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Oscar® Party!

Top picks for the 2013 Oscar broadcast

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See step-by-step instructions for the tastiest appetizers.

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Classic Cocktails

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The Envelope, Please

Time your party so guests can fill out voting ballots before the awards ceremony begins.

Prizes go to those who predict winners in each of the major categories, or award one big prize to the guest with the most correct guesses.

Clever rewards could include candy, packets of microwave popcorn, entertainment magazines, movie posters, movie soundtracks or miniature Oscar statuettes.

This year's Oscar nominees make us feel all patriotic and craving all-American classics. A toast to the finger food of the free and the snacks of the brave.

All-American Classics

Best Picture nominees this year include Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, and Django Unchained, which shine a light on American history ranging from inspiring to shocking. In that spirit, consider making American classics the theme of your Oscar party this year.

Nothing says all-American like classic fried chicken or easy chicken dippers. Serve alongside delectable Southern treats that were popular in Lincoln's day. Create a full spread with tasty finger food, for easy noshing while cheering on your favorites.

For dessert, try All American Apple Pie, or really fly your patriotic colors with a Red, White, and Blue Strawberry Shortcake flag cake.

VIDEO: Red, White, and Blue Strawberry Shortcake

A Taste of India and the Middle East

Critical and audience favorite Life of Pi is great excuse to make delicious and authentic Indian dishes. Try Indian Tandoori Chicken with basmati rice, authentic Indian Naan, or the delicious creamed spinach dish known as Saag Paneer.

Both Argo and Zero Dark Thirty are set in the Middle East, where there's no shortage of tasty dishes. Start with sliced pita bread with Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus, and serve it with sweet-savory Meatballs with Raisins and Honey. Authentic Ash-e-jow, or Persian Barley Soup, is a flavorful comfort food perfect for winter TV watching. For dessert, pass around warm Baklava and serve with strong Turkish coffee.

Classic Baklava II

French Food to Get You Singing

Les Miserables is a rousing tour de force set during the French Revolution. And Amour is a heartbreaking French film focusing on the different flavors of, well, love. So why not enjoy French hors d'oeuvres that will please any crowd? French Crepes are so versatile--you can fill them with sweet or savory fillings. French Onion Soup Gratinee makes an elegant presentation and is easy to assemble ahead of time. Or consider throwing a French wine dinner and pull out all the stops. And for dessert? Why, let them eat cake, of course!

And don't forget the classic celebratory drink that just happens to go with everything: Champagne. Try this recipe developed by actors: The Annex Theater Champagne Cocktail.

Happy Oscars, everyone!

RELATED: For general awards night recipes, check out our special Movie Awards Party page.

Comments

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dorin

Feb. 22, 2010 6:49 am

This is my 2nd party and I found that sushi rolls and truffles are good "celebrity" inspired dishes. add some wine selections or a good novelty drink & some popcorn and you have a reasonably simple menu.

dramamath

Feb. 23, 2010 3:46 am

This will be our 7th Oscar party where each guest brings a dish that ties into one of the Best Picture nominees, chosen by random draw. With the added nominees, we decided couples could bring one dish that ties into both of their movies. This should result in some interesting dishes.

Jane Ruby

Feb. 24, 2010 5:38 pm

The most glitzy we've ever gotten with our Oscar Party was having rumaki, bacon-wrapped water chesnuts. Everything else was snacked out leftovers. For example, our leftover Polish sausage was sliced cold and skewered with toothpicks. We served it over chilled sauerkraut. Leftover pizza was cross cut and served cold. Had to have all of this with beer. It just didn't seem right to have anything else.

Mary Shoup

Feb. 24, 2010 10:39 pm

A great idea is to print ballots w/ all the nominees. These are to be given to guests as they come in, and completed b4 the Show starts.I will use "Best Actor" as an example only. Under best actor, list the nominees with a small box in front of each name. If there are 5 nominees, you will give your First choice a "5". Your 2nd choice gets a "4", your 3rd choice a "3", your 4th a "2", and your last choice a "1".. Ballots are then traded for scoring. When the winner is announced, you get the points that you had written by the winner's name. At the end of the show, the points are tallied, and high score (or Win, Place, and Show....as you like) gets a prize. Guests do not score for themselves, and need to vote for all nominees. If you have questions, contact me for clarification. Good Luck!

Connie Cave

Feb. 25, 2010 1:36 pm

This is probably our 15th Oscar Party. We have everyone dress up and take a photo on our red carpet. Oscar cardboard standups are outside and inside. Champagne is served with warm appetizers and candy and popcorn. One year we got a giant sub sandwich which went over well. We always give out ballots with an oscar and movie tickets and chocolate champagne for the winner. Every year the winner's oscar is engraved with the year and "you are a star". We decorate much of the house for Oscar.

hollyhuffstutler

Feb. 22, 2012 12:31 pm

I'm going way smaller (and making way less food this time around) for my Oscar party. But in keeping with this years theme of France and nostalgia, I'm making Julia Child's boeuf Bourguignon (It's french, it's oscar approved and everyone loved it when I made it that year) croissants from scratch, this fruit salsa I make every time, and a big pink cookie like the one at the french themed shower in Bridesmaids.

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