Old News: Oscar Themed Menu

This post finds me still working on content for football season. Finding/creating recipes and trying them, such as Cardinal and Gold cookie bars. But, football season seems so far off and USC basketball is plumetting, so there seems to be no urgency for such content posting.

But in the interim, I would like to share the Oscar-themed menu that we served for an Academy Awards party on Feb 22., to honor the 5 movies nominated for Best Picture. This serves to illustrate themed gigs in a non-athletic indoor tailgate kind of way!

Here is the menu:

Appetizers
Hummus and Pita Bread Triangles (both from Trader Joe's)
in honor of Slum Dog Millionaire

Bratwurst with Saurkraut (Bratwurst simmered in beer, served as bites in hotdog buns with saurekraut and drizzled mustard)
in honor of The Reader (as the leads eat this fare during once scene)

Main Course
Gumbo (recipe from the Food Network, Paula Deen's, at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/gumbo-recipe/index.html -- easy and not too expensive)
in honor of The Tale of Benjamin Button (since the movie was set in New Orleans)

Salad accompanied the main course

Dessert
Harvey "Milk" Shakes (your basic chocolate shakes: vanilla ice cream, milk, chocolate syrup, and vanilla)
in honor of Milk

Frosted/Nixon Cupcakes (chocolate cupcakes (box), vanilla frosting (buttercream, homemade), decorated with a chocolate N that was melted chocolate chips piped on top)
in honor of Frost/Nixon

Drinks
Since we had a number of under-21s attending, sparkling cider (rather than champagne) was served in champagne flutes to add a celebratory flair, along with the more mundane sodas, water...

Decor
We decorated with a full-size, standing Oscar cardboard cutout and Hollywood themed paper goods and coasters.

Concluding Thoughts
The menu provided an eclectic mix of foods, but was very successful --everyone seemed to enjoy the award show and the buffet.

Football season is six months away from yesterday! The first USC game is Sept. 5th against San Jose St. (at home) -- I am planning a Greek meal theme for the San Jose State Spartans.

Cheers!
Tailgate Lu