Entertaining

Cook This Year's Oscars Governors Ball Menu

February 18, 2015

Every year after the Oscars, the who’s-who of Hollywood heads to the Governors Ball, where Wolfgang Puck has been filling their plates with gold-studded, caviar-topped finger food since 1994. While Oscar winners, nominees, presenters, and their plus ones eat Puck's incredibly lengthy menu that contains both the high-end (truffles on truffles) and the comforting (chocolate chip cookies), you can recreate and eat the same menu at home (maybe with a few less truffles). Get ready to hand out your awards -- er, food.

We've pulled together some of the dishes that will take you all the way through Wolfgang Puck's 50-course menu -- starting with hors d’oeuvres, moving onto cocktail bites, attempting a sushi and shellfish bar, getting excited about passed hot small plates, loving the cold plates, living it up with chocolate and sweets, and ending with a served dessert (or should we say desserts). Sure, it's a little ambitious -- but the good news is you get to eat it in your comfy pants instead of your ball gown.

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Tray-Passed Hors D’Oeuvres 
It is only reasonable to start a highly anticipated party with hors d’oeuvres, the kind that should be passed around on a silver tray while wearing white gloves. You might be hard pressed to convince your BFF of the importance of this role, but we still suggest using an impressive tray, or two, to set the mood. 

Spicy Tuna Tartare by healthierkitchen

At the Governors Ball, they will be serving the tuna tartare in a sesame miso cone. Feeling adventurous? Try it!


Lamb Sliders with Feta Cheese, Red Onions, and Cumin Mayonnaise by daisyt13

Mini American Wagyu Burgers with aged cheddar and remoulade will be circulating post awards but, personally, we like lamb sliders more.

Matzoh Tartines by Brette Warshaw

Did Chef Puck get his inspiration for matzoh tartines from Not Sad Desk Lunches?

Jim Lahey's No-Knead Pizza Dough + Margherita Pie by Genius Recipes

We love that the Governors Ball will have assorted pizzas, but we also think one stellar Margherita pizza will do the job.

Gabrielle Hamilton's Grilled Cheese Sandwiches by Genius Recipes

You heard it here first: The Academy Award winners will be served grilled cheese. 

Tarragon-Lemon Aioli Served with Grilled Artichokes by dymnyno

While Puck will be serving crispy artichokes with a citrus-chili gremolata, we think this version is perfect for black tie couch-sitting and television-watching.

Sweet Potato Parsnip Latkes with Feta and Leeks by deensiebat

The Governors Ball will be serving both beet latkes and parsnip chips, but we thought these two were meant to be together.



Cocktail Bites
Once the tray has been passed and the bubbly is opened, it is time for a few bite-sized treats.

Party Pretzel Bites by fiveandspice

To be served with Pimento Cheese à la the Oscars. 

Deviled Eggs; Purgatory Edition by MeghanVK

At the Governors Ball, these little flavor bombs will be served with spiced crab, but we are all about a light sprinkling of truffle salt.

 

Sushi & Shellfish Bar
If you are going for authentic, this is a must. But if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by the extravagance of this option, might we suggest this

 

 

Passed Small Plates -- Served Hot
Every celebratory dinner needs passed, small hot plates -- or so we are learning. 

Twice-Baked Potatoes with Kale by Brussels Sprouts for Breakfast

They might be topping their baked potatoes with caviar at the Governors Ball, but ours will be twice baked -- yes, please!

Mini Chicken Pot Pies by molly yeh

The pot pies at the Oscars will have black truffles. Ours will be mini and therefore cuter.

Puréed Parsnip and Cardamom Soup with Caramelized Shallots by alasully

At the Ball, their parsnip soup will be served with -- get this -- white chocolate, pears, rosemary, and 24 karat gold!

Martha Stewart's Macaroni and Cheese by Genius Recipes

We could whisper sweet nothings to this mac and cheese all day long, and we are glad that the award winners will get to, too.



Passed Small Plates -- Served Chilled
Think of these as kicked up finger foods. It's the Oscars, after all.

New England Lobster Rolls with Lemon Chive Mayonnaise by Sonali aka the Foodie Physician

This year, the Governors Ball will be serving a lobster salad with artichokes, asparagus, fava beans, baby beets, and citrus vinaigrette. But, to us, nothing beats a classic lobster roll. 

Spicy Grilled Chicken Salad with Noodles by Merrill Stubbs

A chicken salad can make or break a party. This one will make it -- and then some.

 

Chocolates & Sweets
At a celebratory party like this one, there can never be too many sweets. And, just a heads up, there's more dessert to come after this course.

Chocolate Chip Cookies by Phyllis Grant

Take us to the Governors Ball, just so we can try the chocolate chip cookies.

Chocolate Caramels by erinmcdowell

Puck might be serving vanilla caramels, but we strongly suggest chocolate. 

Alice's House Truffles 4.0 by Alice Medrich

If you want to embody your inner Governors Ball chef, dust these bad boys with edible 24 karat gold.

Salted Pumpkin Crème Brûlée by EmilyC

Nothing says fancy quite like crème brûlées.

Panna Cotta Infused with Bergamot Tea by Marie Viljoen

1,500 guests will be dining on milk chocolate panna cotta with raspberries and cherries, but we think your guests will get a kick out of this tea-infused version.

Hervé This' Chocolate Mousse by Genius Recipes

The Governors Ball will be serving a "Hollywood Chocolate Mousse," but this rendition is equally deserving of that title.


Small Plate Sweets
Finally the dinner party comes to an end. Do you feel glamorous? Because you are.

Alice Medrich's Best Cocoa Brownies by Genius Recipes

If you want to make these brownies like Wolfgang Puck's, add a little Mexican spice, a scoop of earl grey ice cream, and a sprinkle of cocoa crumbs. 

Brown Butter Apple Tart by Phyllis Grant

We may not get Puck's Apple Millefeuille, but we can have this beautiful, rustic apple tart with brown butter sauce. 

 

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