Disney Cooking: Bringing Home the Best of Epcot’s Canada

With the Canadian Lumberjacks show getting chopped, the Canada Pavilion in Epcot now has a new show. It’s called The TradNation Project and it’s an authentic example of traditional French Canadian music. I may be a local of Orlando, but I was born and raised in Canada. My family keeps a close eye on what’s happening in Epcot’s version of the country.

We rushed over opening weekend to see the show and loved it. It may not be as exciting as Off Kilter used to be, but its as close to the traditional Quebec music scene as you will get in Florida. While waiting for the show to start, I started thinking about all the amazing foods the chefs create in the Canadian Pavilion’s restaurant Le Cellier Steakhouse. My family is incredibly lucky to visit whenever we want, but most guests cannot because of distance.

Here are two of the best recipes from Epcot’s Canada Pavilion that you can make at home. It’s easier than you think to bring the magic into your own kitchen.

Let’s get started!

These are hands down the best potatoes I have ever tried.

They are by no means diet food but they aren’t supposed to be. You are doing it to bring pieces of your favorite place on earth home with you. Get ready for the creamiest mashed potatoes you will ever try.

What you need:

• 2 Pounds Idaho Potatoes
• 1 Tbsp. Kosher Salt
• ½ Cup Milk (Warmed)
• 8 Ounces Cream Cheese
• 1 Stick Butter (Unsalted)
• Black Pepper for Taste

Super Easy Instructions:

1. In salted water, boil your potatoes. It’s best to cut them in small chunks beforehand for quicker cooking.
2. When cooked, drain the salted water.
3. Add salt, butter, and cream cheese to your potatoes.
4. Mash the mixture well.
5. Add your milk. You want to create a fluffy constancy.
6. Add Black pepper to taste.
7. Add Salt to taste.

This is probably one of the most famous dishes in Walt Disney World. People go nuts for this soup and I am no exception. From the moment I tried it at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival I was hooked. My entire family loves it.

This soup does take a little time to prepare — not as long as the stand-by line of Toy Story Mania in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but longer than eating a Dole Whip on a hot summer’s day. It may take some time to prepare but the results are well worth it.

What you need:

• ½ Pound Bacon (finely chopped)
• 1 Medium Red Onion (finely chopped)
• ½ Celery (finely slice)
• 4 Tbsp. Butter
• 1 Cup all-purpose flour
• 3 Cups whole milk
• 2 Cups chicken stock
• 12 ounces grated white cheddar
• 3 Dashes Tabasco
• ½ Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• ½ Cup Beer (room temperature)
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Ready to make it?

1. Over medium, cook the bacon in a heavy-bottomed pot but don’t cook the bacon fully. Cook it just until the bacon is wilted.
2. Add onions, celery and carrots to the bacon. You want to cook them until the onions become translucent. The bacon will be crispy by this point.
3. Sprinkle in the flour while you stir. You should stir for about 2 minutes.
4. Stir in your stock slowly. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
5. Stir in your milk, again making sure there are no lumps.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil. When boiling, let simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat when completed.
7. Whisk in the Worcestershire sauce, cheese, Tabasco and ale.
8. Take a sip of the ale. This has nothing to do with the recipe — I just thought you deserve a drink by this point.
9. Season with salt to taste
10. Season with pepper to taste
11. Top with chives before serving.

Looking for more Disney Park recipes? Check out www.disneycooking.com for all your favorites from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise line, and recipes inspired by Disney.