Early this morning actress Anne Hathaway and Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, announced this year's Oscar nominees and in what's become an annual tradition at Epicurious, we let the magic of the movies inspire us to create menus for each of the Best Picture nominees. This year, the Academy opted to include 10 films on the ballot, which means we created 10 movie-themed menus. Enjoy these meals while you watch your favorite film, or prepare one of these menus for your Oscar-watching party. Loved The Hurt Locker? Make our Persian dinner. Rooting for The Blind Side? Go with our tailgating feast. If you're undecided, why not mix and match dishes from the different menus to create a meal that represents various films? Regardless, we love the idea of using something cultural like film to take a fresh, creative look at food and we hope you enjoy it too!
And the nominees are . . .
AVATAR
Servings: 8
- Peppercorn-Crusted Muscovy Duck with Blueberries
- (double recipe to serve 8)
- Yukon Gold Potato and Wild Mushroom Gratin with Blue Cheese
- Cool Blue Martini
- (makes 2-scale up to serve 8)
- Wild Blueberry Pie with Almond Crumble Topping
THE BLIND SIDE
Servings: 6
- Mother's Everyday Pimento Cheese
- Southern Deviled Eggs
- Memphis-Style Ribs
- Two-Potato Salad with Creole Mustard, Bacon, and Arugula
- India Pale Ale
- Lemon Chess Pie
DISTRICT 9
Servings: 8
- Prawns Peri-Peri
- (double recipe to serve 8)
- Yellow Rice
- Riesling
- Melktert
AN EDUCATION
Servings: 4
- Duck a l'Orange
- Classic Cheese Soufflé
- White Asparagus with Truffle Vinaigrette
- Pinot Noir
- Fudgy Chocolate Birthday Cake
- Champagne
THE HURT LOCKER
Servings: 8
- Baba Ghanouj
- Tamarind-Honey Lamb Kebabs on Mashed Yams
- (double recipe to serve 8)
- Couscous Tabbouleh
- Almond Baklava with Rosé Water
INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
Servings: 6
- French Onion Soup
- Green Salad with Sauce Vinaigrette
- Champagne
- Apple Strudel Turnovers
- (substitute whipped cream for the ice cream)
- Milk
PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE
Servings: 8
- Brined Fried Chicken
- Macaroni and Cheese
- (halve recipe to serve 8 with leftovers)
- Sauteed Collard Greens
- Pinot Noir
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with Coconut and Cream Cheese Frosting
A SERIOUS MAN
Servings: 8 to 10
- Chicken Soup with Loads of Vegetables
- Grandma Ethel's Brisket with Tzimmes
- Mom's Noodle Kugel
- Pinot Noir
- Shabbat Mandarin Marble Loaf
UP
Servings: 10 to 12
- Mini Hot Dogs in Cheddar Buns
- (halve recipe to serve 10 to 12)
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Edamame Succotash Salad
- Grape soda
- Chocolate Decadence Ice Cream Pie
UP IN THE AIR
Servings: 6
- Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Lemon Cream
- (triple recipe to serve 6)
- Butter Croissants
- Cinnamon Blueberry Muffins (see full recipe below)
- Rosemary and Mustard Breakfast Sausages
- Mango, Blueberry, and Ginger Fruit Salad
CINNAMON BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
Gourmet | July 2006
Lillian Chou
Yield: Makes 12 muffins
Active time: 25 min
Total time: 1 hr
Ingredients
- 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries (7 1/2 oz)
- Special equipment: a muffin pan with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups; 12 foil or paper muffin liners
Preparation
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F. Put liners in muffin cups.
Whisk together butter, brown sugar, milk, and egg in a bowl until combined well. Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in blueberries gently.
Divide batter among muffin cups and bake until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
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