Celebrate National Fried Chicken Day on July 6th with Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken

Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken

By Erin

 Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken Logo

Have you ever had Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken? If you haven’t you’re missing out and need to fix that ASAP!! Growing up in Southern California, we were able to go enjoy a meal at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant often. I always looked forward to the hot, crispy, fried chicken here since I was a child. It’s such a special treat! Going here for National Fried Chicken Day would be an extra special treat to enjoy!

Knott’s Berry Farm had a very distinct start by being a theme park that was born from food. Before the many attractions and rollercoasters were installed the Knott family began a humble business by selling berries and fried chicken to Buena Park locals.

The history of Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant started in June 1934 when Cordelia Knott served the first fried chicken dinner meal for 65 cents to make ends meet during the Great Depression. Cordelia served these chicken dinners on her best wedding china. The success of the chicken dinners was immediate and by 1940, visitors were standing in line for hours to try Cordelia’s famous fried chicken.

Mrs. Knott’s signature fried chicken dinner meal continues to be served with its family-style dining that includes deliciously herb-seasoned fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, tossed green salad, cherry rhubarb, kernel corn, freshly-made buttermilk biscuits with butter and boysenberry preserve; and a slice of Mrs. Knott’s scrumptious boysenberry pie for dessert. Each meal is freshly prepared by the Knott’s culinary team with the freshest ingredients. Today the kitchen serves an average of 1,000 chicken meals per day and serves a grand total of 1.5 million guests per year.

For National Fried Chicken Day, Knott’s invites guests to Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant for the opportunity to savor the tastiest fried chicken this side of the west. Guests on this day will have the opportunity to experience special restaurant photo-ops and a commemorative National Fried Chicken Day pins available for purchase at Virginia’s Gift Shop to celebrate the special occasion.

Patriotic Mickey Donut Cookies

Patriotic Mickey Donut Cookies

By Erin

If you are looking for a fun way to sprinkle in a little Disney magic into your Fourth of July plans — Look no further! These Patriotic Mickey Donut Cookies will do the trick!

Makes 24 cookies
Fondant molding time : 45 minutes Prep time : 15 minutes
Bake time : 10 minutes Decorating time : 15 minutes
Total time : 85 minutes

Red Fondant Bow Ingredients

  • 1 Wilton Bow silicone mat
  • 1 Cup powdered sugar
  • 1 small paint brush
  • 1 – 4oz package Red Fondant (Found at Hobby Lobby)

Cutting board
– Directions

Lightly dust a cutting board with powdered sugar.

Using your hands, knead the fondant until it is soft and easy to mold.

Take the paint brush and dip it into the powdered sugar.

Place the wilton silicone mat onto the cutting board and using the paint brush, lightly dust the small bow mold. This helps keep the fondant from sticking to the mold.

Pinch off about 1 1⁄2 tsp of red fondant and push it into the bow mold. Allow it to set for 5 mins before carefully removing from the mold. Place onto the cutting board and continue making 11 more bows. Allow the bows to sit overnight.

– Cookie Ingredients

1 Cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened

1 1⁄2 C powdered sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 1⁄2 Cups flour
4 inch mickey mouse head shaped cookie cutter

2 inch round cookie cutter
1 inch round cookie cutter

Icing

2 Cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
1 disposable piping bag
1 1⁄2 Cups red white and blue sprinkles

Directions
Preheat oven and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Using a standing mixer, beat the butter, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla until creamy and light in color.

Gradually mix in the baking soda, cream of tartar and flour until combined and a dough forms. Knead the dough on the flour dusted cutting board until the dough is not sticky anymore.
Roll the dough out to about 1⁄4 inch thick.
Use the Mickey Mouse head cookie cutters and cut 24 mickey cookie heads.

Using the 2 inch round cutter, cut out a ‘hole’ in the center of the cookie. Using the 1 ince round cutter, cut out a ‘hole’ in each of the ears.

Place the cookies onto the cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes or until light gold along the sides.

Remove and allow to cool completely.

– Icing directions

Using a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk until smooth. If the icing is still lumpy, whisk in another tablespoon of milk. Spoon the icing into the disposable piping bag.

Cut the tip off the piping bag and pipe donut icing around the center hole of the cookie and then around the two smaller holes in the ears to create a ‘donut’ look.

Using 12 cookies, place the red bow in the center of the cookie.

Sprinkle some red white and blue sprinkles onto the cookies.

Allow the icing to harden before enjoying!

Universal Studios Hollywood Extends the July 4th Celebrations All Weekend Long from July 2-4

4th of July Celebrations at Universal Studios

By Erin

Universal Studios Hollywood

 Looking for something fun to do over the holiday weekend coming up?Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates 4th of July by extending its Independence Day festivities throughout the weekend from Saturday, July 2 – Monday, July 4, inclusive of dazzling nightly fireworks displays, live music performances, specially themed décor and more, all included in the price of admission to the theme park.

From the moment you walk along the iconic red carpet and enter the theme park, you will be immersed in July 4th festivities from themed décor to the sounds of a fife and drum band. Then, beginning nightly at 9:00 p.m., an elaborate fireworks display will splash across the sky, synchronized to a score of Universal-themed music and patriotic favorites from two locations inside of the theme park.

Universal Studios Hollywood continues to provide endless entertainment with one-of-a-kind blockbuster attractions; from the “Jurassic World—The Ride” mega-attraction inspired by the JURASSIC WORLD film series and featuring a stunningly realistic and fully articulating dinosaur, the Indominus rex, to becoming a stray puppy looking to be adopted on Illumination’s award-winning “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash” ride and getting swept up in the excitement as you enroll in Minion training with Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the mischievous Minions on Illumination’s “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.”

The non-stop excitement continues as you visit Springfield, U.S.A. and “The Simpsons Ride™,” take a behind-the-scenes look at an authentic working movie and television production studio along the world-famous Studio Tour, which now features several electric trams, or experience heart-pounding thrills on “Transformers™:  The Ride-3D” and “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride.”

“The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” at “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Adding to the summer fun, delight in the popular return of “The Nighttime Lights at HogwartsCastle,” featuring an incredible light projection experience, while enjoying the magical land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.” The program runs nightly through Sunday, August 14.

Universal Orlando Resort is also celebrating with special in-park activities on Monday, July 4 including live music, meet and greets with favorite characters, themed performers and an exciting pyrotechnics display.

More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

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