Dishing About Your Oscar Party: Katie Lee Offers Movie Inspired Recipes and DIY Beauty Tips

Katie Lee is a small screen beauty who is happy to dish the Oscars.

She's not here to handicap Clooney v. Pitt or Meryl v. Viola. This isn't about what they're wearing or if they will take a misstep in their Monolos.

She'd like to nominate the following "stars" for Sunday….Brie and Chutney Toast as a tribute to "Midnight in Paris" or Unfried Chicken, an ode to the chicken the ladies cook in "The Help." 

Katie is a best selling of books including "The Comfort Table" and was a "Top Chef" host. She recently partnered with "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" to toast Hollywood's biggest night for all of us having at-home Oscar parties.

"I love to keep it casual and be in front of the TV with friends," says Katie. 

"I believe when you entertain it's best to serve recipes that are easy to make. You want to enjoy your guests and not be stuck in the kitchen and miss all of the action," she says.

Katie learned cooking from her beloved Grandmother. "I grew up in West Virginia and my grandmother would pull up a stool to the counter. Of course, we loved fried foods." 

Beauty Tip: "You have to work out if you're going to eat," Katie says. "It's also helpful to find substitutes for fried foods like the chicken recipe below." 

What about us midlifers who don't cook much? Not that we're mentioning any names…like yours truly who burns water.

"If you're over 40 and haven't cooked much don't be intimidated by cooking. Read the recipe from start to finish. That's the most important thing," she says. "Get out all the ingredients ahead of time so everything is right there. Take your time. Don't be afraid.

"If everything gets messed up, you can always order Chinese," he says.

PS: After your party, remember to relax and take care of yourself. "Buy one extra avocado, mash it up, and smush it into your hair," Katie offers. "It's the best hair mask. If you have a hotel plastic cap around sleep in it." 

KATIE'S OSCAR RECIPES

Want to wow your crowd? Here's to your stylish Oscar soiree:

Brie and Chutney Toast a la Paris, inspired by "Midnight in Paris"

32 Prep Time: 30 minutes            Cook Time: 15 minutes

CHUTNEY 1/4 cup orange juice 1/4 cup water 3 Tbsp. firmly packed brown sugar 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread 2 shallots, minced 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced TOASTS 32 slices French bread 1/4 cup I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread 16 oz. Brie cheese, cut in 32 pieces

For Chutney: in small bowl, combine orange juice, water, brown sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, salt and pepper; set aside.

Melt I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots, jalapeno and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until shallots are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in apples and orange juice mixture and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

For Toasts: Preheat broiler. Spread bread with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread and place on baking sheet. Broil until golden. Remove from oven and top with each piece with piece of brie. Broil, watching closely, until cheese begins to melt, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.Top each with about 1 tablespoon Chutney. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Tip: Leftover Chutney is delicious on roasted or grilled chicken or pork.

Nutrition Information per serving:

Calories 150, Calories From Fat 50, Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 5g, Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 280mg, Total Carbohydrate 20g, Sugars 3g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Protein 6g, Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 4%, Calcium 4%, Iron 6%

Chili Parmesan and Peanut Popcorn, inspired by "Moneyball"

18 servings Prep Time: 5 minutes            Cook Time: 1 minute

18 cups plain popped popcorn 1/4 cup I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread, melted 2 Tbsp. chili powder 1 tsp. Kosher salt 3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Put popcorn in large bowl. In small bowl, combine melted I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread, chili powder and salt; drizzle over popcorn and toss until evenly coated.

Add peanuts and cheese; toss.

Nutrition Information per serving:

Calories 110, Calories From Fat 70, Saturated Fat 1.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 8g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 220mg, Total Carbohydrate 8g, Sugars 0g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 3g, Vitamin A 8%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 2%, Iron 4%

Unfried Chicken and Homemade BBQ Sauce, inspired by "The Help"

18 skewers Prep Time: 30 minutes            Cook Time: 40 minutes

KATIE'S HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE 1 Tbsp. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped 2 cups ketchup 3/4 cup reduced sodium chicken broth 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbsp. chili powder 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. smoked paprika 1 tsp. dry mustard 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. ground coriander 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper CHICKEN SKEWERS 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread

For BBQ Sauce: Melt I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes for flavors to develop.

For Chicken Skewers: Preheat oven to 400°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and brush each with 1 tablespoon melted I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Spread. On 18 skewers, thread chicken; dip into flour to coat. Dip into beaten egg, then bread crumbs to coat. Place on prepared baking sheets. Brush chicken skewers with remaining 1/4 cup melted spread.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with BBQ Sauce.

Nutrition Information per serving:

Calories 180, Calories From Fat 50, Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 5g, Cholesterol 45mg, Sodium 480mg, Total Carbohydrate 22g, Sugars 12g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Protein 11g, Vitamin A 20%, Vitamin C 8%, Calcium 6%, Iron 6%