May I introduce the lovely and talented

Guest Blogger Karen Kennedy

We had fun with this project and I will definitely be inviting her back. If you’re so inclined, click on the recipe title to hyperlink to the ingredients and directions. May also want to check out the homepage and other recipes if you like…I would love to have you snoop around.

Also, don’t miss Karen’s short film SLICE link at the bottom.

(Huge hug to my hubs, Chris Kennedy for his photos.  Bravo darling)

Take it away, Karen…….cheers!

Party Table

Since I was a little girl, I have loved movie award season.  I liken it to the hoopla that is often attached to the intensity of the NFL play-offs, culminating in the big culinary extravaganza of the Super Bowl.  Some might question whether these games or awards shows really matter in the big scheme of life.  No, they don’t.  But does the food we serve at these gatherings matter?   Tell me it doesn’t.  I dare you.

Golden Globe Party Time

The Golden Globe ceremony this Sunday is the precursor to the Academy Awards, which will be airing on February 22, 2015.  The Golden Globes are a lot less – how shall I say, “stiff” than the Oscars – mostly because they serve wine and spirits to the nominees throughout the show.  {Less poise – more fun} The Hollywood Foreign Press hosts the event and selects the nominees and winners so the show has a real international feel to it.  You’ll notice this most in that some of the nominees and winners seem quite random at times, but this makes the show refreshingly unpredictable.  In the past few years though, the Golden Globes and Oscars seem to agree more and more on the best cinematic efforts of the year, and soon enough, the Academy Award nominations will be announced, and the comparisons will begin.

For this year’s Golden Globes, I collaborated with Sara to devise a perfect menu for Sunday evening, whether it’s a few select people on your couch or a bigger gathering.  Along with these glamorous recipes and photos, I’m linking LA Times Play At Home 2015 Golden Globe Ballot so that you and your guests can place your bets and follow along with the ceremony.

Buffet

The thought process behind the menu was to make things as golden and sparkly as possible and also to take something simple and uplift it to red carpet status.  No matter what the occasion, your guests will love these easy and elegant recipes.  Click on the title for recipe links and also the film suggestions!

APPLE BRIE QUESADILLAS

Green Apple & Brie Quesadillas with Jalapeño Preserves

Who can’t make a quesadilla?  They’re easy and cost-effective, but if you want to kick them up an international notch, why not use a foreign cheese from France or Spain or Ireland, for that matter?  Avoid the orange cheddar is my point, people.  We used Brie cheese, added sliced apples and served them with jalapeno jelly dip.  Artisan cheeses are indeed more expensive but think of the money your saving as you watch the Golden Globes in your comfy sweats instead of that expensive Armani gown or suit you were going to buy!

NETFLIX SUGGESTION:  Julie and Julia

SALTY TOASTED KALE CHIPS

Kale Chips

This is a perfect nod to life in Los Angeles.  In a city that starts and ends trends, kale has been an A-list celebrity for a while now.  A bowl of potato chips would garner a huge boring yawn at a Hollywood party, but this lusciously green fan of leaves would command a line out the door.

NETFLIX SUGGESTION:  LA Story

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BACON WRAP AND SAGE MAPLE SUGAR GLAZE

Bacon Wrapped Butternut Squash with Sage Maple Syrup

The definition of insanity.  Hollywood is a wild and crazy place, and this mouth-watering combo should be illegal, but bad behavior is often admired in “tinsel town” so why not indulge like a cocky, irresponsible rock-star and stuff your salty, sweet face with these?  It’s only one night, darling.  Live it up.

NETFLIX SUGGESTION:  Eat Drink Man Woman

GREEK LAYERED DIP

Greek Dip with Flat Bread Chips

Opa!  This outstanding dip is like an actress who’s not afraid to wear a little color.  Remember when Bjork wore a swan dress to the Academy Awards?  Well, this dip has that kind of pizazz!  Sure, a sleek black gown can be elegant on a woman, but can it be a dip?  Sticking with an international theme, this Greek treat is relatively healthy, but would we want to go full throttle healthy for the Golden Globes?  No way.

NETFLIX SUGGESTION:  Zorba the Greek

A SIMPLE SUGAR COOKIE with ALMOND FROSTING

The Stars & the Globes cookies

Like a great film, getting something just right is so satisfying.  The sugar cookie is a classic, and it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t like them.  What we aspired to do here was to figure out how to make gold frosting.  Sara’s choice to offset the stars and globes with white icing and gold sparkles really brought the idea alive.

NETFLIX SUGGESTION:  Jiro Dreams of Sushi

GOLDEN COCKTAILS

Darina Allen’s Whiskey Punch

Great Gatsby

We chose two drinks that would highlight the night with a Midas touch.  Since these awards are always in January, Darina Allen’s Irish Whiskey Punch can be used to warm up your guests as they come in from the winter cold, and the Great Gatsby champagne is great to celebrate and cheer on the winners as your favorite movie-stars forget to thank you for being their biggest fan!

NETFLIX SUGGESTION:  A Walk in the Clouds

Before you talk yourself out of watching The Golden Globes because you “haven’t seen any of the movies,” remember that this is a preview for the Oscars.  This is the time of year where Hollywood puts out their very best films so if there was ever a time to get informed on the cinema “it” crowd, now is the time!

It has been a pleasure being a guest blogger.  Though I am not a nominee this year, there’s always next year.  ☺  In the meantime, if you’d like to check out a short film I wrote and directed, please feel free to click on this link.  SLICE - by Karen Kennedy. And yes, food plays a part in the story.  Of course it does!

See you on the red carpet this Sunday and then again at the Oscars.

Cheers!

Karen