Recipe of the Week: Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier

While I am not a soup eater, this soup comes up during the MouseLife podcast almost every week. So this recipe is for them. This week's recipe of the week is the Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier.

Serves: 8

Ingredients: 

5 cups milk, warmed
½ pound bacon
10 tablespoons butter
1 cup celery
2 each red onions, finely chopped
1 ½ cups flour
1 quart chicken stock
1 pound cheddar cheese, shredded
To taste - kosher salt
To taste - freshly ground black pepper
1 ½ teaspoons Tabasco sauce
3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
12 ounces slightly warm ale 

Method of Preparation:

1.  Slowly heat milk.
2. Brown the bacon first, then render until crisp.
3. Add the butter and melt.
4. Add celery and onions, cook until translucent.
5. Add flour and mix thoroughly to form a roux.
6. Add chicken stock and simmer for three minutes.
7. Add warm milk and stir vigorously to thicken.
8. Cook out roux until thickened (it should not have a starchy taste).
9. Reduce heat to low, add cheese, and stir until melted.
10. Season with kosher salt, pepper, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce.
11. Just prior to serving, add warm ale.
12. Garnish with cooked bacon and fresh chives. 

Cook's note: When re-heating soup, do not bring to a boil, as it will break down.

Source: AllEars.net

Changes Coming to Some World Showcase Entertainment at Epcot:

Several entertainment acts are being changed in World Showcase at Epcot. Acts in Canada, Germany, and Morocco will see changes beginning today, January 1. Here are the details:

Canada:
Alberta Bound is leaving Epcot on January 1, 2017 and will be replaced by the familiar Bodh’aktan on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. “Bodh’aktan, seven piratical rogues who take the stage with the musicians who fuse elements of rock, traditional, pop, and punk!” Bodh’aktan is committed to play this round in Epcot through January 22, 2017

Alberta Bound will then return to Epcot on January 23, 2017

Germany:
Margret Almer & the Bavarian Band. The Margret Almer Band will be leaving Epcot on January 1, 2017 and Weis n Baum will be arriving on Sunday, January 8, 2017. Weis n Baum is a Bavarian Oktoberfest band that primarily performs in Munich Germany, but travels to other locations as well. Expect a Bavarian and Polka inspired music with an updated twist. They describe themselves as:

“With an astonishing variety of tradititional instruments and song repertoire the Bavarian folk music represents a unique tradition within the cultural landscape of Germany. Bavarian culture is more than just the OKTOBERFEST, the world’s largest Volksfest. It is a deeply rooted tradition of music, costumes and way of life. This tradition should be maintained by the young generation!”

Morocco:
Musique Aramenco is leaving Epcot after playing January 1, 2017 and Matboukha Groove will take their performance location on January 15, 2017 for an undetermined length.

Source: Kenny the Pirate

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone has a prosperous and healthy 2017.

- John

Special Food and Drink at Magic Kingdom's 24-Hour Party and DCL Announces New Sailings for Fall 2016

Special and Food and Drink for 'Coolest Summer Ever' Kickoff at Magic Kingdom:

We are just days away from the kickoff of the 'Coolest Summer Ever' at the Magic Kingdom. Today, on the Disney Parks Blog they announced the special food and drink offering in the park during the 24-Hour Party. Here is the list:

• Frozen Cupcakes (pictured above): Main Street Bakery and Gaston's Tavern
• Frozen Sundae - Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
• Specialty Cotton Candy: Outdoor Food Carts, Casey's Corner (with light stick Outdoor Food Carts only)
• Olaf Souvenir Cup - at all Quick Service locations

• Lemonade in Olaf Cup - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, Columbia Harbour House, Pecos Bill's, Pinocchio Village Haus, Stands East, Outdoor Food Carts
• Watermelon Shaved Ice - Space Dog Cart
• BBQ Slaw Hot Dog - Lunching Pad
• Bacon, Egg, and Potatoes Breakfast Platter - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
• Flip Flog Treat - Lunching Pad and Outdoor Food Carts

Disney Cruise Line Announces New Sailing for Fall 2016:

Today, Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Parks Blog were glad to share their new sailings for the Fall of 2016. They announced that the Disney Magic will be returning to New York in the fall of 2016 with new sailings to both the Bahamas and Canada. They also announced sailings from Galveston and Miami. 

The Disney Magic is returning to New York.

Here is what the new sailings look like for Fall 2016 from Disney Cruise Line:

New York

• Sailings from New York to the Bahamas include a visit to Walt Disney World Resort, plus a Park Hopper ticket and round-trip transportation between the ship and the resort. All New York to Bahamas voyages also include a stop at Castaway Cay.
• One five-night voyage from New York to Canada stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. Check out Arny’s post, A Glimpse of a Disney Cruise to Atlantic Canada, which includes a video from our first visit to these charming ports.

Miami

• For the first time, we’re offering seven-night voyages from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, in addition to shorter options. All sailings from Miami include a stop at Castaway Cay.

Galveston

• A variety of seven-night cruises are departing from Galveston, including Bahamian sailings and Western Caribbean sailings. Plus, for a quick getaway, we’re offering two four-night sailings to Cozumel.

Also available for Fall of 2016 will be the usual ports of call from Port Canaveral, Florida. Guests may begin bookings for the Fall 2016 sailing on DCL beginning this Wednesday May 20, 2015. You can find more details about the itineraries on disneycruise.com.