It’s that time of year again

September 27, 2013 by Carole 6 Comments

Oh yes, it’s that time of year when my thoughts start drifting towards Disney’s Food and Wine Festival and what I’m planning to eat. I thought I’d post the most yummy bits of this year’s menus just so you can see where I’m likely to be headed.

Australia:
Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon Myrtle and Rapini
Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies
Pavlova (Crispy Meringue Shell with Fresh Driscoll’s Berries and Vanilla Custard)

I love shrimp so that’s near the top of my ‘must try’ list. Maybe the Pavlova too. It does sound rather nice.

Belgium:
Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef
Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream
Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote featuring Driscoll’s® Berries and Whipped Cream

It’s chocolate – it has to be sampled, although the berry one does sound nice too. I’m not sure about waffles with beef. Maybe I’ll let Stephen sample that and pinch a corner of his.

Brazil:
Seared Scallop with Ragout of Tomatoes, Peppers, Hearts of Palm and Steamed Rice
Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Onions, Avocado and Cilantro

Both sound delicious. I’ll have a hard job picking which one to try. I doubt if I’ll get a chance to do both in the available time. Drat.

Canada:
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Seared Rainbow Trout with Bacon, Frisee and Maple Minus 8 Vinaigrette
“Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce

I’ve had the cheese soup before and it was gorgeous. I definitely have my eye on that rainbow trout and I’m certain that Stephen will go straight for the beef.

Cheese:
Almond Crusted Blue Cheese Soufflé with Fig Jam
Artisan Cheese Selection: Flagship Reserve Cheddar, La Bonne Vie Triple Crème Brie, Wijngaard Goats Gouda

Fig jam! I have to try it just for that.

China:
Mongolian Beef in a Steamed Bun
Black Pepper Shrimp with Sichuan Noodles
Chicken Potstickers
Silky Spun Ice with Toppings (Coconut, Strawberry, Chocolate)

That sounds really nice. I may pass on the shrimp as I’m not a huge fan of black pepper but the beef does sound good. Having seen a review and photo of the spun ice, I’m thinking I may have to try that now too.

Desserts and Champagne:
Chocolate Orange Cupcake
Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
Morello Cherry Pistachio Mousse
Dessert Trio

No champers for me with the no alcohol thing but a big yes to desserts. And why pick one when you can have the trio and get a sample of all three? Seems rude not to.

Florida local:
Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with Monterey Jack and Sweet & Hot Pickles
Florida Shrimp Ceviche with Fire Roasted Vegetables and Micro Cilantro

No contest here. Stephen will have the beef and I’ll get the shrimp. I’m going to be gutted that I can’t have any drink though as they have Key Lime wine. How amazing does that sound?!

France:
Escargots Persillade en Brioche
Boeuf Bourguignon
Crème Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait

No snails. No, no, no. A big yes to dessert though and I predict Stephen will go for the beef. Again. Are we predictable?

Germany:
Schinken Nudel (Pasta Gratin with Ham & Cheese)
Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll
Apple Strudel with Werther’s Original Karamel and Vanilla Sauce

I may be tempted to the pasta. Then again, I have had that Apple Strudel before and I know just how good it is. No, seriously, what am I thinking? The pasta has no chance.

Greece:
Taste of Greece: Grilled & Marinated Calamari, Hitipiti, Eggplant Dip, Olives and Pita Bread
Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey
Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce
Spanakopita

I’ve always said that I don’t like Calamari, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually tasted it or if it’s just the thought that puts me off. I do love Greek food and the rest of the mixed dish sounds great so I may go for that and give it a try. Stephen will eat it if I don’t.

Hops & Barley:
Griddled Lobster Tail with Garlic Herb Butter
Lobster Roll with Lemon Herb Mayonnaise
New England Clam Chowder with a side of Tabasco
Craisin Bread Pudding with Grand Marnier Anglaise

I’m making a beeline for this place. I’ve had that lobster roll before and it was amazing. I’ve also had the bread pudding and it was to die for. If I have nothing else all week, I’m having those two. And maybe a lobster tail as well.

Ireland:
Lobster and Seafood Fisherman’s Pie
Kerrygold Cheese Selection: Reserve Cheddar, Dubliner with Irish Stout, Skellig
Warm Chocolate Pudding with Bailey’s® Custard

The fisherman’s pie is a maybe but do I spy a chocolate pudding there? I believe I do.

Italy:
Ravioli de formaggio all’emiliana
Salsiccia e ‘Papacelli” Napoletani
Cannoli al Cioccolato

I’m a sucker for Italian food so any of those will do nicely. If I’ve had enough chocolate (is such a thing possible?), I’ll go for one of the savoury dishes.

Mexico:
Shrimp Taco with Purple Cabbage
Taco de Ribeye with Salsa de Chipotle
Rice Pudding

Shrimp!

Morocco:
Kefta Pocket
Harissa Chicken Roll
Baklava

I do love Moroccan food. We’ll be eating in the Moroccan pavillion at some point but I may sneak in a wee Kefta Pocket too. I’ll probably give the Baklava a miss as they’re usually a bit sweet, even for me.

New Zealand:
Gratinated Green Lip Mussels with Garlic and Herbs
Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney
Venison Sausage with Pickled Mushrooms, Baby Arugula and Black Currant Reduction

Mussels or Meatballs? Decisions, decisions. I think it may be a decide on the spot thing, once I see them. 

Poland:
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream
Zapiekanki (Toasted Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Cheese Bread with House-made Ketchup)

Can’t decide. The first one maybe? I meant to try something Polish last time but ran out of time, and capacity. I’m definitely going to try harder this year.

Scotland
Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette
Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties (Griddled Vegetable Cake with Rutabaga and Mashed Potatoes)
Scottish Banoffee Tart with Bananas, Scottish Whisky Toffee, Walkers Shortbread Crumbles and Sweet Cream

Scotland makes its debut with three tasty looking dishes. I do love salmon but I eat it quite often. Maybe I’ll try the veggie Haggis and possibly the banoffee tart, although that does sound a bit on the rich side.

Singapore:
Lemongrass Chicken Curry with Coconut and Jasmine Rice
Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice and “Singa” Sauce

Both of those sound good. If we have time to fit in Singapore I think it’ll be another snap decision.

All the menus and details are at the Disney Food Blog, which I’ve been following for past few months. So much delicious food on there, as well as some great, up to date info.