Beauty and the Beast Dinner Night

Our family loves Disney and Family Movie Night, so we have joined them together for a family Disney Dinner Night. Tonight mom got to choose, so it was Beauty and the Beast, which was a bit too fancy of food for the preteens to enjoy. I chose to make versions of the recipes that are mentioned in the song, “Be Our Guest”. We watched the live action version of Beauty and the Beast since it is probably my current favorite of the Disney movies. I hope you have as much family fun as we did.

Appetizer:  Hot hors d’oeuvres (Pizza Roses)

We got our idea for the perfect pizza roses from the Sugar, Spice, and Glitter Blog.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet Pizza Dough
  • 1/2 cup Pizza Sauce
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Pepperoni slices

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven tp 350 degrees.
  2. Cut the pizza dough into 2″ wide strips and then spread slightly to bring each strip to 3″ wide.
  3. Spoon some pizza sauce onto the dough strip, and spread evenly.
  4. Sprinkle some cheese onto the sauce, and then make an overlapping layer of pepperoni slices.
  5. Roll the strip lengthwise, to make a pizza rose.
  6. Place the finished roses on a lined cookie sheet. You can fan out the pepperoni slices slightly.
  7. Bake on the bottom rack of your oven according to the dough directions, typically about 12-15 minutes, until the dough is golden brown.
  8. If the pepperoni starts to overcook before the dough is finished cooking, place a sheet of tinfoil gently over the pizza roses, shiny side up.
  9. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving alongside additional pizza sauce.

Entrée:  Beef Ragout

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs. sirloin steak, cut into chunks
  • 4-5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 rosemary sprigs
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 10 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 14.5 oz. can beef stock
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • No Yolk Noodles  

Directions:

  1. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a stovetop pan over a medium-high heat and brown the beef until dark.
  2. Drain the beef in a colander to remove the fat while you cook the rest.
  3. Wipe out the pan with kitchen paper, then add about 2 tbsp oil, the onions, carrots, celery and garlic with a pinch of salt and cook for 8-10 mins over a low-medium heat.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce and cook for a further 3 mins. Add the herbs, tomatoes and stock, season and bring to the boil, stir the beef back into the sauce and reduce to a simmer.
  5. Add to crock pot for 3 hrs. Stir or use a fork to roughly shred the beef.
  6. Cook the pasta in a large pan of salted water for 3 mins, drain then tip into the ragout, toss together with some of the parmesan.

& Cheese Souffle

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tablespoons Butter
  • 3 Tablespoons Flour
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 cup Cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon White pepper
  • 4 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400ºF.
  2. Grease and flour ceramic baking dish. Set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and flour to form a roux. Stir and cook until it thickens and takes on a golden color, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the milk and stir well to incorporate. Let cook for two minutes before removing from heat.
  5. Allow the flour-milk mixture to cool for about 5-10 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.
  6. In a small bowl, beat your eggs until light and frothy.
  7. Add the eggs, cheese and seasonings to the mixture.
  8. Put the soufflé mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle the tops with the Parmesan cheese.
  9. Place in the lower half of the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, until well-browned and puffy. (sadly my soufflé sank in).

Vegi:  Soup de jour

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
  • 3 medium white onions diced
  • 42 oz. of beef broth
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp. of Parmesan cheese
  • slices of a French baguette
  • 4oz of provolone cheese

Directions:

  1. Sauté onions in melted butter in a large pot for 30 minutes.
  2. Add beef broth, garlic powder and salt, then bring to a boil.
  3. Let boil for a minute then reduce heat and simmer (uncovered) for 50 minutes.
  4. Add parmesan cheese and let simmer for 10 more minutes.
  5. Pour a few cups of soup into a large Pyrex.
  6. Put some cheese slices on top.  
  7. Put it in the oven on broil until the cheese began to brown.  (For about five or six minutes).
  8. Cut the baguette and dip into soup as you eat.

Fruit: Pie & Pudding “en flambe”

We got our idea for “en flambe” from the epicurious blog; but sadly, ours didn’t turn out very tasty at all.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tea vanilla
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into bits
  • 6 apples, peeled, cored, and quartered
  • 1 sheet frozen all-butter puff pastry (from a 14-ounce package), thawed

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. In a 10-inch skillet, stir together the 3/4 cup sugar, vanilla and the vinegar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is thoroughly dissolved.
  3. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is amber in color (like a brown paper bag).
  4. Remove from the heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and swirl until the butter has melted. Let cool for 10 minutes.
  5. Carefully arrange the apples over the sugar mixture in concentric circles, being careful not to touch the hot sugar mixture.
  6. Dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
  7. Place the puff pastry over the apples and tuck the sides down around the apples.
  8. Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon sugar over the dough. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp and the pan juices are bubbling.
  9. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a rimmed pie plate to serve.

Drink:  Mrs. Potts Strawberry Iced Tea

One of the recipes that all of the kids enjoyed! YAY

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups brewed tea
  • 4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan, boil the strawberries, sugar, and water.
  2. Lower the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Cool slightly.
  3. Pour the syrup through a fine colander into a gallon pitcher.
  4. You can freeze the solids in ice cube trays.
  5. Pour the tea into the pitcher with the syrup and stir.
  6. Chill completely.
  7. Serve over strawberry ice cubes.

Dessert:  Try the Grey Stuff

Another delicious recipe for the kids!

Ingredients:

  • 3.4 oz box Vanilla Pudding Mix
  • 1 1/2 cups Milk
  • 15 OREOs, crushed
  • 8 oz Cool Whip
  • Edible Sugar Pearls, as desired

Directions:

  1. Make the vanilla pudding according to the boxed directions, however only use 1 1/2 cups milk rather than what is called for.
  2. Place the pudding in the fridge to thicken for 5 minutes as you crush the OREOs.
  3. Mix the OREOs into the vanilla pudding until completely combined.
  4. Add the Cool Whip and stir gently until just combined.
  5. Refrigerate for 5 minutes before placing the pudding into your serving dish and decorate with edible sugar pearls.

Thanks to my wonderful family for try all of my fancy foods!

16 Month Old Belle Toddler Photos

Silly Girl is now 16 months old!

Toddler Belle with her stacks of Little Golden Books.

Belle is an intelligent and passionate girl.

One of the songs that I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a smart girl
Smart girl, smart girl
Storm is a smart girl
She’s my so smart girl”

She looks so precious!

the rose

I love her, she’s such a sweet girl!

Belle 1 year apart…

Belle 4 months old & 16 months old

15 Month Old Pocahontas Toddler Photos

Sweet Baby Girl is 15 months old this November.

She was so cute when she squats to check out the ground.

Pocahontas is such a passionate, adventurous and bold girl.

I like to sing positive song to her, I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a bold girl
Bold girl, bold girl
Storm is a bold girl
She’s my big bold girl”

I just love her serious face and the fall colors with the river behind her.

She is so precious… I love her too much!

Pocahontas 1 year apart…

Pocahontas 3 months old & 15 months old

14 Month Old Cinderella Toddler Photos

“Bippity Boppity Boo” with her Magic Wand!!!

Midnight!

Cinderella is a kind and compassionate girl.

One of the songs that I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a kind girl
Kind girl, kind girl
Storm is a kind girl
She’s my kind, kind girl”

Curious Girl!

Old Church Ruins!

She’s walking now… 14 month old beautiful baby!

Cinderella 2 Months Old 14 Month Old

Cinderella 1 Year Apart

The Lion King Dinner Night

We love Family Movie Night and we love Disney as well. Tonight for our Lion King movie night, we made a Lion King themed dinner to eat first. The kids voted to watch the live action version this time. This was so much fun; with much of the family helping to plan, prepare, and enjoy the meal. I hope you have as much family fun as we did.

Appetizer:  Lion King Snack Mix

Ingredients:

  • Cheetos Paws
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Dipped Pretzels
  • Crunch N Munch with Peanuts
  • Reese’s Pieces

Entrée:  Hakuna Frittata

Ingredients:

  • 8 eggs
  • 1 tub Chive & Onion cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup onion  finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup fresh spinach finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green peppers finely chopped
  • 1 cup diced ham
  • Shredded Cheddar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a muffin pan (non stick or silicone).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream cheese, salt and pepper until smooth.
  3. Stir in peppers, spinach and onion and fill muffins cups (about ¾ full). 
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until centers are completely set.
  5. Sprinkle with cheddar and melt in the oven for a couple of minutes.
  6. Serve immediately or cool to room temperature to store. 

Vegi:  Simba Vegi Tray

Ingredients:

  • Carrots
  • Red and Yellow Peppers
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Leafy Greens
  • Olives
  • Ranch Packet
  • Sour Cream
  • Large Round Wheat Crackers

Ranch Dip Instructions:

  1. Mix a tub of Sour Cream with a packet of Ranch.
  2. Place it in a small round bowl.
  3. Save the bottom of a pepper with 3 humps for the lions snout.
  4. Cut olives to place on the snout and eyes.
  5. Use the end of a red pepper stick for the nose.
  6. Add round wheat crackers for the ears.

Platter Instructions:

  1. Cut the vegies into long strips.
  2. Place the green vegie around the outside of a round tray.
  3. Place the round dip in the middle of the tray.
  4. Place the colored vegies around the dip for the lions mane.

Fruit:  Rafiki’s Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups 1/2 inch cubed fresh pineapple or 4 cups canned pineapple
  • 2 oranges, peeled and divided into sections
  • 2 mangos, peeled and diced
  • 1 bananas cut in 1/2 inch slices
  • 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
  • 2 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1 cup shredded coconut

Directions:

  • Combine fruits in a bowl.
  • Combine lime juice and brown sugar and add to fruits; toss to coat.
  • Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
  • Sprinkle with coconut.

Drink:  Circle of Life Sunset Drink

Ingredients:

  • Sprite
  • Pineapple Juice
  • Grenadine Syrup
  • Ice for glasses

Directions:

  1. Fill glasses with ice.
  2. Take glass and fill 1/2 full with Sprite.
  3. Top the remaining half off with Pineapple Juice.
  4. Add a splash of Grenadine Syrup.
  5. Serve to friends and family with a straw.

Dessert:  Timon & Pumbaa Bug Grub Brownies

Ingredients:

  • Brownie Mix
  • Chocolate Frosting
  • Crushed Oreos
  • Gummy Worms

Directions:

  1. Bake brownies according to the directions on the box.
  2. Cool and cut 9 wholes the size of nickels.
  3. Cover with chocolate frosting.
  4. Stick the gummy worms into the wholes.
  5. Crush the Oreos and sprinkle them on the top.

This meal was “Oh So Yummy!!! Thanks to my kids for having so much fun with me!

13 Month Old Snow White Toddler Photos

She is growing so fast… 13 months old!

She was way too occupied with tasting that apple to give me any smiles!

Snow White is so sweet, compassionate and comforting.

I like to sing an uplifting song to her, I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a sweet girl
Sweet girl, sweet girl
Storm is a sweet girl
She’s my so sweet girl”

Beautiful Blue Eyes

Snow White 1 month old 13 months old

Snow White 1 year apart!

12 Month Old Sleeping Beauty Toddler Photos

She absolutely loves being outside!

Beautiful Baby Girl!

Sleeping Beauty is so delicate and graceful.

I often sing an encouraging song to her, I sing to her is to the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb”…

“Storm is a pretty girl
Pretty girl, pretty girl
Storm is a pretty girl
She’s my pretty, pretty girl”

Exactly one year ago I took her photos dressed as Sleeping Beauty when she was a newborn. Now she is 12 months old, My Beauty!

Precocious Storm

11 Month Old Ariel Baby Photos

We got a chance to visit the ocean this month, so I chose Ariel as our Disney Princess for July!

She just LOVED playing in the water…

and tasting all of the shells!

My son added the seaweed that he had found to my photo scene!

There were lots of large driftwood pieces on this beach too.

I just love the close ups of her sweetness!

Baby Toes!

11 months old!