One of the bright spots of Lockdown 2020 is the joy of cooking things we might not have otherwise. I’m trying to make a Disney recipe at least every other day. And this one has turned out to be a serious surprise favorite. Now, I’ve always thought of potatoes au gratin as rather forgettable. Looking kind of pretty, but never quite living up to their promise
These, however, remind us of why the old Empress Lilly at Disney Village was consistently rated as one of Orlando’s top restaurants in the early 1980s. Named for Walt’s widow, the Empress Lilly was a stationary paddlewheel boat, open from 1977-1995 (later became Fulton’s Crab House).
At the peak of its operation, it was the belle of the ball. For business people, pro football teams, and young couples, it was the place to make big plans for the future. And it was apparently the very first of Disney World restaurants to offer a character breakfast (Mouse Planet, 2009).
This particular dish was served in the Fisherman’s Deck, one of three restaurants that operated on the boat.
Unlike the usual sliced potatoes, this deceptively-easy recipe calls for them to be grated like hash browns. The result is a rich comfort dream, sure to delight and impress your presently-captive family as a switcheroo from our usual mashed or roasted potatoes. It reminds me a bit of a fresher version of the classic hash-brown casserole.
Disney's Empress Lilly Famous Au Gratin Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large baking potatoes
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream or half and half
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp finely grated onion
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bake potatoes in 400 degree oven until soft enough to pierce with fork. Let cool.
- Grate the potatoes like you would hash browns.
- Combine the heavy cream, onions, and seaonings, and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Place potatoes in a bowl, and stir cream mixture in. It will seem a little runny, but turns out well after cooking.
- Pour mixture into buttered casserole, and top with grated cheese.
- Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Related: 70s Recipe Flashback: Marshmallow Marsh Cake
Ohhh the Empress Lily! That was our fancy dinner on our honeymoon to WDW in 1978! And yes, we took our daughters in the 80’s to its character breakfast. One of our best Disney photos is of then-toddler daughter crying when the characters came near (she went on to work in the CP and now loves FW as much as we do – bringing her 2 daughters with us!!). We’ve probably been to WDW over 50 times since then and can’t wait for the parks to reopen (April trip canceled, June looks iffy, trying for August before she has to go back to teaching in the fall. Since retiring and getting our RV, we’ve also spent the last 3 years around the December holidays decorating our site. Enough rambling….but we’re in Disney withdrawal. Hope everyone out there is staying safe and getting to enjoy your families and maybe we’ll meet one day at the Fort!!