Favorite Copycat Recipes

[Barb]

I would love to share some of my favorite copycat restaurant recipes and look forward to seeing some of yours, please.

[Barb]

I've tried many recipes and this is the one that I've found that comes the closest:
8 cups shredded cabbage
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste, freshly ground is best
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 and 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 and 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

Combine all ingredients and cover with plastic wrap. This recipe is best if you allow the flavors to meld in the fridge for 4 or more hours.

enjoy!

[Barb]

Making these wings at home is the easy part. Getting your gal to put on the tank top and the orange shorts will take a little sweet talking.

Hooter's Buffalo Chicken Wings
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Crystal Louisiana Hot Sauce
dash ground pepper
dash garlic powder
1/2 cup all−purpose flour
1/4 teas. paprika
1/4 teas. cayenne pepper
1/4 teas. salt
10 chicken wing pieces
vegetable oil for frying
Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375. You want just enough oil to cover the
wings entirely; an inch or so deep at least.
Combine the butter, hot sauce, ground pepper, and garlic powder in a
small saucepan over low heat. Heat until the butter is melted and
the ingredients are well−blended.
Combine the flour, paprika, cayenne powder, and salt in a small bowl.
If the wings are frozen, be sure to defrost and dry them. Put the wings
in a large bowl and sprinkle the flour mixture over them, coating each
wing evenly. Put the wings in the refrigerator 60−90 minutes.
This will help the breading to stick to the wings when fried.
Put all the wings in the hot oil and fry 10 to 15 minutes or until
some parts of the wings begin to turn dark brown. Remove from the oil
to a paper towel to drain. Don't let them sit too long, because you
want to serve them hot. Quickly put the wings in a large bowl. Add the hot
sauce and stir, coating all of the wings evenly.
Serve with bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks on the side.

[Barb]

The restaurant is gone, yet we can still enjoy their salsa at home.

Chi Chi's Salsa
2 green onions diced
2 ripe tomatoes diced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
dash of tabasco sauce
14 oz. can stewed tomatoes
Dice the stewed tomatoes and combine in sauce pan with onions, fresh
tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to just a boil. Boil hard 1 minute
and remove from heat. Put half of the mixture through a blender,
just to mince fine but not puree. Return to remaining half of mixture.
Add tabasco to taste.
Cool and refrigerate in tightly covered container.
Use within a few weeks and it freezes up to 6 months.

[Barb]

I used to waste my money buying the mix until I learned how to make these sweet treats at home.

Funnel Cakes
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups sifted flour
1 teas. baking powder
1 teas. salt
2 cups vegetable oil
cinnamon sugar
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing
bowl, stir together the eggs and the milk. Add flour mixture to the
egg mixture. Beat with a mixer until smooth; the consistency
should be thin enough to run through a small kitchen funnel.
Test it and if it is too thick beat in a little more milk;
if too thin, beat in a bit more flour,
In an eight inch skillet, heat the oil to 360 degrees.
Put your finger over the bottom opening of the funnel, and fill the funnel
with a generous 1/2 cup of the batter. Hold the funnel close to the
surface of the oil, and release the batter into the oil while making a
circular motion. Fry until golden brown, use tongs and wide spatula to
turn the cake over carefully. Fry the second side 1 minute.
Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle with powdered sugar or
cinnamon sugar.

[Barb]

I can't tell you how many times I've gone to my pantry to make tacos and realized that I had no little envelopes of taco seasoning mix.

Taco Seasoning
1 Tablespoon Flour
1 Teaspoon Chili powder
1 Teaspoon Paprika
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
3/4 Teaspoon Minced onion
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Garlic powder
1/4 Teaspoon Sugar
1/8 Teaspoon Ground oregano
Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. To prepare the meat filling
for the tacos as described on the original package instructions: "In large
skillet, brown 1 pound ground beef until crumbly; drain fat. Add spices &
seasonings and 2/3 cup water; mix thoroughly. Bring to a boil: reduce heat
to low and cook, uncovered, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon
meat filling into warmed taco shells or tortillas. Top with shredded
lettuce, grated cheddar cheese and chopped tomato. Use fresh salsa and
guacamole if desired. Makes meat filling for 12 tacos (about 3 tablespoons
each).

[Barb]

Manwich Sloppy Joes
8 oz. can Hunt's tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 Tbls. dried minced onion
1 Tbls. green pepper, diced fine
1 teas. salt
1/2 teas. dried minced garlic
1/4 teas. celery seed
1 teas. prepared mustard
1/2 teas. chili powder
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
Brown 1 pound ground beef, drain fat, add sauce.
Bring to boil, lower heat, simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve with toasted hamburger buns.

[Barb]

This soup recipe is one of my favorites and most often used recipes.

O'Charley's Baked Potato Soup
3 lbs. red potatoes
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup flour
2 quarts half−and−half
1 pound block Velveeta cheese, melted
White pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1/2 lb. bacon, fried crisply
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2−inch cubes. Place in a large Dutch oven,
cover with water and bring to a boil. Let boil for 10 minutes or until
almost cooked. In a separate large Dutch oven, combine melted margarine and
flour, mixing until smooth. Place over low heat and gradually add
half−and−half, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until smooth and liquid
begins to thicken. Add melted Velveeta. Stir well. Drain potatoes and add to
cream mixture. Stir in pepper, garlic powder and hot pepper sauce. Cover and
cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place soup into
individual serving bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese,
chives and parsley.

[Barb]

The reason why this restaurant chain gets away with serving only one salad dressing is because it is just the best!

Olive Garden House Dressing
8 ounces Paul Newman's Vinegar and Oil Dressing
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
3 packages Sweet and Low −− or
1 tablespoon Sugar
Put ingredients into the bottle of dressing and shake well. Refrigerate 24
hours before using.

[Barb]

Love those biscuits from Popeye's!

Popeye's Biscuits
4 Cups Bisquick
4 Ounce Sour Cream
1 Cup Club Soda (room temp)
1 Stick Margarine
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix bisquick, sour cream and club soda
together. Pour onto floured surface and knead very lightly.
Roll out to about 1/2" thickness and cut with cutter. Melt butter and pour
half into a glass casserole dish. Place biscuits in dish and pour remaining
butter over top of biscuits.
If you would like to use less butter, do not put butter in bottom of the
pan; just pour a little over the top. Also, make sure that the club soda has
never been refrigerated and still has a lot of fizz.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 20−25 minutes or until golden brown.

[Barb]

I'm now allergic to seafood and I can't go in to get these wonderful biscuits. I was thrilled to be able to make them at home.

Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits
Dough:
1 1/4 lbs. Bisquik
3 Oz. freshly shredded cheddar cheese
11 Oz. cold water
Garlic Spread:
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teas. garlic powder
1/4 teas. salt
1/8 teas. onion powder
1/8 teas. dried parsley
To cold water, add Bisquik and cheese, blending in a mixing bowl.
Mix until dough is firm.
Using a small scoop, place the dough on a baking pan lined with
baking paper. Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until
golden brown. While biscuits bake, combine spread ingredients.
Brush baked biscuits with the garlic topping.

[Barb]

Now that Arby's has aquired the Wendy's chain, I hope that they don't change this great chili recipe. If they do, we have the old recipe, thank goodness!


Wendy's Chili
1 pound ground chuck
1 15−ounce can of diced tomatoes (liquid included)
1 15−ounce can of red kidney beans (liquid drained)
1 15−ounce can of pinto beans (liquid drained)
1 8−ounce can Hunt's tomato sauce
1/2 medium white onion, diced
1 4−ounce can diced green chilies (with liquid)
2 Tablespoons chopped celery
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup water
1. Brown the ground chuck over medium heat, breaking into small pieces with
the spatula. Add a dash of salt and pepper while cooking.
2. Empty the cooked meat into a spaghetti strainer, and rinse well under
very hot water. This removes the bulk of the fat.
3. Transfer the beef into a dutch oven, and add the remaining ingredients.
Stir together to combine thoroughly.
4. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer. Reduce the burner to low, and
continue simmering 50−60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

[Barb]

Nothing will stick to your ribs better than sausage gravy and biscuits.

Bob Evan's Sausage Gravy
1 pound Bob Evans Farms Original Recipe Bulk Sausage
1/4 cup all−purpose flour
2 cups milk
salt & pepper to taste
8 prepared biscuits
Crumble sausage into a large skillet. Cook over
medium heat until browned, stirring occasionally. Stir
in flour until dissolved. Gradually stir in milk. Cook
until thick and bubbly. Season with salt & pepper.
Serve over hot biscuits.

[Barb]

Don't be a slave to those handy little envelopes. Make it at home and save money in the long run.

Chili Powder
3 Tbsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. oregano
1 tsp. red or cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Mix well. Place in an airtight container. Adjust red pepper to taste for a
hot or mild blend. This makes 2/3 cup.

[Barb]

This recipe will also work with chicken, shrimp or pork. The taste is amazing and they are easier to make than you would think.

Chili's Steak Fajitas
Mix together in a bowl:
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup water
In an appropriate size dish, place a:
2 lb. sirloin or flank steak
Pour sauce (reserve 1/4 cup) over steak.
Cover, and allow to marinate overnight.
Drain meat and slice into thin strips. Heat skillet over medium high.
Add drained meat and:
1 red bell pepper, cut in thin strips
1 green bell pepper, cut in thin strips
1 onion, thinly sliced
Stir−fry just until meat is done, adding reserved
marinade as needed to prevent sticking.
Serve with warmed flour tortillas.

[Barb]

This is the only recipe that I would use Jack Daniel's with. It works well with steak, ribs, pork, chicken or anything that you want to grill.

Jack Daniel's Marinade
1/4 cup Jack Daniel's whiskey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Dijon−style mustard
1/4 cup minced green onion and tops
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teas. salt
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
pepper to taste
Combine all ingreds. Blend well. Use to marinate shrimp or scallops for one
hour−−or beef, chicken or pork in the refrig. overnight. Use to baste the
shellfish or meat as it is grilled or broiled.

[Barb]

Have you ever wondered what is in that container of this great seasoning? well, now you know and you can make it at home.

Lawry's Seasoned Salt
2 tablespoons pepper
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon dry marjoram leaves
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/3 cup salt
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly, or put all ingredients in 1 qt.
mayonnaise jar with tight fitting lid, shaking until blended well.
Keep at room temperature. Use within 3 months
Makes about 1 cup.

[House]

Love those biscuits from Popeye's!

Popeye's Biscuits
4 Cups Bisquick
4 Ounce Sour Cream
1 Cup Club Soda (room temp)
1 Stick Margarine
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix bisquick, sour cream and club soda
together. Pour onto floured surface and knead very lightly.
Roll out to about 1/2" thickness and cut with cutter. Melt butter and pour
half into a glass casserole dish. Place biscuits in dish and pour remaining
butter over top of biscuits.
If you would like to use less butter, do not put butter in bottom of the
pan; just pour a little over the top. Also, make sure that the club soda has
never been refrigerated and still has a lot of fizz.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 20−25 minutes or until golden brown.

Popeye's biscuits are awesome! :)

[Barb]

To make this recipe the best that you can you should invest in the best parmesan cheese that you can afford. It really does make the difference. Kids love this especially and with grocery prices so high it is a simple meatless meal that you can make at home.

Olive Garden Fettucine Alfredo
8 ounces Cream cheese −− cut in bits
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese −− grated
1/2 cup Butter or margarine
1/2 cup Milk
8 ounces Fettuccine; cook −− drain
In large saucepan combine cream cheese, Parmesan, butter and
milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Toss pasta lightly with
sauce, coating well. Leftovers freeze well.

[SexyGirl]

OMG Barb!!!

Thank you so much for these recipes! There are several in here that I am snagging. Of course when I make them I won't divulge my secrets to my guests. LOL:p

[Barb]

I have a whole file of great recipes if anyone else would like to see them.