'Orange Is the New Black' Series Screening Party

My OITNB Party Invite

Just like many people (dare I say most people) I have certain television shows that I have become hooked on.  The Netflix series "Orange Is The New Black" (referred to herein after as OITNB) is one of those shows. My personal favorite character is a toss up between Red, played by Kate Mulgrew, or the character, Crazy Eyes or a.k.a. Suzanne Warren, played by award-winning Uzoamaka Nwanneka Aduba.  So like any normal person who loves to throw themed parties and a fan of the show, here is my OITNB Party Spread!  
Now, because this is an after work party and I was coming from work, I had to make sure food was set up fast. Therefore, many of these dishes are not my usual provision of original recipes so use this more as a reference for fun, themed party ideas.  This being said however, the cocktails included are all original except for the Moscow Mule recipe.

On the Menu

"Taco Night" Cupcakes

"The Chickening" Boneless Wings

OITNB Caviar Hors d'oeuvres

OITNB Fruit Skewers & Veggie Plate

Crazy Eyes Threw Her (Pizza) Pie & Other Themed Fillers

"Blood Donut" Holes

Moscow Mule

Tit Punch

Toilet Hooch

OITNB Signature Martini

"Taco Night" Cupcakes - makes 12 servings

Ingredients:

12 sheets of egg roll wrappers

4 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil

1 lbs. lean, ground beef

1 packet of taco seasoning

1/4 cup minced onion
1 cup fresh diced tomatoes

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups guacamole/ sour cream (optional)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Form egg roll wrappers in a large, greased muffin tin.  This is usually a six-cup tin as opposed to the smaller 12-cup muffin tins.  These will resemble mini-taco shells formed for taco salads (see picture)
3. Drizzle the egg roll wrappers with extra virgin olive oil and use a a kitchen brush to coat the sides of and overlapping tops.
4. Place in oven and cook for about 7-10 minutes, or until the wrappers bubble and "fry" up to a crisp.
   
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool until no longer hot.  
6. Repeat with the other six egg roll wrappers if using a six-cup muffin tin.
7. In the meantime, brown ground beef in a skillet over medium to high heat until no longer pink.
8. Add in onion and add taco seasoning as per packet instructions.  
9. Cook for about 10 minutes or until flavors are well blended and onions begin to soften.  Remove from heat.
10. Fill the taco shell cups with ground beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese, then shredded lettuce and fresh tomato.  Add a dollop of guacamole and/ sour cream as desired...Serve immediately and Enjoy!

The rest of the menu doesn't really require recipes, but these are quick and easy ideas, as well as perfectly themed to make your OITNB Party the most talked about screening party of the year:

A.) "The Chickening" Boneless Wings - Again for time purposes, I simply used frozen boneless buffalo wings, in a sweet n' sour flavoring which gives the wings an orangy color.  I

then used orange confetti toothpicks to top them off.  BUT if you are anti-frozen foods, which normally I am, I have a great recipe for spicy stuffed boneless chicken wings. These will still have an orange-ish color to them because of the BBQ sauce recipe.

B.)  OITNB Caviar & Smoked Salmon Hors d'oeuvres - It's not prison food by any means, but this adds great decadence to your party: Take your favorite cracker, (I used flavored Ritz crackers with an orange tint to them), spread with Neufchatel cream cheese, top with a slice of smoked salmon and a 1/2-1 tsp of black caviar.

C.) OITNB Fruit Skewers & Veggie Plate - For fruit and veggies I simply chose naturally black and orange produce.  For the fruit skewers, I used alternating cantaloupe pieces, black berries, mandarin orange slices and purple grapes (which look almost black).  For the veggies, I simply used baby carrots and black olives (veggies are never very popular at my parties :-p)  Other ideas can include mango, roasted purple sweet potatoes and beets (these are almost black once roasted).

D.) Crazy Eyes Threw Her (Pizza) Pie & Other Themed Fillers - A major time saver here, I simply ordered a pizza to fulfill a Crazy Eyes reference.  Other items we used were sweet potato chips (very orange in color, you can also use BBQ flavored chips), Reeses Pieces Candies and Pepperidge Farm Orange Milano cookies are great table spread fillers. 

E.) 'Blood Donut' Holes - as a dessert, I bought some 'plain or dusted' donut holes and drizzled them with Strawberry flavored sundae syrup.

Decoration Ideas:

I used an orange back drop with toilet paper and black crepe paper to
make my spread background.

It's absolutely gross even "clean" but receives lots of laughs and ewwwws at the party.
I got an unused tampon and slid it into an English muffin.  If you want to take it a step
further you can drizzle some ketchup on there but I just couldn't go there myself!
I also just happened to have had an orange and black striped screw driver.

A few of my party guests who dressed for the occassion.  Pictured here we have 'Porn-Stache' and a
female inmate in orange, complete with a D.O.C. name tag.  For decoration,
note that I actually used black crepe paper on all the windows (in the background -
back sliding glass door) to make my house look like a guest was inside a jail cell.

Although this is an extra expense, I decided to purchase actual prison trays
for my guests to select their food buffet style. 

Check out 'OITNB' celebration cosmetic artistry by Lisa's Creations.

'Orange Is The New Black' Signature Martini

This signature martini was created to compliment my 'Orange Is The New Black' themed party.

Ingredients

1 part orange juice

1.5 parts preferred vodka

1 part Grand Marnier

Ice

Optional garnish:

Chocolate icing, small squeeze tube

Chocolate sprinkles

Fresh blackberries on a toothpick

1. For optional garnish: Prepare your martini glass by carefully applying a thin line of chocolate icing to the outer rim of the martini glass.
2. Empty approximately 1 tbsp. of chocolate sprinkles onto a flat plate.
3. Roll the martini glass on its rim through the chocolate sprinkles where you put the chocolate icing to stick the sprinkles to the rim.
4. Mix the orange juice, vodka and Grand Marnier over ice in a martini shaker.
5. Shake vigorously and...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

Toilet Hooch - OITNB Libation

We came up with this recipe to accompany my 'Orange Is The New Black' party theme because I happened to have an unused, dog water bowl that is in the shape of a miniature toilet bowl; which happened to correspond well with the character Poussey Washington, played by actress, Samira Wiley.  Although her character's hooch fermented in the prison ceiling, I thought 'Toilet Hooch' made my table spread extra prison authentic! 

The following recipe makes a large quantity because we had to serve it via a 2-liter soda bottle to accommodate the 'toilet bowl' (and to keep it discreet from the correctional officers) and this concoction gives a certain coloration that would do well to fool anyone into thinking it is not a suitable substance for consumption.

Ingredients:

2 cups preferred dark rum

1 cup tequila

1/2 cup Kahlua

2 cups Dr. Pepper

3 cups club soda or seltzer water

1. Mix all ingredients and chill for at least 4 hours.  
2. Or if serving outside of a toilet bowl, serve over ice...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

Tit Punch - OITNB Libation

This is a great adult punch to serve at an 'Orange Is The New Black' themed party, inspired by Season 1, Episode 2.  The following recipe makes a large quantity to accommodate a punch bowl to serve it in.

Ingredients:

2 cups preferred vodka

1 cup blackberry brandy

2 cups pomegranate juice

2 cups of Sprite or 7/Up

1. Mix all ingredients with ice...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

Moscow Mule

Although a Moscow Mule can be misinterpreted as a winter drink due to its Russian ties, it is in fact more a summertime libation, as well as a great addition to an 'OITNB' Party Spread. Some recipes call for lime juice and a lime wedge for garnish.  Although you can use this, I personally prefer a simple two-part recipe where the lime juice does not dilute the flavor of the ginger beer.  The most signature piece of a Moscow Mule is its serving in a copper cup or mug.  

Ingredients:

1 part vodka 

1 part ginger beer 

ice

1. Mix all ingredients and pour over ice, preferably in a copper cup or mug.

Please drink responsibly..!

Ballerina Bones (& Joints) - Rice Krispies Pops

As I mention from time to time on here, I am an ex-ballerina and still coach, take classes and even write the Ballet Buff blog.  In one of my posts for the Adult Dancer series, I talk about what to expect when taking class for the first time or coming back into the studio as an adult if you have been away from it for a long time.  

What happens at the barre during the first few exercises resembles the "Snap, crackle, pop!" of rice crispy cereal.  It became such a frequent occurrence for me, as well as a humorous start to class when it happens to several of us, that I decided to make these tasty treats in honor of adult Ballerina Bones & Joints, but can also be a fun treat for children's classes.

Ingredients:
3 cups pink mini-marshmallows

1/4 cup butter

*See Tips

1 tsp. Strawberry Jell-O mix

2 cups rice krispies cereal

small tube chocolate icing

pink cupcake paper cups

wooden skewers

1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt butter and mini-marshmallows.
2. Once melted, lower heat, slowly add in Jell-O mix to desired pinkness, mix well.
3. Gently fold in cereal until everything is mixed together well.
4. In a baking dish/ pan sprayed with oil, spread out the cereal mixture into a square about 1/2" thick.  Allow to cool.
5. Cut into squares and shape into balls. Skewer a pink cupcake paper cup up-side-down (to look like a tutu) and place rice crispy ball on the top.
6. Use chocolate icing to paint faces, ballet buns, etc....Enjoy with your fellow dancers or fans of ballet!

*Tips: 1) When you are ready to serve, display on Styrofoam base so that 'dancers' stand upright.
2) I use the paper cupcakes to write little messages.  These can be your dance teacher's name, boosters, or in my case, a blog URL!  

My Big, (Low) Fat Greek Meal Prep

If you crave the flavors of Greek food, but not all the fat and calories that go along with the traditional methods of cooking some of the best Greek dishes, you'll fall in love with this meal prep plan.  This is a perfect blend of balanced protein ratios and reduced fat dishes for a healthy Greek Week meal plan.

On The Menu

Greek Yogurt, Almonds & Honey Drizzle

Breakfast Spanakopita

Tuna Tzatziki Stuffed Pasta Shell Salad

Toasted Pita Bread, Opa Chips, Crudités with Tzatziki & Hummus

Greek Salad

Healthy Pastitsio

Lemon Pepper Chicken & Roasted Veggie Kabobs over Brown Rice

Greek Style Lamb Chops w/ Lemon Potatoes & Green Beans

BREAKFAST DISHES

Greek Yogurt, Almonds & Honey Drizzle - 1 serving

Ingredients:
3/4 cup zero fat, Greek Yogurt (I use plain and flavored, depending on what's on sale at the grocery store)
2 tbsp. slivered, toasted almonds
1 tbsp. honey

1. Simply put yogurt in your to-go container, sprinkle in almonds and drizzle with honey.  I do half and half with the almonds and honey (see picture).  

Tip: If I am not taking this to-go, I have also used granola before, but granola will get soggy in the yogurt if it sits longer than about 5-10 minutes, whereas the almonds retain their texture.

Breakfast Spanakopita - makes approximately 8 triangles

Spanakopita is infamous for being calorie packed between the use of butter, cheese and the many layers of phyllo dough. This healthy version cuts the calories, carbs and grams of fat exponentially by using healthy alternatives and making individual triangles, which give the illusion of many layers of phyllo dough but only uses two per serving, which is not very high in carbs.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup onions, minced

2 cloves of garlic, minced
4-5 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup water

3/4 cup ground turkey breakfast sausage (I use Jimmy Deans)

2 egg whites

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled or shredded

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

16 sheets of phyllo dough

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Over medium heat, add 1 tbsp. of the extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and add in the onions.
3. After a few minutes, add in the garlic and ground turkey, and allow to cook a few more minutes or until turkey is no longer frozen.
4. Add in water and spinach.  Loosely cover the skillet and allow spinach to steam for about 8 minutes or until spinach has wilted and turned a dark green.  Drain any excess liquid.  You may need to squeeze the spinach.
5. Stir in egg whites and cheese, remove from heat.
6. Take two sheets of phyllo dough, and fold them length-wise.  In the bottom right-hand corner, spoon out 2-3 tbsp. of spinach mixture.
7. Fold in triangles upwards until dough is completely folded.
8. Brush the triangle with extra virgin olive oil on the bottom and top (I simply use my fingers to make it a quicker process, but it is messier, lol!) Place triangle on baking sheet.
9. Repeat with the rest of the phyllo sheets until mixture is all used.
10. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops of triangles are golden brown.

LUNCH & SNACK DISHES

Tzatziki Tuna Salad Stuffed Shells - Makes 2 servings 

Ingredients:
1 cup Lisa's Easy Tzatziki
1 packet of tune fish (I like to use Ranch or Lemon Pepper flavored)
1/4 cup red onion, minced
8 jumbo pasta shells
4 cups water
1 tsp. red pepper (optional)
Lettuce (optional)

1. In a medium sauce pan, ring water to a rolling boil.  Cook pasta shells as directed on package.
2. Drain and set pasta shells to the side to cool.
3. Mix tzatziki, tuna and onion together.
4. Spoon tzatziki tuna mixture into pasta shells, about 2-3 tbsp.
5. If you like to add a bit of heat to these, sprinkle the red pepper over the shells and I like to serve over a bed of lettuce.

Toasted Pita Bread, Opa Chips, Crudités with Tzatziki & Hummus - makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 whole wheat pita bread

2 servings each of baby carrots & celery (in baggies)

1 cup of Lisa's Easy Tzatziki and hummus (I prefer Sabra's roasted garlic) in to-go containers

1 medium sized zucchini, peeled, ends removed

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. garlic powder

Sea salt & pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Cut zucchini into 1/4" chips using a mandolin, or simply cut into slices.
3. Place zucchini chips in bowl  and add extra virgin olive oil.
4. Cover the bowl with Saran wrap and shake vigorously (keeping zucchini enclosed in the bowl) to coat each piece with the oil.
5. Lay out veggies on a baking sheet and season with sea salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
6. Roast in oven for approximately 20-25 minutes.  
7. Remove from oven, let cool for about 5 minutes.
8. Cut pita bread into fourths and toast in toaster or toaster oven.  Place in to-go container with 'Opa' (zucchini) Chips...Enjoy!

Greek Salad

Ingredients:
3 cups romaine lettuce mix (or other preferred salad)
Optional garnishes:
Red onion slices, Kalamata olives, tomato wedges or cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, croutons.
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Fresh lemon juice squeezed

1. Toss ingredients together.
2. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh lemon juice or preferred salad dressing.

DINNER DISHES

Healthy Pastitsio - makes 6-8 servings

Also known as the Greek lasagna, this is a healthy version with a low-fat bechamel sauce.

Ingredients:

4 cups whole wheat Penne pasta

1 package of ground turkey

1/4 cup onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

12 oz. tomato sauce or preferred spaghetti sauce

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp. butter

1 egg, 1 egg white

1/4 cup oat flour

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Salt & pepper to taste

1. Prepare pasta as per package directions, cooking only until pasta is al dente.  Drain and pour into baking dish as the first layer.
2. In a skillet, heat up oil and onions.
3. After a few minutes add in garlic and ground turkey, breaking up the turkey.  Cook until the turkey is no longer pink.  Drain any excess liquid.
4. Add the tomato sauce and stir until meat is evenly coated with sauce.  Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer.
5. Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, heat up milk and butter over medium heat.
6. Slowly add in egg and egg white while constantly whisking.
7. Slowly add in flour and continue whisking until there are no lumps and mixture thickens to a creamy sauce. (Be sure to whisk continuously to keep egg from cooking into pieces.  If this does happen, pass the sauce through a mesh strainer to remove lumps.)
8. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder and nutmeg.  Taste sauce and add salt and pepper as desired.
9. Add turkey and sauce mixture to baking dish as second layer.
10. Then add shredded Parmesan cheese as the next layer.
11. Last add the bechamel sauce on top.  Bake for about 20-25 minutes...Enjoy!

Lemon Pepper Chicken & Roasted Veggie Kabobs over Brown Rice - makes 2 servings

Tomatoes add more color to kabobs, but you have to decide if you want them roasted or fresh.  Roasted tomatoes taste great but can fall apart when skewering them.  If you want your skewering to be less messy, keep tomatoes fresh.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups brown rice

3 cups water

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 chicken breasts

1 zucchini, ends removed and cut 3/4" slices

12 square slices of red onion

Cherry tomatoes or tomato wedges 

2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning

4 tsp garlic powder

Salt & pepper to taste

Crumbled feta cheese (optional)

4 kabob skewers

1. In a medium saucepan, add 1 tbsp olive oil, water and rice together over a medium-high heat and loosely cover to steam until liquid is all evaporated.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet, season with lemon pepper, 2 tsp garlic powder and salt if desired.
4. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until chicken is a browns up and is no longer pink on the inside.  Cut into large bite sized chunks and set aside.
5. In a mixing bowl, place zucchini slices, tomatoes (optional, or leave until the end) and onion slices.  Add 3 tbsp olive oil, cover the bowl with Saran wrap.  Shake vigorously until veggies are well coated.
6. Spread out veggies on a baking sheet (I always use a separate one from the chicken just to be on the safe side), season with garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes in 350 degree F or until veggies begin to brown.
8. Spoon out rice into to-go containers.  Skewer chicken and veggies alternating each one.
9. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese if desired...Enjoy!

Greek Style Lamb Chops w/ Lemon Potatoes & Green Beans - makes 3 servings

Lamb Chop Ingredients:

3 lamb chops

1 tbsp butter

1/4 cup onion, diced

1 tbsp light olive oil

2 tbsp hot pepper jelly

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degree F.
2. In an oven-safe/ proof skillet, add olive oil and onions over a high heat.
3. Season chops with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Sear each side of the chops - about 2 minutes each side.
5. Reduce to medium heat, melt in butter.
6. Add in hot pepper jelly, allow to simmer for a few minutes.
7. Transfer to oven, and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until to cooked to desired doneness/ tenderness.

Lemon Potatoes Ingredients:

3 potatoes (Idaho)

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp thyme

1/2 lemon, fresh juice

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Wash potatoes thoroughly and cut into 1" pieces.
3. In a mixing bowl, add potato pieces and olive oil, cover the bowl with Saran wrap.  Shake vigorously until potatoes are well coated.
4. Spread out potatoes on a baking sheet; season with garlic powder, thyme and drizzle with lemon juice.  Salt and pepper to taste.
5. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes or until tender but still firm.

Green Beans Ingredients:

3-4 cups/ 18 oz. of fresh green beans, washed, de-stemmed

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 large tomato, chopped

3 tbsp garlic paste

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp dill

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.  Add green beans and boil for only 2 minutes.  Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Transfer beans to a large skillet with oil over a medium heat.
3. Stir in garlic paste until beans are well coated with oil and garlic (slight liquid to form)
4. Season with cayenne pepper, dill and salt and pepper.
5. Reduce heat to low, and add in chopped tomatoes.  
6. Cover loosely and cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until beans are tender and tomatoes are almost a sauce consistency.

Lisa's Easy Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a Greek condiment used as an accompaniment for grilled meats and vegetables and a wonderful, healthy alternative to most dips and salad dressings.  It's ingredients are perfect for summertime dishes and is a staple I use in My Big, (Low) Fat Greek Meal Prep menu.

Ingredients - makes about 2 1/2 cups

1/2 cucumber, peeled, end removed, finely shredded

2 cups zero fat, plain Greek yogurt

1/2 lemon, squeezed fresh juice

3 tbsp. garlic paste

1 tsp. dill

Salt (optional) to taste 

1. Mix all ingredients until mixture is smooth and well blended...Enjoy!