Tonight's the night where the Hollywood elite walk the red carpet at the Kodak Theater and are honoured for their work in film at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards ceremony (or the Oscars as we've become accustomed to calling them). The broadcast, hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, begins at 8 p.m. EST on ABC in the U.S. and CTV in Canada, and if you're like a majority of people, you'll be at home enjoying the show with your friends and family.
What should you serve to eat and drink? Where can you print a ballot to keep track at home? Are there any games to play when the show gets boring? We've got everything you need to enjoy the lengthy awards courtesy of the Academy Awards.
BALLOT & GAMES
For starters, you can enlarge and print the ballot above by clicking on it (a PDF version can be downloaded here). If you want an Oscar-themed crossword puzzle to keep you bust this afternoon click here [PDF]. Nine different Oscar-themed bingo boards that can be used during the ceremony are available here [PDF].
COCKTAILS
Moët & Chandon, the official champagne of the 2010 Oscars, has some great cocktail recipes available. My favourite is The Red Carpet Fizz:
1/2 oz Pomegranate Juice
1/3 oz Orange Liquor
Add Fresh Raspberries
Top with Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne
As a classy non-alcoholic option they recommend serving sparkling apple, pomegranate, or blueberry juice.
FOOD
Forget popcorn and M&M's! Master chef Wolfgang Puck recommends his Prime Mini Burgers with Cheddar Cheese and Remoulade as an appetizer. I think they're good enough to be your main course and should keep you full until the show is over.
Ingredients (makes 12 burgers):
- 3/4 pound prime ground beef, such as Kobe-style
- Pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 12 small slices of cheddar cheese
- 12 mini sesame brioche buns
- Remoulade (recipe below, left)
- Arugula leaves
- 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 3 cornichons, sliced
- Preheat grill or grill pan.
- Put the ground beef in a bowl and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix together with your hands to combine. Take a small amount (about 2 tablespoons worth) of the ground beef and roll it in the palm of your hand like you are making meatballs.
- Flatten the top slightly and put the mini burger patties on a side plate. Drizzle the burgers with oil and season the tops with salt and pepper. Turn the burgers over and season the other side.
- Place the burgers on the hot grill. Cook for 3 minutes, then turn them over with tongs. Place slices of cheddar cheese on top of the burgers, allowing it to melt. While that’s cooking, put the buns on the grill. Let them toast slightly on both sides, about 2 minutes total time.
- To put the burgers together: Put the toasted buns on a platter. Top each with a small spoonful of Remoulade. Put the burger on top (cheese side up), followed by an arugula leaf, a slice of tomato and a slice of cornichon.
Combine 3/4 cup of store-bought or home made Thousand Island dressing with 2 tablespoons of bottled barbecue sauce and a little bit of diced red onion. Stir to combine.
Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck.
DESSERT
If you want something sweet to serve, pastry chef Sherry Yard thinks a Chocolate Molten Cake will be a winner with you and your guests.
Ingredients (makes 8 cakes):
- 8 4-ounce disposable aluminum cups
- Melted butter, for brushing
- 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into chunks
- 5 ounces unsalted butter
- 3 eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
- Butter the inside of the foil cups. Arrange on a baking tray. Reserve.
- In a bowl, combine the chocolate and butter. Melt over a double boiler.
- In a mixer bowl, using the wire whisk, beat together the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar for 3 minutes over medium speed. Add the warm chocolate and butter mixture. Mix at low speed until well blended. Stir in the flour.
- Divide the batter evenly into the 8 prepared foil cups. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F. oven for 5 minutes. Turn around baking tray and continue to bake another 3 minutes. When the sides feel firm, while center should still be very moist, remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- To serve, flip out the cake from the foil cup and place on dessert plate. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Serve immediately.
Criticize This! will be updating the winners as they are announced as well as tweeting our thoughts on the show at twitter.com/criticizethis. To see a full list of nominations and our predictions, click here.
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