The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be here before we know it. This is a favorite event for lots of guests. The event offers fun topiaries, gardening tips, food booths and more. Disney has recently announced some new food options will be joining the event.
Tag Archives: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
See What the Gingerbread Houses are Used for After the Holidays [VIDEO]
I love how Disney reuses things! Including their gingerbread houses that they make for the holidays. The video shows what good use they are even after they are not on display. It also shows why bees are so important to us.
The gingerbread displays are so impressive and it’s hard to see them go, especially when you think of all the hard work that was put into making them. However, when you see what Disney does with them it makes you feel better.
It’s nice when we get to see what Disney does behind the scenes.
For the full post from Disney Parks Blog, click here.
Delicious Food From the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival [RECIPES]
Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer, was given some recipes to share from the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Sometimes people forget what good food there is at the Flower and Garden Festival, but one look at these recipes and you will see it isn’t just about the flowers and gardens.
Executive Chef Gregg Hannon was nice enough to share two new recipes with Pam, who in turn shared them on Disney Parks Blog. The first is something that my husband is definitely looking forward to trying, the Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash from The Smokehouse:Barbecue and Brews. Chef Hannon says it takes a little time (to make them), but it is worth it.
The second dish he shared is the Florida Blueberry and Lemon Curd Tart from the Florida Fresh Outdoor Kitchen. That sounds delicious and I might have to try making that for dessert this spring/summer.
Here is the recipe for the Burnt Ends Brisket Hash from Disney Parks Blog:

Burnt Ends Brisket Hash
Serves 4-6
Pickled Jalapeño Peppers
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion
- 1 cup sliced jalapeño peppers
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
White Cheddar Cheese Fondue
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup diced onions
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 cup shredded aged white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons diced jalapeño pepper
Burnt Ends Brisket Hash
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 medium white potato, diced
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced poblano peppers
- 2 tablespoons diced jalapeño peppers
- 3 cups cubed smoked beef brisket
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For pickled jalapeno:
- Place sliced onions and jalapeños in a medium-sized glass bowl.
- Combine white vinegar, water, sugar, salt, black peppercorns, bay leaf, garlic, and coriander in a small saucepan. Cook over high heat until mixture boils.
- Pour brine over onions and jalapeños. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours.
For white cheddar cheese fondue:
- Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5-8 minutes, or until onions are translucent.
- Add flour, stirring constantly, for 3-5 minutes. Do not allow mixture to brown.
- Add cream, salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes, or until simmering. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20-25 minutes, until mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add hot sauce. Slowly add cheese, stirring constantly, 3-5 minutes, until cheese melts and is creamy.
Add diced jalapeño peppers. Keep warm until ready to serve.
For burnt ends brisket hash:
- Heat canola oil in a large sauté pan over medium for 5 minutes, or until oil is shimmering.
Carefully add potatoes. Cook potatoes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes, until potatoes are golden and cooked through. - Add remaining vegetables. Cook 3-5 minutes, until softened. Season with salt and pepper.
To serve:
- Evenly divide burnt ends brisket hash among plates. Top with white cheddar cheese fondue. Garnish with pickled jalapeño peppers.
For the Blueberry Lemon Curd Tarts recipe, check out the full post from Disney Parks Blog.
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is Back!
Today was the first day of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Beautiful flowers and fun topiary designs now decorate Epcot. There is lots to do during the festival, besides seeing the flowers and gardens.
You can try the Outdoor Kitchens around the World Showcase. There are 11 of these outdoor kitchens to try and they include foods from all over the world.
There are fun play areas for the kids, Mike and Sulley’s Monstrous Garden and the Living Desert Road Rally Garden with Mater and Lightning McQueen topiaries.
Once the evening comes, you can have a good time with the Garden Rocks concert series. The Gin Blossoms are kicking of the series and my inner ’90s teenager is pretty psyched about that!
Check out the video to see some of the new topiaries!
Outdoor Kitchens Return to Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is set to open on March 4. Not only will you see some amazing displays of flowers and different topiary designs, but there will also be some pretty delicious food available as well!
The Outdoor Kitchens offer some different cuisine for guests to try. This is the third year it is part of the Flower and Garden Festival and people are very excited for it’s return.
Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer, has given us a sampling of what will be available at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. She explains that the food and beverages being offered get more and more interesting.
“It’s the third year for the Outdoor Kitchens around World Showcase Lagoon, and the garden- and spring-inspired tapas-sized food and beverages just get more and more interesting. The new Botanas Botánico Outdoor Kitchen between France and Morocco pavilions will showcase treats like Cachapas with Farmer’s Cheese, a sweet yellow corn pancake, and Seafood Ceviche with shrimp, scallops and grouper with mango and avocado.”
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Another interesting dish was described by the Epcot executive chef, Gregg Hannon, “He mentions Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Ched dar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños at The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews Outdoor Kitchen…”
The post goes on to talk about some of the beverages that will be available, inlcuding the Sparkling Pineapple Wine and Berry Tea Cocktail at Pineapple Promenade and the Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade.
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
For more information, check out the full Disney Parks Blog post here
.