Oscar Party Recap and Recipes

So the Oscar/birthday party was a success! (although truthfully everyone was too busy eating and drinking to watch much of the awards show and from what I've heard we didn't miss much...)

Here are some of the recipes-all of which received rave reviews:

Gin Rickey
Rocks glass with ice
1 1/2oz dry gin (I used Gordons but Hendricks, Bombay etc would be fine)
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
fill with lemon lime soda or if less sweetness desired soda or seltzer water
garnish with lime slice


Mango Lassi
1 24oz container organic unflavored/unsweetened Greek yogurt
1 can mango slices 
2 fresh mangoes sliced
10ozs mango nectar
dash Cinnamon
dash cardamom

Blend all ingredients together and chill
Garnish with slice of fresh mango or-if you're feeling decadent-scoop of fruit sorbet or ice cream

Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Maast-o Khiar)
1 24oz container organic unflavored/unsweetened yogurt
1 seedless cucumber diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 shallot diced
2 tsps dried dill or 3 tablespoons fresh dill
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients, chill.
Serve with pita chips and veggies

Collard Greens (Paula Deen's recipe slightly amended)
1/2 pound smoked meat (ham hocks preferred)

1 tsp garlic powder 

1 tablespoon seasoned salt

1 tablespoon hot red pepper sauce

1 large bunch collard greens

1 tablespoon butter

salt and pepper to taste
In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil and add smoked meat, salt, pepper and garlic powder and hot sauce. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 1 hour.

Wash the collard greens thoroughly. Remove the stems that run down the center. The young leaves in the heart of the collards don't need to be stripped. Stack 6 to 8 leaves on top of one another, roll up, and slice into 1/2 to 1-inch thick slices. Place greens in pot with meat and add butter. Cook for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. When done taste and adjust seasoning.

Now planning can begin for the next seasonal shindig...Easter I'm looking at you!