How to Throw a Classic Hollywood Oscar Party

Right about now, other hosts and hostesses are scrambling to assemble a Franken-buffet in tribute to the locations of this year’s Best Picture nominations: a gooey butter cake for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” next to a pot of escargots for “Dunkirk.” Or worse, they are masterminding terrible food puns like “Kale me by Your Game,” which I can only imagine must be either a robust salad with bits of rabbit meat, or else some sort of sturdy green and venison roulade. Let’s not even go there with “Get Out.”  A black and white cookie with a bullseye pattern? Some sort of horrifying Turducken? *Shudders*

Not you. Not this year. You are a singular host with a singular theme that allows you to demonstrate your panache across all of the details. And the Academy Award for Best Oscar Party Idea 2018 goes to: Classic Hollywood.

The Golden Age of Hollywood spanned from the late 1920s to the late 1950s so there are plenty of throwback elements to incorporate across the decades for a party so classy you just might need to prepare your own acceptance speech.

And the award for best costume design goes to…

Babble

Black and white. How easy is this? Even your least gung-ho friends would have to put in effort not to participate. If you’re feeling extra extra, and haven’t already gone all-out on a killer mardi gras party this month, give a shot to this grayscale makeup technique, and have supplies on hand for when your most gung-ho friends arrive and can’t resist the opportunity. Make anyone who doesn’t adhere to the theme wear a “filmed in Technicolor” name tag.

And the award for best visual effects goes to…

Copy Cat Films

Silent movie title cards. 1. Print out a slew of these well-designed, old-timey placards. 2. Have a silver paint pen on hand. 3. Watch how your friends go into selfie-overdrive in order to win the coveted “Best Picture” award, i.e. the photo with the most likes on Instagram.

And the award for best “animated feature” goes to…

Lia Griffith

Academy Award Bingo. Because what’s more animated that someone jumping up from their chair, screaming “Bingo!”, and proceeding to kiss everyone in the room Roberto Benigni-style because they finally completed a row when someone’s speech got cut off by the orchestra? There are many Oscar bingo cards to be found, but we love the glamorous design of this set, and the easy but elegant suggestion of using star stickers as markers.

And the award for best production design goes to…

Life-size Charlie Chaplin cutout. You hardly need to concern yourself with additional decorations when the most iconic figure from the silent film era is there to preside over the festivities. Which leaves you more time and budget for food and drinks.

And the award for best craft service goes to…

You with this retro appetizer spread. Okay, so this isn’t a real award, but let’s take a moment to honor all of the hard-working people who toil for 18-hour days alongside all of the camera crew, makeup artists, and production assistants by keeping them fed. Any party that’s not an actual sit-down dinner party should never have to bother with forks, so keep it simple but hearty with these 1950s (and earlier) inspired finger foods.

Layered Cheese Ball

Well, if you must, there’s your turducken element anyway. 

Shrimp Cocktail

Serve them up with a celery-salted rim in these individual shooter cups.

Ham and Pickle Pinwheels

American Table

They’re just one of those things that inspires nostalgia and even though our tastes have evolved beyond three-ingredient gimmicks, you can’t deny how tasty they are.

Crudite Platter

Olivia’s Cuisine

Always in style. Always a classic. Always necessary to combat the effects of a bombastic cheese ball.

Oysters Rockefeller

Shutterstock

Since you are mostly rolling with simple, cold appetizers, use the commercial breaks to pass around warm batches of the most timeless of all finger foods.

Champagne and Strawberry Jello Molds

A Beautiful Day

You’ve been meaning to spring for a cake pedestal anyway, and these adorable individual throwback desserts kind of deserve one.

And the award for best thematic cocktail goes to…

What else? An Old-Fashioned. Requiring only three ingredients and golden in color, it literally puts a cherry on top of your most memorable soirée.

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Skillet Pork Chops with Cabbage

It’s hard to get really excited by cabbage—it seems so ordinary! But when I was in southern Germany recently, I enjoyed some truly outstanding cabbage with pork.

I knew instantly what made it so good: the cabbage was cooked low and slow in plenty of pork fat, and the pork served alongside was incredibly juicy. It was a memorable meal, and that wasn’t just the German beer talking.

Continue reading "Skillet Pork Chops with Cabbage" »

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What Is the Difference Between Hummus and Falafel?

If you’ve been spending all your time in the produce section of your grocery store, you’ve been missing out on a super nutrient-packed and versatile legume that can be found where the dried goods or canned veggies reside: the chickpea. Not only are chickpeas a great addition to salads or as a side dish, the small but mighty ingredient is the basis for two major Mediterranean staples: falafel and hummus.

Falafel and hummus both are chickpea-based foods, but have some key differences. Hummus, a paste made of chickpeas (typically with tahini, olive oil, lemon, salt and often, with additional spices and flavorings like roasted red pepper), is delicious slathered on pita, can be used as a substitute for salad dressing, or work as an alternative to unhealthy ranch dressing in your next crudité platter.

Falafel, meanwhile, are patties made of ground chickpeas that have been soaked in water to soften them, blended with spices and herbs, and then deep-fried. (Oh and for those wondering, falafel can be both singular and plural.) Falafel are great for crumbling into salads, eating on the go in a sandwich or pita, or just popped into your mouth on their own.

Though they have some differences, both foods are a great plant-based source of protein and pack a hefty serving fiber—not to mention, are a much healthier alternative to most other foods you can eat when you’re on the move.

Thinking of DIY-ing either one? You’ll want to keep one major tip in mind: Using canned chickpeas is A-okay for making hummus, but a no-no if you’re making falafel. If you used canned chickpeas for falafel, they’ll likely come apart when you throw them in to fry. Use dried chickpeas for the latter.

Ready to experiment with adding hummus and falafel into your meal rotation? Read ahead for some ideas.

Vegan Beet Hummus

Lazy Cat Kitchen

Want a colorful addition to your next table spread? This beet-based take on hummus makes for a smooth spread perfect for topping a slice of your favorite bread. Get the recipe.

Deconstructed Falafel Salad

Pop Sugar

Don’t feel like going through the rigamarole of actually making falafel yourself? Then this deconstructed version will satisfy all your flavor cravings (plus provide an extra kick from jalapeno) without you having to go through all the motions. Try the recipe.

4-Ingredient Hummus-Crusted Chicken

Simply Sissom

When you’re bored of the same old plain chicken breast recipe, you can upgrade your poultry with close to zero effort by coating it with hummus and throwing it in the oven. You won’t be able to get enough of the juicy, savory outcome. Try this recipe.

Vegan Mediterranean Bowl

Minimalist Baker

This filling, satisfying, and healthy meal is an ideal choice for lunch or your #MeatlessMonday dinner. Topped with garlic, olives, and fresh herbs, the freshness will make it a staple in your meal queue as soon as you taste it. Try the recipe.

Easy Tahini-Free Avocado Hummus

Kim’s Cravings

Is avocado toast basically your religion at this point? Then this flavorful hummus recipe is made for you. With a food processor in hand and about the time it takes to read this article, you can have this creamy dip ready to go before your next avocado craving strikes. Try the recipe.

Spicy Carrot Hummus

Chowhound

Looking to bring the heat? Then this carrot-centric take on hummus is just the ticket. Harissa paste imbues the spread with a bold smoky flavor that is an upgrade from your standard grocery store hummus. Get our Spicy Carrot Hummus recipe.

Deep Dish Falafel Pizza

Rainbow Nourishments

Some combinations are no brainers, and some are unexpected but nevertheless genius when you stumble upon them. Pizza and falafel are one of those surprising pairings in this veggie centric recipe that provides all the comfort and portability of your favorite pizza and falafel take out. Try this recipe.

Falafel Burgers

Chowhound

This take on a veggie burger isn’t short on flavor or crunch. Meanwhile, tomato jam and a decadent brioche bun complement the patty for the perfect meatless meal. Get our Falafel Burgers recipe.

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