Don't Just Watch the Oscars

For throwing an Oscar party at home, choose a themed food or drink item for each movie nominated for Best Picture. The best part of this menu is that you can shop local in Abington. If you don’t want to make each item from scratch, there’s a great business in the area who carries the items.

Many of this year’s films are set in the past. “Midnight in Paris” takes viewers to the golden era of Paris in the 1920s, the very same city and just 10 years later that Hugo is set in. The Artist also dwells in the 30s Depression Era, but its characters dance, but don’t sing in America, while the War Horse charges audiences into World War I England.

Midnight in Paris – With each era that actor Owen Wilson travels to in this film, he winds up at a saloon or party. Eventually he lands at the famed Moulin Rouge. Serve absinthe as an ode to the “Gay 90s” in Paris or whiskey to commemorate Ernest Hemingway, who rampages through many scenes. The Wine & Spirits store on Old York Road carries both the green fairy and a variety of whiskies for the party.

Moneyball – This baseball centered movie calls for stadium snacks at the party. Purchase old-fashioned boxes of Cracker Jacks, a large bag of roasted, salted peanuts and drum up images of the old ball game. 

The Tree of Life – This existential movie set in 1950s Texas calls up bigger questions than what to eat, but for the sake of a party, keep it Texan and serve the state’s favorite dish – barbecue. Luckily for anyone who doesn’t want to get out the smoker and spend 10 to 18 hours watching it, Abington has great options for barbecue. Fletcher’s Barbecue on Easton Road has ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket by the pound available for takeout. For the full menu, visit www.fletchersbbq.com. Or call ahead to Rosey’s BBQ on Old York Road to order from the catering menu that includes lots of options. For more information, visit www.roseysbbq.com.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close – This movie takes viewers on a tour of New York City’s icons. Stick with the Big Apple theme and serve the classic bagels and hummus. Cut the bagels in pieces for easier scooping. Fill A Bagel & Breads on Old York Road has a full line of bagels to choose from. The most New Yorker one might be pumpernickel or pumpernickel rye swirl. To save on time, purchase hummus, whitefish salad or kippered salmon salad, too. For a full menu, visit www.fillabagel.com

The Artist – A shock to modern theatre goers, this movie is in black and white and there is nearly no sound, except for a few scenes. To keep the artistic theme, put out a tray of black and white cookies to honor this movie. While picking up the bagels, get some black and white cookies at Fill A Bagel & Breads.

The Help – One of the movie’s biggest punch lines center around a very infamous pieces of chocolate cream pie. Make your own version or pick one up at the bakery. 

Hugo - A cheese plate with French brie, cambermet and other cheeses accompanied with Dijon mustard, baguette and jam would bring the 30s era Parisian setting to life on the table. The Whole Foods Market on The Fairway in Jenkintown has a large selection of fromage and fresh-baked baguette. For more information, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

War Horse – This World War I era film is set in Devon, England, where Sheppard’s pie is still popular. Make a big pan of shepherd’s pie and serve it warm for a filling dish.

The Descendants – Mix up a tropical ode to Hawaii, where this George Clooney movie is set. Serve this creamy, tropical dip in a pineapple, which is one of the many exotic fruits that the 50th state produces. See the recipe below.

Descendents Tropical Dip

• 3 8 oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup mango chutney
• 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 2 cups whole almonds
• 1 pineapple, cut in half lengthwise, leaving top and leaves intact
• 2 cups precut pineapple, for dipping
• Pretzels or crackers, for dipping

Using a food processor, whirl cream cheese, chutney and spices to combine. Chill until firm. Using a rubber spatula, scoop mixture into one pineapple half. Arrange almonds on top to resemble pineapple skin with all nuts pointing the same direction. Place pineapple chunks in second half of the empty pineapple. Place the pineapples on a tray with bottoms touching. Serve with crackers or pretzels.

For more information on the Oscars, visit www.oscar.go.com.