The Magic of Disneyland

One of my favorite places, since I was a little girl, is Disneyland.

I can't fully express how it makes me feel.  The atmosphere is truly unlike anywhere else.  It really is "the happiest place on earth".


When I met MGG he had only been to Disneyland once before.  And, he didn't really like it...or he didn't "get" it.  So it took me many years of bargaining with him to get him to go with me.  But I finally got him to go during the Halloween season last year.  Let me tell you...the magic of Disneyland won him over.  He is in LOVE with the atmosphere, the happiness, the rides, food, and history of Disney.  I knew he would be!


Now he wants to go all the time...


So we were fortunate enough to go during the Christmas season.  I wanted him to see the park all decorated.  I love it at that time of year.  So I've been lax in posting this but, better late than never, I say!

One of the best things about this trip was that it was the spot where MGG proposed to me, under the castle.  So romantic!  It just made the whole day like a fairytale, and a wonderful memory to last a lifetime!

But, this is a food blog you know.  I would be remiss if I didn't talk a little about that.  The food at Disneyland has changed over the years.  They offer much more healthy options than just the fast food fare.  That's why we headed over there early to enjoy a healthy (not!) breakfast at the River Belle Cafe.  I love the mickey shaped pancakes.

And a mass production of pancakes.

And look at this mondo cinnamon roll.  While I was expressing my surprise that how large it was the girl next to me grabbed and and said...I think I'll share this!  Not me...I would have eaten that right up.

Here's my breakfast of potatoes, eggs, sausage, and a biscuit.  So delicious.

Here's MGGs breakfast, he wanted some of those tender pancakes!  I think I snuck a bite when he wasn't looking...and he did the same with my potatoes!

And the funniest food novelty we saw all day was this!  I want one of these.

Hope you get to go to Disneyland soon and experience the Magic for yourself!  Or, if you come to LA, make this one of your destinations, it is a wonderful place.  

Simple Mornay Sauce

Sometimes you just need a good sauce.

I was in that dilemma not so long ago when I cooked up some nice Chicken Cordon Bleu for dinner but wanted to jazz it up a bit with a white sauce.

So I whipped up this simple Mornay Sauce.

Mornay Sauce is a cream sauce, or bechamel of sorts that uses a roux as the base (flour and butter), plus has added cheese.  Typically two cheeses are used, such as a combination of Parmesan and Gruyere.  To keep it simple I just used Parmesan cheese.  

This is a light sauce, perfect for topping all kinds of foods such as, fish, vegetables, chicken, an can be used as a sort of alternative to Alfredo sauce for a different spin on pasta.

So next time you need a little something something...to top a dish...turn to this sauce, and give it a try.

Here are some step by step pics to get you started.

- Fresh grated Parmesan cheese

- Melting the butter

- Add the flour to make a roux

- Bring the mixture to a bubble

- Add the milk

- Turn up the heat and add the cheese and seasonings....stir, stir, stir, until it thickens.  About 3-4 minutes or until the consistency you desire is reached.

Serve!

Mornay Sauce 

Serves 4

1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. flour
1 c. milk
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Salt and pepper

In small pan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour. When mixture bubbles, add milk all at once, stirring with a whisk to avoid lumps. 

Turn heat up to medium high, stir in cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring constantly until it's thick about 3-4 minutes.  Serve over desired foods such as steamed vegetables, or on seafood and poultry dishes.  

Pie Dough Cookies

Who loves Pie Dough Cookies?

I do...I do!

This is a throwback from my childhood.  Whenever mom made a pie (and she made a lot of pies, cause she's the queen of pies!) she would use the leftover pie dough and bake cookies for me.  Nothing fancy, just simple little strips with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top.


Man oh man, I would wait in anticipation for those cookies!  Finally they would come out of the oven and I would get my first bite...ah...the tender flaky crust, with just a hint of cinnamon and sugar!  Fabulous!  I still love them.


So in keeping with mom's tradition, whenever I make a pie I make pie dough cookies too.  


Take a look at these pies....

and here are the pie dough cookies....so tasty!

So use your left over pie dough (if you're not making fancy leaves to decorate with... of course) to make your kids...or yourself...hehe! some simple cookies.