Dining - Eat Around the World

As the father of 4 kids, who also likes to visit the Disney parks several times a year, I am often tasked with ways to enjoy the parks in a less expensive, or fresh, new way. Fortunately, like Walt "I believe in being an innovator."

For kids, the World Showcase in EPCOT may be the most challenging area to keep fresh or interesting. For the most part, the World Showcase has few attractions that kids might enjoy (Rio Del Tiempo in Mexico, American Adventure, Malestrom in Norway). And, once you have seen these attractions seven or eight times, as an adult, they hold less of your interest as well. Couple that with the scientific fact that kids are starving to death every fifteen feet or fifteen minutes - whichever comes first - and you have a potentially bad or boring visit on your hands.

So, how "In the World" (yes, I love puns) do you enjoy the World Showcase? Well, one solution often enjoyed by adults is to Drink Around the World. However, I don't personally drink and neither do my young children, so we Eat Around the World.

I realize this may sound a bit taxing on your waist as well as your wallet, however, this tactic for enjoying the World Showcase can not only be fun, but can be easy on your belt and inexpensive. As you work your way around the World Showcase, select one snack item from the gift shops in each pavilion. One snack should be enough in most cases to feed a group of 6 or 7 guests. These snacks are generally inexpensive, and since you are snacking throughout the afternoon (or morning) you will find yourself voluntarily skipping lunch. Though a tad bit less healthy, that should pay for the cost of the snacks.

My family likes to try various treats and, if possible, change the selected treats each time we visit. We then compare our thoughts and determine our favorites from each pavilion or overall. The other hidden benefit is that snacking all day with kids, while walking around, helps keep their interest. This allows you to explore the World Showcase pavilions without hearing "Can we go back to Test Track" every 5 minutes.

Here are some suggestions on snacks to try:

Canada: Double Dutch Waffle Cookies with Syrup Filling. You can thank me in the comments section.

England: Border Crumbles. Nothing quite like a biscuit!
France: Any pastry will do. The cheesecake is my favorite.

Morocco: Marrakesh Sunset. This watermelon flavored Slushie is great.

Japan: Rice Crackers. I generally stay away from dried crabs!The American Adventure: Funnel Cake

Italy: Cannoli. "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli." (Couldn't resist.)

Germany: Large, Soft Pretzel.

China: Egg Roll.Norway: Lefse Potato Bread.Mexico: Churros.We would love to hear from you. Have you tried this? What were your favorites? Post replies in the comments section below.

Dining - San Angel Inn

I love Mexican Food! In fact, I could eat it two or three times a week, and often do. So, it simply would not do for me to go without a Mexican fix while in the Disney parks. That is why I love San Angel Inn in the EPCOT World Showcase Mexico Pavilion.

Nestled at the base of Mayan ruins, alongside the Rio Del Tiempo, San Angel Inn offers wonderful Mexican cuisine in the romantic, late evening setting of a 17th-century hacienda. Normally, if you have reservations, you will have just enough time after checking in to ride the Rio Del Tiempo attraction before being called to your seat. There is nothing quite like Donald and the Three Caballeros touring Mexico's treasures to get you in the mood to taste some unique Mexican treasures of your own.

The restaurant opens at noon daily and remains open until the end of normal park hours. Entrees range from $12 - $18, while appetizers are in the $10 range. Using the Disney Dining Plan is an option and will cost 1 Table Service Credit. Depending on the plan you have purchased, you will get a Desert and possibly an Appetizer as well. Tables in Wonderland is another payment option for Florida residents and annual pass holders.

Curious about what to order? My personal favorite is Pollo a las Rajas. This grilled chicken dish is served over red peppers, onions, chile poblano, chorizo, and melted cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. The dish costs around $17 and is worth every penny. If you are like me, the occasional tour around the World Showcase simply doesn't offer enough opportunity to enjoy such a dish. In that case, you may try your hand in recreating it at home; though sadly, the experience is never the same for me.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breast halves

1 cup of chorizo, casing removed and diced

1 large red bell pepper

1 large Spanish onion

1 large poblano chile

1 garlic clove, chopped

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

5 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Directions:

1. Season the chicken breast halves with garlic, salt, and black pepper. Place the chicken breast halves in a roasting pan (uncovered) and cook in the oven at 350 F for 20 minutes or until cooked.

2. In a sauce pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil, and lightly saute poblano pepper until skin starts separating. Peel skin from poblano pepper. Make a slit and remove all the seeds. Slice onion, bell pepper, and poblano pepper into strips.

3. In a heavy skillet heat remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, and add chorizo, garlic, onion, and peppers. Cook over medium-high heat stirring occasionally until onions and peppers are soft.

4. Add sour cream, half-and-half, black pepper and salt and simmer for three minutes.

5. On ovenproof serving dishes, place 3/4 cup of vegetable mixture. Top with roasted chicken breast. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese on each serving plate. Broil until cheese melts and turns golden. Serve.

Yields: 4 Servings

Now, if only I had a side of Fried Plantains or Capirotada de Chocolate Blanco to finish it off!

To learn more, visit the San Angel Inn website: http://www.sanangelinnusa.com/home.html