July 27, 2013

Walt Disney World Really Cooks!

Photo of me in front of the Brown Derby Restaurant in Walt Disney World, taken this March.
Love this restaurant! (I recommend the large Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake)
And I got to pretend that I was Lucy while dining here. (From the “I Love Lucy” episode “L.A. At Last”)

Maybe it was inevitable, my name, having been inspired by The Mickey Mouse Club’s most famous (“Hi, I’m Annette”) member, but I love Walt Disney World! My family loves Walt Disney World! I am not sure when, or where, it was decided, but Dale and I determined early on that our family would take a WDW vacation when each of our children turned the age of three. We reasoned that age three was a magical time, and it was especially at this age, that the children would be enthralled with all that the most magical place on earth had to offer. As time went on we were blessed with four children, and the four family vacations did happen; yet it did not stop with just those three-year old milestone visits. It has continued. Many more happy family trips were made over the years to Orlando from our various home locales of Texas, Ohio, and Maryland.

On one of our early Disney trips, we had the privilege of dining at the now defunct Epcot restaurant L’Originale Alfredo di Roma. It was at that meal that I was introduced to “real” Fettuccini Alfredo. This dish was unlike the cream- infested alfredo dishes that I had eaten before. This was a pasta epiphany! I did not know it at the time, but Fettuccini Alfredo had been invented/created by the restaurateur of the original Italian L’Originale Alfredo di Roma. The recipe found it’s way to the U.S from Italy via honeymooning (in the early 1920’s) film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. They enjoyed this dish so much, that they brought back the recipe to Hollywood. Fortunately, the recipe for this epicurean masterpiece was also found in the cookbook that I had purchased from Walt Disney World: Cooking with Mickey Around the World- Walt Disney World’s Most Requested Recipes (I love and collect cookbooks!) This cookbook has become well -worn over the years with several recipes, and this one in particular, becoming family favorites. This recipe is delicious, uncomplicated, delicious, and fattening. And did I mention that it is delicious?

Note: Although, I attempt to post most blogs on Sundays, or Mondays, this coming week’s will be delayed by a few days.

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Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

For more fettuccine information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fettucini_alfredo
http://seeaimeecook.blogspot.com/2011/07/fettuccine-alfredo-way-its-intended-to.html
Photos below:

Fettuccine Alfredo
Serves 3-4

Ingredients

1 pound fresh fettuccine

Boiling salted water

1 cup butter, softened (Do not use margarine.)

1/3-1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
+ additional for topping

Freshly cracked pepper

Directions

Boil pot of water, adding salt.

Meanwhile, warm up large bowl. Place half softened butter in bowl. Set aside. (Annette’s true confession-I often skip this and just melt the butter.)

Drop fettuccini into boiling salted water. Making sure that the fettuccini is separated for proper cooking.

Cook until fettuccini comes to the surface, about 2 minutes.

Drain immediately and quickly place in the prepared warmed bowl with the half of softened butter.

Top with lumps of remaining softened butter, and grated cheese.

Toss lightly with fork and spoon for about 2 minutes, until fettuccini is well coated and a creamy sauce has formed.

Serve immediately, sprinkled with freshly cracked pepper and additional grated cheese.

Gilding the Lilly:
If desired add any of the following-
Diced, cooked chicken
Cooked shrimp
Sautéed sliced mushrooms

 One of my favorite cookbooks- Cooking with Mickey Around the World- Walt Disney World’s Most Requested Recipes

 My daughter and her husband, chapeaued in Mickey Mouse Ears on their May 12, 2013 wedding day. (My daughter interned at WDW and was a college Disney rep.)