And the Best Picture Oscar Entree goes to...YOU! Come and accept your award-winning chow and pass it around to your party guests so everyone has a taste of Oscar. Sit back and watch the Best Picture Oscar-nominated movie trailers below and my Oscar Entrees that are a feast for your eyes.
And click on any 2020 Best Picture Oscar Entree nomineename to be directed to the original blog post for all the award-winning recipe prose and cinematic culinary imagery.
My first Best Picture Oscar Entree nominee for 2020 is for "The Irishman" Corned Beef and Cabbage. I am a big fan of Martin Scorsese's gangster movies, but this one was torturous in length and I felt like I had been given a Mickey Finnby the time the end credits rolled.
For a groaning buffet table of a movie, you'll at least enjoy watching Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Al Pacino chew the scenery! And load up your plate on Oscar day with my appetite-crushing Irish classic Corned Beef and Cabbage.
My next Oscar-nominated entree, "Little Women"Blueberry Pancakes, is named for a budding group of young ladies flowering into adulthood. The lively March sisters return to the big screen in this raucous retelling and direction by Greta Gerwig of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott.
Start your Oscar Party day with blushing blueberries sprinkled in an old school breakfast of toasty griddlecakes.
The satirical WWII flickJoJo Rabbitmay be the most out-there Best Picture Entree nominee of the group. Even for this Outre Chef, a child obsessed with Hitler is a bridge too far.
However, I would give the flick a shot if the movie theater concession stand serves "JoJo Rabbit"Hot Dogs with Sauerkraut and a stein of beer!
Hey did you hear the one about the orange-faced comb-over clown? Oh, wait, not the one in the White House, I mean the grimacing white-faced and green-haired Joker on the big screen. Hey, can't you take a joke? Well, that's the problem for Joker, society doesn't get him and he makes everyone suffer for it.
Parasite by Korean director Bong Joon-ho is giving America a societal wakeup call. I saw it and recommend you do too, on the big screen or small. In this timely story, the have-nots move in on the haves and turn the tables.
With such pungent storytelling, you need an intense Oscar Entree and my "Parasite"Korean BBQ Chicken marinated in garlic, ginger and brown sugar will have your Oscar Party guests eating out of your hands!
Best Oscar Entree nominee "Marriage Story" California Roll, is a poignant and gripping drama of a marriage on the rocks. With just 6 nominations it's the one to beat.
The movie takes place in NYC and Los Angeles. So my West Coast rolled sushi entree is as deliciously layered as the filmmaking. Showy cucumber, scene-stealing avocado, and understudy krab with rice are wrapped in a layer of umami-rich seaweed.
All is not quiet on the Western Front in my next Best Oscar Entree nominee, "1917" Shepherd's Pie. The WWI war movie follows two British soldiers on a sprint across enemy lines delivering a message to save hundreds of fellow doughboys.
These soldiers deserve a Victoria Cross but I bet they would gladly settle for a meal that only Mum can make, a hearty ground beef stew topped with whipped mashed potatoes!
Tarantino has his cake and eats it too in this fruitcake blending of fact and fiction taking place in 1969 Hollywood. He hits all the hot spots big and small, from plush red booths at the Musso Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard to table 5 at Casa Vega on Ventura Boulevard. I'm not sure if Turkey Leg Carnitas are on the menu at Mexican restaurant Casa Vega, but they should be!
And roaring through the fish line is the Oscar Entree nominee "Ford v Ferrari" Spaghetti alla Carbonara with Bacon Bits. This race track rivalry between carmakers American Ford and Italian Ferrari is built for speed.
If you can't make it to the movie screen for this action-packed tour de force drag race then take a pit stop in your own TV room and slurp up yolk-coated strands of pasta studded with bacon bits -- on a checked table cloth covering your dinner tray of course!
Do try out any of my Oscar Party Entrees - you're sure to get a Standing O. So have your acceptance speech ready because the golden statuette for Best Entree at an Oscar Party belongs to you, the host with the most.
And I'll leave you with a video I made a while ago, when the Academy of Motion Pictures had an Oscar exhibit, along with a podium with a real Oscar. All you had to do was stand in line and take a picture with it -- well you can be sure I showed up for that! Just check out the video below:
Head to the end zone for a long pass of recipes from The Culinary Quarterback. Are you ready for Superbowl LIV Sunday? The Fried Pig Skin Lovin' Chef has some tasty football food that will leave enough green in your wallet to buy an extra keg for your tailgate party.
Click on any recipe name to see the original recipe blogpost.
So if you are looking for regular eats for your Superbowl Party, I got your halfback, I mean back. There are no fumbles in this recipe list! 99 Thanks go to my local99c only Storesand Dollar Trees. Hey, I even find 99 cent deals at regular grocery stores and ethnic markets, so all the bases, I mean, the whole field is covered.
San Francisco 49ersfans are all about seafood in the City by the Bay. And boy do I have a cheap$kate sammie for you I call a Scallop Roll. This recipe is so scrumptious it was featured on the Huffington Post website! Click here to see the write-up. Lobster meat breaks the bank, while scallops are tender and a tasty cheap substitution I find in the frozen deli case. One small 4-ounce package is enough for a Scallop Rollor two.
Scallop Roll
I love BBQ and so do Kansas City footballers. And the local BBQ sauce is tomato-based just the way I like it, too. If you have a fave BBQ sauce recipe then use it - Out here in L.A. we have Newman's Own that was carried in my localDollar Tree - talk about a big score!
A baked Rack of Ribs is easy and extra succulent the 99 Cent Chef way. All I do is season them with a dry rub or coat in a fave BBQ sauce, wrap in foil then bake for 3 to 4 hours until fall-apart tender, that's it. You can smoke them your way once they are baked tender like I do right here. My recipe below uses Pork Spareribs, but meaty Beef Ribs can be used as well.
King crab rules in San Fran. Now I can't afford to use crab in my recipes, but I've found that imitation crab does the job for this Bottom Feeder Chef. Krab, or imitation crab, is a cooked fish blend that has the texture and taste of lump crabmeat. It may not be for the pescatarian purist, but I've grown to love it.
Fake Crab
I offer to my 49er comrades the mighty Krab LouisSaladmade with fantastic fake krab of course. Originating in San Francisco (or Oregon as some claim) this king of salads also has asparagus, plus cheap iceberg lettuce, tomato, a hard-boiled egg and topped with Thousand Island dressing. Of course, use real lump crab...if you can afford it!
This West Coast fan favorite is aCalifornia Roll. Like a stadium wave, this California spin on Japanese sushi has traveled to grocery deli cases all around the country. And I substitute cheap imitation crab so you will save big bucks on usually expensive crabmeat.
Another meaty meal is a big bowl of Kansas-style Chili. Simple is best and if a hot bowl ofHomemade Chiliand a mug of icy cold beer are what you crave on game day then you've come to the right place. What's great about Chili is it can be made a day or two ahead and stay on the stovetop on low heat the whole gameday! Go ahead and add a can or two of black, pinto or red beans to the chili pot at the end of cooking for a more filling chili bowl. I like to top mine with chopped onion, shredded cheese, and crunchy Fritos Corn Chips!
Anybody can make a Hot Dog right? If you have a fave Kansas City frankfurter, set out the toppings while the weenies steam or saute and let the grandstanders build their own. Here is a favorite of mine in the video below. I use chili from the can and sauerkraut from a jar -- use what you got or can easily get.
If game day is foggy and cold in San Francisco, then throw another log on the fire and gather in front of the big screen with a steaming bowl of my cheap$kate Clam Chowder. 49er fans will throw off their warming blankets, peel off their gloves, and line up for a big bowl. And serve it in a hollowed-out loaf of sourdough bread for extra points!
You gotta serve BBQ Pork if you are a Chiefsfan, right? I have the perfect recipe for you, a succulent and smoky BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich recipe. I usually just add pickle and sliced onion, but my Homemade Coleslaw goes on it, too or as a side dish. My recipe is easy and cheap to make, of course. Just check out the video below or click here to see all the tasty recipe details.
Also, you can start with a reverse flea-flicker of a recipe called, Carnitas. Hours of braising reduce a pork shoulder to a tender and succulent Mexican-style taco filling. I even throw in the pigskin for extra flavor. Carnitasare what I order for late-night noshing at a taco truck. And it's a self-serve time saver when you set up a taco bar.
Weave through the living room backfield with a pile of Mexican Carnitas Tacos (slow-cooked pork) and you'll be lucky to make it through without being sacked!
And here are more recipes for Game Day, just read on and click on your faves, some familiar and some, like the next one, uniquely a 99 Cent Chef game changer.
Serve my most outrageous Hot Dog recipe, a the LAStreetDog-- a freeway pileup of flavors that make an end-run around any foot long out there.
Of course, simplest is best and I like a hot dog with just mustard and pickle relish. One trick I learned watching local wiener wranglers work and that is to steam the bun like I show below.
When your guests rush through the patio gate, have a bowl ofChips and Salsa to greet them. Now you can just set out a jar of cheap Pace Chunky Salsa or go for extra points with my Mango Salsa Recipe.
All football fans love Pizza on game day. You can avoid the long lines at Domino's or Shakey's Pizza and make your own cheaply with my recipe that uses pre-made cooked pizza crusts from the Dollar Tree store.
What's great about making Individual Pizzas, is everyone can add the ingredients they favor. I like anchovies and an egg on mine -- I know no one else would order that one!
Just set out a stack of individual store-bought pizza crusts and bowls of pepperoni, shredded cheese, black olives, fresh basil leaves, cooked Italian sausage, a fave jar of marinara sauce -- you get the picture. And it only takes 10 minutes or so in a hot oven and they are done! Click here to see how I make them.
Next to pizza and hot dogs, Fried Chicken is a favorite finger food and no one fries chicken better than this Cheap$kate Game Changer.
I've come up with a crunchy coating that will empty the bleachers and have fans storming the kitchen! Get Superbowl Sunday going with my Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe, or use my special flour and spice mix for regular bone-in chicken pieces. Fry up a batch of chicken to handoff when the coin is tossed to start the game.
Bring more Southern flavor to your kitchen, no matter what State you are in. Fans will take a half-time break and huddle around your cast iron pot of my fragrant and spicy Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya and Cajun Gumbo.
Mom's Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
In Louisiana, we put a dollop of Cajun Potato Saladon our Gumbo. If you don't believe me just check out the video below.
Or go straight up the middle with a tray of Teriyaki Spam Musubi. This Hawaiian specialty combines good old American canned spam with Japanese sushi. And does it really work? My easy-to-follow recipe will have your guests eating out of your hands...down!
Football zealots are not just meat-eaters, but potato fanatics too. I like mine grilled, how about you? Well, I got Grilled Yellow and Orange Sweet Potato recipes for you to try.
And just click here to see my Veggie Frittata recipe that will feed all your hungry team players (go ahead and add some ham pieces to fill out the frittata.)
Looking for a sneak-play recipe? How about a different twist on Buffalo Wings with my African Spiced Water Buffalo Wings? This original recipe features chicken legs, but you can substitute wings.
Tired of stale, soggy stadium hot dogs? I have a great and easy Corn Dog Recipe made with Vienna sausages -- but you can use regular wieners. Your hungry guest will not be offsides dipping these crunchy coated pig skins into my tasty Honey-mustard Sauce.
Since you have the fryer going you might as well make a batch of my Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. They're as light and airy as the Goodyear blimp.
So get your backfield in motion and click on any of my tasty treat namesabove to watch an instant reply of recipes from my blog. Your guest will be cheering you on -- from their cheap seats!
God, how I love avocados. My last bite on earth would be a simple slice of creamy Haas avocado.
This is a most delicious blog post you will want to bookmark for future viewing. And click on any recipe name to see all the original recipe photos and text.
July 31 is National Avocado Day and I have a ripe basketful of recipes for you to use this most luscious and rich fruit.
The creamiest and richest Avocado, the Haas, was first grafted from a single tree here in La Habra Heights in Los Angeles County almost 100 years ago. Read about the origin story here, And if you need a reminder on how to tell when an avocado is ripe, just click here.
The simplest and most tasty Avocado recipe is for AvocadoToast. Just mash a ripe Avocado, season with salt and pepper then spread it on warm toast. Use a tasty fresh-baked slice of bread if have a local bakery or farmers market. But a nice nutty whole-grain grocery store brand is fine.
Here in Los Angeles, Avocado prices are all over the map, from a buck and a half for a large one, to six small ones for 99 cents! If you keep an eye on seasonal sales you might find them for bargain prices too.
I like to start the day with this green bauble of deliciousness sliced and tucked into a cheesy Omelet. This is too much of a good thing but what the heck.
I like a fresh and creamy slice Avocado on my taco, how about you? And all my yummy Taco Recipes are a click away, here.
If you have a local Latin market in the hood then this next recipe is for you. Plus this recipe is a real dollar stretcher. Avocado Cremais a mix of Mexican Crema and mashed Avocado.
Mexican Crema is similar to sour cream (okay to use sour cream instead,) just sweeter. Use this recipe at your next Taco Party and serve it with chips, and top a taco or burrito -- so good.
If you have a favorite cold salad then add a chopped Avocado for a rich addition. I likeMacaroni Salad mixed with mayo, krab, and Avocado brings it over the top.
For these immigrant-bashing days, I have a Cesar Chavez Salad made with funky anchovies and illegal Mexican-immigrant-picked Romain lettuce with, of course, Avocado from Mexico.
The sushi California Rollwas invented here and boy does the rest of the country owe California a big thanks. Even hardcore sushi connoisseurs will pick up a pre-made package in the deli section of a local grocery chain store. Check out my video below and see how easy aCalifornia Roll is to make.
You can't do a better sandwich than a BLT, or Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich. Oh, wait, I take that back - you can do better with the addition of Avocado, of course. Okay, now go and make yourself aBLT+A Sammie.
I discovered Cuban cuisine here in Los Angeles. And I like to start my restaurant meal with aCuban Salad, comprised of Avocado, tomato, sliced onion and radishes, and mixed with vinegar and oil. Very simple but a great contrast to typical heavy and rich Cuban Roast Pork.
For the dog days of summer, nothing is better than a coolCeviche. There is nothing to cook, just drain a can of beans and mix in shredded krab, chopped onion, jalapeño, tomato and of course, Avocado.
Chill it then get out the tortilla chips and park yourself under a cool shady tree with a frosty mug of beer or your fave cold beverage and watch the world go by.
I can eat Avocados morning, noon and night and you can too if you hang out at the 99 Cent Chef's food blog.
Head to the end zone for a long pass of recipes from The Culinary Quarterback. Are you ready for Superbowl Sunday? The Fried Pig Skin Lovin' Chef has some tasty football food that will leave enough green in your wallet to buy an extra keg for your tailgate party.
Repainted Randy's Donuts in Los Angeles, just for Super Bowl LIII
Los Angeles has Superbowl fever and the above donut shop,Randy's Donuts, made special edition pastries in honor of the Los Angeles Rams. And they were so good I made a video below that features two kinds, a Sprinkles Donut and a Donut Bar with vanilla filling.
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So if you are looking for regular eats for your Superbowl Party, I got your halfback, I mean back. There are no fumbles in this recipe list!
New England Patriots fans will eat up my riff on an East Coast favorite Lobster Roll -- a cheaper Scallop Roll. This recipe is so scrumptious it was featured on the Huffington Post website! Click here to see the write-up.
Scallop Roll
If game day is freezing cold in New England, then throw another log on the fire and gather in front of the big screen with a steaming bowl of my cheap$kate Clam Chowder. Patriot fans will throw off their warming blankets, peel off their gloves, and line up for a big bowl.
Stuff your face Los Angeles Rams-style! Start with a reverse flea-flicker of a recipe called, Carnitas. Hours of braising reduce a pork shoulder to a tender and succulent Mexican-style taco filling. I even throw in the pigskin for extra flavor. Carnitas are what I order for late-night noshing at a taco truck.
My recipe for a LA Street Dog is a freeway pileup of flavors that make an end-run around any hot dog out there.
A Los Angeles fan favorite is aCalifornia Roll. Like a stadium wave, this California spin on Japanese sushi has traveled to grocery deli cases all around the country. And it uses cheap imitation crab so you will save big bucks on usually expensive seafood.
Both Coasts love Pizza on game day. You can avoid the long lines at Domino's or Shakey's Pizza and make your own cheaply with my recipe that uses pre-made cooked pizza crusts from the Dollar Tree store.
What's great about making your own Individual Pizza, is everyone can add the ingredients they like. I like anchovies and an egg on mine -- I know no one else would order that one!
Just set out a stack of individual pizza crusts and a few bowls of pepperoni, shredded cheese, black olives, fresh basil leaves, Italian sausage, a fave jar of marinara sauce -- you get the picture. And it only takes 10 minutes or so in a hot oven and they are done!
Next to pizza and hot dogs, Fried Chicken is a fan favorite and no one fries chicken better than this Cheap$kate Game Changer.
I've come up with a crunchy coating that will empty the bleachers and have fans storming the kitchen! Get Superbowl Sunday going with my Fried Chicken Sandwich Recipe, or use my special flour and spice mix for regular bone-in chicken pieces. Fry up a batch of chicken to handoff when the coin is tossed to start the game.
Bring more Southern flavor to your kitchen, no matter what State you are in. Fans will take a half-time break and huddle around your cast iron pot of my fragrant and spicy Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya and Cajun Gumbo.
Mom's Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
In Louisiana, we put a dollop of Cajun Potato Saladon our Gumbo. If you don't believe me just check out the video below.
You gotta serve BBQ if you are tailgating on game day in the parking lot of U.S. Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fans, I have the perfect recipe for you, a succulent and smoky BBQ Pulled Pork recipe. My recipe is easy and cheap to make, of course. Just check out the video below or click here to see all the tasty recipe details.
If a meaty bowl ofHomemade Chili and a mug of icy cold beer are what you crave on game day then you've come to the right place.
Or go straight up the middle with a tray of Teriyaki Spam Musubi. Weave through the living room backfield with a pile of Mexican Carnitas Tacos (slow-cooked pork) and you'll be lucky to make it through without being sacked!
Football zealots are not just meat, but potato fanatics too. I like mine grilled, how about you? Well, I got Grilled Yellow and Orange Sweet Potato recipes for you to try.
And just click here to see my Veggie Frittata recipe that will feed all your hungry team players (go ahead and add some ham pieces to fill out the frittata.)
Looking for a sneak-play recipe? How about a different twist on Buffalo Wings with my African Spiced Water Buffalo Wings? This original recipe features chicken legs, but you can substitute wings.
Tired of stale, soggy stadium hot dogs? I have a great and easy Corn Dog Recipe made with Vienna sausages -- but you can use regular wieners. Your hungry guest will not be offsides dipping these crunchy coated pig skins into my tasty Honey-mustard Sauce.
Since you have the fryer going you might as well make a batch of my Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. They're as light and airy as the Goodyear blimp.
So get your backfield in motion and click on any of my tasty treat namesabove to watch an instant reply of recipes from my blog. Your guest will be cheering you on -- from their cheap seats!
God, how I love avocados. My last bite on earth would be a simple slice of creamy Haas avocado.
This is a most delishious blog post you will want to bookmark for future viewing. And click on any recipe name to see all the original recipe photos and text.
July 31 is National Avocado Day and I have a ripe basketful of recipes for you to use this most luscious and rich fruit.
The creamiest and richest Avocado, the Haas, was first grafted from a single tree here in La Habra Heights in Los Angeles County almost 100 years ago. Read about the origin story here, And if you need a reminder on how to tell when an avocado is ripe, just click here.
The simplest and most tasty Avocado recipe is for AvocadoToast. Just mash a ripe Avocado, season with salt and pepper then spread it on warm toast. Use a tasty fresh baked slice of bread if have a local bakery or farmers market. But a nice nutty whole grain grocery store brand is fine.
Here in Los Angeles, Avocado prices are all over the map, from a buck and a half for a large one, to six small ones for 99 cents! If you keep an eye on seasonal sales you might find them for bargain prices too.
I like to start the day with this green bauble of deliciousness sliced and tucked into a cheesy Omelet. This is too much of a good thing but what the heck.
I like a fresh and creamy slice Avocado on my taco, how about you? And all my yummy Taco Recipes are a click away, here.
If you have a local Latin market in the hood then this next recipe is for you. Plus this recipe is a real dollar stretcher. Avocado Cremais a mix of Mexican Crema and mashed Avocado.
Mexican Crema is similar to sour cream (okay to use sour cream instead,) just sweeter. Use this recipe at your next Taco Party and serve it with chips, and top a taco or burrito -- so good.
If you have a favorite cold salad then add a chopped Avocado for a rich addition. I likeMacaroni Salad mixed with mayo, krab, and Avocado brings it over the top.
For these immigrant bashing days, I have a Cesar Chavez Salad made with funky anchovies and illegal Mexican-immigrant-picked Romain lettuce with, of course, Avocado from Mexico.
The sushi California Rollwas invented here and boy does the rest of the country owe California a big thanks. Even hardcore sushi connoisseurs will pick up a pre-made package in the deli section of a local grocery chain store. Check out my video below and see how easy aCalifornia Roll is to make.
You can't do a better sandwich than a BLT, or Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich. Oh, wait, I take that back - you can do better with the addition of Avocado, of course. Okay, now go and make yourself aBLT+A Sammie.
I discovered Cuban cuisine here in Los Angeles. And I like to start my restaurant meal with aCuban Salad, comprised of Avocado, tomato, sliced onion and radishes, and mixed with vinegar and oil. Very simple but a great contrast to typical heavy and rich Cuban Roast Pork.
For the dog days of summer, nothing is better than a coolCeviche. There is nothing to cook, just drain a can of beans and mix in shredded krab, chopped onion, jalapeño, tomato and of course, Avocado.
Chill it then get out the tortilla chips and park yourself under a cool shady tree with a frosty mug of beer or your fave cold beverage and watch the world go by.
I can eat Avocados morning, noon and night and you can too if you hang out at the 99 Cent Chef's food blog.
