Oscars 2014: A Blockbuster Spread & Movie-Inspired Menus

It's that time of the year again to pop the bubbly, marvel at the newest wrinkle on the red carpet, throw shade over the faux pas and slip into the party mode.  Let's cut to the chase - The Oscars are here! Celebrating Hollywood's biggest night, we've rolled out a blockbuster spread with dishes inspired by the nominated films. Create the movie magic in the comfort of your homes and raise a toast to your best loved film with these pot luck pickings. Here's to a night of films, flair and food. American Hustle
  A chic crime-drama set in New Jersey in the late 1970s. Convicted con artist, Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), are forced to run a sting operationby FBI agent, Richie DiMaso(Bradley Cooper) and thrown into the dark world of politics, corruption and mafia. Since most characters in the film are Italian-Americans, here's dedicating a feast that marries the two cultures and gives you the best of both worlds. If Jennifer Lawrence's 'blowing-up-the-microwave' scene from the movie just popped in your head, these recipes are terribly easy & won't burn your roof down, promise.
 
Garlic Cheese Bread
Sicilian Style Pasta
Beer Battered Mushrooms
Barbecued Sausages  
Captain Phillips
  This American thriller narrates the true incident of the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking, during which merchant mariner Captain Richard Phillips(Tom Hanks) was taken hostage by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. Here's a serving of some adventurous seafood and bold African recipes, paying tribute to this brilliant biopic.
 
Moroccan Lamb
Prawn Stew
Chilli Fish
Sambuusa (Somali version of the samosa)
 
 
Dallas Buyers Club
  A film set in 1985 about a rodeo cowboy and electrician, Ron Woodruff (Matthew McConaughey) who is diagnosed with AIDS. It is a sensitively blunt tale where the protagonist smuggles unapproved pharmaceutical drugs into Texas, after finding them very effective, and distributes them to the other patients.  Rustle up this Tex-Mex mash up to get your party going!
 
Chicken Enchiladas
Chilli Con Carne
Fried Steak
Kolache
 
 
Gravity
  With Gravity, Alfonso Cuaron successfully launched an unprecedented cinematic experience. This 3D science-fiction revolves around a medical engineer, Dr Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and a veteran astronaut, Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) on a mission in space, which is obstructed leaving the two adrift in space as they attempt to return to Earth. Besides Russian vodka and frozen astronaut food, there's nothing sumptuous that the movie offers. We've dreamed up a star-worthy menu with the most popular space foods.

Chocolate recipes
Prawn Cocktail
Lemonade
Ice -cream
Her
  A classic theme but with a twist, just like the many red carpet dresses you'll see! This one's an eccentric love story between a lonely man, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) and an operating system with a female voice that calls herself Samantha (Scarlett Johansson).  A film with high-tech drama and gen-next emotions that explores the state of modern human relationships.  Enjoy piping hot pizzas, fresh out of the oven, inspired by Theodore and Samantha's first virtual date where she asks him to get a slice of pizza. If you have plans of watching the Oscars all by yourself, these recipes are great company to be with! Margherita Pizza
Spaghetti Bolognese
Cheesy Potato Gratin
 
 
Nebraska
  Nebraska is a soulful road movie that throws light on the happy-sad family bonds. Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is an alcoholic father who believes that he has won a sweepstakes prize. The story follows his journey from Montana to Nebraska, along with his son, David (Will Forte) to claim the prize money. Soak up all the fun with these boozy foods (beer being Woody's favourite) and some local Nebraskan bites.
 
Beer Can Chicken
Penne Ala Vodka
Popcorn Crusted Fish Fingers
Fried Onion Rings
 
 
Philomena
  A true story of a mother's 50-year-long search for her son. A young Philomena Lee (Judi Dench) is made to part ways with her illegitimate son while staying in a convent. Years later, journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) decides to take up her story and help locate her son. We suggest you take a trip down the memory lane, as an ode to this movie, with these childhood staples.
 
Recipes for your child-like cravings
 
 
12 Years a Slave
  '12 years a slave' is a historical epic film with racism as the pivotal plot. Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free Negro is kidnapped and sold to slavery. From the comfort of his home, he is transported to the hellish state of Louisiana, where he is tortured and made to work on plantations for twelve long years. With performances that pierce through your heart, nothing but a heroic spread with power-packed recipes would do!

Jambalaya (From Louisiana)
A power packed smoothie
High-Energy Black Bean Burger
Polenta Chilli Fries
 The Wolf of Wall Street A film bursting with black humour, 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is a witty and sharp sattire. It throws a spotlight on the life of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), a New York stockbroker who gains monstrous success by indulging in securities fraud and corruption on the Wall Street. The movie focuses on his rise from an unemployed lad to a life of debauchery and his final downfall. Celebrate the decadence that the movie boasts of with these slick and sassy recipes.
 With extravagant films like these, it's hard to pledge allegiance to one! What movie are you placing your bets on?Whether or not your favourite flick makes it to the top, a spread like this definitely makes you a super hit host!