THE ACADEMY AWARDS !

Tomorrow is Oscar Night. Tess and I will be watching, in fact we're throwing a little shindig for a few friends and family members. A cozy little affair for which Tess will be making some of her best (in)famous snacks and nibbles 😋and I will be playing host and bartender serving up libations and concoctions to accompany them.

Having the advantage of Academy screener videos (Tess: Don't brag, honey. Me: I'm not bragging, I'm only stating the truth. Tess: 😔) we have seen everything from the ten Best Picture nominees to the entries for Best Animated Short. In all honesty, it's a pretty sorry lot. (Tess is still fuming that Rogue One was only nominated in two categories and did not receive a nod for Best Editing )But that's only the opinion of two people who have seen more movies than we care to count and so we like to think we know what we're talking about ( Tess: Be nice,honey.  Me: I WAS nice,Sweetie !)

So, have you seen any (or all) of the nominated films? Will you be watching the show ? Are you having a party ? Going to a party ? Boycotting the entire thing because your favorite movie wasn't nominated this year ? (I don't blame you. ) The party was Tess' idea and well, I seldom refuse her anything (mostly because she seldom asks for anything) If you knew her, you probably couldn't  refuse her either. But I made the guest list and set the dress code (Comfortable ! Me: No, Sweetheart. Tuxedos are NOT comfortable ! Tess: But you look so handsome in a suit ! Me: I don't look handsome in jeans and a flannel shirt ? Tess: Of course you do ! But no baseball cap.Please ? Me: Oh, alright,but I'm wearing sweats to our wedding. Tess: (faints)   Me:  I was kidding!  (😉)

TESS'  "CRAB" CAKES
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8oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese ,divided
1 large egg
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (or any bread crumbs that you prefer)
2 cups cooked flaked crab (substitute imitation crab or pollock, or cod if you prefer)
1/3 finely chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped onion ,any type (optional)
1/2 tsp. mustard
1 Tbs. lemon juice
2 Tbs. chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
1/2 tsp. sea salt 
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 cup butter, melted
Creole seasoning to your own taste (optional)

1 1/2  cups panko bread crumbs (these work the best but you can use regular bread crumbs if you wish)

Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese in a bowl until smooth, add 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and the egg and beat to blend. Beat in the seasonings,herbs,sour cream, and citrus zest. Fold in the crabmeat or substitute. ( Chill at least two hours or overnight.)

Spray mini muffin tins with nonstick spray of your choice. I use olive oil. Mix together 1/2 cups of bread crumbs, and 3/4 cup parmesan cheese.Slowly pour a stream of melted butter over and toss until the mixture is evenly moistened. put 1 Tbs. of the panko/cheese mixture in the bottom of each tin and press your thumb to make an indentation, put a good tablespoon of the crab mixture on top, sprinkle
more panko mixture over the top of each. 

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes until golden. Cool for five minutes. Use a fork to gently release each cake from the tins. Put on a serving platter with spinach or dark lettuce leaves surrounding a small bowl of dipping sauce. Tartar or cocktail sauce is best. Can be rewarmed on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes.

And to sip while you're nibbling:

TheChamCham Cocktail (not affiliated with any other Cham Cham cocktails out there)

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In a punch bowl :Your favorite champagne poured over fresh pomegranate jewels or bottled pomegranate juice, thin slices of lime and sprinkled with rose petals or other edible flowers (pansies, sweet peas,) Serve over crushed ice or not. (Strictly for the ladies) . Personally, I prefer a Guinness or a good Argentinian wine. Cheers.😉