Oscars night is one of my favorites! This year I'm embarrassed to say I've hardly seen any of the movies (mostly because I was pregnant and had a wild toddler for most of 2016). But honestly, I'm mostly interested in the dresses anyways. And the FOOD! I love cuddling up on the couch with a glass of bubbly and some tasty appetizers so I can nosh all evening. From red carpet to best picture, I'm in it for the long haul.
In case you're hosting a viewing party, I've teamed up with Bolthouse Farms MAIO to create a fun vegetarian Oscar Party Menu. I came up with 3 delicious finger foods that use their better-for-you, rich and creamy, yogurt-based MAIO spreads. All of these dishes can be made in advance and served warm or at room temperature. MAIO is available in the refrigerated produce section at Northern California Safeway Stores (where I do most of my shopping).
OSCAR PARTY MENU
vegetarian finger foods for 6
Lentil Pita Sliders
Tzaziki Dip with Steamed Artichokes
Chipotle Deviled Eggs
These Lentil Pita Sliders can be made in one bowl and only take a couple minutes to assemble.
LENTIL PITA SLIDERS
for the patties:
1 (15 oz) can of lentils, drained
1 medium carrot, finely grated. (squeeze extra liquid out)
1 egg
1 T hummus
1 T Garlic MAIO
3 T breadcrumbs
oil for frying (I use olive)
Mix all above ingredients in a bowl. Fry heaping 1 T scoops of the mixture over medium heat for about 2 minutes on each side or until browned, to create small patties. Makes about 12 patties.
for the sliders:
3 round pita breads
Garlic MAIO
1 bunch fresh cilantro
hot sauce (I use Sriracha)
1 small red onion (sliced into thin rounds)
dill pickles
Quarter the pita breads (making triangles). Spread MAIO inside each pita, then add hot sauce, a lentil patty, pickles, cilantro and red onion. Enjoy!
Alongside the sliders, I'm serving a Tzaziki dip which is made by combining one container (8 oz) of plain MAIO, a third of a cucumber (peeled and finely chopped), 3 sprigs of fresh dill (finely chopped), and a pinch of salt. Serve with 2 steamed artichokes (or pita chips, fresh pita, carrot sticks, celery, etc...).
And because I'm obsessed with Deviled Eggs (see here, here and here), I had to try a new variety. For 6 people, hard-boil about 8 eggs. Peel and halve them, then mix the yolks with an equal amount of Chipotle MAIO (you can just eyeball it). Spoon or pipe this mixture into the egg whites. (I snip the corner off a plastic bag and squeeze the filling in.) Sprinkle the eggs with olive oil, coarse salt, chili powder and red pepper flakes. YES.
Since everything is more fun with Champagne, why not serve some bubbly?! You can always put fresh pomegranate seeds in each glass for added festivity. Maybe make a Champagne Cocktail. Or even make this beauty and call it a Red Carpet Fizz!
Happy Oscars and Cheers!
This sponsored post was done in partnership with Bolthouse Farms MAIO, a tasty product I have fun cooking with and hope you will, too! All opinions are my own.