Oscars Night

Here’s a reprint from a few years ago as we are in Mexico this week, missing the Oscars actually, but still sharing quality time together. I will go out on a limb and say that our pick for Best Picture is “The King’s Speech”. Here’s hoping even if you don’t pick any winners, you have time to whip up some bit of decadence to enjoy your weekend. You can bet we will think of something wonderful!

Kristin

And the winner is…

She says:

We talk often about how everyday in life should be enjoyed and it is important to make the most of every moment. Sometimes, this means not taking things too seriously and just having fun, but other times you need to be very serious about how you plan your event. We are that way when it comes to Oscar night. It is a big night that involves much planning and research, and the event itself is celebrated with close friends and festive food.

Oh I know – you are probably thinking we are a bit nuts. Why would we want to make a big deal about the Oscars, another award show in a whole season of them, like another silly not-so-real reality show. Well, perhaps if I give you some background, you can better understand our point of view…

I grew up in the film business. Most of what I saw over the years was for the small screen, but my Dad did work on a few films and I actually was part of a movie crew when I was 17 years old. I used to dream of seeing my father accept an Oscar when I was little. I loved the “smoke and mirrors” – the magic of how a story came together and was conveyed onto the screen. It was like plugging into someone’s imagination, when it was done right. You knew it was done right when people in the movie theatre were touched in some way by what they saw. To know I was a part of that was to be a part of changing people’s lives for the better. Stories of underdogs, or lifelong dreams, long lost love or even a spy double-crossed… any of them could draw you in and make you forget the rest of the world for a few hours, and when you left the darkened theatre you felt different than when you entered. You also knew that there were others sharing in that experience, because you were not at home alone, but in a theatre full of people. Sounds corny, doesn’t it? Well, I believed it. I still believe that a good movie is worth its weight in gold… Oscar gold. I like to know that those who succeed in making that magic are recognized.

Martin and I share another link to the world of film: we met in the movie business. We were both cooking for film crews when we first went out, and we quickly learned a common interest was seeing movies. We actually even saw a film the night we got engaged, and the first night after our wedding! So, to say that movies hold a fond spot in our hearts is certainly not a stretch.

Maybe your indulgence is something different, and if so, then my advice would be to embrace it, celebrate it. Anytime you can share your passion with others, they appreciate it. Enthusiasm and heartfelt joy have a way of rubbing off on others. Whatever you choose as your reason for celebrating, enjoy! After all, every one of us deserves a happy ending, don’t we? J

He Says:

Kristin and I like to go and see a movie in the theater every week. We both enjoy the outing and the big screen. I am not ashamed to tell everyone, I like the Oscars. It may not be the best show on TV, but it’s an annual thing for Kristin and I ever since we have been together. This weekend we will drive to Calgary to visit some friends and enjoy the Oscars with them. Just like the big movie stars in California, we will kick back and vote for our favorite movies and hope to bring back the ultimate trophy for bragging rights for another year.

I thought I would give you recipes for a few simple appies, in case you are planning to watch the show, too.

Stuffed Mushrooms:

Take a white mushroom, remove the foot with a melon baller and stuff it with a mixture of crab meat, mayonnaise, and Cajun spices. Bake until done, around 20 minutes.

Sausages on a Crouton

Grill some nice Hungarian sausages from "Illichmann’s", slice them thin and place them on a piece of fresh baguette with a spicy mayonnaise.

Lime Thai Prawns

Grate the rind of a lemon on your peeled prawns 4 hours ahead of time to marinade them. In a large enough pan start cooking your prawns. Once they are almost finished cooking, add some green curry paste, the juice of a lime and one whole bunch of cilantro.

Smoked Salmon Tarts

Buy some mini tart shells and fill them up with some cooked shredded smoked salmon. Add some fresh cream (35%) mixed with a bit of parmesan on the salmon and top the whole thing with some more parmesan cheese. Bake until done, around 12 minutes.

Whatever you do, enjoy good food and good wine in good company.