I’ve been feeling a bit sorry for myself this week; it’s flu season here in Sydney and let’s just say I’ve looked better than I do right now. Tissue box permanently glued to one hand, Advil in the other. So, I’ve been trying to cheer myself up with some theming ideas for when I feel like I can stay upright for more than 90 seconds at a time and started menu planning my next Disney Dining evening with the family. We haven’t done one of these in a while, so it’s definitely time to break out the Disney ambiance and get our fancy vibes on. This one goes out to all of my fellow Disers that are loving Disney from afar this week.
Where are we dining this weekend, you might ask? Well, it’s none other than a Ratatouille-inspired Remy adventure in Paris, captured in my dining room, of course. We are going to use some simple recipes, household items, and a bit of creativity to invent a family occasion that feels special and exciting. It’s time to transform your family space into a sensory experience that screams European decadence.
Let’s start with getting your menu planned out. What would a Remy’s Adventure night be without some classic ratatouille? I like the AllRecipes recipe (yep, that took a moment to get right), which has both a written instruction version and a fantastic video walk-through that makes it easier to do with kids if you like cooking as a family.
Shall we take this a step further and draw some inspiration from the Disneyland Paris restaurant, Bistrot Chez Rémy? Dress up your ratatouille and serve it as if it were a main course directly taken from the restaurant menu with grilled steak and french fries. For dessert, it’s chocolate eclairs (I won’t judge you if you buy them pre-made) and fresh fruit, perfect for the northern hemisphere’s warm weather at this time of year.
The next step is setting the scene in your room. What should the kids do to keep them occupied while you get this all in motion? Why watch Ratatouille, of course! Get out a few sets of battery-operated fairy lights and either drape them around the room or use them as table decoration. We are going for a low-lighting, family-style enchantment here.
If you are like me and have an open-plan style of house, or simply you have a smart TV near your dining room, it’s time to add some charm to the room with sparkling views of a walk through Paris. Try a YouTube link like this one and virtually walk the streets of the most romantic city in the world. Add some french dinner music from Spotify and enjoy!
That is what is in store for my family this weekend. I might even make up some dinner invitations and post them under the doors of teenagers’ rooms, instructing them to dress up for the occasion. There is nothing like a bit of unexpected excitement to spice up the usual family Saturday night.
If you are looking for a challenge, try your hand at some homemade beignets using the official Disney Parks recipe from New Orleans Square and Port Orleans French Quarter. You can find the details here.
Have a lovely week ahead; I hope you are all staying well and using fewer tissues than I am. Stay safe and Bon Appétit!