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Homemade Pretzels

I haven't made homemade pretzels since we were in Alabama and I had forgotten how easy they are if not a little time consuming. I made these last week for Oscar night. They keep a long time in an airtight container. 1   (.25 ounce) package   active dry yeast 1 tablespoons   brown sugar 1  teaspoons   salt 1 ½   cups   warm water (110 degrees) 3   cups   all-purpose flour 1   cup   bread flour 2   cups   warm water (110 degrees) 2   tablespoons   baking soda 1-2   tablespoons   butter, melted 2   tablespoons  kosher salt Line two or three baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Place the yeast, brown sugar and salt in the 1.5 cups of warm water. Stir to dissolve. Stir in the flour. Knead for about 7-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl and cover. Let it rise for an hour (I place mine in the oven with the light on). Combine the two cups of warm water with the baking soda in a square shallow pan. After the dough has risen, cut it into 12 equal pieces.  Roll each section into a
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Oscar party menu

Forget about the Super Bowl. There are no sports fans in this household but when it comes to the Oscars, move over! Actually, it is I who is the crazed fanatic. Michael humors me but the romantic comedies that he likes rarely gets nominated. :)

Our town is not metropolitan enough to attract those obscure little art films and anything with a limited release won't make it here. Needless to say, I hadn't seen any of the nominated films this year. Still, that's no reason to have friends over and have a load of food to eat.

On the menu this year -



Chicken Salad and Egg Salad sandwiches. Michael makes the egg salad with his own recipe. I used Barefoot Contessa's chicken salad recipe and it was delicious. Definitely a keeper!



An assortment of cheeses, grapes and crackers



Our friend Michael works at Target so he brought popcorn from their store as well as other goodies



I made cupcakes - Pina Colada, Chocolate with Peanut Butter frosting



Last but not least - M&Ms!

So, all this food for six people. I woke up Monday morning with a severe case of acid reflux and nausea, enough to keep me home from work for the day. I think I've learned a lesson this year - we don't need that much food and I'm getting too old to indulge myself with rich foods. Oh well, until next year...
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  1. Dirt PrincessFebruary 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM

    Wow...maybe I should make a road trip to North Alabama next year for your Oscar party

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  2. Phillip OliverFebruary 24, 2009 at 1:15 PM

    You are certainly welcome Dirt Princess, I can assure you that there will be food. :)

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  3. Philip BewleyFebruary 24, 2009 at 1:30 PM

    You made a terrific spread!How fun, and I like the movie themed treats, too.
    We had a great time, too. It is fun to see your party.
    All the best,
    Philip

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  4. F CameronFebruary 24, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    Sounds like a great party to me!

    Cameron (who doesn't watch football, but goes to movies)

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  5. UnknownFebruary 24, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    I'm embarrassed to say that I live in suburban Atlanta, where they DO show all of those movies, and I've seen none of them, either! But I'm all about an Oscar party! Just look at me, and you'll realize that food is another passion of mine! (You had me at the Junior Mints)
    Superbowl....that's basketball, right?

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  6. GailFebruary 24, 2009 at 2:23 PM

    ...An Oscar party sounds great~~The best food service award goes to Phillip! Phillip accepted his Oscar with grace and then partied all evening in celebration. gail

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  7. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressFebruary 24, 2009 at 2:26 PM

    I should've waited until I ate to visit. The pictures of your food made me hungry! I didn't see any of the movies either, mostly because we have a 2 year old and its hard to get out. It's still fun to watch the Oscars though.

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  8. LesFebruary 24, 2009 at 3:46 PM

    I hate awards ceremonies, but I would be willing to try again with a menu like that, or even for just one of those cupcakes.

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2009 at 6:44 PM

    Yummy! My favorite movie of the year was Mrs. Pettigrew Lives for a Day, a sleeper romantic comedy that deserved much more than being ignored.

    As for the food, remember what Danny Glover's character in the Lethal Weapon movies was famous for saying? "I'm getting too old for this $hit." My hubby and I liberally refer to this mantra. :-)

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  10. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogFebruary 24, 2009 at 8:28 PM

    I see we have a similar situation about the movies - we only got one of the best film nominees in our small town. So I was a bit clueless too. Looks like you knew how to indulge nonetheless! Take care next time.

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  11. RandyFebruary 25, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    You go Boy! That's a delicious looking spread! I could probably eat my weight in those sandwiches! I'm jealous, I want a cupcake tree!!

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  12. Roses and LilacsFebruary 25, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    Phillip, I would certainly appreciate an invitation to your Oscar party next year;) I have to admit I can't get too excited about movies and movie stars. They take themselves waaaaaay too seriously. Also, you could feed a village of starving refugees for the price of one designer dress. But don't worry, I won't complain as long as the food holds out;)
    Marnie

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  13. Sarah LaurenceFebruary 25, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    We’re lucky to have an artsy cinema in our college town . I’m less into the Oscar films. Although with that tasty spread, I’d come watch. The cup cake tree looks yummy. I hope you feel better.

    Lovely bouquet below - hope your friend recovers soon.

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  14. Kylee BaumleFebruary 25, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    I hate football, but I would have come to your party! Yummy!

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  15. Monica the Garden FaerieFebruary 25, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    All that food looks yuuuumy! My favs are the tower o' cupcakes and the tub o' popcorn. Salty and sweet. Ahhhh. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)February 25, 2009 at 2:10 PM

    Hello Phillip

    That's a colourful spread.

    Off topic, I must say what a beautiful garden you have. I had a good look around a southern garden and found it just delightful.

    Rob

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  17. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2009 at 3:06 PM

    I would love to see Michael's egg salad recipe.

    Pat Moore

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  18. Phillip OliverFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:25 AM

    Pat, I will ask Michael about that recipe and post it here.

    Marnie, I totally agree with you there!

    Grace, I liked that movie too. I really like Amy Adams.

    Thanks Rob for the comments about my website. Do visit again!

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    Oh Phillip, that was quite a spread! I can see how you could get a stomach ache with all that good food though. The chicken salad a la the barefoot contessa, I just love her! must have been great. And the egg salad too. :-) I think it was the popcorn that got you, but you have to have it to think about movies properly. I would have loved to attend, and didn't see a single one of those movies nominated either, but still love all the show biz stuff. Especially the red carpet.
    Frances

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  20. Jean CampbellFebruary 27, 2009 at 6:01 PM

    Great party, until we came to the sweets.

    Next year use candy for decors, not for eating; make fewer cupcakes and have plenty of fruit.

    All things in Moderation.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 2, 2009 at 5:19 AM

    This looks like such fun. I have never seen one of those cupcake treees in action. We sell a small one where I work. I might be inticed to buy one now. Yummm.

    ReplyDelete

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