Getting your circle of movie critics together for the Academy Awards and secretly nervous you won’t make the nominees for best host this year? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.
First – you’ll need a printable ballot listing all the nominees. You can find one on here: http://oscar.go.com/nominees
Next, you’ll need some sort of prize. You could ask each guest who wants to participate to donate $5 toward a potluck prize – then whoever gets the most answers correct on their ballot wins the loot. Make sure to task someone with writing down all the right answers! Other prizes? You could find a small statue and make the winner give their own speech to receive their “golden” token but a gift certificate or a box of chocolates, work fine too.
Selecting your food is really easy with FreshDirect’s catering platters. Just click and unwrap, leave the messy prep work and schlepping of heavy drinks to us. Whether you’re looking for sophisticated appetizers or tasty finger foods, we’ve got it, ready to roll.
Here are some sample menu choices:
Black-Tie Soiree:
For a more upscale get-together, here are a few refined selections. They’re perfect for party-goers with time to savor every bite.
Caviar Platter – Choose from delicate osetra or American sturgeon caviar to enjoy with finely chopped hard-boiled egg and sweet shallots, briny capers, tangy crème fraîche and our bakery’s thinly sliced sourdough ficelle. With its elegant black and white presentation, this platter is a nice ode to Best Picture nominee The Artist.
Smoked Salmon Breakfast Platter – Succulent, supple, and luscious, this thin-sliced Scottish smoked salmon is a crowd pleaser. Briny capers, fresh lemon slices, pickled red onion slices and our plain and scallion cream cheeses, compliment the fish. A side of our bakery’s mini bagels and sliced pumpernickel raisin bread make it all the more delectable. As an elegant take on an NYC favorite (bagels and lox), this platter is a nod to Best Picture nominee Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
Crab Cakes – Crispy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside — fresh crabmeat makes these cakes truly extraordinary. Chopped scallions, red pepper, and jalapeños give them a spicy edge. Hawaii’s tropical location and fresh seafood were on my mind while watching The Descendants so these crab cakes are a wink to this Best Picture nominee.
European Cheese Plate – We make this palate-pleasing platter with bold Le Chevrot, sweet aged Manchego, creamy Le Chatelaine Camembert and tangy La Fourme d’Ambert. This assortment is served with caramelized pecans, tangy dried apricots, and fruity-sweet quince paste. Delicious, crisp crackers make it easy for your guests to assemble savory little party canapés. Enjoy some fromages in tribute to Best Picture nominee Midnight in Paris.
Casual Get-together
Bite-sized, ready-to-eat portions and DIY sandwich platters are great for a more casual gathering.
Crudite Masterpiece – This gorgeous masterpiece of cut vegetable display makes a stunning showpiece. It’s also packed with fresh, zippy crisp-cut celery, zucchini, red & yellow bell pepper strips, broccoli florettes, baby carrots, and tangy-sweet grape tomatoes served alongside our kitchen’s rich-and-creamy ranch and tangy blue cheese dips. These edible “trees” are a play on the title of Best Picture nominee Tree of Life.
Beef Franks in a Blanket – Warm bundles of puff pastry and beef franks, these little guys are delicious dipped in whole grain or classic yellow mustard (requires heating). This bite-sized take on traditional ballpark food is a nice nod to Best Picture nominee Moneyball.
Pulled Pork Sliders with Cole Slaw – Buttery and light with a pale yellow crumb and a golden brown exterior, our mini brioches are an excellent foundation for smoked Berkshire pulled pork dressed in sweet barbecue sauce. Served with a side of creamy coleslaw, our take on Southern BBQ represents Best Picture nominee The Help.
Desserts
Regardless of your party style, don’t forget the dessert. After all, if your top picks don’t win their awards, you’ll need something to soften the wallowing – and these may just do the trick:
Chocolate Croissants – Layer upon layer of the most tender, buttery pastry reveals a hidden core of rich dark chocolate. This fresh-from-the-oven, handheld breakfast treat will delight children and grownups alike. Whimsical Best Picture nominee Hugo is set in Paris and its main character, an orphan, would steal foods like croissants to survive.
Tea Time Platter – Bring a bit of English flair to the party with this platter of tea time delights: chewy macaroons, buttery shortbread cookies, dense blondies, tangy raspberry bars, chocolate chip-studded banana pound cake and creamy almond tart. Sweet and moist but not overly heavy, this assortment is well-suited to accompany tea and to represent the English-set Best picture nominee, War Horse
Which film do you think will win Best Picture? Let us know on the FreshDirect Facebook page or via Twitter (@FreshDirect).