Ever since we became Disney Vacation Club members, one of our favorite locations to visit every time we came to Walt Disney World was the Top of the World Lounge at Disney’s Bay Lake Resort. When we recently heard they had reimagined it with a little bit of “Villain Flair” and we were even more excited for our last visit.
What we discovered was the charm of the original location with the subtle addition of items from many of those wonderful Disney characters that we love to hate. Plus, a fantastic new menu filled with lip-smacking new options. One the items we were instantly drawn toward and truly enjoyed was the Cosmic (Plant) Powered Flatbread. As a matter of fact, we loved it so much, we knew we had to recreate it at home. So, that’s exactly what we’re going to do, today.
Our Ingredients
The components of our Cosmic (Plant) Powered Flatbread from the Top Of The World Lounge: Villains Lair ranges from very straightforward to a little more on the difficult side to obtain. Everything for the crust will be very simple. Now that Impossible meat is more abundant in grocery stores, many of the toppings shouldn’t be a problem, as well.
Where you may find difficulty is with the seasoning for the “meat”. The Za’atar spice mix on that is used for the dish, might not be found in your local store. (It wasn’t in ours) You could either purchase it online or make your own with a combination of other dried herbs. I, however, decided on neither of these options. I, instead, went with a different Mediterranean spice mixture that I enjoy and was lucky enough to find in our neighborhood. It’s a tasty “Shawarma” mix that I feel captures a lot of the same flavors as the Za’atar. I may even like it a little better. But there are no wrong answers here. Make it how you like it!
There is one other issue that you may run into if, like the original version, you decide to keep it completely vegan. That’s with the “yogurt” for the tzatziki. They use a plant-based version at The Top of the World Lounge. Luckily, if you decide to stay true to the Disney’s recipe, there are a lot of good quality options for you to use. I, however, decided to stay with a traditional plain Greek-style yogurt for my recipe. That makes mine vegetarian instead of vegan. But you can easily substitute if that’s what you prefer. Again, it’s totally your choice.
Let’s get cooking!
The Flatbread Dough
We start with the portion of our Cosmic (Plant) Power Flatbread that, while fairly simple, takes a bit of time. That’s getting our dough created for the crust.
As with any of our yeast-based doughs, the first step is to wake up the yeast. We’ve discussed this in other some of our other recipes. But I’m not going to kid myself and believe that you’re read them all. I mean, it’s great if you have. But I know that likely isn’t the case.
Sorry. I’m rambling.
Anyway, we “wake up” the yeast through a process called blooming. This happens by mixing the yeast with the warm water and the sugar. Let it stand for about 5 minutes. The yeast should begin to bubble or “bloom”. Once it does this, it’s ready to go!
- If after 5 minutes, your yeast doesn’t “bloom”, it may be old and essentially “dead”. If that is the case, you should go ahead and head to the store to get a fresh supply
Next, place the all-purpose flour and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer with the dough hook attachment in place. Add the water, sugar, and yeast mixture, along with the olive oil, and mix on medium for about 5 minutes and the dough comes together. The dough should be mostly smooth and elastic. If it seems too wet, add a little more flour. If it’s too dry, a little more warm water.
- If you don’t have an electric mixer with a dough hook, you can also need it by hand for about 10 minutes.
Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it a couple of times by hand. Place it in a large, greased bowl and cover it with a towel. Move the bowl to a warm spot and allow it to rise for about an hour.
Roasted Tomatoes
Unlike some flatbreads, there is no base sauce for our Cosmic (Plant) Power Flatbread. But, this version doesn’t come off as too dry thanks in part to the roasted tomatoes we’re about to cook up.
- These are also great just mixed with some pasta or even on their own as a side dish. So, you’ll want to keep this portion of the recipe in the back of your mind. Especially since it’s really easy!
First, preheat the oven to 400°F
Begin by cutting the tomatoes into wedges like you see in the picture above. Add to a medium-sized bowl with the sliced garlic cloves, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Carefully mix to coat.
Turn the coated tomatoes and garlic onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Spread the tomatoes out so they are mostly, evenly distributed across the pan and place them in the preheated oven. Roast at 400°F for approximately 30 minutes.
Pickled Red Onions
Ah, yes! Once again, if you’ve followed my recipes, at all, then you know I love pickled red onions. It’s such an easy garnish that, not only, provides a lot of color to a finished dish. It also brings a wonderfully, sweet flavor punch.
To create them you’ll want to start by adding the rice wine vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, and sugar to a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Remove the pot from the heat and add the sliced red onion. Give it a quick stir and let it rest. That’s it! The liquid will pickle the red onions as it cools.
Once the pickling liquid and red onions cool completely, strain them from the liquid and store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
The Tzatziki
Our next step is creating the bright and refreshing sauce that will really tie the entire recipe together. That’s our tzatziki.
Begin by grating the mostly peeled cucumber into a bowl.
Next, add the yogurt, chopped fresh mint, dill, lime juice, and salt. Mix until the sauce comes together. Taste, and adjust the seasoning, as necessary, with more fresh herbs and/or salt.
Boom! Tzatziki! How easy is that?
Refrigerate until ready to use.
Seasoned “meat”
Now, we’re on to the protein of our flatbread. The seasoned, plant-based “meat”. Again, following the theme of this entire recipe, it’s easy.
Huh? What do you know?
Begin by placing a medium-sized pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Once the pan is heated, add the add the “meat”, breaking into small pieces as it browns.
Once the meat is mostly cooked through, add the Za’atar (or shawarma) spice, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking until the “meat” is completely cooked through. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed.
Remove the cooked meat from the pan to a plate lined with a paper towel and reserve until ready to use.
Our Crust
Now it’s time to get the whole Cosmic (Plant) Power Flatbread together starting with our flatbread crust.
Start by preheating the oven to 475°F.
Meanwhile, turn the risen dough onto a cutting board and cut it into 2 equal-sized portions and roll each in a ball.
Take one of the portions and flatten it by hand or using a rolling pin. I made mine a rectangle but you can use any shape you want. However, it is best to try to get it as flat as possible. (After all, it is a flat-bread). About ¼ inch thick is perfect. Repeat the process with the other dough portion. Place the flattened dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Next, “dimple” the dough by pricking it all over with a fork. This will help keep the crust from rising too much before you add the toppings. Brush the top with olive oil and place in the oven. Bake for about 10 minutes at 475°F. It’s okay if it’s not cooked through, yet. You’ll finish the process after you add the toppings
Pulling it all together
Once the crust has been partially baked for about 10 minutes, remove it from the oven. Add a layer of the cooked and seasoned “meat”, distributing it as evenly as possible.
Next, add your desired amount of the roasted tomatoes and garlic. Return to the oven and finish baking for approximately 15 minutes and the crust has begun to lightly brown.
Remove from the oven and let rest for a couple of minutes. Then cut into your desired portion shapes. Arrange those pieces on your desired serving plate and add the rest of the toppings starting with your desired amount of pickled red onions. Follow with a layer of the arugula and finish it off with a healthy drizzle of the tzatziki sauce.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Final Conclusion
This version of the Cosmic (Plant) Power Flatbread will teleport you right back to The Top Of The World Lounge: Villain’s Lair. It hits all the flavor notes you’d hope for.
With each bite, you get the crispiness of the crust, coupled with the sweet and spicy combination of the “meat”. The roasted tomatoes add a lovely, mouth-enveloping richness. All brightened by the sweet and slightly acidic pickled red onions, the peppery arugula and the creamy and herbaceous tzatziki. It’s nothing short of phenomenal.
Better yet, it’s easy!
Whether your home is filled with heroes, villains, or a combination of both, you’re definitely going to want to make this in your “lair” very soon.
Cosmic (Plant) Power Flatbread from Top Of The World Lounge: Villains Lair
Makes approximately 2 medium flatbreads
Crust Dough
- 1 ½ tsp – Active Dry Yeast
- 1 ½ tsp – Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup – Warm Water
- 3 cups – All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tbls – Olive Oil (plus another teaspoon for brushing the dough before baking)
- 1 tsp – Salt
Roasted Tomatoes
- 5 or 6 – Whole Roma Tomatoes – Quartered
- 3 cloves – Fresh Garlic – Sliced
- 1 tsp – Italian Seasoning
- 1 tbls – Olive Oil
- 1 tsp – Salt
- ½ tsp – Pepper
Pickled Red Onion
- ½ – Red Onion – Sliced
- 1 cup – Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 cup – Granulated Sugar
- ¼ cup – Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
Tzatziki Sauce
- ½ – Medium Cucumber – Peeled and grated
- 1 ½ cups – Plain Greek-Style Yogurt
- 1 tbls – Fresh Mint – minced
- 1 tbls – Fresh Dill – Minced
- 2 oz – Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 clove – Fresh Garlic – Finely minced
- Salt – to taste
Seasoned “Meat”
- ½ lb – Plant-Based “Meat”
- 1 tbls – Za’atar or Shawarma Seasoning
- 1 tsp – Salt
- ½ tsp – Pepper
Other Ingredients
- Fresh Arugula
For the Crust
- Add the yeast and sugar to the warm water and stir to combine. Allow to “bloom” for approximately 5 minutes
- Place the all-purpose flour and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer equipped with a dough hook. Add the water & yeast mixture and the olive oil
- Using the electric mixer “knead” the dough on medium speed until it becomes smooth and elastic. Approximately 5 minutes. You can also knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes if you do not have an electric mixer
- Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a towel. Place in a warm spot and let rise for approximately 1 hour
Roasted Tomatoes
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Place the quartered Roma tomatoes, sliced fresh garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Stir to coat
- Spread the tomatoes and garlic evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Roast in a preheated 400°F oven for approximately 30 minutes
- Reserve until ready to use
Tzatziki
- Grate the cucumber into a small bowl
- Add the plain Greek-style yogurt, minced fresh mint, dill, garlic, lime juice, and salt
- Stir until well combined
- Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and/or minced fresh herbs as necessary
- Reserve in the refrigerator until ready to use
Pickled Red Onion
- Add the rice wine vinegar, granulated sugar, and low-sodium soy sauce to a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer until the Sugar has dissolved
- Remove from heat, add the sliced red onion and give it a quick stir
- Allow to cool completely and strain the pickled red onions from the liquid
- Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve
Seasoned “Meat”
- Place a medium-sized pan on the stove over medium-high heat
- Add the plant-based “meat” and brown while using a spoon or spatula to break the “meat” into small pieces
- Add the Za’atar or shawarma seasoning, salt and pepper and stir to combine
- Continue browning until the “meat” is cooked through
- Taste and season the meat with more of the Za’atar or shawarma seasoning and/or salt & pepper, if necessary
- Remove the cooked “meat” to a plate lined with a paper towel and reserve until ready to use
For the Cosmic (Plant) Power Flatbread
- Preheat the oven to 475°F
- Remove the risen crust dough from the bowl and divide into 2 equal portions
- Roll each portion into a ball
- Using your hands or a rolling pin, flatten the dough to approximately ¼ in thickness. The crust can be whatever shape you prefer
- Place the flattened dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Using a fork, dimple the dough evenly across it then brush the top lightly with olive oil
- Place the crust into the oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes at 475°F
- Remove the partially baked crusts and top each evenly with the seasoned “meat” and the roasted tomatoes and garlic
- Return to the oven and bake for about another 15 minutes and the crust is lightly browned
- Remove from the oven and let rest for about 2 minutes
- Cut the flatbread into your desired portions and place on a serving dish
- Top with a layer of the pickled red onions and arugula
- Drizzle the top with some of the tzatziki
- Serve immediately and enjoy
If you enjoyed this dish, be sure to check out some of our other Disney Dishes Lounge Food Recipes:
Lobster Nachos From Lamplight Lounge
Disney Dishes Piña Colava Recipe
If you’re a Disney Fan, be sure to check out our Disney Podcast, as well.
