Host an award-winning Oscar viewing party

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Here are some winning recipes inspired by this year’s nominees, to get things started.

Philly Cheesesteak (inspired by Silver Linings Playbook)
This quintessential Philadelphia sandwich pays homage to that city,
the setting for this much-discussed film.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 medium onions, sliced as thin as possible and rings separated*
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
12 ounces chipped steak (very thin-sliced eye of round, rib eye, or sirloin tip roast cut into
1-inch slices)*
Salt and coarsely-ground black pepper
Cheese Whiz or provolone cheese slices
1 (8-inch long) Italian loaf, hoagie roll, or
French baguette
Dill pickle spears

*Freeze steak before slicing. With a sharp knife, slice the meat paper thin.

1. In a large frying pan over high heat, add olive oil and heat so that a drop of water will sizzle when you drop it in the oil; lower heat to medium. Add onions and mushrooms, stir and cook until mushrooms darken and onions start to look transparent. Add steak slices and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until meat is lightly browned. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Heap cooked meat mixture in a long length-wise pile across the frying pan, Lay cheese slices over meat until melted. If using Cheese Whiz, melt in a double boiler or in the microwave.
3. Slice bread lengthwise. Using a spatula, scoop half the meat mixture and cheese and lay on bread with cheese on top. If using melted Cheese Whiz, ladle it on top. If you’re using Cheez Whiz, don’t use too much or it can overpower the sandwich’s taste.
4. Slice sandwich into 2 or 4 pieces, and serve with a dill pickle.
Each sandwich makes 2 servings.

Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy (inspired by Django Unchained)
Quentin Tarantino’s take on the epic Western takes place in the Antebellum South.

1 fryer chicken (2 1/2–3 1/2 lbs.)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon mustard
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dredging
Vegetable oil for pan-frying
1 cup whole milk, warmed
1. Cut the chicken into serving pieces. Trim the pieces of excess fat and season well with salt and pepper.
2. Whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, and tarragon in a large bowl to make a marinade.
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