Trying new foods is a great way to experience a country and its culture. If you’ve wanted to experience Colombia and all it has to offer, you’ll be excited to learn about the new Adventures by Disney trip to Colombia. This trip is an excellent introduction to the country’s fantastic food, friendly people, joyful music, and astonishing natural beauty. The country also served as inspiration for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto,” which introduced us to Mirabel and the entire Madrigal family!

One of the highlights of the trip is the opportunity to learn to make arepas – a traditional Colombian dish – just like Julieta Madrigal, Mirabel’s mom, did for her family in the film. Just thinking about it made us hungry for arepas! So, we had to ask Colombian-born Disney Chef Danny Contreras for an arepa recipe – a favorite from the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival recipe vault.

Arepas start with three simple ingredients: pre-cooked corn flour, water, and a little fat, such as butter, to bind the dough together. They can be made savory or sweet with meat or cheese. Chef Danny loves to make arepas with his daughter as a way to share his Colombian heritage. Chef Danny’s father was known for saying, “A meal without an arepa isn’t a complete meal.”

The recipe we have for you today is filled with pork rillettes, a cooking style for the pork, and topped with hogao, a Colombian tomato-based sauce with garlic and cumin.

Here is a delicious arepa recipe for you to get a taste of Colombia from your own home. Included on the recipe is artwork of Julieta, drawn specially for you by Disney Animation Supervisor Michael Woodside.

Download Full Size PDF of Recipe

Chef Danny recently chatted with Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences, about arepas and the new Adventures by Disney trip to Colombia.

It’s National Cookie Day – the perfect excuse to bake or eat cookies! And luckily, Disney parks all over the world have delicious cookies you can enjoy year-round, not just December 4. If you’re in search of a cookie recipe for today, we have a delicious Disney Eats surprise to share with you.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth runs through December 30 and has several delicious cookies and even a Cookie Stroll! The chefs shared the recipe for Alfajores at the all-new Nochebuena Cocina Holiday Kitchen with us. Alfajores are a vanilla shortbread sandwich cookie filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut.

Take the extra step and toast the coconut to get extra flavor from it. The vanilla shortbread is light and flavorful and pairs perfectly with the dulce de leche. The Alfajores were also easy to bake. This time of year is always busy, so you’ll appreciate an easy cookie recipe like this one.

Here is the recipe from our Disney Eats Cooking up the Magic series. We used store-bought dulce de leche for this recipe, but if you make your own, you can use that!

ALFAJORES (VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES) from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth
Makes 6-8 Alfajores

COOKIES

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

ALFAJORES

• 1 (14 ounce) can Dulce de Leche
• 12-16 cookies
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

FOR COOKIES:

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. Combine all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Cream butter and powdered sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy. Add egg yolk and vanilla and mix on medium speed, scraping sides occasionally, until fully incorporated.
4. Add reserved flour mixture and beat on low speed until dry dough starts to come together. Remove from bowl and knead of floured surface until dough is soft.
5. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 2 1/2-inch circles. Place on prepared baking pan, leaving 2-inches between each cookie.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.

FOR ALFAJORES:

1. Pour dulce de leche into a piping bag.
2. Place half of the cookies, bottom side up, on a flat surface. Pipe dulce de leche onto each cookie. Top with remaining cookies.
3. Coat sides of cookies with shredded coconut and dust tops with powdered sugar.

Cook’s Note: To enhance the flavor of the coconut, toast it in the oven. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 300ºF, stirring every 3 minutes, until golden brown.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Disney guests always enjoy stopping at Casey’s Corner to taste the different specialty hot dogs. No matter the season or the celebration, there’s always a creative hot dog on the menu. Recently, the talented culinary team developed a delicious Holiday Dinner Hot Dog that will be on the menu through December 31. This hot dog features an all-beef hot dog with cranberry mustard, savory stuffing funnel cake, and cheese curds. If you’re a lover of both funnel cake and savory foods, you’re going to want to try this hot dog!

This was such a fun recipe to test and eat! The savory stuffing funnel cake tastes just like stuffing. The cranberry mustard added a little bit of sweetness to this recipe without being overwhelming. I loved everything about this hot dog – and so did my taste testers and a lucky running partner who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Here is the recipe for you to create this hot dog at home!

HOLIDAY DINNER HOT DOG

Casey’s Corner, Magic Kingdom Park
Serves 8

CRANBERRY MUSTARD

• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon water

SAVORY FUNNEL CAKE CRISPS

• Oil, for frying
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt

HOT DOGS

• 8 hot dog buns
• 8 all-beef hot, cooked according to package instructions
• Reserved funnel cake crisps
• 8 ounces cheese curds, coarsely chopped
• Reserved cranberry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder

FOR CRANBERRY MUSTARD:

1. Combine cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, and water in a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine until smooth.
2. Transfer to a small squeeze bottle; refrigerate until ready to serve.

FOR SAVORY FUNNEL CAKE CRISPS:

1. With caution, heat 2 inches of oil in a large frying pan or Dutch oven to 350ºF.
2. Combine milk, egg, sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, chicken bouillon powder, dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, dried sage, and celery salt. Slowly stir into the milk mixture and mix until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or squeeze bottle.
4. Carefully hold piping bag or squeeze bottle above oil and squeeze half of the batter into the pan, using a swirling motion to create desired shape.
5. Fry for 1-2 minutes, carefully flip with tongs and fry one additional minute. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
6. Repeat with remaining batter.
7. Cool for 5-10 minutes, then cut into 1-inch strips.

FOR HOT DOGS:

Place hot dog inside of bun. Top each hot dog with a few funnel cake strips, 1/4 cup of cheese curds, and 2 tablespoons cranberry mustard. Sprinkle with chicken bouillon powder.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

Click here for a printable version of the recipe!

If you make this hot dog at home or if you’re enjoying a hot dog at the parks, remember to tag #DisneyEats.

Happy World Vegan Day! Today, we’re celebrating this special day by sharing a delicious plant-based Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe with you. This dip is served at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is made with plant-based cheese substitutes and oat milk and served with house-made chips. This delicious dish makes a wonderful appetizer to share with friends and family for any occasion.

I love the vegetables in this recipe – spinach, artichokes, red bell pepper, and cauliflower! The cauliflower blended with the plant-based cheese makes this dip nice and creamy. As a lover of spinach and artichoke dip myself, I can honestly say this is one of my favorites. If I hadn’t made it, I wouldn’t have known the cheeses were all plant-based.

When I tested this, I found there were extra cauliflower florets and red bell pepper left over, so I used them as dippers – and they were great! Tortilla chips, pita chips, and carrot sticks make fantastic dippers as well. One quick note for the home cook: plant-based cheese spreads, like the one used in the recipe, all have different water contents. Slowly add the oat milk to get the desired texture on your dip.

This is a great dish to bring to a gathering of plant-based friends and will also be enjoyed by friends who don’t follow a plant-based diet. Let’s get to the recipe!

PLANT-BASED SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Disney Hollywood Studios

Serves 4

PANKO TOPPING

• 1 cup panko-style breadcrumbs
• 1 cup grated plant-based Parmesan-style cheese substitute
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

PLANT-BASED SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 cup chopped Spanish onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cauliflower
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1 1/4 cups vegan chive cheese
• Oat milk, as needed
• 1 cup tightly packed baby spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped canned artichokes
• 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon Tajin seasoning

DIPPERS

• Red pepper strips
• Cauliflower florets
• Carrot sticks
• Pita chips

FOR PANKO TOPPING:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Stir breadcrumbs and plant-based Parmesan-style cheese on baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, stirring once, until golden brown.
3. Cool for 10 minutes. Add fresh parsley and set aside.

FOR PLANT-BASED SPINACH-ARTICHOKE DIP:

1. Combine water, onion, and cauliflower in a small food processor. Purée until smooth; set aside.
2. Heat canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic and puréed cauliflower and cook for 3 minutes. Add plant-based chive cheese and cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted. If dip is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of oat milk at a time and thin to desired consistency.
3. Add spinach, artichokes, and red bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until spinach is wilted, and artichokes are warm. Season with Tajin.
4. Keep warm until ready to serve.

TO SERVE:

Pour warm spinach-artichoke dip into a small bowl. Sprinkle panko topping on top and serve with vegetables and pita chips.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

If you’re enjoying a plant-based offering at a Walt Disney World Resort or making your own Disney Parks-inspired dish like this one, remember to share your photo with #DisneyEats. We love seeing all your own foodie adventures.

Don’t forget to follow @DisneyEats on Instagram and check out our new Disney Eats topics page!

Click here to download the recipe.

It’s finally fall in Florida!! While it may be a little different than it is in other parts of the country, fall in Florida is fun – especially at Walt Disney World Resort!

We all have our must-have treats at EPCOT. One of those treats is the Jumbo Pretzel from Sommerfest, but often find debating between sweet and savory treats at the parks. The Pretzel Bread Pudding is on the menu at this favorite spot and thankfully, the culinary team was willing to share the recipe.

The Pretzel Bread Pudding features pieces of jumbo pretzels and is topped with house-made vanilla sauce and caramel. It’s the perfect dessert for anyone who loves the sweet and savory combination.

This dish was so fun to test. I love desserts that taste like they’re time-consuming but are actually easy to make, and this is one of those desserts. EPCOT uses the delicious Jumbo Pretzels they sell in the park to make this dessert, but I recreated this using pretzel bread that is easily found in grocery stores. I made the vanilla sauce and mixed up the Pretzel Bread Pudding in the morning, then baked it for dessert.  The taste testers all loved it warm, straight out of the oven. It also reheats well for breakfast the next morning (if you have any leftovers).

Now that I’ve talked about this amazing recipe, it’s time to share it with you. Be sure to plan ahead on this one because it needs to rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours so that the pretzel bread can fully absorb the liquid.

If you make this delicious dessert at home or have a chance to enjoy it at EPCOT, be sure to share and include #DisneyEats!

PRETZEL BREAD PUDDING

Sommerfest – EPCOT
Makes 15-18

VANILLA SAUCE

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk, divided
• 2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

PRETZEL BREAD PUDDING

• 1 pound pretzel bread
• 1 cup milk
• 1 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 3/4 teaspoon vanilla paste
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

TOPPING

Caramel sauce

FOR VANILLA SAUCE:

1. Beat egg and sugar in small bowl. Set aside.
2. Bring cream and 3/4 cup of milk to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add 1/3 of the simmering cream mixture to the eggs, whisking constantly to temper eggs. Carefully pour back into saucepan.
3. Whisk cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup of milk together in a small bowl. Add to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
4. Place a mesh strainer over a bowl. Pour sauce through strainer and cool to room temperature.
5. Cover and refrigerate up to 7 days.

FOR PRETZEL BREAD PUDDING:

1. Tear or chop pretzel bread into large pieces. Place in a food processor and pulse until coarse crumbs form.
2. Whisk milk, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla paste, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add pretzel bread pieces. Cover and refrigerate 4-12 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 15 1/2 cup ramekins or muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray. Add 1/3 cup pretzel bread pudding mix into each ramekin or muffin tin. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until centers of pretzel bread puddings are firm.
4. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from molds.

TO SERVE:

Remove vanilla sauce from refrigerator. Heat in small saucepan over medium-low heat until warm. Place warm pretzel bread puddings on small plates. Top each with 2-3 tablespoons vanilla sauce. Drizzle caramel on top.

Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

When you think of comfort food,  does fried chicken immediately comes to mind? The talented culinary team at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was kind enough to share their fried chicken recipe. This popular dinner show reopened last month, bringing back some favorite menu items, including fried chicken. “Our team was so excited to get back in the kitchen and whip up our beloved fried chicken once again,” Julie Hrywnak, chef at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, said. “They really bring the culinary magic to the whole experience and enjoy the guests’ smiles and the energy in the room when the fried chicken is presented to the tables during the show.”

Over 800 pounds of fried chicken is prepared by the cast each night for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show and teams from entertainment to food and beverage work together to keep guests entertained and fed.

How do they make sure they bring out the star of the meal at exactly the right time? They listen for its cue of course! In fact, the music of the show runs through the kitchen speaker so the cast knows the exact timing in the show to plate the food and send it out to our hungry guests. “Our cast love to sing along to the show as they prepare the country feast,” chef Julie said. “And the fried chicken is definitely a guest favorite that keeps them coming back for more!”

Chef Julie shared her top tips for making fried chicken with us:

• Don’t over-bread the chicken, all it needs is one really good coat
• Make sure your oil is between 325-350 degrees to get the chicken nice and crispy
• Have fun with it! Fried chicken is a comfort food and is meant to be enjoyed!

Here is our recipe to help you celebrate! Call up a few friends or family members and offer them some of this delicious fried chicken — if they bring a few side dishes to share.

Famous Fried Chicken from Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Serves 4

BRINE

• 3 cups cold water
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 4 tablespoons coarse salt
• 1 medium chicken, cut into 2 legs, 2 breasts, 2 thighs, and 2 wings

FRIED CHICKEN

• Canola oil, for frying
• Reserved brined chicken
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons ground white pepper

FOR BRINE:

1. Combine cold water, garlic powder, and coarse salt in a large glass bowl. Add cut up chicken.
2. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours.

FOR FRIED CHICKEN:

1. With caution, heat 3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until it reaches 350°F.
2. Remove chicken from brine and pat dry.
3. Whisk flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, onion powder, and white pepper in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dredge chicken in seasoned flour, making sure to fully coat each piece.
4. Carefully place chicken in hot oil, working in batches if necessary. Cook chicken, turning once, 13-14 minutes for breasts, 9-10 minutes for thighs, 7-8 minutes for legs and wings, until all meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Carefully remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents.
Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens.
The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

Be sure to download the recipe here!

Get ready to embrace your soulful side with some delicious treats and excitement coming to Disneyland Resort this summer. Throughout the month of June, we are continuing our festivities for Celebrate Soulfully with the introduction of some tasty treats, eats, and sips honoring Black heritage and culture.

Multiple locations at Disneyland Resort are serving up selections to highlight Black Music Month with not-to-be-missed experiences filled with food, entertainment, art, and, of course, music! For foodie fun, you can taste test the Chicken-coconut Curry Sweet Potato at Troubadour Tavern hosted by Dreyer’s™ or the delicious Peaches and Cream Funnel Cake Fries from Award Wieners, but that’s not all to take part in. From “Tale of the Lion King” debuting at Disneyland park on May 28 to live entertainment showing the sweet sounds of classic Black music genres like Doo-Wop and Motown, there’s so much to enjoy at the resort to help you “celebrate soulfully”!

Did I mention we’ve got a new recipe for you to try? I’ve included how to make the Pride Rock Punch from Troubadour Tavern hosted by Dreyer’s from the comfort of your own home so you can enjoy this refreshing drink anywhere, anytime!

Now, let’s get to the food!

Starting May 28, Troubadour Tavern hosted by Dreyer’s at Disneyland park will be filled with special items that join the excitement, many of which can be found on Mobile Order on the Disneyland app. For tasty snacks, try the Salted Plantain Chips or the Berbere-spice Popcorn tossed with a warming blend of spices.

The Chicken-coconut Curry Sweet Potato features a baked sweet potato topped with a Malawian chicken-coconut curry – yum! For a sweeter option, Hakuna Matata Sweets offer up a trio of animal print cookies, including a coconut macaroon, pineapple orange thumbprint, and a butter chocolate chunk cookie topped with cacao nibs and a white chocolate animal print décor. Or for a bright and refreshing treat, try the Nestlé^® Outrageous Orange Push-up^®  frozen dairy dessert!

To complete your soulful meal with one (or all) of these items, add a beverage! The Cardamom Cold Brew is made up of cold brew coffee, brown sugar, and cardamom over ice. The Pride Rock Punch, with the recipe found down below, brings together Gold Peak tea, pineapple, mango, tamarind, and orange juice over ice. Talk about refreshing. All great options to grab and enjoy while you take in a performance of “Tale of the Lion King” at the Fantasyland Theatre!

Now, let’s take a little trip over to Disney California Adventure park where Award Wieners has some treats featured from June 1 through September 2. First up, the Foot-long BBQ Pulled Pork Dog puts an all-beef foot-long hot dog on a toasted bun topped with BBQ pulled pork, fried onions, and a creamy slaw. If you’re looking for a sweet finish, the Peaches and Cream Funnel Cake Fries dusted with cinnamon sugar and finished with whipped topping and peach glaze drizzle is a must-try.

Starting June 1, the GCH Craftsman Bar at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has a dish and a cocktail for Celebrate Soulfully. If the Jerk Seasoned Beef Tenderloin Skewers & Coconut Shrimp with raspberry rum sauce sounds tasty to you, consider getting the Summer Cocktail also to try all the specialty items! This delicious refreshment perfectly combines Parrot Bay Rum, Svedka Vodka, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine.

Plus, the Downtown Disney District has some tasty treats for Celebrate Soulfully too! Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen has a delicious Peach Pie Old Fashioned. This drink has Uncle Nearest Whiskey, a splash of Peachtree Liquor, a dash of Peychaud’s Bitters, brown sugar, and peach. In addition, there are some food trucks joining in on the celebrations June 1 through July 4. Bred’s Nashville Hot Chicken truck is serving up some delicious spicy fried chicken options, so if you like some spice, this is for you. Happy Ice will also be rolling in to feature Ultra-premium Philadelphia Italian Ice treats as a perfect tasty option to have some fun and stay cool! Stop by anytime after 3:00 p.m. to enjoy these tasty eats and treats from these new spots.

Now, for the moment you’ve been waiting for, the recipe for Pride Rock Punch. Grab your ingredients and get ready to test out your mixology skills.

PRIDE ROCK PUNCH from Troubadour Tavern at Disneyland Park
Serves 4-6

• 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 4 cups freshly brewed unsweetened black tea
• 1/3 cup mango beverage syrup
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 3/4 teaspoon tamarind paste
• Orange slices
• Dried mango slices
• Dried pineapple

1. Place pineapple in blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
2. Combine puréed pineapple, unsweetened tea, mango beverage syrup, orange juice, and tamarind paste in a large pitcher.  Stir until tamarind paste is fully dissolved.
3. Fill 4-6 tall glasses halfway with ice. Add punch and garnish with orange slices, dried mango, and dried pineapple.

Cook’s Note: If mango beverage syrup is unavailable, you can make your own using water, sugar, and mango. Bring 1/2 cup water, 1/2 sugar, and 1 cup of frozen mango pieces to a boil in a saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes. Cool completely and strain out mango pieces. Refrigerate up to one week.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents.
Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens.
The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

Download the recipe here to keep the celebrations going!