Weekend Special – Celebrate Our Ethnic Melting Pot with an Oscar Tapas Party

Whether you love the movies, enjoy stargazing or are just looking for an excuse for a party, this is your weekend!

Spot lights and drum roll please … it’s time for an Oscar Bash. Not sure what to serve? I’ve put together two menus for you. Today it’s a Melting Pot Tapas Party. Alternatively, click here for a Paris Bistro Supper.

Whether you cook up everything yourself or make it a potluck, tapas are a great choice. Between the Red Carpet pre-shows and the award spectacular, a long, lazy evening with lots of small plates will be fun and delicious. Tapas are perfect for Oscar night.

From little Italy to Chinatown and beyond … here are a few ideas for a stellar cast for your melting pot production of East Meets West with a Side of Salsa.

First you’ll want to find a special red carpet worthy cocktail. How about a rosy red Strawberry Margarita or Strawberry Tini?

And now for the nibbles!

Grilled Antipasto combines grilled veggies with some nuts, olives and a few great cheeses. Unless you prefer a hearty dip for fresh veggies and pita chips? Baba Ganoush would be perfect. Or maybe a chunky spread like Caponata.

It’s always good to have a warm dish or two to pass. Flatbread with Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions & Spinach, Spanakopita Triangles or Mediterranean Shrimp are all good choices.

For Asian flare, my favorite has got to be Summer Rolls although a beautiful platter of fresh vegetables with Peanut Sesame Dipping Sauce is definitely a faster and easier solution.

Something warm? How about Tandoori or Hoisin Chicken Wings? Soup shots are  great at a tapas party and Curried Eggplant Soup will be a great addition.

And for that side of salsa? My Corn, Black Bean & Avocado Salsa of course. And maybe some Piri Piri Shrimp and Avocado, Black Bean and Tomato Tostaditas .

Something sweet at the end of the evening? Triple Threat Brownies, Sweet Dream Bars or Mini Carrot Cupcakes work for me.

Spice up the evening  with a game or two! While the stars strut their stuff on the Red Carpet, let everyone make their best guesses for this year’s winners. Top score wins! Maybe you’d rather play Oscar Bingo? Instead of B12 and N47, it’s a presenter wears a yellow dress and Billy Crystal dances. Click Here for an Oscar 2012 Score Card and Here for Oscar 2012 Bingo Cards.

… and that’s all folks! Have fun, enjoy the Oscars and bon appétit!

What are your Oscar plans? I’d love to hear from you! Let’s get a conversation going. To make a comment, just click on Comments below.

Want more? Click Here! for more seasonal menus or Here! for a complete list of and links to all the recipes on this blog!

I invite you to take a minute to learn about my philanthropic project Eat Well-Do Good. © Susan W. Nye, 2012