Tag: Mulan

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Mulan Disney Day

Let’s get down to business… (to defeat… the HUNS!)

Disney just released the news that the live action Mulan will be released to Disney + for purchase September 4th. So, start planning your Mulan Disney Day now!

Our Mulan Disney Day was full of yummy food and Mushu-inspired craftiness. Also, dance parties. You have to have a dance party.

We started the day by making some yummy Chinese Almond Cookies. When things have to cook, this always gives us time to do the other fun as they do. I highly recommend doing it this way.

As these delicious cookies were baking, we worked on our Fire Breathing Mushu craft. These kept the dragons entertained for a very long time and they almost lost track of asking if the cookies were done and when they could have one.

I absolutely love this craft. They got to run around and pretend to be actual dragons and made a game out of who got who with their flames. Once the cookies were done, they settled down from their crazy dragon ways (for a little, that is), and enjoyed watching the first Mulan.

I have to admit, I’m “one of those” who doesn’t count all the sequels on any sort of same scale as the originals, but once the first movie was over they were already asking to watch Mulan II.

We took a break from the screen and went back to having fun. Before long we threw the Beef & Broccoli in the crockpot and settled down to watch (yes, I gave in) the second Mulan.

This recipe is so easy and quick. It’s one that I have been making for around ten years and I’m so excited to share it.

I have very clear memories of when this movie first came out because my little sister was absolutely obsessed (and still is). Anyone else remember having a dance party to True to Your Heart at the end of the movie? Stevie Wonder and 98 degrees anyone? Let’s hope the live-action film has a song worth of a dance party. (Although I’d say the new Christina Aguilera song Loyal Brave True is hardcore. Have you given it a listen yet?)

I’m anxiously awaiting when the live-action version will actually be released. Who’s with me?!

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Chinese Almond Cookies

When deciding what to do for our Mulan day, I wanted to set up an obstacle course for the dragons to do. However, this was a task easier said than done (especially at nine months pregnant), so I opted for another recipe instead.

These cookies were inspired by House of Annie, who shared that they are a traditional Chinese cookie. I was so very excited to make a little change and make them myself- and I was not disappointed. Nor was anyone else in the house who ate/devoured them.

Almond Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 C (1 stick) salted butter, softened
  • 1 C oil (I used canola)
  • 1 egg
  • 1.5 C Sugar
  • 1 TBSP Almond Extract
  • 3 C unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 and line your baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Mix together your butter, oil, sugar, almond extract. Add in your dry ingredients and mix until well combined, forming a compact dough.
  • Use a cookie scooper to measure your cookies, then rolling into a ball (about 2 TBSP of dough).
    * Optional: Use your pinky or 1/8 tsp to push a crater into the center of each dough ball. Use a toothpick to add red food dye to said indent, or add red sprinkles. This makes the cookies look festive! You can also put an almond sliver on top rather than an indent of some kind.
  • Bake the cookies for 12-16 minutes, until the edges look slightly golden. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a further five minutes or so.

Enjoy! These go absolutely wonderfully with tea.

Don’t forget to check out the Beef & Broccoli recipe, which pairs nicely with this dessert!

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Crockpot Beef & Broccoli

A family favorite that we make at least once a month is this easy Beef & Broccoli recipe. It’s delicious no matter how you serve it. (As you may note, I made it not realizing we were completely out of rice to serve it over- but it was still just as yummy!)

Easy Crockpot Beef & Broccoli

Ingredients:

  • 1.5-2 lbs of steak, cut into strips or bought that way
  • 1 C beef broth or water with 1tsp beef bouillon
  • 1/2 C soy sauce
  • 1/3 C brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 4 tbsp sauce (from the crockpot after dish is cooked)
  • Frozen broccoli florets (I used about 2 cups)
  • *Rice to serve it on, which again- I didn’t realize I didn’t have

Directions:

  • Add your steak, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic to your crockpot. Toss to coat the steak in the sauce.
  • Cook on high for 2.5 hours.
  • After 2.5 hours, take 4 tbsp of the sauce and mix it in a separate bowl with 2 tbsp of cornstarch to make the roux. Return it to the crockpot, along with your frozen broccoli, and mix well.
  • Cook for another 30 minutes (3 hours total).
  • Serve alone or over rice (preferably over rice).

AAAAANNNNNDDDDD you’re done. Wasn’t that easy? I promise this is a crowd pleaser. We ate this as part of our Mulan day. Make sure to check out our Mushu craft!