It’s officially here, Epcot’s Food and Wine 2019 has kicked off. While I am not in Florida to experience the first few days (33 days until I am back at Disney), all the new food has me excited to try everything. It also has me thinking about a few things that got left of the menu this year. So, I figured it was the perfect time to enjoy Food and Wine at home, and of course I had to make this an at home stroll around Italy.
The ‘Mezzi Rigatoni’ and the ‘Limoncello Margarita’ seem like the perfect way to cure my FOMO and get my psyched for my visit to Food and Wine. While the rigatoni was left off the menu this year, the Limoncello Margarita is back in Epcot, but luckily you can enjoy both of them this year at home.
The Mezzi Rigatoni is essentially pasta with vodka sauce, with the addition of pancetta to give it that extra flavor. It is simple to make and delicious. If you can find pancetta, no worries you can always sub it out for bacon.
The Limoncello Margarita is light and perfect for those late summer days, and I always love adding a hidden Mickey to my drinks at home to give it that Disney flair.
Mezzi Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 1/4 pound pancetta
- 4 TBSP butter
- 1/2 small onion sliced
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 12 fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup penne
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta till al dente. Drain and cover.
- Brown pancetta over medium high heat, about 8 minutes.
- Melt butter over medium heat, add onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic to mixture and cook, but do not burn, about 2 minutes.
- Add red pepper flakes and basil, stir to combine.
- Remove pan from heat and add vodka. Return to the heat and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add marinara sauce and pancetta, simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add cream and bring sauce to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes until sauce thickens, stir to prevent sticking.
- Stir in 3/4 a cup of parmesan cheese into sauce.
- Stir pasta into sauce and serve. Top with grated cheese.
It can’t be a true Food and Wine experience without pairing the dish with a drink. This Limoncello Margarita might not be wine, but it’s currently being served up at this years Food and Wine, and you won’t regret ordering it, or making it at home.
Limoncello Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 oz frozen limeade concentrate defrosted
- 2 oz triple sec
- 2 oz silver tequila
- 2 oz limoncello
- 1/2 oz simple syrup recipe below
- 1 lime for serving
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- To make simple syrup: In sauce pan combine 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- To make margarita: Combine all ingredients in blender and blend till smooth. Slice lime and place on rim of the glass. I love adding two lime slices to the glass to give the appearance of Mickey ears!
What is your favorite Food and Wine dish? Let me know in the comments below and you might see me recreate it!
Jenny
March 20, 2020 at 10:15 amHow do you make this in frozen format without diluting it with ice?
Bethany Vinton
March 22, 2020 at 11:11 pmYou can put the mixture in the freezer for about an hour and it should end up pretty slushy. Then just break it up with a spoon!