Red Carpet Recipes for Oscar Night

March 4, 2010 5:08 pm

We've been watching and waiting all year. From technological 3-D innovations to historical plots of revenge, it's certainly been a year full of award-worthy films. Sunday night will be the 82nd annual Academy Awards Ceremony, where the stars will gather in Hollywood to await the announcements of this year's winners. Let's be honest though— half the reason we watch the Oscars is for the pre-show red carpet entrances to see who will make the Best/Worst Dressed lists. But since the award for Best Picture is always the last to be announced, you'd better have an Oscar-worthy menu planned to keep you going.

And the nominees are...

Blue Sky Margaritas: Maybe they don't drink cocktails in the majestic world of Pandora, but these are the perfect aperitifs to kick off a night that is sure to be packed with awards for James Cameron's brilliant-blue extraterrestrials in the 3-D film Avatar (unfortunately everyone's favorite Australian dreamboat didn't make the cut for a nomination).

Halftime Tea: Here's another cocktail to add to your repertoire that will get you into the football spirit from The Blind Side, the inspiring true story of a neglected boy who moves on to become a football star with the help of a suburban family. Grab a Gatorade and get shakin'.

French Kisses: The naive 16-year old Jenny Miller probably ate similar appetizers on her romantic trip to Paris with a charming older man in An Education. Although their relationship proved to be too good to be true, these decadent snacks definitely are not.

Tandoori Prawns: The crustacean-like extraterrestrials (nicknamed "The Prawns") in District 9 are held captive in Johannesburg during this sci-fi thriller. Skewer your own prawns with this spicy Indian recipe.

Baba Ghannouj: This creamy dip, inspired by the flavors of Iraq, is the perfect Oscar snack to accompany Best Picture nominee The Hurt Locker, where soldiers work to defuse bombs in the Middle East.

Sweet Revenge Cupcakes: Ah, revenge is sweet, isn't it? Inglorious Basterds, a movie about a savage campaign to overthrow Nazi leaders, is intense to say the least. If you're in the mood for something equally intense, try these cupcakes for a sweet (but less gory) end to your party.

Light as Air Cheesecake: Inspired by the animated movie Up, the hilarious yet touching tale of love, loss and talking dogs; this dessert is buoyant enough to pick you up off your feet as well.