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The Winners Unite at The Governor's Ball While Our Winners Enjoy Prada Bags Galore

PopSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:46:53 -0800

For those lucky enough to win, The Oscar party continued at the Kodak Theater Governor's Ball after the show. They compared the sizes of their little gold men and basked in the general glow of each other. We don't blame them, so many of last night's winners waited for decades to get the recognition they deserve. Not just Martin Scorsese but Alan Arkin and Forest Whitaker as well. In case you missed it, here's a complete list of winners. As for the Sugar Network contest, we would like to congratulate the top winners of our ballot contest. The Grand Prize Prada Bag Winner is.... LegallyBlonder with 20 out of 24 correct!!!! Other runners up are Alliebelle and Witchy Ways with 19 and slashyelizabeth with 18 correct. They will enjoy some sweet cash to our favorite stores, Neiman Marcus, Apple and Sephora. Congrats to all and thanks for playing.

For lots more pics including Helen Mirren, Melissa Etheridge, Al Gore and Elisabeth Shue just read more

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Images include Leonardo DiCaprio, Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker, Alan Arkin, Melissa Etheridge, Graham King, Rick Yorn, Roy Lee, Martin Scorsese, Davis Guggenheim, Al Gore, Lawrence Bender, Sherry Lansing, Elisabeth Shue, Keisha Whitaker

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The Look of the Governors Ball, Part 2

partysugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:11:18 -0800

Last week I showed you images of the planned decor for the Governors Ball, the Academy Awards official after party. But what did the event space really look like moments before the stars rushed through the doors? How did the tranquil and chic decor transform with the addition of people? What did Wolfgang Puck look like as he ran down the red carpet with Oscar shaped edible hor d'oeuvres? For picture answers to the above questions, read more

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The Look: Vanity Fair's Oscar After Party

partysugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:58:32 -0800

Last night after the Academy Awards ended, Hollywood's biggest night of parting began. One of the most popular parties, the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, hosted at Morton's by Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter, was deliciously decorated in golden hues and thousands of golden roses. Guests were encouraged to write, eat, smoke, and drink at the event. Pads and pencils were located above each place setting along with a silver zippo lighter engraved with a quote, The only way to find the best actor would be to let everybody play Hamlet and let the best man win, from Humphrey Bogart at the 1951 Academy Awards. Colored cigarettes, Vanity Fair matchboxes, and ashtrays were located on every table throughout the locale. Champagne and Grey Goose vodka were the chosen apertifs and in addition to passed trays filled with lovely hors d'oeuvres stars were offered In-N-Out Burgers. Stars like Madonna, Gwen Stefani, TomKat, and Kirsten Dunst partied late until the night. For a large gallery of images taken last night of the atmosphere and the decor at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, read more

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For more celebrity photos, be sure to check out FabSugar's Vanity Fair After Party coverage.

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YumSugar's Oscar Extravaganza

YumSugar — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 00:56:12 -0800

Well tonight is the big night! We've had a full week of Oscar related meals, party ideas and all sorts of things in between. In case you've been busy throughout the week and have missed out on some our posts, I thought I'd take the time to round it all up for you.

Official Governors Ball Menu (including recipes for thirteen of the delectable dishes!)
Preview the Governors Ball Look
Oscar Viewing Party Plan
- Invites
- Appetizers
- Main Course
- Desserts
- The Drinks
- The Look
- Music
- Goodie Bag Ideas

Oscar Inspired TV Dinners
Oscar Drinks:
- Oscar Cocktail
- Sofia Blanc de Blanc (in a cute single serving can!)
- The Departini
- Royal-Tea (inspired by The Queen)
- Sunny Dream (for both Little Miss Sunshine and The Queen)
- Midnight Cowboy (for the 1969 Best Picture Winner)
Oscar Goodies:
- Oscar Statuette Cookie Cutters
- Eleni's Oscar Cookies

If this isn't enough, be sure to checkout what other sites have planned.

And finally, come chat with us live starting at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET. And don't forget to fill out your Oscar ballot before 5pm PT. You could even win a Prada bag!

Sunday Dinner: Pan Roasted Chicken with Black Truffle Risotto

partysugar — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 00:03:56 -0800

Whether you are hosting a party tonight, watching alone, or not watching at all Sunday is a wonderful excuse to treat yourself to a luxurious homemade dinner with decadent ingredients. Roast chicken is one of my favorite dishes to make on Sundays because it fills the house with a delicious warm aroma and there are so many varieties you could make a new one every week. Today's recipe is one that will be offered to the stars tonight at the Governors Ball and is paired with a luscious, sexy, creamy black truffle risotto. This would also make a great intimate dinner for two. To make this for dinner, read more

Pan Roasted Organic Chicken with Black Truffle Risotto
From Wolfgang Puck

6 organic chicken breasts
2 whole black truffles, plus 1/4 cup chopped black truffles
1 pound goat cheese, crumbled
1 cup olive oil
6 Shelton Farms chicken leg and thigh meat, finely diced
3 medium carrots, 1/4-inch diced
6 stalks celery, 1/4-inch diced
2 cups yellow onion, 1/4-inch diced
2 leeks, white part only, 1/4-inch diced

Preheat oven to 400°.
Slice the whole truffles on a truffle slicer. Gently separate the skin from each chicken breast without tearing the skin, and stuff the sliced truffles and goat cheese between the breast and the skin.
Sear the chicken, skin side down, in a hot skillet with a little olive oil. Remove from the heat, and leaving the breasts skin side down, roast them in the oven until thoroughly cooked, about 10-15 minutes.
Sweat the carrots, celery, onions and leeks in a little olive oil until tender. Reserve.
Sear the leg and thigh meat in a skillet with olive oil.
Toss the vegetable mix with the cooked leg and thigh meat. Add chopped black truffles and Natural Jus.
Presentation: On individual plates, place some of the risotto to cover the plate. Spoon the leg and vegetable ragout in the center of the plate. Place the sliced chicken breast on top of the vegetables and shave some black truffles on top.

Natural Jus

1/4 cup garlic, sliced
1/2 cup shallots, sliced
4 cups button mushrooms, chopped
2/3 liter white wine
2 Tbsp. Port wine
2 cups freshly made or store-bought chicken stock
1/2 cup store-bought hoisin sauce or demi glace
1 pound roasted chicken bones
1 stick unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped

In a flat-bottomed pan over medium heat, sauté the garlic and shallots until caramelized.
Add mushrooms and sauté until their moisture is released.
Add the wines and reduce by half. Add the stock, hoisin sauce or demi glace and bones, and reduce by 2/3.
Add the rosemary and thyme. Finish with butter.
Strain and adjust seasonings.

Black Truffle Risotto

From Wolfgang Puck
1 cup, plus 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 pound risotto
2 cup white wine
6 cups freshly made or store-bought chicken stock
1/2 cup truffle butter (see below)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano
Freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt
2 ounces black truffles

In a flat-bottom saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of the olive oil.
Add the onion and sweat until translucent. Add the risotto and make sure it is thoroughly coated with the mixture while stirring constantly.
Add the white wine and reduce until dry.
Add half of the chicken stock to cover the risotto, and stir constantly until the stock is gone. Repeat with the remaining stock until you have used up all of the liquid and the rice is tender but still chewy, about 20 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup of truffle butter and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan.

Truffle butter

1 Tbsp. chopped black truffle
4 sticks unsalted butter

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, mix the butter and truffles for about 1 to 2 minutes.

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Oscars Menu Recap: Recipes Galore

partysugar — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:26:42 -0800

Last Sunday I revealed Wolfgang Puck's all-star menu for the official Oscars after party, the Governors Ball, and all week I've featured recipes from the menu that Hollywood A-listers will be munching on tomorrow night. The decorations for the event are ready and awaiting the arrival of the celebrities. Everything, presumably, is prepared for tinsel town's biggest party. For the award winning menu, complete with recipes and pictures of Wolfgang Puck & Food and Wine's pre-Oscars party,read more

Tray Passed
Lobster Tempura with Vanilla Bean and Pineapple
Mini Prime Cheeseburgers with Remoulade and Aged Cheddar
Spicy Tuna Tartare In A Sesame Miso Cone*
Dungeness Crab Cake with Marinated Tomatoes and Basil Aioli
Smoked Salmon Pizza with French Farm-Raised Osetra Caviar and Dill Crème Fraiche*
Pizza with White Truffles from Alba, Italy
Smoked Salmon Oscars with French Farm-Raised Osetra Caviar*

Bar Tables
Marinated Olives with Rosemary, Chili and Orange
Homemade Flatbread and Grissini
Bruschetta Trio

Tapas
Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes with Creme Fraiche and Iranian Osetra Caviar
Roasted Pumpkin Squash Ravioli with White Truffles from Alba, Italy
Potato Gnocchi Gratin with Gorgonzola
Chinois Chicken Salad with Candied Cashews, Crispy Wontons and Honey Sesame Dressing
Caesar Salad with Parmesan Croutons and Creamy Garlic Dressing
Chopped Chino Farms Vegetable Salad with Spiny Lobster and
French Farm-Raised Osetra Caviar
Stir Fried Chicken In Lettuce Cup with Thai Basil and Pinenuts
Miso Glazed Black Cod with Sticky Rice and Cucumbers
Celery Root-Apple Soup with Black Truffles*
Beet and Goat Cheese Napoleon with Toasted Hazelnuts and Citrus Shallot Vinaigrette

Sushi Station
Assorted Maki: Spicy Tuna, Lobster & Avocado, California, Smoked Salmon, and Vegetable
Assorted Nigiri- Big Eye Tuna, Yellowtail, Snapper, Salmon, Uni, Unagi and Shrimp
Edamame, Marinated Cucumbers, and Seaweed Salad with Sesame Dressing

Seafood Station
Spiny Lobster, Jumbo Prawns, King Crab Legs, Kumamoto Oysters, Farm-Raised Mussels
and Littleneck Clams
Horseradish Cocktail Sauce, Mustard and Red Wine-Ginger Mignonette

Buffet
Grilled Snake River Farms “Kobe” Beef with Bordelaise Sauce
Wasabi Potato Puree
“Smart” Pan Roasted Organic Chicken
Risotto with Black Truffles from Perigord, France
Spiny Lobster Shanghai Style with Crispy Spinach
Striped Bass “En Croute” with Sauce Choron
Chino Farms Organic Stir-Fried Vegetables
Assorted Organic Breads

Dessert
Oscar’s Sweet Extravaganza
…including Meyer Lemon Bars, Valrhona Organic Chocolate Fudge, Hazelnut Marjolaine, McGrath Farm Strawberry Baked Alaska, Fuji Simplified Apfelstrudel: Baked Apple Pouches with Cinnamon and Raisins, and Medjool Date Toffee Cake

*Dishes that were also on last year's menu.

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Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing - Extra! Extra!

partysugar — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 01:11:11 -0800

Normally I don't write a Come Party With Me on Saturdays, but seeing as the most extravagant party in Hollywood is happening this weekend, I felt it was time to bring it on. Everyone likes to feel loved, special, and like a super estrella (translation: star in Spanish) once and awhile, so why not do a little something extra for your guests? The invitations have been sent (if you have not mailed the invites you better personally call all of your friends to inform them of your fete today!), the menu planned, the drinks concocted, the decor arranged, and the music compiled. To see what surprises I have in mind (and they're good ones!), read more

Surprise your guests with goodie bags or gift baskets. You've all heard of the incredible swanky gifts that presenters, nominees, and good looking starlets receive in the gift baskets for attending the event. Actually this is the first year that there is no official gift bag (due to tax issues), but that doesn't mean you can't treat your friends to a little parting gift. Here are my goodie bag suggestions:

Magazines, mixed music CDs, mints, lighters, lipgloss, and matches are all cheap, fun and useful ideas.
If you have time, bake chocolate dipped shortbread Oscars using an Oscar cookie cutter to shape the dough. Stick the cookies in clear candy bags and tie with metallic gold ribbon.

Boxed chocolates.
Cans of Sofia Coppola's sparkling wine.
Novelty items related to the nominated movies: toy guns for The Departed, tea bags for The Queen, sunglasses for Little Miss Sunshine, a Japanese flag for Letters From Iwo Jima, and a camel stuffed animal for Babel.

Create a booklet of recipes with dishes inspired by each of the best picture nominees: Boston baked beans for the Departed, an English breakfast or scones for The Queen, fried chicken and salad for Little Miss Sunshine, sushi for Letters From Iwo Jima, and chicken tagine with couscous for Babel.
Gift cards for the iTunes music store.
Knit gloves.

Stuff from the $1 section at Target

What would you put in your Oscar gift bag? Please share below. Don't forget to submit a ballot, you could win a Prada purse. Happy Oscar watching! I'll be live and available in the TeamSugar chat room starting at 3pm (PST) tomorrow. So if you have any recipe questions or last minute party crises feel free to ask me, I'm more than happy to help!

Golden Sides: Potatoes Times Two

partysugar — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 00:08:11 -0800

Meat and potatoes are a classic combination, similar to chocolate and vanilla, salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly. They just go well together. Instead of serving up the standard French fries or the typical baked potato, why not get a little creative? For the Governor's Ball, Wolfgang Puck will be serving up two spectacular spud sides: wasabi mashed potatoes and mini gold-wrapped baked potatoes with French farm-raised Osetra caviar and crème fraiche. Talk about jazzing up your regular old mashed and baked taters: wow Wolfgang! To use these dishes the next time you want a lively and golden side (when you serve it you can stun your guests by saying the dish was also offered at the Oscars after-party), read more

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
From Wolfgang Puck

1 pound russet potatoes, peeled
Salted water
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup heavy cream, heated
1 tablespoon roasted garlic puree (recipe below)
1/2 pound spinach, stems removed
1 teaspoon wasabi mustard powder
Wasabi oil, to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cut the potatoes into large pieces of equal size. Cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender.
Drain thoroughly. Pass through a food mill and whip in the butter, hot cream and roasted garlic puree.
Blanch the spinach in boiling salted water for 10 seconds. Refresh in ice water. Drain thoroughly.
Transfer to a blender and add wasabi powder and wasabi oil. Process to a puree.
Stir into warm mashed potato. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4.

Roasted Whole Garlic
From Wolfgang Puck

4 whole heads of garlic
About 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Arrange the garlic heads in a small roasting pan and toss with the olive oil, coating them well.
Roast garlic until very tender, 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.
When cool, cut the heads in half, crosswise, with a serrated knife and remove the softened garlic pulp. This can be done by squeezing each half or by scooping the garlic out with a tiny teaspoon or small knife.
Transfer to a container, cover, and refrigerate. Use as needed.

Makes about 1/2 cup.

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Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes with Creme Fraiche and Iranian Osetra Caviar
From Wolfgang Puck

12 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
2 ounces Iranian osetra caviar
Crème Fraîche:
2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 cup heavy cream

Make the Crème Fraîche: Stir together the ingredients and let sit at room temperature, covered, until the mixture thickens, usually overnight. Scrape into a container, cover, and refrigerate until needed.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Wash and dry potatoes. Wrap individually with aluminum (gold if you can find it!) foil.
Place on baking sheet and bake for 1 hour.
Remove potatoes from oven and set aside.
Score and pinch each potato. Dollop with a little bit of the crème fraîche and osetra caviar.

Serves 12.

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Happy Hour: Oscar Cocktail

partysugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:43:12 -0800

The Oscars are such a huge celebration that naturally they have their very own cocktail, the Oscar cocktail, named after them. Ok well, I'm not 100% sure of that, but I did find a tasty sounding recipe called an Oscar Cocktail so I assumed that it was named after the awards show. There are plenty of other famous Oscars (the Grouch, Wilde, De La Renta, La Hoya) that come to mind that have nothing to do with gold statues and this cocktail could be named for one of these Oscars. But let's all pretend, since the Oscars are this Sunday and all, that the Oscar of the Oscar cocktail is a little gold statue. For the recipe, read more

Oscar Cocktail
From Drinks Mixer

1 oz. gin
1 oz. vodka
3/4 oz. cherry brandy
1 dash grenadine syrup
1 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. orange soda
orange wedges, mint, maraschino cherry, optional for garnish

Fill a glass (suggested: brandy snifter) with ice, then add all liquid ingredients.
Stir, then toss in a few orange wedges, a maraschino cherry and mint spring.

Serves 1.

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Awesome, Award-Worthy Appetizer

partysugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:43:18 -0800

I know I've completely bombarded you with fabulous recipes that Wolfgang Puck will be making at the Governors Ball and I apologize for tempting you with so much deliciousness. At least I'm not waving the food around in front of you and then quickly pulling it away before you can get any. I am posting the recipes for each of these edible masterpieces so you can make them in the comfort of your own home, while you gossip about what Reese and Cameron are wearing. You can add this one to the must-make-list: a tasty tapa recipe that will be passed on trays while the stars are arriving at the after party. The recipe is a little complicated, but worth the effort and time. To make spicy tuna tartare in a sesame miso cone as an appetizer at your next star-worthy event, read more

Spicy Tuna Tartare In A Sesame Miso Cone
From Wolfgang Puck

For the tuna tartare
1/2 pound ahi tuna, small dice
1/2 cup minced green onions
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon wasabi paste
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
Lime juice or yuzu
For the miso cones
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup unsifted unbleached flour

In a bowl, combine the tuna, green onions, ginger, wasabi, sesame oil, soy sauce and lime juice, and mix until well blended.
Taste and adjust seasoning with lime juice or soy sauce. Set bowl over ice.
Next, prepare the miso cones: in a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients, mixing until butter is combined.
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scoop miso cone batter by one small level spoonful onto lined baking sheet, spacing them apart because they will spread during baking. Bake for about 4 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them; they burn quickly.
Remove from oven and roll into cone shapes, being careful not to burn your fingers.
Place a generous spoonful of tuna mix into each cone.
Repeat process until you have enough to arrange on a serving platter. Serve immediately.

Makes 24 pieces.

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