Jiko Macaroni and Cheese

This week I decided to prepare some Jiko's Macaroni and Cheese. I have never had it before, but the recipe sounded so good (huge cheese lover here) and like the perfect bit of comfort food my family would need with our hectic life pace. The recipe did not disappoint - it has such a unique blend of cheese flavors, and a wonderful creamy texture. I hope you all give it a try!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 quart whole milk
1 1/4 cups Quattro Fromage (4-cheese mixture of asiago, provolone, fontina, and gruyere cheeses)
2 tablespoons white wine (any will do)
2 pounds elbow macaroni (I should mention this is 2 pounds cooked macaroni, a big mistake I made)

Prepare the macaroni according to the directions on the box - I always like to boil mine with some pepper and garlic salt. While macaroni is boiling, start grating cheese for the sauce, and extra to bake on top (I grated an extra 1 1/4 cups).

Macaroni with seasonings

Cheese for topping

Combine flour and butter in a pan over low heat to form a roux. Make sure to stir continuously so the roux does not burn (even slight burning ruins the taste) until a pale brown. At the same time, bring the milk to a simmer. Once this has been done, and the roux is complete, stir the roux into the milk. Then, add in the cheese, wine, and any wanted seasonings and pour over the macaroni.

Roux ingredients

Finished roux

Milk and roux

Complete with topping and seasonings

Place the macaroni in the oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes to warm through, and melt the cheese topping. Plate with a favorite veggie dish and bread, and enjoy!

Comfort food dinner!

Make sure to continue our dining journey with Krystal at www.partnersbehindthemouse.com

Blue Bayou's Chocolate Mousse

I decided to close this week's challenge out with something sweet and decadent. After finding this Blue Bayou recipe I knew I had to give it a try! It's so delicious, easy to make, and versatile!

Ingredients:

12 oz. bittersweet chocolate

4 oz. unsalted butter (full stick)

5 oz. egg whites (slightly over 1/2 cup)

2 oz. sugar (1/4 cup)

3 1/2 cups of heavy cream

Start by using either a saucepan or a double boiler to melt down the chocolate and butter. Make sure to constantly stir so that the chocolate does not have a chance to stick to the bottom and melt.

Starter ingredients

Combine chips and butter

Mix Well

Finally melted

Now, whip the cream and sugar on high for a few minutes until it is light and fluffy. Once that is done, transfer to a different bowl and set aside.

Whip on high

Light and fluffy

Once the whip cream is done, start on the egg whites - beat them on high until soft peaks form.

Egg whites

Whites with a peak

Now, use a wire whisk to gently fold in melted chocolate, and then whipped cream. Then cover and refrigerate overnight.

Fold chocolate and egg whites together.

And then fold in whipped cream

Mix well

After the mousse has chilled long enough, serve and enjoy!

Bon Appetit!

Make sure to continue following our challenge with Krystal at www.partnersbehindthemouse.com

The Blue Bayou's Jambalaya

Welcome back for our awesome dining challenge! This week I decided I wanted to do things Cajun style - it's something my family loves (me especially as I have been to New Orleans, and truly connected with the food and state) and whether it's gumbo or beignets it's being eaten every few weeks. In looking through all of the Disney recipes I could choose from, this Jambalaya from the Blue Bayou jumped out at me as it's the one thing I have yet to try. I can truly say I was not disappointed, and will be adding this in to our family dinner rotation.

Ingredients
1 lb boneless fresh pork, diced into 1/2 inch cubes
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/4 tsp thyme, dried
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 16-ounce can tomatoes, crushed
4 cups water
1 1/4 cups rice, uncooked
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 1/2 cups onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup green bell pepper, diced
3/4 cup zucchini, diced
1 tsp yellow chili pepper
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
1 Tbsp parsley, chopped
1 cup ham, diced
1 cup Polish sausage, cooked & diced
1 cup Italian sausage, cooked & diced
1 cup okra, frozen, cut
1 1/2 cups small shrimp, cooked
Yield: 6-8 servings

Begin by sauteing pork in a large pan for about 15 minutes. Then, add all of the spices plus tomatoes. Cover the pan and cook for about 15 minutes.

Now it is time to add the water, rice, bouillon cubes, onions, celery, green pepper, zucchini, chili peppers, scallions, and parsley. Bring all of this to a boil. Stir everything well just to make sure the ingredients are mixed through, then cover back up and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the rest of your meat ingredients.

Veggie mix

Meat after cooking

Liquid/Rice coming to a boil

Cook for an additional 10 minutes after adding okra and shrimp.

Everything simmering away

Additional Tips:

1. I replaced some of the meat with things I know my family likes better. For example, instead of the ham and shrimp I added diced up bacon and beer brats. Mixed in with everything else it added a truly  wonderful meat flavor.
2. There are some great stores out there that sell gumbo mixes in the frozen vegetable section. Though I did not do that this time, it really is a time and money saver. 
3. If you're really low on time, but want this for a tasty family dinner, purchase the boxed jambalaya and add in the meats plus the frozen gumbo veggies. The taste is similar, but this simple step cuts the time in half.   
4. Put in a little bit of Creole Seasoning (it can be found pretty much anywhere in the spice aisle) for an extra punch!

Krystal is up next for another tasty, beautiful meal at www.partnersbehindthemouse.com

Cinderella's Royal Table's Blueberry Cheese Buckle

As I have been doing these recipes, I have been trying to avoid any baked goods as I have wanted to learn and try new things. Well, in my haste to choose recipes for this week, I did not fully read the instructions on one and found out last minute that I did not have some of the containers needed to properly cook it. So, I ran to the internet and tried to find a substitute recipe. By chance, I ran across this one and knew instantly that I had to give it a try. It's very easy to make, and very quick. Enjoy!

Muffins
3/4 stick (6 Tbl) Unsalted Butter
3/4 cup Granulated sugar
1 egg. + 1 egg yolk
1/3 cup Milk, whole
1 1/2 cup All purpose Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
3/4 tsp Vanilla
3/4 tsp Salt
2 cups Fresh Blueberries
1 1/2 cups Cream Cheese, whipped

Topping
3 Tbl. Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup Flour
3 1/2 Tbl. Sugar
1/4 tsp Cinnamon


Begin by melting the butter, and then whisking in the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix all of the dry ingredients together, and then stir in the liquids (make sure not to over mix). Very gently, fold in the blueberries and fill up the cupcake tins. After this is done, add a dollop of cream cheese on top.

Liquid Mix

Flour Mix

After everything is combined

Gently fold in blueberries

Almost done!

Whipped Cream Cheese

For the topping, rub everything together until it crumbles, and then sprinkle on top of each unbaked cupcake.

Topping before rubbing

Generously top each cupcake

Bake cupcakes in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Make sure to let them completely cool before serving!

Let them sit and cool before removing

Enjoy!

Join Krystal tomorrow at www.partnersbehindthemouse.com for another magical recipe!

50's Prime Time Cafe Mom's Meatloaf

I decided to kick off my portion of this week's challenge with some wonderful at home flavors of the 50's Prime Time Cafe. This has always been one of my favorite Disney restaurants, and I decided that it would be nice for my family to try Mom's Meatloaf.

INGREDIENTS:
2 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
4 eggs
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced green peppers
1/4 cup diced red peppers
2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
Cracked black pepper to taste
Kosher salt to taste
½ cup Meatloaf Glaze (recipe below)

GLAZE INGREDIENTS:
½ cup ketchup
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tsp Dijon mustard
½ Tsp worcestershire sauce

Begin by dicing the peppers and onion, then set aside. Then, combine all of the meat and seasonings (one note on the seasonings, the recipe calls for bread crumbs, but my preference is to use half bread crumbs and then one slice of bread soaked in milk. It really makes the meatloaf texture even better!). Add the veggies and mix well. Place in an oiled loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Veggie Mix

Meat and Seasoning Combo

Make sure the pan is well oiled

Next, combine all of the ingredients for the glaze and mix until smooth. Once the meatloaf has cooked for one hour, remove from the oven and brush the glaze on top. Then, put the meat loaf back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes.

Yummy Glaze

Glazed Meatloaf

Full home cooked meal, just like mom used to make

Please continue the challenge journey with us by going to www.partnersbehindthemouse.com tomorrow and seeing what delicious recipe Krystal has to share!