February 23 is the 79th Annual Academy Awards!

I just LOVE "Oscar Night!" There's nothing better than getting all dressed up with no where to go except in front of your TV! :) Well, you would THINK me and my 5 year old daughter were NOMINATED if you saw us that night! We get all glammed up with the dresses and make-up and my Husband is like, "What is ging on?" lol! I think this is the year for Forrest Withaker to take home the Oscar for best actor. I think the best picture is going to go to "The Queen" and best actress to the Queen herself, Helen Mirren although I think Kate Winslet is overdue. I think the best supporting actor award should see Eddie Murphy gracing the stage but I'm just not sure yet about best supporting actress. help me out! Who will it be?

Well, I have some great recipes and celebration ideas for you to try along with some great dress ideas and fun! Don't forget to let me know how your night goes and if you tried any of the recipes and if you like them! I have also posted some photos of nominees past and present for fashion ideas. Enjoy your night! What are YOU wearing on Oscar Night? Take some tips from the celebs below and I'll see you on the RED CARPET! ;)

Past & Present! Looking LOVELY on the Red Carpet

From left: Audrey hepburn, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Joan Crawford,

Lana Turner, Natalie Wood, Vivian Leigh

From top left: Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman, Beyonce Knowles, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Garner, Angelins Jolie

Men of Oscar

From left: Leo DiCaprio, Prince, Will Smith

COCKTAIL FOOD RECIPES FOR YOUR PARTY

Smoked Salmon Balls

6 oz. smoked salmon (sliced thin) chopped

12 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)

1/4 c. scallions chopped

2 T. fresh dill, chopped

2 t. lemon juice (fresh)

1 T. horseradish

ground pepper to taste

1/2 c. flour

1 egg beaten

2 c. breadcrumbs (fresh if possible)

oil for frying

Mix cream cheese, salmon, scallions, dill, horseradish, lemon juice, and pepper in food processor (or divide and use a small chopper) until blended. Drop by tablespoons onto parchment lined baking sheet or silpat. Cover and refrigertae 30 minutes.

Put flour, bread crumbs and eggs in 3 seperate bowls. Dredge balls in flour shaking off excess and shape into balls. Dip in egg then bread crumbs and place on baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes.

Add oil to large sauce pan about 2-3 inches full. heat to 350 degrees. Add balls in batches and fry until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towel and serve hot.

makes about 36 (more or less depending on the size of ball you make)

TIPS: The salmon mixture can be made a day ahead and kept in refrigerator and can be coated about 3 hours ahead. Coated balls can be refrigerated or frozen 2 weeks in advance. If you freeze them, let thaw about 40 minutes before frying. Fry up to 3 hours in advance and keep warm in oven of 350 degrees for 5- 10 minutes.

Reuben Sticks

1/2 pound pastrami, sliced thin and cut into 1"x 6" strips

24 arugula leaves (remove stems)

8- 12 thin breadsticks, cut into 4" lengths

DIPPING SAUCE:

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1/4 c. ketchup

2 T. sauerkraut, strained and chopped

1/2 t. caraway seeds

Make the sauce by mixing mayo, ketchup, sauerkraut and seeds, whisk and set aside.

Spread pastrami out and cover each strip with an arugula leaf. Roll each pastrami & arugula strip tightly around the end of each breadstick. Try tucking the ends in with the aid of a toothpick or tie with strands of dill. Serve with dipping sauce.

Makes 24

TIPS: Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Sticks can be made 1 hour ahead, covered and placed in refrigerator.

Lemon Chicken Skewers

1-1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cut into 3/4" cubes

1/2 c + 3 T lemon juic, fresh

2 T. water

3T. brown sugar

1T + 1t grated lemon zest

1-1/2 t kosher salt

1/2t flour

1t paprika

1/4 t pepper

6T oil

36 snow peas, cut into 1" diagonal pieces, blanched

36 wooden skewers ( 5 inches or use long toothpick/ cocktail picks)

Pour 3 tablespoons of lemon juice over chicken, toss and to coat in med bowl.

Marinade 30 minutes or more. Combine the rest of the lemon juice with brown sugar, water, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl. Drain chicken and pat dry. Put flour, rest of the salt, paprika and pepper in plastic bag and shake well. Add chicken and coat completely.

Heat 3 tablespoons oil on large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken and cook until crisp and golden on all side about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towel. Wipe out skillet and fry the remaining chicken the same way. Add the chicken to the lemon juice mixture, toss and coat well. Pour into a baking dish and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

ASSEMBLE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slide 1 pc. snow peas onto skewer (that has been soaked in water at least 15 minutes before using to prevent burning) followed by 1 piece of chicken and another snow pea (there should only be 1 pc. chicken and 2 snow peas on each skewer). Repeat until all are used. Cover in foil and bake until warm or about 5 minutes. You can also serve slightly chilled.

TIPS: Chicken can be prepared at least 1 day in advance. Assemble skewers at least 8 hours ahead and refrigerate. bake or remove from refrigerator and sit 20 minutes before serving to bring to room temp.

DRINK RECIPES FOR YOUR PARTY

MoJiTo

One of the all-time great recipes for refreshment- in a big, frosty glass. Nearly a century after its invention in Havana, the Mojito is back in the game and cooler than ever.

1/2 lime

1 t sugar (superfine)

7-8 mint leaves (plus 1 sprig for garnish)

1/4c crushed ice (plus additional crushed ice)

2 oz silver rum

sparkling water

Use a double old fashioned glass. Squeeze the lime juice into the glass; add the squeezed lime half, sugar, mint leaves, and 1/4 cup crushed ice. Muddle until the sugar is disolved and leaves release their fragrance. Fill glass with crushed ice, add the rum and stir until the glass frosts. Top off with sparkling water and garnish with the mint sprig.

Black Widow

Sweet, tangy and surprisingly complex.

1 oz gold rum

1/2 oz southern comfort

1/2 oz lime juice

dash simple syrup

1 lime wheel, for garnish

Use a cocktail glass like a martini glass. Shake the rum, southern comfort, lime juice, and syrup with ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Strain into the glass and garnish with the lime wheel.

TIPS: To make simple syrup, combine 2-1/2 cups sugar and 1 cup water in a heavy saucepan over med-high heat. bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is thoroughly dissolved and the syrup is clear and slightly thickened (about 2 minutes). Cool completely and pour into a jar with a tight fitting lid or air tight lid. Makes about 2-1/4 cups and will keep for several months in the refrigerator.

The Wine for the Evening: Off dry German Riesling

The Music for the Evening: Play the soundtrack from the movies nominated during your dinner or cocktail hour. Another great pick is the soundtrack from: "There's No Business Like Show Business."

The Fun for the Evening: Play a trivia game with your guests. Play the game at the half point of the show and announce the winner at the commercial break before the last award; movie of the year.

This Years Trivia Question:

Can you name the years that James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Marlene Dietrich, and Richard Burton won their Oscars? And ask for what films?

ANSWER: NONE!! As a matter of fact, none of these megastars ever won an Oscar! Which is really surprising because they are surely among the all-time favorites.

Winners Gift Idea: Send the winner home with a gift bag filled with Oscar memories from old films on DVD to a movie trivia game.

HAVE FUN!!! I hope I have given you great Oscar Night ideas and I hope your evening is filled with surprises! let me know how your party went! I'd love to list your results based on my tips right here in the blog!