As we celebrate 70 years of “Happy” at Disneyland Resort, this edition of "Disney Dish" shares the recipe for a cheesy choice that made the Disney Files staff happy when we attended the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival back in 2017. It’s a comfort food classic that we think rivals its culinary cousin in the Canada pavilion at EPCOT, and if you serve yours in a sourdough bread bowl as seen below, this one’s hard to beat. While a single, 12-ounce bottle of beer will feed 8-10 people in this recipe, we recommend buying more so the cold glasses you serve with the soup can be filled with that same amber lager. Here’s the recipe, courtesy of The Official Disney Parks Celebration Cookbook by Pam Brandon and the Disney Chefs. It’s just one of the book’s 101 recipes for dishes and drinks that have tempted tastebuds during fan-favorite festivals at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, including, not only the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, but also the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and winter holiday celebrations on both coasts.
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients:
1 cup salted butter
¾ cup Spanish onion, minced
¾ cup celery, minced
Coarse salt, to taste
½ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups heavy whipping cream
4 cups chicken stock
1 ½ cups (12 ounces) amber lager
3 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Chopped chives for serving
Steps:
Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onions and celery. Season with a pinch of salt and cook until translucent, 8-10 minutes.
Add flour and stir to form a paste. Cook 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly with a wire whisk.
Slowly add cream and chicken stock, whisking constantly to eliminate lumps. Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. (Soup will thicken as it heats.)
Whisk in beer and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Add cheese in batches, stirring constantly until completely melted. Then add cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Salt to taste. Top with chives, and serve hot.
Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchen. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.
Look for The Official Disney Parks Celebration Cookbook by Pam Brandon and the Disney Chefs wherever books are sold.
