Cooking Techniques From Copycat Restaurant Recipes

SEAR - 1) Place meat or fish in a pan on the stove (use a medium to med/high heat)
Note: a small amount of fat can be added to dry meats.

2) Cook until a crust begins to form on the meat; carmelization will occur.
(be carefull not to burn the meat - the total cooking time will only be 1-4 minutes and it will take some practice to learn this technique.)

3) The meat should also be turned once during the above process with both sides getting equal time.

4) The meat will then need to be finished in the oven, grill or broiler
according to the recipe directions.

Note: Searing does not cook an item, it simply locks in moisture and enhances the taste of the meat to create delicious copycat restaurant recipes.

BRAISE 1) Place meat (usually tougher cuts of beef and pork) in a covered container on the stove top.
Note: Sear first (see above technique).

2) Simmer in a small quantity of liquid in a pan with a tightly covered lid (cook until doneness according to recipe directions).

3) If the meat will not produce enough liquid on its own, an acitic compliment such as tomatoes, wine or beer can be added. Then the meat can be cooked (slowly) until doneness over a low to low / medium heat.

Note: Sometimes high moisture foods such as mushrooms can be cooked in their own juices without any extra liquid added. Pressure cooking and Crock Pot cooking are forms of Braising.

EGG WASHING 1) Using a pastry brush, brush a mixture of beaten egg (egg white or yolk) with a small amount of water over rolls, pastries or pie crust before baking according to recipe directions.

2) The final result will be a shiny brown color on baked goods.

We have all been hit hard by the present state of the economy and the majority of the population cannot afford to eat out on a regular basis.

You can save money by creating copycat restaurant recipes you love from your favorite restaurant at home. You can purchase all the ingredients at your local grocery store using organic or conventional foods.

Have you ever been discouraged by the extremely high cost of eating out? Do you have a special occasion coming up with a large group of people to feed and impress, however you do not want to spend $200.00 or much more to dine at a
restaurant?

Lets invision a real life scenario. Your spouses boss is coming over for dinner. The date has been set and you have several days to prepare. Wouldn't it be impressive to prepare a dish you already know is great, because you've ordered it at your favorite restaurants many times before? You could also select a dessert recipe to complete the evening. Family gatherings would be much more fun if you had these copycat restaurant recipes to share!!

Purchase 1 full rack of pork spare ribs (baby back as well as cheaper cuts can be used). Spray the lining of a large crock pot with non stick cooking spray. Place sliced onions on the bottom of the pot; add the ribs cut into 3 or 4 large sections. Pour 1 bottle of your favorite barbeque sauce on top of the ribs. Cook for 6 - 8 hours on low.
The meat will fall off the bones when it is done. The fat can be skimmed off the meat and extra sauce added at the table.
Note: Skinned chicken breast can be substituted for a lighter meal option.

STIR FRYING: A simple way to add vegetables to a meal is to purchase a store brand frozen vegetable mix, preheat a frying pan on the stove (med. to med. high heat) and add 1 - 2 TBLS canola oil. Once the oil is hot, add vege mix (still frozen); cook and stir occasionally 5 - 10 minutes (pan can be covered to speed cooking time).
Note: Fresh or dried herbs (and / or garlic) sprinkled on top of veges add extra flavor. I like to use basil and oregano. Frozen cooked meats can also be added.

GRILLING: Lean cuts of meats make the best grill companions. Meats, fish and chicken can be marinated before cooking (discard marinade before cooking).
Note: Tougher cuts of meats should be marinated overnight. Fish and more delicate cuts of meat only need 30 minutes. Use a store bought marinade of your choice or see my special Marinade recipe below.

The Grilling and Stir Frying techniques explained above can be applied to all your favorite copycat restaurant recipes.

Purchase some inexpensive skewers; add shrimp, mushrooms, green peppers (or any veges of your choice); brush lightly with olive oil; rub with fresh garlic and place on the grill. Cook until the shrimp are no longer pink.
Note: Veges can also be placed on a separate skewer from the shrimp and cooked longer.

TERIYAKI MARINADE:

1 cup soy sauce
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
chopped fresh ginger (1 thumb sized piece)
minced garlic cloves (to taste)

Mix together and use as a marinade on flank steak; marinate a minimum of 24 hours; turn over 1/2 way. Discard all of marinade before cooking.
Cook on the grill; slice against the grain.

Note: can also be used on chicken: 2 -3 hours marinade time.