini glasses.
3. Deliver a Course That Will Beg for an Encore: Complement your beverage with an elegant entree:
Ingredients:
2/3 cup Baker's Angel Flake Coconut, toasted
1 pkt. Shake 'N Bake Chicken Coating Mix
1 tsp. curry powder
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 egg
2 Tbsp. water
1 lb. uncooked extra-large shrimp, peeled, deveined
Directions:
HEAT oven to 400°F.
COMBINE first 4 ingredients in pie plate; set aside. Beat egg and water in separate pie plate with whisk until well blended.
DIP shrimp, 1 at a time, in egg, then in coconut mixture, turning to completely coat both sides of each shrimp with egg before coating with coconut mixture; place on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Press coating mixture firmly onto shrimp to secure.
BAKE 10 to 12 min. or until shrimp are done.
4. End on a Sweet Note: Dress up your taste buds with these delicious desserts:
Ingredients:
1 tub (7 oz.) Baker's White Dipping Chocolate, melted
16 fresh strawberries (with stems attached)
1 tub (7 oz.) Baker's Milk Chocolate Dipping Chocolate
Directions:
DIP bottom 3/4 of each berry in white chocolate. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm.
MELT milk chocolate as directed on package. Dip 1 side of each berry in milk chocolate, then turn to dip other side, leaving "V"-shaped white center. Return to baking sheet.
USE toothpick dipped in remaining milk chocolate to draw buttons and bow tie on each berry. Refrigerate until firm.
Ingredients:
4 squares Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
6 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup thawed Whipped Topping
Directions:
HEAT oven to 425°F.
BUTTER 4 small custard cups; place on baking sheet.
MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted; whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Add whole eggs and egg yolks; mix well. Stir in flour. Spoon into prepared cups.
BAKE 13 to 14 min. or until sides of desserts are firm but centers are still soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run small spatula or knife around cakes to loosen; invert into dessert plates. Serve warm with whipped topping.
5. Play Along: Print out an Oscar Ballot and have a contest as to who gets the most winners correct! Provide some kind of "swag" for the winner.
As everyone rants and raves about your Oscar bash, YOU will be the one deserving of a little gold statue. Prepare your acceptance speech now!
