Great Ideas

Wolfgang Puck’s

MINI BURGERS

Eat like a star! The legendary chef shares a dish he’ll be serving at the Governors Ball on Oscar night. ‘All you need is a great glass of champagne to go with them,’ he says

MINI BURGERS WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE & REMOULADE

Makes 12 mini burgers

¾ cup Thousand Island dressing

2 tbsp. barbecue sauce

1 tsp. diced red onion

¾ lb. prime ground beef

Kosher salt & pepper

4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

12 small slices cheddar cheese

12 slider buns, toasted arugula leaves

6 cherry tomatoes, halved

3 cornichons, sliced

1. Combine first 3 ingredients to make remoulade. Preheat grill or grill pan. Season beef with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Take about 2 tbsp. of beef and roll it in the palm of your hand. Flatten the top slightly. Repeat to make 12 patties. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Grill burgers for 3 minutes. Turn them and top each with slice of cheese. Grill 2 minutes more. Place a spoonful of remoulade on the bottom half of each bun. Top with a burger, arugula leaf, tomato slice and a slice of cornichon. Cover with bun tops and serve.

Sheila G. Main’s

TRUFFLES

The creator of the Original Brownie Brittle snack shares a treat she’ll serve at studio head Harvey Weinstein’s Oscar party

BROWNIE TRUFFLES

Makes 22 to 24 truffles

6 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped

8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into quarters

3 large eggs

1¼ cups sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. salt

1 cup flour

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1-2 tbsp. Grand Marnier

1 oz. (2 tbsp.) champagne

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8×8-in. baking pan. In a bowl, melt chocolates and butter in microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let cool.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. Stir in the chocolate mixture. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and cocoa powder. Stir it into the chocolate mixture. Do not over mix. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. (Brownies will be slightly underbaked.) Let cool.

3. Cut brownies into pieces and mix in food processor, along with Grand Marnier and champagne until creamy. Chill for at least 1 hour. Use an ice cream scoop to make truffles. Roll into balls, then roll in sanding sugar or a coating of your choice.

IT’S YOUR TURN! Take us inside your Oscar party and share pics at people.com/yourturn

Patrick O’Connell’s

GOURMET POPCORN

The award-winning chef at Virginia’s Inn at Little Washington helps you glam up those kernels. ‘It will be the best your guests have ever tasted,’ he says

TRUFFLED POPCORN

Makes about 7 cups

1/3 cup popcorn kernels

2 tbsp. melted butter

2 tbsp. truffle oil

1 tbsp. minced parsley

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Prepare popcorn according to package directions. Place warm popcorn in a bowl. Toss with butter, truffle oil, parsley, cheese and salt and pepper to taste.

Where to buy truffle oil

The chef recommends

Urbani’s White Truffle Oil, 1.75-oz. bottle $11.93; Amazon.com