The Healing Kitchen

Monday, March 10, 2014

2014 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival: Hanami (Japan Pavilion)

Japan Pavilion at EPCOT

Japan's booth is named Hanami, which means "flower viewing". How cool is that? Quite appropriate for the Flower and Garden event (of course).

Honestly, I could skip the Japan booth. I love Japanese food, but it is easy enough to come by out in the real world, so I don't have a need to try it at EPCOT when there are so many other exotic cuisines to choose from. But, in the interest of hitting every booth, of course we stopped here.

Passport Page for Hanami

I ordered the Frushi which is gluten free, and although it is not marked as such, I believe it is also vegetarian/vegan. Frushi is fruit sushi- the pink wrapping is soy paper, and the filling is coconut rice, pineapple, strawberries and melon, topped with raspberry sauce and toasted coconut. The whipped cream is from a can (I didn't note the brand), so be careful about that if you have food sensitivities to milk, corn, soy, or artificial flavors.

I also ordered the popped rice cakes, which are not marked as gluten free in the passport, but the Chef happened to be there in the booth, and he assured me that the rice cake dish IS gluten free, even though it was not marked as such in the passport.

Each of these items is VERY sweet. I would classify the Frushi as a dessert item. I would classify the rice cakes -with raspberry sauce, sprinkles, red bean paste, and green tea whipped cream- as equivalent to an 8-year old's birthday cupcake on steroids. Seriously. That was just sugar on a plate. Wow. It was fun to try a few bites, but unless you need a sugar rush or have a burning desire to visit your dentist, I'd say don't bother. If you are looking for dessert, go get flan at the Mexico pavilion!

Frushi: Fruit sushi (gluten free)

Popped rice cakes with green tea whipped cream (gluten free)

In my opinion, the coolest thing about the Japan Pavilion during the Flower and Garden show is not the food, but the Bonsai. Do yourself a favor and walk back through the Japanese gardens to take a look at the bonsai on display. I admit, I do not know as much as I'd like about bonsai (I do have some bonsai books on my "to read" list at the library), but even knowing nothing about the art, I was blown away by the trees on display. Here are a few photos, although they really do not do the trees justice- they were much more stunning in person.

Koi pond at Japan Pavilion

Bonsai on display at Japan Pavilion

Cypress Bonsai on display at Japan Pavilion

Several Bonsai on display at Japan Pavilion

These are just a few of the trees- there were many more on display.

Just for fun, here are a few links to more information about Bonsai:
American Bonsai Society
Bonsai Experience: Types of Bonsai Trees
US National Arboretum: Bonsai Gallery

Sunday, March 9, 2014

2014 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival: Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco Pavilion)

None of the items at Marrakesh are gluten free, but the Moroccan pancake is vegetarian. This makes me sad, as I love Moroccan food. Hello… any country that makes baklava is gastronomical heaven in my book. I love just about anything wrapped in puff pastry. Sigh. Perhaps one day I will attempt gluten free phyllo dough. Don't hold your breath though. Phyllo is no easy task.

Taste of Marrakesh Outdoor Kitchen at EPCOT Morocco Pavilion

Marrakesh Passport Page

Morocco's garden display includes giant mosaic spice balls, which are quite stunning.

Garden display at Marrakesh Outdoor Kitchen

Baghrir (Moroccan Pancake with Honey, Almonds, and Argan Oil)

I was curious what exactly is in in Baghrir, so I looked up a recipe here. Definitely not gluten free :) And while many of us have heard about argan oil's benefits for skin and hair, I hadn't heard much about the possible health benefits of consumption. I found this WSJ article that is a good primer on argan oil, if you are interested in learning more.

Tim the Test Kitchen ordered the Lamb Brewat roll. I would have been more envious of this light, flaky deliciousness if it hadn't been lamb. Actually, if they could just wrap the fruit and nuts in the phyllo and leave out the meat entirely, that would make me happy. Oh, right, sweetness and nuts in phyllo dough... that would be pretty close to baklava. Ha.

Lamb Brewat Roll with Prunes and Sesame (wrapped in a phyllo type dough!)

Lamb Brewat Roll with Prunes and Sesame, inside view
(they were out of plastic knives at the time, I had to saw through with a plastic fork- this is the best I could do :)

If you would like to make your own Brewat rolls at home, or just know more about their ingredients, you can find a recipe similar to this one on the Disney discussion boards, here.

For more photos and descriptions of the food available year round in EPCOT's Moroccan Pavilion, check out their website, here. Tip: Restaurant Marrakesh at Moroccan Pavilion features belly dancers at dinner. Another tip: they offer a 10% discount to Annual Passholders during the week for lunch.

A third tip: Spice Road Table is a brand new Mediterranean restaurant at the Morocco pavilion. It is an open-air restaurant on the World Showcase Lagoon, and features tapas-like dishes. Spice Road does not accept any discounts at this time, not even Tables in Wonderland.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

2014 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival: Fleur de Lys (France Pavilion)

Lumiere and Cogsworth Topiaries (from Beauty and the Beast)

Passport page for Fleur de Lys

Gnocchi: Parisian Style Dumplings with Vegetables and Mushrooms (Vegetarian; NOT gluten-free)

Pulled Duck Confit on top of Parsley Potatoes (Gluten Free!) This was amazing. Just looking at this photo makes me want to drive back to Disney and order another one. It was that good. Get one. You will not be disappointed. This dish may qualify France as my favorite booth this year.

Orange Blossom Macaron with White Chocolate Ganache (Gluten Free!) Note: These are these type of macarons, not these type of macaroons :) This was very delicious and very sweet.