Bake And Baste Chicken (Boston Chicken)

Bake And Baste Chicken (Boston Chicken)

• Yield: 1 servings
• 1/4 c Canola oil
• 1 tb Honey
• 1 tb Lime juice
• 1/4 ts Paprika
• 4 Chicken breast halves
• Washed/patted dry

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine canola oil, honey, lime juice and paprika. Place chicken, skin side up, in a 7x11 inch baking dish. Apply mixture to chicken pieces in a single layer.
 
Bake in over for 35-40 minutes, basting every 8-10 minutes or until well browned and juices run clear when you cut into the thickest part of chicken. Remove from oven. Cover with foil for 15 minutes. This softens chicken and keeps it hot until served. Serves 4.

Bailey's Irish Cream

Bailey's Irish Cream

Yield: 1 Servings

• 1 c Light cream
• 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 2/3 c Irish Whiskey
• 1 ts Instant coffee
• 2 tb Hershey's chocolate syrup
• 1 ts Vanilla
• 1 ts Almond extract

Combine all the ingredients in a blender set on high speed for 30 seconds. Bottle in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate. The liqueur will keep for at least 2 months if kept cool. Be sure to shake the bottle well  before serving.
Makes 4 cups.

Baby Ruth Candy Bar

Baby Ruth Candy Bar

Beneath the chocolate of Nestlés popular candy bar is a chewy, peanut-covered center that resembles  Hershey's PayDay. To clone this one we'll only have  to make a couple adjustments to the PayDay clone recipe,  then add the milk chocolate coating. Even though the wrapper of this candy bar calls the center "nougat," it's more of a white or blonde fudge that you can make in a saucepan on your stovetop with a candy thermometer.

Centers

• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 5 unwrapped caramels
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 20 unwrapped caramels
• 1 1/2 teaspoons water
• 2 cups dry roasted peanuts
• 1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients for the centers, except the powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir often as the caramel slowly melts. When the mixture is smooth, add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar. Stir. Save the remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for later. 

Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230 degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.

When the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand mixer on high speed to combine. Keep mixing until the candy cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed. That should take a minute or two.

Let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it can be touched. Don't let it sit too long - you want the candy to still be warm and pliable when you shape it. Take a tablespoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a countertop until it forms a roll the width of your index finger, and measuring about 4 1/2-inches long. Repeat with the remaining center candy mixture and place the rolls on wax paper. You should have 8 rolls. Let the center rolls sit out for an hour or two to
firm up.   

Combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until the caramels melt completely, then turn off the heat. If you work fast this caramel will stay warm while you make the candy bars.

Pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface. Using a basting brush and working quickly, "paint" a coating of caramel onto one side of a center roll. Quickly turn the center over, caramel side down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy. Paint more caramel onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts. The candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides. If needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto the peanuts to coat the roll completely. Place the candy bar onto wax paper, and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place these bars into your refrigerator for an hour or two so that they firm up.

Pour the milk chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic bowl and zap it in the microwave for 2 minutes on 50 percent power. Gently stir the chips, then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50 percent power. Repeat if necessary, stirring gently after each 30 seconds. Don't overcook the chips or the chocolate will burn and seize up on you. 

Drop a candy bar center into the melted milk chocolate. Cover the candy bar with chocolate using two forks, one in each hand. When the candy is covered with chocolate, balance the bar on both of the forks, one at each end of the candy bar, and tap the forks on the top edge of the bowl so that much of the chocolate drops off. Carefully place the candy bar onto wax paper and remove the two forks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and then chill the candy bars until firm.
Makes 8 candy bars.

Auntie Anne's Pretzels

 

Auntie Anne's Pretzels

Servings Size: 1
INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 tsp Yeast
• 1/2 tsp Brown sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 c Water
• 4 c Bread flour
• 2 tsp Baking soda
• 2 c Warm water
• 1/2 lb Butter
• 2 Tbsp Honey
• White sugar Brown sugar

Preparation Instructions: Mix yeast, brown sugar, dash of salt and 1 1/2 cups water. Let sit for five minutes. Add bread flour.
Knead well. Let rise for about one hour. Grease baking sheet.
Mix baking soda and warm water. Take a piece of dough and roll and shape into a pretzel. The easiest way to shape is to roll into a rope, whatever size you prefer. Pinch ends of rope then bring ends of rope to other side of circle. Dip pretzels in warm water and baking soda mixture and put on baking sheet.
Bake at 425F for about 12 minutes. While still hot, brush with melted butter and honey. Sprinkle with white and brown sugar (approx. half and half mixture).

Arby's Sauce

 

Arby's Sauce

Although the beef sandwiches from Arby's would be very hard to duplicate since they are made from specially processed beef hunks, thinly sliced, this fast food chain's barbecue sauce can be cloned easily. Now you can whip up this slightly tangy sauce to put on your own homemade sandwich creations, even barbecued ribs or chicken.

• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce begins to boil, 5 to 10 minutes.

Remove the sauce from the heat. Cover and allow to cool.

Pour into a covered container for storage in your refrigerator.

Keeps for a month or two.
Makes 1 cup.

Arby's Jamocha Shake

 

Arby's Jamocha Shake

Okay, wash out the blender; this one's been  begging to be cloned for years now. Arby's famous Jamocha Shake was one of the first frozen coffee drinks to gain popularity, even before Starbucks pummeled us with Frappuccinos. This thick drink is actually more milk shake than coffee drink, but if you like the original, you'll love this easy-to-make clone that serves two. 

• 1 cup cold coffee
• 1 cup low-fat milk
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 cups vanilla ice cream
• 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Combine the coffee, milk, and sugar in a blender and mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve the sugar.

Add ice cream, and chocolate syrup then blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Stop blender and stir mixture with a spoon if necessary to help blend ingredients. 

Pour drink into two 16-ounce glasses.
Makes 2 large drinks.

Arby's Bronco Berry Sauce

Arby's Bronco Berry Sauce

This sweet and spicy jelly sauce comes on the side, in little 1.5-ounce containers, with Arby's battered jalapeno and cheese Side Kickers. But, you know, you ust never get enough of the tasty gelatinous goo in those little dipping packs to use later with your own home-cooked delicacies.  And isn't it odd that the sauce is called "Bronco Berry" when there's not a berry to be found in there?  Sure, the sauce is bright red and sugary, but you won't find a speck of fruit on the ingredients list. Nevertheless, the sweet and spicy flavors make this a delicious jelly sauce that has many uses beyond dipping quick service finger foods.  For one, use it as a side for your next batch of lamb chops rather than mint jelly.  It would take more than just a few blister packs to perk u that meal.

• 3/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons pectin
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 50 drops or 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• dash cayenne pepper
• dash garlic powder
• dash paprika
• 1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon minced canned jalapeno peppers 

Combine all the ingredients except the bell and minced jalapeno peppers in a small saucepan. Whisk well.

Set saucepan over medium/high heat, uncovered. Add peppers and bring mixture to a full boil, stirring often.

Reduce heat and simmer sauce for 5 to 7 minutes, or until thick. Remove from heat and let sauce sit for about 10 minutes. Stir and cover.

Use sauce when it reaches room temperature or cover and chill until needed.
Makes 1 cup

Applebee's Tequila Lime Chicken

Applebee's Tequila Lime Chicken

It's one of Applebee's top-selling signature dishes and a big request here on the site. This tasty dish combines the tangy flavor of the tequila lime marinade with creamy southwestern-style dressing, and tops it all off with a melted cheese blend. Just be sure you don't marinate the chicken longer than the 3 to 4 hours, or the citric acid in the lime juice may toughen the chicken. The bed of crispy corn tortilla strips can be easily cloned with crumbled store-bought corn chips, but if  you want strips like those served at the restaurant, just follow the "tidbits" below. Serve this dish with your choice of rice (Spanish rice is recommended), along with some pico de gallo (you can find a recipe here) or salsa on the side.

Marinade
1 cup water
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon mesquite liquid smoke flavoring
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon tequila
4 chicken breast fillets

Mexi-Ranch Dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons minced tomato
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon minced canned jalapeno slices (nacho slices)
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
dash garlic powder
dash ground black pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar/monterey jack cheese blend 2 cups crumbled corn chips or fried tortilla strips (see tidbits)
 

Prepare marinade by combining marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl, cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours.

Make the mexi-ranch dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well until smooth, then cover dressing and chill it until needed.

When you are ready to prepare the entree, preheat the oven to high broil. Also, preheat your barbecue or indoor grill to high heat. When the grill is hot cook the marinated chicken breasts for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until they're done.

Arrange the cooked chicken in a baking pan. Spread a layer of mexi-ranch dressing over each piece of chicken (you'll have plenty left over), followed by 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese blend. Broil the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the cheese has melted.

Spread a bed of 1/2 cup of the tortilla strips or crumbled corn chips on each of four plates. Slide a chicken breast onto the chips on each plate and serve with your choice of rice, and pico de gallo, or salsa. 

Serves 4.

Tidbits
Crumbling store-bought tortilla chips is the easy way to make the bed of crunchy chips that the tequila lime chicken  rests on. But, you can make tortilla strips like those served at the restaurant by cutting a stack of eight 6-inch corn tortillas in half. Stack the halves on top of each other and slice the tortillas into thin strips. Fry the tortilla strips in 2 cups of oil preheated in a large skillet for 3-5 minutes or until crispy. Salt lightly and cool on paper towels to drain.

Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad

Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad

Applebee's 60-item menu is revised twice a year. That means about 40 percent of the entire menu changes on a regular basis. The other 60 percent are items that are found on menus in all of the Applebee's restaurants, and seldom ever change. One item that has been on the menu for some time now is this Oriental Chicken salad, which is considered one of the restaurant's signature items. The recipe makes one dinner-size salad
and can be easily doubled or quadrupled for additional servings. This recipe comes from the third book, "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes," but the dressing has been improved to more closely match the current dressing served at the restaurant.

Oriental Dressing
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice winevinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

Salad
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast half
2-4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup red cabbage
1 cup Napa cabbage
1/2 carrot, julienned or shredded
1 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1/3 cup chow mein noodles 

Preheat oil in deep fryer or deep pan over medium heat. You want the temperature of the oil to be around 350 degrees.

Blend together all ingredients for dressing in a small bowl with an electric mixer. Put dressing in refrigerator
to chill while you prepare the salad.

In a small, shallow bowl beat egg, add milk, and mix well.

In another bowl, combine flour with corn flake crumbs, salt and pepper.

Cut chicken breast into 4 or 5 long strips. Dip each strip of chicken first into egg mixture then into the flour mixture, coating each piece completely.

Fry each chicken finger for 5 minutes or until coating has darkened to brown.

Prepare salad by tossing the chopped romaine with the chopped red cabbage, Napa cabbage, and carrots.

Sprinkle sliced green onion on top of the lettuce.

Sprinkle almonds over the salad, then the chow mein noodles.

Cut the chicken into small bite-size chunks. Place the chicken onto the salad forming a pile in the middle. Serve with salad dressing on the side.
Makes 1 dinner-size salad.

Applebee's Low-Fat Blackened Chicken Salad

Applebee's Low-Fat Blackened Chicken Salad

Applebee's original Blackened Chicken Salad quickly became a favorite, encouraging this popular full-service chain to create a low-fat version of the delish dish. While most of the fat in the original comes from the tasty honey mustard dressing, this version creates a dressing that tastes just as good, yet has not a single gram of fat. Combine that with fresh lettuce, shredded carrot, a little egg white, non-fat shredded cheese, and a delicious Cajun spice blend which generously coats chicken seared in light butter then grilled, and you have a majorly munchable salad which is incredibly easy on the waistline. Who says you need gobs of fat to create  a tasty meal?

Dressing
1/4 cup fat free mayonnaise
1/4 cup Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Chicken Marinade
1 cup water
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire

Cajun Spice Blend
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons light butter

Salad
8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup fat free shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese
1 large tomato, diced
1 hardboiled egg white, diced
 

Make dressing by combining ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well by hand. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until salad is ready.

Combine water, lime juice, soy sauce, and Worcestershire in a medium bowl, and stir. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, cover bowl and keep in refrigerator for several hours. Overnight is even better.

When chicken is marinated, preheat a frying pan or skillet (an iron skillet, if you’ve got it) over medium/high heat. Also, preheat your barbecue grill to medium/high heat.

Combine the spices for the Cajun spice blend in a small bowl. Sprinkle a teaspoon of the spice blend over one side of each of the chicken breasts. Cover the entire surface of the chicken with spice. 

Melt the butter in the hot pan, then sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on the side with the spices. While first side cooks, sprinkle another teaspoon of spice over the top of each chicken breast, coating that side as you did the other. Flip the chicken over, and sear for another 2-3 minutes. The surface of the chicken will be coated with a charred, black layer of flavor. This is exactly what you are shooting for.

Finish the chicken off on your barbecue grill. Grill each breast on both sides for 2-3 minutes, or until they are done.

While chicken is cooking prepare the salads by splitting the lettuce into two large bowls. Toss in the red cabbage and carrots. Mix the cheeses together, then top the salad with the cheeses and hardboiled egg. Sprinkle the diced tomato on each salad.

Slice the chicken breast, across each breast in 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spread the chicken over the top of the salad and serve immediately with dressing on the side. Serves 2 as an entree.

Applebee's Low-Fat Asian Chicken Salad

Applebee's Low-Fat Asian Chicken Salad

As the seasons change so does the menu, at this popular 1064-unit casual restaurant chain. You’ll find this item in the “Low-Fat and Fabulous” column during the summer months where it’s been a favorite since 1997. As with any salad, the waistline violator is the traditionally fat-filled dressing that’s drizzled in gobs over the top of very healthy greens (a tablespoon of dressing is usually around 10-12 grams of fat each). So if we can just figure out a cool way to make the dressing fat-free, we’re well on our way to making huge salad – four of them to be exact – with only 12 grams of fat on the entire plate.

Most of those grams come from the chicken breast, while the crunchy chow mein noodles pick up the rest. Just be sure to plan ahead when you make this one. The chicken should marinate for a few hours if you want it to taste like the original. Get ready for some big, meal-size salads. 

• 1 cup teriyaki marinade
• 4 chicken breast fillets
• Fat-Free Asian Dressing
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons dry pectin
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
• 3 cups shredded red cabbage
• 3 cups shredded green cabbage
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup chopped green onion
• 1 1/3 cups crispy chow mein noodles

Combine teriyaki marinade and chicken breasts in a medium bowl or resealable plastic bag. Marinate chicken for 3-4 hours.

Prepare the dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a rolling boil while stirring often with a whisk, then remove the pan from the heat to cool. When dressing has cooled, pour it into a covered container and chill. 

When chicken breasts have marinated, preheat barbecue grill to high heat. Grill chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until done. 

Combine the romaine and iceberg lettuce, red and green cabbage and 1 cup of shredded carrots in a large bowl with the dressing. Toss well. 

Divide the tossed greens among four plates. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of  green onions over each salad, followed by 1/3 cup of crispy chow mein noodles. 

When the chicken breasts are done, slice each one, widthwise, into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle the sliced chicken breasts over each salad. 

Place a 1/4 cup pile of shredded carrots in the center of each salad.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size – 1 salad
Total servings – 4
Fat (per serving) – 12g
Calories (per serving) – 575

Applebee's Baked French Onion Soup

Don't even try to find this one on the menu at Applebee's, because it isn't there; though it's the most popular soup served each day at this huge restaurant chain.  This is the first of several big-time soup clones we'll unveil here in the next few weeks to help get you through the cold winter months. And they're all a cinch to make. Just be sure you have some oven-safe soup bowls for this one, since we'll have to broil it a bit before serving. Under the gooey melted provolone of the original version you get from Applebee's is a unique round crouton that's made from bread similar to a hamburger bun. So that's exactly what we'll use in our clone.

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 medium white onions, sliced
• 8 cups beef broth (Swanson is best)
• 1 cup water
• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 5 plain hamburger buns
• 10 slices provolone cheese
• 10 teaspoons shredded parmesan cheese

Add 3 tablespoons oil to a large soup pot or saucepan over medium/high heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for 20 minutes until the onions begin to soften and start  to become translucent. You don't want them to brown.

Add the beef broth, water, salt, garlic powder and black pepper to the pan and bring mixture to a boil. When soup begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer for  45 minutes.

To make the croutons cut off the top half of each top of the hamburger bun so that the bread is the same thickness as the bottom half of each bun. Throw the tops away. Now you  should have 10 round pieces of bread -- 5 bottom buns, and 5  top buns with the tops cut off. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place the bread in the the oven directly on the rack and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until each piece is golden brown and crispy. Set these croutons aside until you need them.

When the soup is done, spoon about 1 cup into an oven-safe bowl. Float a crouton on top of the soup, then place a slice of provolone cheese on top of the crouton. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of shredded parmesan cheese over the provolone.

Place the bowl into your oven set to high broil. Broil the soup for 5 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is melted and starting to brown (you may need to broil longer if you are making more than one bowl at a time). Sprinkle an additional 1/2 teaspoon of shredded parmesan cheese over the top of the soup and serve. Repeat process to prepare remaining servings.

Makes 10 servings.

Applebee's Pico de Gallo

 

Notes:  This is a great summer relish to serve with chips,  or even on a hamburger.
INGREDIENTS:

• 3 large tomatoes diced
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 Tbsp. diced Jalapenos
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (diced)
• 2 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar

Preparation Instructions: Mix all ingredients together in large container until well blended. Allow to sit for at least 6 hours, it is better if allowed to sit overnight.