From our friend Stephen Walker (Fleet Culinary Standards and Consistency Chef, Disney Cruise Line) at the Disney Parks Blog.
One of the Disney differences you’ll find when sailing with us is that we use the destinations we visit as inspiration for our menus. Last week I shared with you how Disney Wonder guests are enjoying a special Taste of Alaska this summer, and today, I want to tell you about the flavors of the Mediterranean Disney Magic cruisers are experiencing.
Just like in Alaska, we use locally sourced products while sailing in Europe. Depending on where we are in the Mediterranean, we have themed menus like “Kouzina of the Greek Isles” and “Bella Italia” that feature culinary offerings specific to those countries. One of my favorite Mediterranean-inspired dishes is our braised osso bucco “Milanese” with gremolata, saffron risotto and bone marrow-reduction.
Specifically on cruises that visit Greece, we serve spanakorizo me garides, a delicious jumbo shrimp with sun-dried tomato orzo pasta. Another popular Greek dish is our roasted dorade on spanakorizo, a short-grain rice with cinnamon, spinach and feta cheese.
Throughout the summer, I’ll be sharing recipes for some of our guest favorite dishes so you can make them at home. Today, I’ll leave you with the recipe for our Italian-inspired Potato Gnocchi with Cep Mushrooms.
Potato Gnocchi with Cep Mushrooms
Serves: 4 Guests
Skill Level: Moderate
Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
Homemade potato dumplings
1 white potato
1 egg
1⁄2 tsp. salt
2 cups plain white flour 3 qt. water
White Wine Cream Sauce
18 fl.oz white wine
3 shallots (finely diced)
1 stalk celery (finely diced)
1⁄2 leek (washed and finely diced)
11⁄2 cups heavy cream
11⁄2 cups vegetables stock
2 tbsp. chives (finely sliced)
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Garnish
11⁄2 cups cep mushrooms
2 tbsp. white truffle oil
1/3 cup fresh parmesan (shaved)
1 tsp. picked thyme
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
Homemade Potato Dumplings:
Place potato in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15–20 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash. Place 2 cups mashed potatoes in a large bowl (save any remaining mashed potatoes for another use). Stir in the egg and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually beat in flour until blended (dough will be firm and elastic). Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 15 times. Roll into 1⁄2-in.-wide ropes. Cut ropes into 1-inch diagonal pieces. Press down with a lightly floured fork. In a thick-bottomed pan, bring water and remaining salt to a boil. Add gnocchi in small batches; cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until gnocchi float to the top and are cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and place into salted iced water. Then drain and keep on a wet cloth.
For the White Wine Cream Sauce:
Melt the butter in a thick-bottomed pan; sauté the shallots, celery and leek. When shallots are soft (no color), add the white wine and vegetable stock, then reduce by two-thirds. Add the heavy cream and reduce by one-third, season with salt and ground black pepper and pass through a fine strainer.
For the Garnish and Assembly
Sauté the mushrooms in butter; season with salt, ground black pepper and thyme. Set aside. Mix (dress) the gnocchi with the white wine cream sauce and place into a serving bowl. Place the sautéed mushrooms onto the gnocchi, garnish with the shaved parmesan and lightly drizzle the truffle oil on the gnocchi.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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