Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[oybolshoi]

Hi, my name is Brenda and I'm addicted to food porn.

 

[luvillians]

Ok, only 25 days till our trip!!! We are getting VERY excited. There is a pretty big group of us going and everyone is feeling the crunch of getting "vacation ready" (ie. lose as many pounds as possible so we can eat as much dessert as possible!!) I'm considered the health nut of my office and family and I LOVE to make up recipes. So I thought I might share a few recipes that I make that are packed with good things but keep all the flavor.

Chicken Fingers

2-4 chicken breast-sliced in strips
1 cup Stove Top Stuffing (whole wheat preferably)
1 cup whole oats
2 T Flax Seed
1 cup buttermilk
few shakes of hot sauce (I like Frank's)

Soak chicken strip in buttermilk and hot sauce. Place stuffing mix, oats and flax seed in a food processor and pulse. Dredge chicken in oat crumb mixture in place on sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes till cooked through.
The oat crust is crispy while packing in tons of fiber, protein, etc.

For a side item:

Potato "Fries"

3-5 Russet potatoes
olive oil
hot sauce
seasoning salt

Cut potatoes into slices and toss in the rest of ingredients. Put on baking sheet lined with parchment paper in one layer. Bake with chicken.

Add a tossed salad of good greens and use mustard instead of ketchup and you've got a great meal (that kids love).

 

[oybolshoi]

Crap on a cracker! You're going to do all of that on your own? What is the leek fondue for? Are you planning on having people dip bread in that? And if you're having fondue do you really want to have spinach dip, too?

It all sounds terrific ... be sure to take some pictures and come back here and share the food porn.

I've been so cranky the last few days that I've told everyone on both sides of the family to CRAM IT WITH WALNUTS!!!

Jay is making me some alcoholic coffee to soothe my injured feelings.

I haven't read much of this thread at all, but I would like everyone's opinions on my Easter dinner plan.

I'm the only one in the house who really cooks, and we have extended family coming, so I would like to go above and beyond this year.

This is what I'm thinking about so far.

Blue Cheese & Fig Phyllo Cups
Bruschetta
Mini Quiches
Spinach Dip

Ham
Zucchini-Parmesan Custard
Strawberry-Orange Compote
Carrot Risotto
Asparagus
Some Kind of Bread (May Cheat and Use Refrigerated Biscuits)
Leek Fondue
Salad

Orange Chiffon Cake
Strawberry-Lemon Cheesecake

I'm also planning on making homemade candies for Easter baskets.

The only thing that's set in stone so far though is the ham.

 

[oybolshoi]

WOW!

I'm sad to see her go even though I haven't been crazy about some of the F&W changes over the last couple of years. Jay and I were already bracing ourselves for more programming cutbacks this fall so at this point I'd be surprised to see much special programming beyond those events that can serve a mass of people (PFTS, Friday night taste events they've done the last two years ... things like that).

We're not sure that we'll even do PFTS this year ... since that takes place on my birthday we may just have a special dinner somewhere instead.

Just saw this in Scott Joeseph's Orlando Sentinal food blog - since a lot of us are going to F & W. How many of you are going to book events and which are the best and worth the high cost, in your opinion?

Another Disney layoff, this one affecting the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Nora Carey, project manager for Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, is the latest name to surface among the nearly 500 rumored to be laid off by Walt Disney World this week. Carey also oversaw the Tables in Wonderland program, which until recently was known as the Disney Dining Experience, a discount program.

Carey had been with the company for a total of 13 years, beginning with Disneyland Paris. Over the years, however, she worked for other companies, including the Paris Ritz. It was while she was there that she was approached by Disney's Dieter Hannig and Rosemary Rose, who convinced her to leave Paris for Orlando to head up the annual Epcot event. Ironically, both Hannig and Rose have also left the company recently, Hannig by voluntary separation and Rose by resignation to accept an executive position with another company.

When I asked Carey what she thinks will happen with the festival this year, she was cautiously optomistic. "I think it will be very different in scope," she said. "I think the look and feel of the festival will be different."

Carey said the Marketplace kiosks, the little booths set up around the World Showcase to sell samples of food from various nations, have always been one of the most popular aspects of the weeks-long event, so those are sure to continue. But beyond that she couldn't speculate.

One thing that won't happen is a return of the Bocuse d'Or this year. The biannual cooking competition was a highlight of the 2008 festival and wasn't scheduled to return until 2010. But Carey and Jerome Bocuse of Chefs de France were planning to have the event again this year in order to give the winner a better chance to train for the main competition in Lyon, France, in 2011. That plan has been scrapped, she said, as has one to have an international pastry competition as part of this year's event. (That one was dropped more because of climatic reasons than economical.)

Carey added that Marianne Hunnel and Kelly Block would continue with the culinary programming of the festival and has faith they will keep as much integrity in the project as possible.

Carey said she's not sure what is next for her but she finds it difficult to move on. "You work so hard to build up something," she said from her home in Celebration, "it's hard to walk away."

 

[oybolshoi]

I've killed my own thread.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Hi, my name is Brenda and I'm addicted to food porn.

Are you saying that we've been sounding like a 12 step program?

I'm sorry you're grumpy, I must have sent you my pms hormones over the internet. I'm not grumpy at all, but I have eaten like an unsupervised 6 year old for two days--chips, candy bars, frozen pizza and Chef Boyardee beefaroni. Mmmm, can't tell we're going to the beach in May, can ya?

Tatania, meant to post yesterday congrats on your trip! And that's awful about the F&W. I guess changes are to be expected everywhere unfortunately. So, where are you going to eat?

I really am wondering just how many cutbacks we'll see by our trip in December.

disneyfav, Wow! That is some spread you are planning. I was stressing over making cornbread salad and green bean casserole to go to my mom's! I only have to take a dessert to MIL's b/c so many of us gather at great-nana's house. I vote for Sister Shubert rolls if you're going to cheat.We've been cheating with these for years. Taste just like homemade yeast rolls without the work.

What do you do with leek fondue?

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

WOW!

We're not sure that we'll even do PFTS this year ... since that takes place on my birthday we may just have a special dinner somewhere instead.

I hear ya! Me and Fred have pondered whether we will bother with PFTS this year. It would be the first time we skipped it since we started to go to F&W, but it just doesn't have the same draw for us that it used to. V&A's may be calling to us instead.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I haven't read much of this thread at all, but I would like everyone's opinions on my Easter dinner plan.

I'm the only one in the house who really cooks, and we have extended family coming, so I would like to go above and beyond this year.

This is what I'm thinking about so far.

Blue Cheese & Fig Phyllo Cups
Bruschetta
Mini Quiches
Spinach Dip

Ham
Zucchini-Parmesan Custard
Strawberry-Orange Compote
Carrot Risotto
Asparagus
Some Kind of Bread (May Cheat and Use Refrigerated Biscuits)
Leek Fondue
Salad

Orange Chiffon Cake
Strawberry-Lemon Cheesecake

I'm also planning on making homemade candies for Easter baskets.

The only thing that's set in stone so far though is the ham.

Sounds like a great menu & lots of time in the kitchen. Definitely take pics and share!

I'm taking Easter off this year. No cooking for me and I just told the relatives today we will be spending the holiday alone. There's so much drama with family gatherings on our end lately that we need a reprieve. We will probably go out to dinner the day before since we normally try to steer clear of restaurants on holidays. We're boring and lazy this year.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The leek fondue is actually a side dish, and the one thing I'm debating the most, because of the cost of leeks. But I know I'm going to get paid back by my dad for at least half of the groceries, so I'll probably end up making it since it's so yummy.

It's actually served at Flying Fish with the potato-crusted snapper.

 

[oybolshoi]

I hear ya! Me and Fred have pondered whether we will bother with PFTS this year. It would be the first time we skipped it since we started to go to F&W, but it just doesn't have the same draw for us that it used to. V&A's may be calling to us instead.

Actually we're going back and forth about eating at V&A on the 17th ... fickle mushheads, that's what we are.

And then I could order a birthday cake from the GF Bakery ... have it delivered to V&A, take it back to the BCV after dinner and then share it with anyone who shows up that evening for a BYOB DIS meet-n-eat-n-drink-n-greet.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Thanks for clearing that up--I was thinking fondue like cheese fondue. We haven't tried FF so I wasn't familiar with their menu.

 

[Tink rules]

I've been so cranky the last few days that I've told everyone on both sides of the family to CRAM IT WITH WALNUTS!!!

Jay is making me some alcoholic coffee to soothe my injured feelings.

Can Jay make me some too...it's been a crappy week...

I've killed my own thread.

It takes more than that to take down a Bendy thread...

Actually we're going back and forth about eating at V&A on the 17th ... fickle mushheads, that's what we are.

And then I could order a birthday cake from the GF Bakery ... have it delivered to V&A, take it back to the BCV after dinner and then share it with anyone who shows up that evening for a BYOB DIS meet-n-eat-n-drink-n-greet.

I think we need to get T-shirts made up with that on it...

 

[Tatania]

I haven't read much of this thread at all, but I would like everyone's opinions on my Easter dinner plan.

I'm the only one in the house who really cooks, and we have extended family coming, so I would like to go above and beyond this year.

This is what I'm thinking about so far.

Blue Cheese & Fig Phyllo Cups
Bruschetta
Mini Quiches
Spinach Dip

Ham
Zucchini-Parmesan Custard
Strawberry-Orange Compote
Carrot Risotto
Asparagus
Some Kind of Bread (May Cheat and Use Refrigerated Biscuits)
Leek Fondue
Salad

Orange Chiffon Cake
Strawberry-Lemon Cheesecake

I'm also planning on making homemade candies for Easter baskets.

The only thing that's set in stone so far though is the ham.

That sounds like a lot of work for one person especially as if everything is made from scratch. Leeks are cheap in my neck of the woods - I mean it's kind of like an onion. How expensive could that be? Is the Strawberry-Orange Compote a relish for the ham? The Disney recipes have some wonderful salad dressings and one of my favorites is the Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette from Liberty Tree Tavern. It's on the DISNEY Recipe Exchange -and OMG it' good!

Ok, only 25 days till our trip!!! We are getting VERY excited. There is a pretty big group of us going and everyone is feeling the crunch of getting "vacation ready" .

There are few things more exciting than planning a trip to WDW. As a matter of fact, sometimes I think the anticipation is more fun than the actual experience : Have you got your ADRs and can you post a list of the restaurants you'll be going to? There's quite a few unfulfilled requests on the DISNEY Recipe Exchange, so if anyone is going to the restaurants, it would be outstanding to get some of them fulfilled.

 

[ChelleinNC]

I've been so cranky the last few days that I've told everyone on both sides of the family to CRAM IT WITH WALNUTS!!!

Jay is making me some alcoholic coffee to soothe my injured feelings.

I hope the special coffee helped When Jon realized I was out of Bailey's this weekend, he stopped at the ABC store on his way home from work Monday--before he flew to California for the rest of the week. Isn't he sweet, he didn't want to leave me alone with the kids without my Bailey's

Sorry I've been MIA this week, it's been a little crazy but really good. The career that I've always wanted but put off/didn't know how to start is actually happening . I get to put my love of Disney with my T&T (travel & tourism) training how awesome is that?

and lastly: Hi Jaime, Alison, Deb & Chelsi Michelle is my real name but Chelle has always been my nickname (and I live in North Carolina)

 

[oybolshoi]

I hope the special coffee helped When Jon realized I was out of Bailey's this weekend, he stopped at the ABC store on his way home from work Monday--before he flew to California for the rest of the week. Isn't he sweet, he didn't want to leave me alone with the kids without my Bailey's

Sorry I've been MIA this week, it's been a little crazy but really good. The career that I've always wanted but put off/didn't know how to start is actually happening . I get to put my love of Disney with my T&T (travel & tourism) training how awesome is that?

and lastly: Hi Jaime, Alison, Deb & Chelsi Michelle is my real name but Chelle has always been my nickname (and I live in North Carolina)

The coffee was just what the doctor ordered ...

Congrats on the job ... it is a job offer? Tell us more ... let us enjoy it with you!

 

[Briarmom]

Welcome back Briarrose. Did you go to Bruges? The scenery looked so cook in the movie by that name.

I live in Belgium, so I get to go to Bruges every so often. We like it there.

Hi, my name is Brenda and I'm addicted to food porn.

Hi Brenda!

Actually we're going back and forth about eating at V&A on the 17th ... fickle mushheads, that's what we are.

Doit. Do. It.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Hi, Chelle!! Congrats on the new career! DH is always saying I need to figure out how to start a travel agency that specializes in Disney, so I could get paid for all the research and planning! It's got to be better than the local AAA--I have ALWAYS had the codes before them and had to show them how to apply it. This year I just booked on my own.
Tell us more!

 

[ChelleinNC]

The coffee was just what the doctor ordered ...

Congrats on the job ... it is a job offer? Tell us more ... let us enjoy it with you!

Background: When I went to college (more years ago than I care to admit) I started as a Business Mgt major, moved to Hospitality and finished up as a Travel & Tourism major (I've got enough credits for several degrees, just not the degree itself ). While in college, I was accepted and spent the summer on the Walt Disney World College Program. That summer changed my life forever Not only did I fall in love with the Mouse, I met & fell in love with DH (we met at PI). I had a Mickey & Minnie topper on our wedding cake, and we honeymooned on The Big Red Boat (before DCL existed) and at the Poly. I've always talked about becoming a travel agent and specializing in Disney is a "DUH"

Fast forward to now: Working for the 1st time in 18 years these last 2 months has been nice for having clients to talk to and a paycheck, but I can't say I love preparing taxes (it's also a job that ends 4/15). DH stumbled on an agency 2 weeks ago that he sent me info on, which made me start looking again and I found this agency. Applied online, filled out the written interview (2 page word document that was 4 pages by the time I was done) and then on Sunday I did a phone interview and we talked for about an hour & a half I signed the contract Sunday evening .

I'll be working thru an agency that specializes in Disney vacations (and is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner) but it's not the one that sponsors these boards, so I probably can't say more than that I will be working from home, doing everything by phone & internet. I'm working on my Disney Colleges of Knowledge classes and as soon as I earn my ears and graduate I'll post a pic

 

[kabuki]

PLEASE, can you post any recipes that you get at the Festival? That includes handouts or demos?

I'm a hard-core Disney recipe collector and getting any from the California F & W Festival is very difficult.

Tatania .. it would be no problem to post what ever I get for you. If I see anything cool or you have things you really want let me know also and I can get them. 1st year the did recipe cards and I haven't seen them since but cross your fingers!

 

[kabuki]

Welcome back Briarrose. Did you go to Bruges? The scenery looked so cook in the movie by that name.

Hi Alison

Just saw this in Scott Joeseph's Orlando Sentinal food blog - since a lot of us are going to F & W. How many of you are going to book events and which are the best and worth the high cost, in your opinion?

Another Disney layoff, this one affecting the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Nora Carey, project manager for Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, is the latest name to surface among the nearly 500 rumored to be laid off by Walt Disney World this week. Carey also oversaw the Tables in Wonderland program, which until recently was known as the Disney Dining Experience, a discount program.

Carey had been with the company for a total of 13 years, beginning with Disneyland Paris. Over the years, however, she worked for other companies, including the Paris Ritz. It was while she was there that she was approached by Disney's Dieter Hannig and Rosemary Rose, who convinced her to leave Paris for Orlando to head up the annual Epcot event. Ironically, both Hannig and Rose have also left the company recently, Hannig by voluntary separation and Rose by resignation to accept an executive position with another company.

When I asked Carey what she thinks will happen with the festival this year, she was cautiously optomistic. "I think it will be very different in scope," she said. "I think the look and feel of the festival will be different."

Carey said the Marketplace kiosks, the little booths set up around the World Showcase to sell samples of food from various nations, have always been one of the most popular aspects of the weeks-long event, so those are sure to continue. But beyond that she couldn't speculate.

One thing that won't happen is a return of the Bocuse d'Or this year. The biannual cooking competition was a highlight of the 2008 festival and wasn't scheduled to return until 2010. But Carey and Jerome Bocuse of Chefs de France were planning to have the event again this year in order to give the winner a better chance to train for the main competition in Lyon, France, in 2011. That plan has been scrapped, she said, as has one to have an international pastry competition as part of this year's event. (That one was dropped more because of climatic reasons than economical.)

Carey added that Marianne Hunnel and Kelly Block would continue with the culinary programming of the festival and has faith they will keep as much integrity in the project as possible.

Carey said she's not sure what is next for her but she finds it difficult to move on. "You work so hard to build up something," she said from her home in Celebration, "it's hard to walk away."

WOW! Thank you for posting this! It's all so sad. I am hoping that things are not too bad and cut down but then we will have to wait even longer I guess to see what will happen now!