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Friday February 16, 2007

Not invited to the red carpet? Make an Oscar fête fit for a celebrity

by louise fiszer

If your invitation to the post-Oscar bash at Hollywood’s Spago hasn’t arrived yet — better forget it. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, get on the phone with your other “B”-list friends and invite them to your very own “Hooray for Hollywood” party.

Since Oscar night is on a Sunday, you will have the weekend to prepare the fabulous food. You can easily do a little heating, tossing and garnishing just before your very own Academy guests arrive.

The menu can be as eclectic as Hollywood itself. The one I created is simple to serve and delicious at room temperature, so it can wait on a buffet table for the commercial breaks. Have bowls of popcorn and M&Ms ready and champagne chilling, and your party will be the sought-after invitation next time around.

Gliteratti Glazed Pecans | Makes about 3 cups

1?4 cup sugar
1 lb. pecans
1-2 Tbs. freshly ground black pepper
Heat a heavy nonstick skillet until fairly hot. Toss pecans in skillet just until they begin to toast. Sprinkle with sugar and keep tossing until sugar melts and pecans become shiny. This should take about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and spread on cookie sheet to cool. Sprinkle with black pepper to taste.

Red Carpet Chili Fried Chicken | Serves 6

1 4-oz. can diced chilis (mild or medium), drained
3?4 cup mayonnaise
4 lbs. chicken parts
(drumsticks, thighs, breasts or wings)1 cup breadcrumbs
1?8 tsp. cayenne pepper
In food processor or blender combine chilis and mayonnaise until smooth. Blot chicken dry and coat each piece with mayonnaise mixture. Arrange in one layer in baking pan and refrigerate, covered, overnight.
In large bowl combine breadcrumbs with cayenne. Dip chicken in breadcrumb mixture. Arrange on rack in baking pan. Bake in preheated 425-degree oven, turning once, for 35 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 15 minutes.

Best Supporting Salad | Serves 8

Dressing:
2 Tbs. cumin seed, toasted and crushed
1 Tbs. mustard
1 Tbs. honey
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs. fresh orange juice
1?2 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper
Slaw:
2 carrots, grated
1 small head cabbage, shredded,
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
2 green onions, chopped
1 tart green apple, diced
fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Combine dressing ingredients. Toss with slaw ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh coriander.

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