Take Out vs. Fake Out

In these uncertain economic times, going out to eat has become more of a luxury for many folks. I decided to include some restaurant inspired dishes for the family. These are not intended to be clones or copy-cat recipes for the actual dishes served in a particular restaurant. If you insist on the food tasting just like it would at I-hop or Olive Garden, you will be disappointed! This is simply a way to evoke the feelings of being in a restaurant by providing similar ideas for your family. I hope you enjoy!

Long Horn Steak House Fake Out

Spinach Artichoke Appetizer Dip

1 package frozen chopped spinach cooked and drained
2 jars of marinated artichoke hearts , drained and chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1/2 cup of finely grated Parmesan
1 cup grated Monterrey Jack cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a casserole dish with butter. Coat with finely grated Parmesan cheese. Dump everything in a bowl , saving half the Monterrey Jack cheese for the top, and mix well. Transfer into casserole. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.

Grilled Steak Salad

1 1/2 pound flank steak

1 tablespoon garlic powder

2 cups soy sauce

1 1/2 cup bourbon

1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

Mix the ingredients together. Pour over steak and marinade at least 2 hours. I use a 2 gallon Ziploc bag. Broil in oven or on grill for 10 minutes a side. Slice thinly.

Place over a bag of greens and top with your favorite dressing. I love a bright vinaigrette.

I-Hop Fake Out

French Toast

3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons flour
10 slices thick bread
Powdered sugar

Mix together eggs, milk vanilla and flour. Dip the bread into the mixture and place on greased griddle/ Cook until light brown and flip over. Serve with powdered sugar, butter or syrup.

Fresh Fruit Salad


Mix together seasonal fresh fruit. Put a dollop of vanilla or plain yogurt on top of each serving. Enjoy!!


Baked Bacon


Place wire rack into a cookie sheet with sides (jelly roll pan). Heat oven to 375. Place strips of bacon on wire rack. Cook for 15 minutes until crisp. Enjoy!

Don Pablos Fake Out

Lime Chicken Fajita Salad

1 Bag of lime tortilla chips
1 bag of shredded lettuce
2 packages of spicy southwestern chicken strips (precooked)
2 avocados cut in slices
Sour Cream
2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack or Sharp cheddar cheese
salsa
2 limes cut in wedges
juice of two limes


Place chips on plate. Layer lettuce, chicken, avocado. Pour lime juice over chicken and avocado. Add cheese. Top with sour cream and salsa. Serve with additional lime wedges.

Black Beans

3 cans of black beans

1 package of Taco seasoning

1 cup of chicken broth

1 medium white onion diced

sour cream

Pour beans, taco seasoning, and broth in pot. Bring to a simmer. Top with onion and sour cream.

Olive Garden Fake Out

Garden Salad with Italian Dressing


1 large bag of Garden Salad Mix
3 Roma tomatoes, sliced
1 can pitted colossal black olives, drained
8-10 banana peppers
1 cup of garlic cheese croutons
1 small red onion sliced very thin
1 bell pepper sliced thin

Dressing:


1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup corn syrup
2 1/2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dry pectin
2 tablespoons of Egg beaters
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dry minced garlic
1 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Mix together with hand mixer and chill for one hour.Toss with salad just before serving. Add croutons LAST!! Top with shaved Parmesan cheese


Spaghetti

1 box of thin spaghetti cooked al dente, drained. Reserve 1 cup of the spaghetti water for sauce.
4 jars of good quality marinara/spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cups of good red wine
2 heaping tablespoons minced garlic
1 medium onion diced
2 carrots diced
2 ribs of celery diced
2 cans of diced fire roasted tomatoes
1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon basil
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 pound of Jimmy Dean Mild Sausage
1 pound of lean hamburger

In a large pot, brown meat and sausage. Add in onion, celery and carrots. Stir until onions transparent. Add in garlic and tomatoes. Pour in sauce and red wine. Stir in seasonings. Bring to a simmer and cook on low until you can't stand it. Add in 1 cup of noodle water. Serve on noodles with fresh Parmesan cheese.

Red Lobster Fake Out

Red Lobster-esque "Cheddar Bay" Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Mix Bisquick, milk, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and cheese until a soft dough forms.
Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown. Mix butter and remaining garlic powder.
Brush butter/garlic powder mixture over warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Clam Chowder
4 large cans of clam chowder
2 tablespoons butter
1 can of shoe peg corn
1 block of cream cheese
2 green onions sliced - greens and bulbs
1 tablespoon grill seasoning

In a pot over medium heat melt butter. Add in onion and "Sweat". Add in cream cheese until melted. Stir in soup, corn and seasonings. Bring to a simmer. Serve!