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Your Oscar invite didn’t arrive in the mail? No worries! Healthy Hollywood didn’t receive one either. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t roll out the red carpet and get set to be an award-winning Oscar host. There’s no better front seat than in the comfort of your own living room surrounded by good friends.

Healthy Hollywood recruited Tanya Steel, editor-in-chief of the foodie website, Epicurious. “Don’t try to compete with the TV; instead, work with it, planning your evening around the red carpet arrival and the big awards. In other words, don’t expect your guests to go to the buffet when all the big stars arrive or when Billy Crystal opens the show,” advises Tanya.

No matter how fancy or simple your party, Tanya suggests always having drinks ready when your guests arrive. “It’s ok to have people wait a minute or two or even twenty for food, but they should have a drink within moments of arriving. Champagne or another sparkling wine such as Cava or Prosecco is always perfect for the Oscars.”

Upgraded takes on comfort food like mini pizzas, meatballs, pigs in a blanket, and bruschettas are always a hit. But, why not think outside the box and whip up a menu that complements this year’s nominees? “At Epicurious, we love to celebrate the Academy Awards by creating menus inspired by each of the Best Picture nominees,” suggests Tanya. For instance: If you loved “The Help,” go for a menu featuring Southern fare like fried chicken and chocolate pie. Or, if “The Descendents” was more of your thing, try Hawaiian foods, like Kalua pig and a Blue Hawaiian cocktail.

Here’s a sampling of Epicurious’ “Moneyball” menu, which is built around stadium favorites.

Cheddar Dogs with Cider-Braised Leeks and Apples:

Ingredients:
2 tbs. butter
2 cups thinly sliced leeks
1 apple, peeled, cored, diced
½ tsp. caraway seeds
Pinch of allspice
Coarse Kosher salt
1 ½ cups hard apple cider
6 grilled hot dog buns
Dijon mustard
6 grilled all-beef hot dogs
2 ozs. Sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Melt butter in large skillet. Add leeks and apples. Cover; cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Mix in caraway and allspice; season with coarse salt and pepper. Add hard cider; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, until most of liquid is cooked away, about 16 minutes.

Arrange buns on plates. Spread each with mustard, then top with grilled hot dogs. Sprinkle with cheese and top with leek mixture.

For a more varied Oscar menu, prepare a dish or dessert from a few different Best Picture nominees. For movie-inspired recipes, head over to www.epicurious.com.