How to Host a Disney Dinner Party

 

Hi, My name is Roo and I’m a Disney addict.

All my life I have loved everything Disney. I was fortunate enough to visit Disneyland in Anaheim when I was 8 years old with my Mimi (my grandma) and ever since then the love affair has only intensified. It was only yesterday that my Aunty reminded that I would have been about 5 years old when she took me to see Sleeping Beauty and I danced in the aisle (and I was the only one).

Over the years I have been to Disneyland and Walt Disney World a few times and have always left even more enchanted. With all these visits the Disney food addiction has also intensified. Back in 2010 I spent 14 nights at Walt Disney World for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (see previous posts) and as any Disney addict would know, I made my dining reservations 180 days before the trip and only managed to get all everything I wanted for the days I wanted. 

Over the next couple of months there are a few of us that will be travelling to Disney, two travelling to Disneyland to celebrate the big 4-0, so in anticipation of that birthday and just wanting to get into the spirit of Disney I decided to host a Disney themed dinner party for my friend (who is having the longest celebrations for this birthday lucky thing!)

After the night before and the morning of putting the final touches together I was ready for the party to begin. I get impatient when I just want to start dinner parties.  I greeted my friend at the door dressed like this!

Chef Roo

Do you like my Mickey apron and Ratatouille Chef Hat?  I secretly cook in this occasionally (okay I’m joking!) but I do love my apron. (*side story her taxi driver turned out to be my neighbour so when I ran out greeting her like this he was also standing there (because he was popping into his place for a break!) a little embarrassing!!!)

But I know all of you are eager to hear what food was on offer, right?

So here it is. The Enchanted Menu!

Enchanted Menu

The nibble platter was a big hit. Chips and cheese and bacon balls for the kids and the adults had
Nuts, Cheese & Crackers, Carrot, Celery and Capsicum sticks, Apple and Pecan Baked Brie, Spiced Pumpkin Dip with Crackers

baked brie in the cheeky cow cheese baker

The baked brie was baked in my new Cheeky Cow Cheese Baker which was a birthday present for the Good Food and Wine Show back in June. The topping was crunchy and toffee )(from the brown sugar) and gooey and oozy when a cracker scooped out a big wodge of melted cheese with it. This topping was fabulous and I’m eager to find more baked cheese topping recipes now! I made the spiced pumpkin dip with greek yoghurt and half a packet of Pumpkin Chilli Dip/Seasoning mix from The Spice Trading Company

Chef Roo at work

The kids sat at the kiddie table and us adults at the other kiddie table!  

For the main I served a simple Lady and the Tramp Spaghetti and Meatballs, Cheesy Texas Toast fingers and a Princess Salad with Pomegranate seeds (these were the rubies!). Simple but delicious. I wanted to keep this simple considering dessert and treats were going to be the central part of the party. Big meatballs made from beef and veal a rich tomato and bacon sauce on a bed of spaghetti. I put out all my Pukara Estate balsamic vinegars and oils to dress you own salad. I had Fig Balsamic Vinegar (which is my favourite).

After a brief break and some Disney movie time dessert was awaiting. During the night we watched Disney movies that we hadn’t seen before (or for years). Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid 2 and Fantasia 2000.
This was the special dish of the evening.

Jasmin's Raspberry, Pistachio and Rose Ice cream Magic Carpets

 

Jasmin’s Raspberry, Pistachio and Rose Ice Cream Magic Carpets (meringues) –I served this with a frozen raspberry and pistachio crumb, rose petals and pistachio Pashmak (Persian Fairy Floss). The ice cream was dense with frozen raspberry pieces and pistachios. The hint of rosewater was not overpowering like I thought it might have been after being a little heavy handed with the pouring of it and the pistachio Pashmak was silky soft and amazingly flavourful. I have had to hide the bag because I keep going back to it. The real kids had vanilla ice cream with Popping Candy.
We are now full after double helpings of dessert but we have to finish the evening off with Mickey Oreos and Tigger Tails. These are treats you can buy in the Disney parks.

Tigger Tails

Mickey Oreos

Aren’t they just so delightful and cute and they certainly brings out the inner child. They are super easy to make too.  The oreo cookies a packet (or 2) of normal oreos and multi packs of mini oreos. The mini oreo cookies are glued on with chocolate (use dark chocolate!) I used milk and it’s to light. Dip half the big oreo into red chocolate (or red candy melts) and stick on 2 white sugar beads for his pants buttons. Lay on a baking paper lined tray to set.

The Tigger Tails are five marshmallows threaded onto a stick and dipped in orange chocolate. Drizzled with dark chocolate (again I used milk chocolate but dark would work best) and set in the fridge.
We all had a wonderful night discovering our inner child again (and yes for some of us just be normal!)

As everyone left they were given a Princess’ or Toy Story lolly box to take home. Because every kids party needs a lolly bag!

Happy 40th Birthday Tammy.  I hope turning 40 is a magical filled birthday!

 

 

Some other random photos of the day.