Ready For Your Oscars Party?

Photo: The Popcorn Board

If your invitation to the Academy Awards might have gotten “lost in the mail,” don’t worry, you’ll be much more comfortable clad in yoga pants catching the biggest night in Hollywood from your couch this Sunday, March 10, than in a form-fitting dress or fancy tux at the ceremony. You might want to polish up your repertoire of snacks for a party of your own, though, or show up at your friend’s place with something that is a step up from chips and salsa in hand.

The following ideas elevate popcorn, the movies’ “best friend,” by mixing it up with sweet additions. Plus, serve a classic cheese ball (something “Ken” might enjoy?), elevate the healthy asparagus spear, wrap up crunchy breadsticks with savory prosciutto, and pair with a decidedly different dip. If you are hosting a few friends, think a little more about the presentation—dig out your fun trays or plates and glasses for serving your snacks to add an interesting element. Even veggies and dip can get style points dressed in a little cocktail glass.

Red Carpet Popcorn Parfait

Makes 8 cups

This glamorous, shimmery mix, courtesy of the Popcorn Board , will surely impress guests and offers a salty sweet crunch to the snack lineup.

8 cups salted, lightly buttered popped popcorn (See Note)
1 teaspoon edible gold dust
1 cup sliced or slivered almonds
2 tablespoon butter
1 cup dark chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl, toss popcorn with gold dust. In a skillet, toast almonds over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to plate; let cool.
2. Melt butter in a small saucepan set over medium heat; toss with popcorn mixture.
3. Layer popcorn, chocolate chips, and toasted almonds in plastic champagne cups.

Note: Keep in mind that popcorn kernels expand up to 40 times their original size. So 1 ounce, which is ¹ / ₈ cup or 2 tablespoons of un-popped kernels will make 4 cups (1 quart) of popped popcorn.

Photo: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

Bacon And Cheddar Cheese Ball

Makes 1 Cheese Ball | Courtesy Wisconsin Cheese

Jazz up this party favorite with the addition of smoky bacon and green onions; use a superior sharp cheddar cheese for a bolder combination of flavors that’s sure to complement whatever you pair it with.

8 ounces bacon strips
1 package (8 ounces) Crystal Farms Original Cream Cheese, softened
8 ounces Gibbsville Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)
¹⁄ ₃ cup thinly chopped green onions
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Assorted crackers and apple slices, for serving

1. Fry bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain. When cool enough to handle, crumble bacon.
2. Beat cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the cheddar, green onions, red pepper flakes, if desired, and half of the bacon.
3. Transfer to plastic wrap; shape the cheese, with wrap, into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
4. Unwrap and roll cheese ball in remaining bacon. Serve with crackers and apple slices.

Crispy Roasted Asparagus with Sesame Dipping Sauce

Makes 4 Servings

The fastest path to asparagus nirvana is to steam the stalks and dunk them in mayonnaise spiked with a little soy sauce and sesame oil, says chef and food writer Regina Schrambling , who contributed this recipe to Real Food. Roasting takes slightly more time but produces both more intense flavor and a great crisp texture that goes even better with a lighter dipping sauce she notes.

¼ cup sesame seeds
½ cup panko or other dry bread crumbs
1 pound asparagus
1 large egg, white only
1 tablespoon milk
¹⁄ ₃ cup tamari or soy sauce
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons chopped chives
2 teaspoons hot sesame oil

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Spread sesame seeds in a small baking dish and toast until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool.
2. Raise the oven setting to 375°F.
3. Break off tough woody ends of asparagus and discard. Wash spears well in cold water, drain, and pat completely dry. Beat egg white and milk together in a shallow dish until well blended. Combine sesame seeds with panko in a second shallow dish. Dredge asparagus spears in egg white, then in sesame mixture, turning to coat well. Lay on a rack set over a heavy baking sheet, or onto a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Let stand 10 minutes, and then roast until crisp, about 10 minutes depending on thickness.
4. While asparagus cooks, combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and blend well. Serve asparagus hot or cold with sauce for dipping.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Grissini with Red Pepper-Dried Cherry Tapenade

Makes 18 grissini (serves 6)

Grissini are ultra-thin breadsticks from Italy. Have the prosciutto sliced very thin so that it can be easily wrapped around each breadstick, suggests chef Rozanne Gold , who contributed this recipe to Real Food. Then dip them into this unusual tapenade for an addictive appetizer, which is also delicious simply spread on slices of toasted baguette.

1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup pecans, lightly toasted
²⁄³ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
¹⁄³ cup olive oil
¼ small clove garlic (optional)
18 grissini
18 very thin slices prosciutto

1. Drain peppers in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well and pat dry. Put cherries in a small bowl. Cover with boiling water and let sit 5 minutes to soften. Drain and pat dry.
2. Put peppers, cherries, and pecans in bowl of food processor and process until blended. Add cheese and olive oil and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Push garlic through a garlic press and stir into spread, if desired. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Tightly wrap one slice of prosciutto, in a spiral fashion, around each breadstick to cover (leaving an inch at one end of the breadstick uncovered so that it can be picked up).
4. Place prosciutto-wrapped grissini in a deep, narrow bowl or vase so that they stand up. Serve with the tapenade for dipping.

Photo Terry Brennan, food styling Lara Miklasevics

Hungry for More?

This quick-and-easy Bruschetta with Olive Tapenade appetizer can also serve as heartier bites with optional meat or plant-based proteins to bring a little something for everyone to the table. Plus, find a roundup of even more appetizers and light bites I have highlighted for various occasions here , but they can also work for any get-together.

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