Books

Book Review: “The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault”

Denise ,  ,  , 

Hi everyone!

I was sent “The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault” to review. This is the newest official Disney cookbook from Pam Brandon (and the Disney chefs). “The Official Disney Parks Cookbook” officially releases on February 7th, 2023.

Pam Brandon writes the introduction, mentioning that she wrote the first ‘official Disney parks cookbook’ back in 1998 (there were other cookbooks prior, I had “Cooking with Mickey” and we have Volume II). Brandon mentions that some of the recipes in the book have “staying power”, like Walt’s Chili & Beans, the Monte Cristo Sandwich, and Dole Whip. There are also recipes from newer locations and some seasonal recipes, including from the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

“The Official Disney Parks Cookbook” arrived to me just a few days ago, and I’ve made one recipe so far – the Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings from ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The recipe is an easy and pretty quick one, although I doubled the ingredients to coat the chicken (I didn’t need to double the wing sauce).

My finished Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings

The next recipe I will make will be the Spicy Durban-Style Chicken from Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village). I don’t have the whole star anise, whole cumin seeds or cardamom pods on hand (I have ordered them from Amazon). The recipe looks pretty easy, and it is a dish I enjoy. After that, I have Walt’s Chili and Beans planned for next week, which is the current version from the Carnation Café at Disneyland.

As someone who loves to cook but doesn’t have all the equipment (for example, I don’t own a food processor or standing mixer), I am really happy with the amount of recipes I can still make. That isn’t always the case with cookbooks. There are a lot of pretty easy recipes and then some that are harder. I like the variety of drinks and beverages included. I’ll post more about the recipes I make in the next couple of weeks.

There are photographs throughout the book of the finished recipes, and some photos included of the Disney parks and resorts. I do wish that Disney100 was tied into the book with more photos and some history (like the ” Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World” cookbook did for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World).

I am happy with the selection of recipes in “The Official Disney Parks Cookbook” and expect to use it often in the future. The price point is good too. I’ll post more in the next couple of weeks after making more recipes!

Here is the official information from Disney about “The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Series“.

Some of the best vacation moments happen during a great meal, and this collection of official Disney parks recipes is the perfect ingredient to sharing similar food, love, and laughter with friends and family at home!

For more than twenty-five years, Pam Brandon has worked closely with the Disney chefs to thoughtfully take the best dishes from Disney theme parks and resorts and serve up official recipes that are just right for prepping on a smaller scale in home kitchens and tested by real home chefs. Now comfy classics, festival favorites, and international cuisines are whisked together and presented in this bright collection from the Delicious Disney recipe vault.Filled with personalized notes from the chefs who created and enhanced them, mouthwatering food photos, helpful hints for easy preparation, and, of course, a little Disney magic, this cookbook enchants with 101 tried-and-true recipes from across the years.

You’ll find an assortment of appetizers, main courses, sides, desserts, and even joyful libations that have come from fine-dining and quick-service establishments and have wowed guests of the Disneyland Resort; Walt Disney World Resort; Disney Cruise Line ships; and Disney Vacation Club resorts, including:

  • Dagobah Slug Slinger
  • Watermelon Lemonade
  • Chef Mickey’s Breakfast Pizza
  • Pork Goulash Pierogi
  • Flame Tree Barbecue Sauce
  • Holiday Ham Slider with Pineapple Cherry Jam
  • Mickey Mouse Beignets
  • Rainbow Sprinkle Whoopie Pies
  • Grey Stuff

 

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