sublime recipe: what made the boys moan

I was sitting across from the boys as they made little moaning sounds. Other than the "num num num" coming from across the table, it was quiet. I wanted to say something, ask perhaps if it was good, are they loving it but I thought anything I might say would disturb this apparent moment of ecstasy.

We were at Jiko, L and I along with Chas, a publicist in Media Relations for Walt Disney World. L and I have both known Chas for over ten years when we were all media covering events at WDW. Now Chas is on the other side with the Mouse and L and I see him once a year or so when we're down at Disney World. We've had meals together around the World and we'd had dinner at Jiko (a restaurant located in The Animal Kingdom Lodge located on the Walt Disney World Resort property) before and apparently the bliss they  experienced several years ago was one they wanted to repeat. Badly.

L. and I had arranged to meet Chas later that day for dinner and while we were on our way to the Magic Kingdom this was the discussion:

HG browsing the Disney Dining Guide: "Honey, where do you want to have dinner tonight? Italy has a new restaurant."

L: "The place in The Animal Kingdom Lodge."

HG: "How about The Polynesian? It will be like when we were in Hawaii. You love Hawaii."

L (focused): "I don't remember what the place was called but it's the one downstairs in The Animal Kingdom Lodge."

HG: "Is that where I saw John Denver when we covered the opening of the resort?"

L turns to me: "We always have this discussion. Why would John Denver be at the opening of The Animal Kingdom Lodge in 2001? He was at the opening of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN THEMED Wilderness Lodge in 1994. Which we covered, remember? Besides, he died in 1997."

I knew further discussion was futile. The pull of Jiko and their magic mac & cheese had apparently been imprinted on the boys.

Later that evening, at Jiko, I ordered salmon which was lovely but I felt left out and mildly amused as I watched the boys dig into their Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon served with macaroni & cheese. This feeling of bliss I understood but my palate had always leaned more towards addictive orange food (i.e. Doritos, crunchy Cheez Doodles, Cheez Its, Cheeze Whiz.) (note: Before you email me and ask why I didn't just order what  they did it's because A.) I haven't eaten red meat since I was 7. B.) I was doing my no wheat, dairy, sugar, coffee, alcohol program and I knew if I went off the rails for dinner that night that I would go OFF. THE. RAILS.")

I ate my salmon, the boys wolfed down their steak and mac & cheese and after dinner L said "I wish you would make this."

I said "If I can make you this happy making mac & cheese, done." I asked the server if he wouldn't mind asking the chef for the recipe and within moments he returned with a copy of the recipe.

Before you go and embark on New Year's resolutions, try this mac & cheese or here's an idea: For New Year's Eve,  invite your favorite people over. Bring out a few bottles of Perrier Jouet and have your guests bring their favorite mac & cheese dish. Imagine an evening with just champagne and macaroni and cheese? It's the perfect homey, hip kinda dinner party.

Jiko (The Cooking Place) Macaroni & Cheese

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

3 tablespoons      Unsalted butter

3 tablespoons      All-purpose flour

2   1/2 cups         Whole Milk (HG note: for a richer sauce try cream)

8 ounces              Shredded Italian four-cheese blend (such as mozzerella, asiago, fontina and provolone)

1/4 teaspoon        Coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon        Ground black pepper

1 pound               Elbow macaroni, cooked and kept warm

Preparation

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, stirring until combined. Cook, stirring frequently for 5 minutes or until golden. DO NOT LET BROWN. (note: You're making a basic roux here.)

2. Add milk to butter mixture, whisking until completely smooth and no lumps remain.

3. Simmer mixture, storring frequently, until sauce coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 8 minutes.

4. Add cheese to saucepan in batches, stirring until completely melted. Add salt and pepper, stirring to combine.

5. Place cooked macaroni in a large bowl. Add cheese sauce, stirring to combine. Serve immediately.

For more Walt Disney World recipes, pick up Pam Brandon's new book "Chef Micky: Treasures From the Vault and Delicious New Favorites." (note: L and I have known Pam since the early 90's and there is no one who knows Disney and food like she does. You will adore her just as much as we do.)

For a taste, click here to visit Pam's blog and a recipe for Steak Diane from the Lake Buena Vista Social Club. (And check out the groovy picture of Uncle Walt preparing salad!)