Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm

Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm

By Erin

 Knott’s Berry Farm is now open on select dates through January 3rd for a new seasonal food and retail outdoor experience, celebrating the merriest season of all, with Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm, as it continues to follow state, local and CDC health guidelines. While the theme park itself remains closed, the Christmas spirit still shines bright this year with holiday charm brimming out of every corner of the park, as Knott’s wondrously transforms with enchanted décor, thousands of twinkling lights, miles of festive garland, and a variety of picturesque holiday settings, all serving as a backdrop to the tastiest holiday foods around.

With over 60 unique food and drink items offered on the tasting card, guests can choose from popular flavors of the season like Fully Loaded Turkey Dinner Tater Tots and Comet’s Cinnamon Bun with a Maple Glaze and Candied Pecans, plus options for all dietary preferences. Guests can take care of their holiday shopping at Knott’s one-of-a-kind stores filled with exclusive Knott’s specialty items or discover rare, handmade, and personalized gifts from over 23 artisan local crafters, including Knott’s famous glassblower and chainsaw carver.

With your tasting card, adults get 5 tastings and children get 3 tastings. Here are some of the delicious festive offerings you have to choose from, and there are a LOT of choices! Food booths are lettered and there are maps around the park so you can see where each one is located. Make sure to come HUNGRY as the serving sizes are very generous.

Cupid’s Corn Chowder Soup in a Bread Bowl with Chives

Strawberry Funnel Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Sprinkles, and Raspberry Drizzle

Comet’s Cinnamon Bun with a Maple Glaze and Candied Pecans

Merry Mint and Pineapple Aqua Fresca

Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese with Parmesan and a Panko Crumb Topping

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle

Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle

By Erin

Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle

If you’re looking for a delicious Thanksgiving dessert to make next week that is easy to make, this is it. I’m a huge cheesecake lover, so I’d take this over pumpkin pie any day. 😉 This is also served in individual jars, so you know with germs and everything, this is ideal vs. serving in a pie tin with multiple people touching it.

This is such a fabulous recipe that it can be made for a huge crowd in more normal times or for a small party with family at home during these strange covid times. It’s also casual enough that kids can help assemble it.  To save time, I used a pre-made angel cake.  Bonus points – if you use a mason jar,  they travel well and are just super cute.

Notes:

This recipe uses about ⅓ of pre-made angel cake, and it yields approximately six 8 ounce jars.  You’ll want to use jars with wider mouths, as it’s more difficult to layer the ingredients in a jar with a narrow mouth.  These are great eaten immediately, but even better if they have time to chill.  Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Prep time : 15 minutes

Rest time : allow to chill.

Ingredients

For the angel cake layer:

3 cups of angel cake (about ⅓ of a cake), cut into ½ inch squares or smaller

For the whipped cream:

1.5 cups of whipping cream

½ tablespoon granulated sugar

½ teaspoon of cinnamon

Pumpkin Cheesecake Process

For the pumpkin layer filling:

8 ounces of cream cheese

1 ½ cup of pumpkin puree

4 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

½ teaspoon vanilla

Optional: 

¼ cup toasted pecans, chopped

Caramel drizzle

Directions:

Whipped cream: 

To make the whipped cream,  mix 1.5 cups of whipping cream with ½  tablespoon of granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon.  Beat until stiff peaks form.  Set aside.

Pumpkin layer filling:

Mix cream cheese, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice until combined.  Gently fold in ⅓ cup of the whipped cream, setting the rest of the whipped cream aside.

To Assemble:

Layer the angel cake with the pumpkin cheese-cake in jars, alternating the layers as shown. Top each jar with a dollop from the remaining whipped cream, and then top with toasted pecans and caramel.  Chill until ready to eat, or up to 3 days. Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle is now ready to devour! 😉

ENJOY!

Need something festive to drink to go with it? Try this.

Instant Pot Apple Cider

Mulan + Giveaway

Mulan + Digital Movie Code Giveaway!

By Erin

Disney presents “Mulan,” a live-action reimagining of the legendary female warrior immortalized in the centuries-old Chinese ballad. Honoring its Chinese roots, the film features an ensemble of ethnically Chinese talent of both established and rising stars. Add Disney’s Mulan to your collection with bonus features for the whole family! Now on Digital, Blu-ray & 4K Ultra HD.

Disney Mulan Live Action

Acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s Mulan, in which a fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.

Disney’s MULAN..Mulan (Yifei Liu)..Photo: Film Frame© 2019 Disney Enterprises

Yifei Liu (“The Forbidden Kingdom,” “Once Upon a Time”) was cast as Hua Mulan following a year-long global casting search. Joining her in the film are: Donnie Yen (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Ip Man”); Tzi Ma (“The Farewell,” “The Quiet American”); Jason Scott Lee (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny,” “Soldier”); Yoson An (“The Meg,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny”); Ron Yuan (“Marco Polo,” “The Accountant”); Rosalind Chao (“Plus One,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”); Nelson Lee (“All Saints,” “I Was a Simple Man”); and Cheng Pei-Pei (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Lilting”) with Gong Li (“Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Raise the Red Lantern”) and Jet Li (“Shaolin Temple,” “Lethal Weapon 4”).

The screenplay was written by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (“Jurassic World,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) and Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin, based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.” The producers are Chris Bender, p.g.a. (“A History of Violence,” “Under the Silver Lake”), Jake Weiner, p.g.a. (“The Butterfly Effect,” “Monster-in-Law”) and Jason T. Reed, p.g.a. (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) with Bill Kong (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Hero”), Barrie M. Osborne (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Tim Coddington (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Marco Polo”) and Mario Iscovich (“McFarland, USA,” “You Again”) serving as executive producers.

Caro and the producers assembled a team of exceptional filmmakers to lend their talents to the production of “Mulan”: director of photography Mandy Walker, ASC, ACS (“The Mountain Between Us,” “Hidden Figures”); production designer Grant Major (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “King Kong”); editor David Coulson (“Whale Rider,” “The Zookeeper’s Wife”); costume designer Bina Daigeler (“The Zookeeper’s Wife,” “Submergence”); composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“The Martian,” “The Chronicles of Narnia”); hair, makeup and prosthetics designer Denise Kum (“Whale Rider,” “Death Defying Acts”);  visual effects supervisor Sean Faden (“Power Rangers,” “Fantastic Four”); and first assistant director Liz Tan (“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “McFarland, USA”).

“Mulan”: A Hero’s Journey

Inspired by the Chinese “Ballad of Mulan,” the film brings audiences an incredible tale that celebrates the richness of Chinese culture and the power of female strength. A story that is Chinese yet transcends borders, “Mulan” reflects the breadth and depth of Chinese identity. A combination of relatable emotions with awe-inspiring action sequences and breathtaking visuals, “Mulan” is a movie with universal appeal that embodies the timeless themes of honor, family, respect for elders and duty.

Disney first interpreted the story of Mulan as an animated feature in 1998. “Mulan” was a box-office hit as well as a fan favorite and featured Ming-Na Wen as the voice of Mulan.

“The original ‘Ballad of Mulan’ was written centuries ago and has been popular ever since,” says producer Jason Reed. “The animated movie brought it to Western audiences. Now we’re hoping to take elements from the original ballad and the beloved Disney animation and create something that is new and exciting, while honoring the essential elements of this inspiring story. We focused on how someone can embrace bravery, loyalty and duty while still being true to oneself.”

“What stands out about Mulan is her spirit,” adds Reed. “Mulan herself is what draws me to the story. When I watched the original animated film, I loved the locations, I loved the music, I loved the comedy, but what really stuck with me was her character. Even though she’s a woman and Chinese, her struggle spoke to me growing up. How do you fulfill your duty? How do you do what’s right? How do you fit in and how do you find your place? I think those are really important questions, and it’s the foundation on which we built the live-action adaptation.”

Executive producer Bill Kong feels that today’s audiences will be able to easily relate to Mulan, although the exploits of her bravery were first told centuries ago. “Mulan may have existed in stories a long time ago, but her character and her actions reflect women of today. And especially young Chinese women today. What Mulan represents is very much related to today’s world and the way people think today.”

GIVEAWAY

Mulan
Disney’s MULAN..Mulan (Yifei Liu)..Photo: Jasin Boland..© 2019 Disney Enterprises.

Now the really fun part! Enter for your chance to win a digital copy of the film! Must be +18 to enter and live in the US and enter by 12/4 at 12AM PST. See Sweepstakes tab on the blog for full details about giveaway rules. Good-luck!

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