In honor of our favorite awards show of the season, MARIO by Mary concocted a red carpet worthy menu for your Oscars viewing party. With an Italian spin and some inspiration from our favorite nominees, we suggest you prepare your thank you speech to give those gushing party guests of yours! Check out last year’s Oscars menu featured in People Magazine.
BEST DRESSED MOZZARELLA BAR
Want to take everyone’s favorite part of any party — the cheese course — and elevate it so that it’s got real Star Power? Set a bountiful mozzarella bar in your living room and let your guests “dress” their mozzarella so it shines like the stars themselves. Setting a grazing station in the same room where you’re viewing the show allows your guests to be fed while not missing one single Red Carpet or envelope opening moment.
Fresh Mozzarella:
Burrata
Smoked
Toppings:
Prosciutto
Roasted Peppers
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Balsamic Caviar (recipe below)
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt & Pepper
Balsamic Caviar
Recipe courtesy of MARIO by Mary
Prep Time 60 minutes
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1⁄2 sprig rosemary
3/8 teaspoon Agar Agar (found in specialty food stores)
1 pint extra virgin olive oil, pre-chilled in a refrigerator for approximately 40 minutes before using
Put the balsamic vinegar, sugar, rosemary in a saucepan on low heat. Dissolve the agar agar in the saucepan and bring it to the boil, stirring constantly with a beater. Take off the heat and skim to eliminate any impurities. Then strain.
Wait a few minutes until the temperature drops to 120-130 ̊F.
Extract some of the hot balsamic into a pipette and carefully squeeze the pipette top to allow the droplet to fall into the chilled oil. (You may also use a demitasse spoon in a pinch). The pearls will slowly descend to the bottom. If the liquid is too hot, the droplets may not cool down enough and therefore not gel completely before reaching the bottom of the glass resulting in deformed spheres. Using a draining spoon pour the oil into another empty container to catch the spheres in the spoon. Place the spoon into a small bowl with a little of the oil to cover.
Set aside, this can be made in advance and stored in refrigerator for anytime needed.
BIG DRINKS
Set out your favorite champagne or prosecco and suggest your guests try adding a splash of these unique liquors to create an Oscar worthy cocktail. Ditch the lemons and limes and replace with fresh basil, thyme or mint for your garnish.
Uccello Uomo (aka The Birdman):
Add a splash of Limoncello
The Coop (as in Bradley…swoon):
Add a splash of Aperol
The Whiplash (enough said):
Add a splash of Averna
