Plan a Family Movie Night with Chicago Hiltons

by Maria ChambersApril 14, 2020

Tom Cruise grabbed our attention (and hearts) in Risky Business, John Belushi and Dan Akroyd showed off their comedy genius in Blues Brothers and Miracle on 34th Street had us all believing in the magic of Santa all over again. What do these cinematic favorites have in common? All have scenes that were filmed at Chicago-area Hilton hotels. Read on to discover more films that used Hiltons as a backdrop and enjoy guest-favorite recipes from Hilton Chicago, The Drake and The Palmer House Hilton.

Popular Movies With Comforting Mac N' Cheese: Hilton Chicago

Quite a few family favorites were filmed at Hilton Chicago. Check out the impressive list and pair movie night with Kitty O'Shea's award-winning Truffle Cauliflower Mac N' Cheese from Executive Chef Mario Garcia.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
The Fugitive
Primal Fear
My Best Friend's Wedding
Road to Perdition
U.S. Marshals
The Little Fockers
The Express: The Ernie Davis Story

TRUFFLE CAULIFLOWER MAC N' CHEESE

Ingredients:

For the gouda and Cheddar béchamel:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 lb smoked Gouda cheese, coarsely shredded
1/4 lb Cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded
1/2 tsp smoked paprika, optional
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the miso butterscotch:
3/4 cups cream
6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup miso
3/4 cup brown sugar

For the cauliflower mac n' cheese:
4 cups Gouda and Cheddar béchamel
1 cup currants
1 1/2 cup cauliflower, blanched
1 tbsp truffle oil
2 lbs cavatappi pasta
1 sheet tray croissant dough
Miso butterscotch

Directions:

For the gouda and Cheddar béchamel:
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk over moderately high heat for 30 seconds. Add the milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Cook over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the cream, cheeses, paprika, and nutmeg and whisk just until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.

3. Season with salt and pepper.

For the miso butterscotch:
1. Combine the cream and butter in a small saucepan, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts.

2. Stir in the miso and sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is slightly thickened and shiny, 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Taste and add a little more sugar if you think it's too salty (remember, you'll be using it in savory dishes).

For the cauliflower mac & cheese:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Take béchamel, currants, cauliflower, truffle oil, and pasta and fold together. Place into a baking dish and top with croissant.

3. Cook in oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Let cool and set up so that when you cut a piece out it holds.

5. Once it's cut drizzle miso butterscotch over the crust.

Kid Flicks with a Brownie Treat: Palmer House Hilton

Palmer House Hilton's brownies are legendary, and Pastry Chef Walleska Cianfanelli is letting you in on the secret. Bake up some chocolatey goodness and snuggle in for one of these movies, filmed at Palmer House Hilton.

Miracle on 34th Street (1994 version)
Curly Sue

PALMER HOUSE HILTON BROWNIE
The first reference to the “brownie” in America appears in the Sears Roebuck Catalog published in Chicago in 1898. Specifically at the direction of Bertha Palmer to be served at the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair in 1893, the brownie was created in the Palmer House Kitchen in the late 19th century. The recipe below is well over a century old, and is the exact same one used for the brownie served in the Palmer House Hilton today! It remains one of the hotel’s most popular confections.

Ingredients:

14 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1 lb butter
12 oz granulated sugar
4 oz flour
8 eggs
12 oz crushed walnuts
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Mix the sugar and flour together in a bowl. Combine chocolate and flour mixtures. Stir 4 to 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and continue mixing.

3. Pour mixture into a 9x12 baking sheet. Sprinkle walnuts on top, pressing down slightly into the mixture with your hand. Bake 30-40 minutes.

4. Brownies are done when the edges begin to crisp and has risen about 1/4 of an inch.

Note: When the brownie is properly baked, it will remain “gooey” with a toothpick in the middle due to the richness of the mixture.

Glaze: Mix together 1 c. water, 1 c. apricot preserves, and 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin in saucepan. Mix thoroughly and bring to a boil for two minutes. Brush hot glaze on brownies while still warm.

Classics With An Authentic Martini

Tom Cruise slid his way into our lives in Risky Business, which starred Chicago and The Drake in supporting Roles. This classic pairs well with The Drake's Executive Pour Martini from Director of Restaurants, Neringa Bruzga. Make a fun juice for the kids, pour yourself a martini and enjoy this Tom Cruise throwback or one of these others gems filmed at the hotel.

Blues Brothers

Wicker Park

What Women Want

Flags of Our Fathers

EXECUTIVE POUR AUTHENTIC MARTINI

Ingredients:

4 oz Grey Goose Vodka

1 oz Dry Vermouth

3-5 ice cubes

lemon or olives

Directions:

1. Add vodka and vermouth to a shaker.

2. Top with ice and shake hard.

3. Strain martini into a martini glass.

4. Garnish with lemon peels or olives.

— Maria Chambers

The Best Online Baking & Cooking Resources for Families

10 Full-Length Free Movies on YouTube for Kids

Joanna Gaines Stages Book Tour from Home Amid Social Distancing

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 10, 2020

Joanna Gaines has a lot to celebrate. Her new cookbook, Magnolia Table, Volume 2 was released earlier this week. Since her book tour needed to be cancelled, she decided to stage her own hilarious book signing at home.

View this post on Instagram

Since my book tour isn't happening this week, we still wanted to celebrate the book launch in our own unique, stir crazy kind of way. I felt the love for sure, but I also missed getting to see all of your beautiful faces! ⠀ ⠀ Thank you again for the support of my new cookbook this week. I've loved seeing what you’re cooking in the kitchen- keep tagging me! ❤️⠀ ⠀ #MagnoliaTableCookbook

A post shared by Joanna Stevens Gaines (@joannagaines) on Apr 9, 2020 at 10:15am PDT

In a video posted to Instagram, Gaines signs copies of the book for her husband, Chip, and their children, Drake, Duke, Emmie, and Crew.The couple’s other daughter Ella stands by her mom’s side to play her “bodyguard” during the singing. The “guests” wear various disguises throughout the video.

“Since my book tour isn’t happening this week, we still wanted to celebrate the book launch in our own unique, stir crazy kind of way,” she wrote on Instagram. “I felt the love for sure, but I also missed getting to see all of your beautiful faces!” She also thanked her fans for their support and asked them to tag her in any of their own posts about their projects in the kitchen.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Joanna Gaines via Instagram

How to Keep Your Routine with the Kids at Home

Visit These Famous Museums From Your Couch

Disney Parks Share Their Official Churro Recipe Amid Closures

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 9, 2020

Churros are the ultimate treat. According to the Disney Parks Blog, churros are sold all over the Disney Parks on both coasts and guests consume over 5.5 million per year. Now, you can make them right in your own kitchen.

Here are the ingredients you need:

1 cup of water
3 eggs
4 oz butter
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 ¼ cups flour
Cinnamon/Sugar Mix
1 ½ cup oil

Follow the instructions below:

Combine 1 cup water, 4oz butter, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp cinnamon in a pot over medium heat
Bring pot to a rolling boil
Add 1 ¼ cups flour
Reduce heat to low
Stir vigorously until the mix forms a ball
Remove from heat and let rest for 5-7 min
Add 3 eggs, one at a time, and stir until combined
In a skillet, heat 1 ½ cups of oil to 350o and stir
Spoon rested dough into a piping bag
Squeeze 1-inch strips into hot oil
Fry churro tots until golden
Drain churro tots on a paper towel
Coat in cinnamon/sugar mix
Serve with melted chocolate sauce

Churros can be found all over the Disney Resorts in many fun flavors from the classic cinnamon sugar to sour watermelon. Until you can get to one of the parks, enjoy these delicious treats in the comfort of your home.

Bon appetit!

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Disney Parks via YouTube

Disneyland to Close for Precautionary Measures Starting Sat. Mar. 14

LEGOLAND Resorts Closing Temporarily to Prevent Coronavirus Spread

Now You Can Buy a Jason Momoa Coloring Book

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 7, 2020

Adult coloring books are a great stress reliever. A fantasy-filled coloring book featuring Jason Momoa has fans excited to get their hands on it since they can’t get their hands on his actual biceps. Crush and Color: Jason Momoa A Coloring Book of Fantasies With an Epic Dreamboat, featuring more than 35 “Momoa moments” for your enjoyment is now available on Amazon.

The book’s illustrations depict Momoa swimming with sharks, taking a bath, lounging on the bed, cooking a steak, walking his dogs, riding a horse, chopping down a tree, surfing, mowing the lawn and more.

According to the book’s description, “Escape to your very own rugged utopia with your favorite star! Crush and Color: Jason Momoa is a collection of daydreams come to life on incredible coloring pages. Immerse yourself in more than 35 completely unique, life-like drawings of the rugged dreamboat in the zone and on top of the world. Let him take the helm on a sunset sail, witness impressive physical strength as he scales a colossal cliffside, and take in the serenity of quieter moments through colorable works of art. Caught on every page is Jason’s breezy charm and irresistible vigor ready for coloring detail. Color your way to a dreamier day with enamoring reveries and stirring displays of masculinity on each page!”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Amazon

Relive the Totally Awesome ’80’s with Monopoly: Garbage Pail Kids

There’s a “Hocus Pocus” Board Game Coming Out & Yes, Book’s Included

Easy Key Lime Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

by Amber GuetebierMarch 5, 2020

“No thanks, I don’t really like pie,” said no one, ever. The good news is, you don’t have to dedicated an entire afternoon to making one from scratch: this easy KLP recipe takes only a little longer to make than it does to eat. Scroll down for the recipe.

photo: arsheffield via flickr

For the crust:

1 stick of butter (melted)

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

12 graham crackers (full length rectangles, not just the half-squares)

¼ cup sugar

1 tsp. Sea salt

Step 1. Melt the butter in a pan. Add the vanilla to the butter as it is melting and stir. Inhale this glorious scent.

Step 2. Crumble the graham crackers into a medium-fine (but not pulverized crumb). You can do it in a food processor or fill up a bag and let the kids whack it with a hammer or rubber mallet. We suggest double bagging it so the crumbs don’t spill out if the bag splits. Once they are fairly even in size, add to a medium sized mixing bowl and stir in sugar and sea salt.

Step 3. Pour in heavenly vanilla butter to graham cracker mix. Stir until well combined.

Step 4. Press into a 9-inch pie pan. This is your crust, so get it as high up on the sides and as even as you (and your helpers) can.

Step 5. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees, just to lightly brown the crust. Set aside and allow to cool completely while you make the key lime filling.

For the filling:

Key limes!! Probably a pound.
Eggs, three (just the yolks)
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
¾-1 cup of lime juice (from key limes)
2 tablespoons of zest from key limes
(Don’t forget to stash a lime or two aside for garnish, or get a regular lime just for this purpose.)

Step 6. Whip together the eggs and lime zest either by hand or in a stand mixer for about 2 minutes at medium.

Step 7. Add in condensed milk and mix for 3 more minutes. Mixture should be somewhat thick now.

Step 8. Add in lime juice and mix well, until combined, about 1 minute.

Step 9. Pour or spoon tart delicious mixture into previously cooled crust.

Step 10. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and serve cold with whipped cream and a lime wedge garnish. Some people like to put their pie in the freezer and serve frozen, which is awesome on a hot day. There is no wrong way to eat this pie!

—Amber Guetebier, adapted from a verbal recipe from Alix Benedict

RELATED STORIES

All the Pie Recipes. All of Them.

Everything I Know About Raising Kids I Learned from Baking

Baking Hacks You Should Memorize

25 Easy Baking Recipes Even a Kid Can Make

Spiced Hot Chocolate

by Erin LemOctober 28, 2019

For most of us November 1 and 2 are the days when we sneak into your kids’ Halloween stash post-bedtime for a sugary treat. But, for many these two days commemorate El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This holiday celebrates those who have passed and central to the holiday is a big feast. Our friend Ingrid Hoffmann, host of the Univision’s Delicioso and author of Latin D’Lite: Delicious Latin Recipes with a Healthy Twist, shared with us a simple kid-pleasing recipe to make for El Dia de los Muertos.

Ingredients:
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (you can also use chips or chunks)
6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 large eggs, at room temperature
¼ cup sugar
light whipped cream, for serving

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof medium bowl placed over a medium saucepan of barely simmering water over low heat, stirring occasionally. (The bottom of the bowl should not touch the water.) Remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the chili powder and cinnamon.

3. Whisk the eggs and sugar in another heat-proof medium bowl until combined. Place over the simmering water in the saucepan and beat until the egg mixture is warm to the touch (wash your fingers well with soap and water before and after testing the temperature), about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. With an electric hand mixer on high speed, beat the egg mixture until light and fluffy and more than doubled in volume, 2 to 3 minutes.

4. Pour the egg mixture over the chocolate mixture and fold together with a rubber spatula. Ladle or pour into 4 5- to 6-ounce ramekins or oven-safe coffee cups. Fold a kitchen towel to fit flat inside of a 9 × 13-inch baking pan. Arrange the ramekins on the towel. Put the baking dish in the oven, and slide it out on the rack. Carefully pour enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins; then carefully slide the rack with the baking dish back into the oven.

5. Bake until the tops look crusty, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Place each ramekin on a serving dish, top with a dollop of whipped cream, and serve immediately.

Ingrid Hoffmann hosts Simply Delicioso on Cooking Channel and Delicioso, on Univision. Hoffmann and Delicioso are featured in a range of cooking segments and capsules across Univision Networks, including popular morning show “Despierta America” and daytime show “Hoy”, as well as a online/mobile platform with Univision Delicioso. She has published two cookbooks, her most recent, LATIN D’LITE : Delicious Latin Recipes with a Healthy Twist (Celebra Hardcover; April 2013) and SIMPLY DELICIOSO: A Collection of Everyday Recipes with a Latin Twist, both of which are also available in Spanish.

Spirit Halloween Stores Just Dropped a New “Hocus Pocus” Collection & It’s to Die For

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 18, 2019

There is nothing quite like the Sanderson sisters to put you in the spirit of the Halloween season. From wine glasses to dish towels, Spirit Halloween’s Hocus Pocus collection has everything you need to stir up some tricks this year.

The items, which include kitchen ware, apparel and decor start at $5.99 and are all available online at Spirit Halloween. Here are some of our favorites from the massive new collection that are sure to have you running amuck, amuck, amuck!

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Spirit Halloween

Freeform’s 31 Days of Halloween Will Feature 27 Airings of “Hocus Pocus” & All of These Favorites

Disney World Has “Hocus Pocus” Cupcakes

The NEW Harry Potter LEGO Collab Is Wingardium LeviAwesome (Sneak Peek!)

by Shahrzad WarkentinJuly 4, 2018

Harry Potter and LEGO are no strangers. They have shared many awesome playsets over the years, but the latest collaboration between the Potter and LEGO empires is something entirely different. A Harry Potter LEGO minifgure series is coming Aug. 1 and we got a sneak peek of some of the highlights. Featuring characters from both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts, the minifig collection recently had a photoshoot in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter studio in London. Scroll down to see the pics!

The Most Magical Minifigures

LEGO

This new blind bag minifigure collection will feature 22 different characters from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Fantastic Figures

LEGO

Besides the classic Hogwarts-era cast, there will also be six characters from the Fantastic Beasts including Newt Scamander accompanied by Niffler.

Accessorized

LEGO

Each figure comes packaged with an awesome accessory, like Harry and his Invisibility Cloak.

The Dark Side

LEGO

And of course there are villains, like He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his beloved Nagini.

A Little Help Around the House

LEGO

Don't be surprised if you step on Dobby more than once as he makes his way about your house....

Weasleys are Represented

LEGO

Because, no hero can win against evil without his sidekick best friend.

Hogwart's Best Heroine

LEGO

Or the problem-solving Herminone Granger and her cranky cat Crookshanks.

Wise Old Wizard

LEGO

Every young wizard needs a magical mentor. This one comes complete with his own pensieve.

The Comedic Foils

LEGO

Every famous wizard needs a few wacky sidekicks and Luna Lovegood comes ready to stir up some laughs with a copy of the Quibbler hot of the plastic presses.

The Cast of 22

LEGO

While many favorites, like Dumbledore, Dobby and Mad Eye Moody, are in the set, there are a few surprising characters missing, like Hagrid, Snape and Belatrix Lestrange. We can only hope that means this is simply the first wave in what is sure to be one of the most popular LEGO minifigure collections ever.

The new Harry Potter minifigures will be available starting August 1, starting at $3.99 and available at lego.com and wherever LEGO products are sold!

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: LEGO

The IKEA & LEGO Collab You’ve Always Wanted Is Actually Happening

After Plant-Based Bricks, LEGO Aims for 100% Sustainable Packaging

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

by Susie ForesmanApril 30, 2018

We’ve found your new favorite weeknight meal, courtesy of The Flavours of Kitchen. The key to this succulent chicken is in the orange sauce, enhanced with brown sugar, soy sauce and fresh ginger. It’s easy to remix this recipe too—you can substitute chicken breast or different veggies if that’s what your crew prefers.

Ingredients
2 pounds chicken thigh, bone-in and skin on
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1.5 tbsp fresh ginger, cut into thin julienne
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp red chili flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup red bell pepper, cut
2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Method
1. In a nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Cook the chicken thigh on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side.

2. Mix orange juice, ginger, sugar, soy sauce, red chili flakes, salt and pepper.

3. Preheat the slow cooker on high heat for 20 minutes. Then add chicken thigh and orange juice mixture.

4. Cover and cook on high for about 2 hours. Stir a couple of times in between, to make sure the juice is evenly covering all the chicken thighs.

5. At the end of 2 hours, stir cornstarch and water together. Pour it into the slow cooker and mix well.

6. Then add chopped red bell pepper. Give everything a good stir and cook on high for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.

7. To serve, garnish with chopped green onions.

We thank Subhasmita of The Flavours of Kitchen for sharing this recipe and photo with us. Be sure to check out her site to find lots more healthy and easy-to-make recipes.

Slow Cooker Chicken with Peppers and Onions

by Susie ForesmanApril 13, 2018

This slow cooker recipe from The Seasoned Mom is sure to find a place in your meal rotation. There are lots of ways to remix it—serve it with pasta or rice, or make it into a cheesy sandwich. Plus, if you’re an Instant Pot fan, it can be put to use with this recipe.

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 24 ounces total)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 red bell peppers, seeded and sliced
1 sweet onion, sliced
4 teaspoons minced garlic
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
8 ounces crushed tomatoes
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (add more for a spicy dish or omit entirely for a mild dish)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish: chopped fresh basil or fresh parsley
For serving: pasta, rice, zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice, etc.

Method
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.

2. If you have time to sear the chicken in a hot skillet for a few minutes per side before placing it in the slow cooker, it gives the meat great flavor. If you don’t have time to brown the chicken first, that’s okay too!

3. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir to combine.

4. Cover and cook on “LOW” setting for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve chicken, vegetables and sauce with a slotted spoon over pasta, rice, zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, if desired. The meat is also great in hoagies (toasted with melted cheese on top) or as a topping on pizza or flatbread. Garnish with fresh herbs just before serving.

Alternative Instant Pot Method
1. Press “sear” or “sauté” on the pressure cooker. Add oil to the pot and brown chicken for about 2-3 minutes per side. Turn off sear function.

2. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Close the top properly and select “Poultry” or “Manual” setting. Set the time to 8 minutes for fresh chicken breast, or 13 minutes for frozen chicken breast. (These times are for typical 6-8 ounce chicken breasts. If yours are larger, add a couple of minutes.)

3. When done, let the pressure naturally release for at least 5 minutes. After that, you can turn the valve to “vent” for quick release if you’re in a hurry, or continue natural release for the most tender texture.

Blair shares family-friendly recipes on her blog, The Seasoned Mom. Hop over to her website to find more kid-approved recipes that won’t take hours to make.

ML Interest Tag: stir

Plan a Family Movie Night with Chicago Hiltons

Popular Movies With Comforting Mac N' Cheese: Hilton Chicago