WDW Magazine August 2017: Value Resorts at WDW | Page 90

One big draw is their food. The Animal Kingdom Lodge features some of the best
restaurants on property, blending African-inspired dishes with American fare. You would
think that with all the cultural influences, Guests would rave about an authentic dish. Not
the case. The one dish that keeps Guests coming back again and again is the quite
American, Macaroni and Cheese from Jiko: The Cooking Place.
Jiko’s Macaroni and Cheese is traditionally served as a side dish with their famous
Oak-grilled Filet Mignon and Red Wine Sauce. Their version features a rich 4-cheese blend,
which makes it creamy and smooth. Believe it or not, it only takes a handful of ingredients
to recreate this fan favorite at home.
The key to a great homemade Macaroni and Cheese is to keep things “low and slow”. Too
much heat could scald your cheese sauce causing it to break. Follow each direction to the
tee, allotting the exact right amount of time for each step. Move too quickly and your sauce
can become lumpy. Another great tip is to use warmed milk rather than right out of the
fridge. Stir in your cheese using a “figure eight” method. Both of these tips will help your
cheese sauce come together easier.
Now that we got all that out of the way, let’s start cooking!
JIKO’S MACARONI AND CHEESE
Jiko — The Cooking Place, Disney’s Animal Kingdom