Slumdog-inspired dishes and more

At last night's Oscar Party, guests were greeted with warm chai and several dishes inspired by this year's Best Picture winner Slumdog Millionaire.

I prepared some Black Eyed Peas Masala Patties, served with plum chutney

Swati made some chaat. A common snack / street food in India. Using rice chips, chickpeas, cilantro chutney, apple buter chutney, cilantro, and spices.

Our friend Mentha joined in our enthusiasm. She prepared a Bombay Cheese Ball using cream cheese, curry powder, nuts and raisins.

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Other creative dishes inspired by this year's nominated films include:

Cheese pastry puffs
Inspired by Philippe Petit, the puffy-shirted, French tightrope walker in Man on Wire

Roasted 'Button' Mushrooms with Veggie Sausage

Mashed Potatoes
Inspired by Wall-E (when all food was pureed)

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Inspired by the end of Wall-E, when hope forms around seeds

Carrot Halwa
A Slumdog-inpired dessert made from grated carrots, ghee, cardamom and sugar
Prepared by our friends Annie and Matt

'Frost'-ed Banana Cupcakes

Brownies, Cookies and 'Milk'

Swati and I had a great time. What a great way to come together and share our passion for food and movies. I have a feeling we'll be doing it again next year.

Oscar Party Potluck Ideas

On Sunday, I will be hosting an Oscar Party Potluck at my home in Brooklyn. I've asked guests to bring a dish inspired by one of this year's nominated films.

I was inspired this morning after receiving a Vegetarian Times newsletter that I am not the only one who has Oscar-themed potluck ambitions this Sunday. I thought I'd take a moment this morning to brainstorm some ideas. Here's what I got:

• Benjamin Button Stuffed Mushrooms - mushroom caps stuffed with butternut squash and chestnuts
  

• Kung Pao Panda Triangles - made with tempeh, not panda
  

• Iron Man Salad from Vegetarian Times - made with iron-rich spinach.
  

• Slumdog 'Sloppy Joes' - featuring Pav Bhaji, the Indian vegetarian equivalent. A popular street food in Mumbai.
  

I also love the idea of Homemade Twinkies from Planet Green, inspired by the film Milk and its "twinkie defense." Although, I'm not all that excited about eating them.

Would you happen to have any creative ideas? I'd love to hear them!

*Photo by Daniel Krieger