Party Time!

Four of my friends are avid movie fans. Me? Not so much. But I love getting together with them, so every year, I host an Oscar Party. My contribution is my house and food. They’ve seen almost every movie nominated and know the actors and actresses, even the directors. I know what they love to eat. So we all have fun.

This year, because of Covid, instead of watching the Oscars in February, like we usually do, we’re getting together tonight. It’s warmer weather, so that’s changed what I’m putting on the menu. There are things I think of as winter weather food and lighter offerings I think of as warm weather food. Dawn’s bringing Oscar party bags and sent her husband to help my HH decorate the house with tall cardboard Oscar statues, a red carpet, and more. Mary Lou’s bringing her special deviled eggs and brownies. I’m making a Spanish frittata with lots of potatoes, crab cakes, a steak salad with sliced pears and blue cheese, and shredded salmon Bruschetta. Since my grandson’s joining us, I made two lemon meringue pies, too. (One of his favorites).

Just like our reading preferences, we all have movie preferences, too. I’m not very sophisticated. I love a good mystery. Mary Lou and Dawn go for quality storylines (even if it’s depressing–which I try to avoid), cinematography, and depth. They’re both serious about costumes being correct for the time period, too. Mary Lou writes movie reviews on her blog. You can find her here: https://historyfanforever.wordpress.com/

I go for entertainment. There was a time when I watched serious, meaningful movies, but those times are rare these days. Same goes for message movies. Hopefully, I’ll get back to them someday, but this has been a tough year in more ways than one, and I’m just not in the mood. I’m starting to read darker, grittier books again, though, so who knows? Maybe I’ll work my way to more serious movies again eventually. But I have to say, my grandson streamed Mortal Kombat, the movie, for us last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So entertainment might be my preference for a while:)

When I taught school and while I raised our kids, I heard parents try to dictate what their kids read, hoping they’d read “quality” books instead of comic books or Choose Your Own Adventure. But as long as kids or people read, I’m fine with whatever keeps them turning pages. Same with movies. We need different things at different times, so I get it.

Tonight, I’ll watch the Oscars and see what people think is the best of the best for this year. Just like some books win the Agatha or Edgar awards, it’s nice to know what’s considered top quality among their peers. I’ll enjoy myself. And just in case you’d ever like to make Shredded Salmon Bruschetta, here’s how I made this time. (I constantly tinker, so it usually doesn’t turn out the same every time).

The salmon: Coat the bottom of a nonstick pan with olive oil. I use a thick slab of salmon to make this and sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and fennel seeds. In the hot oil, sear the salmon flesh side down for 7 minutes with a partially cracked lid on the pan at medium high heat. Turn the salmon, so it’s skin side down, and lower heat a little and sear for another 7 minutes with partially cracked lid so the center of thick salmon cooks through. I like my salmon DONE, not medium well. Check to see that it flakes, and if it’s finished, remove from pan and let it cool. Once it’s cool, you can pull off the skin and shred it into big pieces.

For the bruschetta: thickly slice French bread. Coat both sides with olive oil and garlic salt. Bake at 425 for 6 to 8 minutes.

Coat the bruschetta with: mayo mixed with a little white wine vinegar, minced garlic, and dill. Salt and pepper to taste. (Sorry. I don’t measure this. I just throw it together). When ready to serve this, I spread the mayo mix on the bruschetta, then top with shredded salmon, and then I top that with halved grape tomatoes or a tomato relish.

Hope you enjoy your Sunday night!

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