The perfect compliment to a cookout on a hot summer day is this chilled Strawberry Soup which comes from 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It’s an easy recipe and a crowd pleaser. Plus it’s the perfect time of year for this soup as strawberries are abundant just about everywhere. Give it a try.

2 1/2 lbs Frozen Strawberries (thawed with juice)
16oz Heavy Cream
2oz Sour Cream (Regular)
3oz Plain Yogurt
1/2 lb Fresh Strawberries

Mix frozen strawberries, heavy cream, sour cream and yogurt in a large bowl. Beat slowly until well mixed with a smooth consistency. Chill and then mix well before serving. Add fresh strawberries halves as garnish.

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If there’s a video out there that will make you REALLY want to go back to Walt Disney World and eat to your heart’s content, this is the one. Check out this YouTube video replay of the “Walt Disney World UNWRAPPED” episode with Marc Summers narrating this food tour of Walt Disney World. Marc covers everything about Walt Disney World across all the parks in about 5-minutes. It’s a superb overview of the tasty treats that await you on your next vacation. Read the rest of this entry

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Next time you visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge, stop in for one of the best cups of coffee in Walt Disney World. Served at Boma (and In-Room Dining if you’re lucky enough to be staying at the Lodge), the Kenya AA coffee is served in a press pot and is a great start to your day for less than $7.00 per pot.

Kenya AA is considered the finest grade of coffee from Kenya and it has a very intense taste and what many call a ‘winey flavor.’ You’ll also see “world’s finest” when searching online for Kenya AA so you know it’s good stuff. Read the rest of this entry

Technorati Tags: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World, Boma, Kenya AA, coffee

Recipe: Cottage Pie
Disney Location: Rose and Crown Pub, United Kingdom (EPCOT)

Cottage Pie is a traditional English dish that is served at the Rose and Crown Pub in the United Kingdom (EPCOT.) Basically it’s a Shepherd’s Pie but instead of using lamb the Cottage Pie is made with beef as the main ingredient. Topped off with some made-from-scratch mashed potatoes, this is a winner for the whole family.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1/4 cup Butter
1 cup Diced Onion
1 1/2 pounds Lean Ground Beef
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon Ground Savory
1 cup Brown Gravy
2 cups Mashed Potatoes
Additional Butter

Heat 1/4 cup butter in a 9-inch skillet. Add onion and cook until lightly browned, stirring. Add beef, salt, pepper and savory and continue cooking 5 minutes longer. Stir in gravy and heat until bubbling. Spoon into a buttered 8-cup flat casserole dish. Top meat mixture with mashed potatoes. Dot with pieces of butter. Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned.

As always, the quality of the ingredients will improve the taste of the dish. Make sure you take the extra time to make your own mashed potatoes as the boxed instant kind doesn’t quite give you the right taste.

Enjoy!

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There are many ways to save money when you’re dining in Walt Disney World and below are some of the best ways we’ve been able to find. Take advantage of some of these tips and make your next trip to Disney a little easier on the wallet.

• Buy fruit at the fruit stands located throughout the parks for under $4 per item
• Share a counter service meal since most Disney portions are huge
• If you’re an Annual Passholder you’ll be able to receive 10% off at many restaurants Read the rest of this entry

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Try and think of dining in Disney without the word “buffet” popping into your head. You probably can’t do it and that’s not such a bad thing. If I were a betting man, I would bet that there’s a large percentage of vacationers that hit at least one buffet while they’re in Walt Disney World. But, one thing is for sure, it’s tough to pinpoint the best buffets as all of them have their good and bad points. What’s even tougher is to give you a ‘top 10′ list since the meals can be very different so I thought it would probably be a better idea to tell you what I think are the best Breakfast buffets and which are the best Dinner buffets across the different parks and resorts. So take a look and give a few of them a try!

Here’s what I consider the “Best Breakfast Buffets in Walt Disney World” Read the rest of this entry

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Welcome to the Wonderful World of Disney ICE CREAM! One of the best sundaes in Walt Disney World is the “No Way Jose” served at ‘Beaches and Cream‘ which is located at the Beach Club Resort. Tucked along the walkway near the resort pool is this very popular little soda shop which has great sandwiches and spectacular ice cream sundaes. One of the most popular sundaes (outside of the “Kitchen Sink” of course) is the one pictured above. There’s nothing better to top off a great day at the parks then sharing (or eating by yourself if you can handle it) this perfect ice cream treat.

Here’s how to make one at home….you’ll need: Read the rest of this entry

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As I write this I’m about 3-days into my Nutrisystem diet and I’m a little hungry from the tiny dinner I just had and my tummy is screaming for some cheesy goodness. So if I can’t eat it I might as well write about the Macaroni and Cheese from Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Next time you’re there for dinner try out the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon which comes with a nice portion of this classic side dish. You’ll love it! Read the rest of this entry

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One of the funnest places to eat in Walt Disney World is the 50s Prime Time Cafe which is located in Disneys MGM Studios. This themed restaurant is made to look like you were dropped into a 1950′s kitchen with all your other relatives (many of whom you’ve never met before!) Be sure to keep you elbows off the table and eat all your green beans or Mom will get upset.

Taken right from Mom’s cookbook, this Meatloaf recipe is a classic. Give it a try and do Mom proud! Read the rest of this entry

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As you’re heading towards Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World you’ll come across this little gem of a snack shop where you find the famed DOLE WHIP (which is basically Pinapple Soft Serve ice cream.) Below I’ve added two different recipes for this refreshing treat. The first recipe below requires an ice cream maker so make sure you have one or can borrow one.

RECIPE#1

1 quart Dole Pineapple Juice
1 teaspoon Vanilla
3 cups Cream
3 cups Sugar
Milk

Mix the pineapple juice and sugar making sure that Read the rest of this entry

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