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
1. Preheat oil in deep fryer or deep pan over medium heat.
You want the temperature of the oil to be around 350 degrees.
2. 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.
3. In a small, shallow bowl beat egg, add milk, and mix well.
4. In another bowl, combine flour with corn flake crumbs, salt
and pepper.
5. 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.
6. Fry each chicken finger for 5 minutes or until coating has
darkened to brown.
7. Prepare salad by tossing the chopped romaine with the chopped
red cabbage, Napa cabbage, and carrots.
8. Sprinkle sliced green onion on top of the lettuce.
9. Sprinkle almonds over the salad, then the chow mein noodles.
10. 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 Bananaberry Freeze
Applebee's Bananaberry Freeze
Ah, if only kitchen cloning was an exact science.
While working on this one I saw the same bartender
make the drink two different ways on two different
days. Only after a firm grilling did I get her
admitting to her personal "improvement" to the chain's
secret recipe. The official clone includes the
ingredients found below. But if you want to add a little
pineapple juice -- as some independent thinking
bartenders are apt to do -- you might discover you
have indeed created a tastier version of this refreshing
smoothie. On that day the cloning gods shall be looking
the other way.
But, for heaven's sake, be sure your banana is soft
and ripe. This is a detail the gods won't ignore.
1 10-ounce box frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
1/3 cup pina colada mix
2 cups ice
2 ripe bananas
Garnish
whipped cream
2 fresh strawberries
1. Use a blender to puree the entire contents of the thawed
box of frozen strawberries.
2. Add 1/3 cup pina colada mix and 2 cups of ice to the blender.
3. Cut the end off end banana -- set these pieces aside to use
later as a garnish -- then put the bananas into the blender.
4. Blend on high speed until the ice is crushed and the drink
is smooth. Pour into two tall stemmed glasses, such as daiquiri
glasses.
5. Slice each strawberry halfway up through the middle and add
one to the rim of each glass.
6. Cut each banana slice halfway through the middle and add one
to the rim of each glass next to the strawberry. Top with
whipped cream and serve with a straw.
Makes 2 servings.
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
1. Combine teriyaki marinade and chicken breasts in a medium
bowl or resealable plastic bag. Marinate chicken for 3-4 hours.
2. 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.
3. When chicken breasts have marinated, preheat barbecue grill
to high heat. Grill chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until
done.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. When the chicken breasts are done, slice each one, widthwise,
into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle the sliced chicken breasts over
each salad.
7. 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 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
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Finish the chicken off on your barbecue grill. Grill each breast
on both sides for 2-3 minutes, or until they are done.
7. 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.
8. 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 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)
1. Prepare marinade by combining marinade ingredients
in a medium bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl, cover and
chill for 2 to 3 hours.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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. (http://www.topsecretrecipes.com)
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 Pico de Gallo
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.
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
1. Combine all the ingredients except the bell and minced
jalapeno peppers in a small saucepan. Whisk well.
2. Set saucepan over medium/high heat, uncovered. Add peppers
and bring mixture to a full boil, stirring often.
3. 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.
4. Use sauce when it reaches room temperature or cover and chill
until needed.
Makes 1 cup
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
1. Combine the coffee, milk, and sugar in a blender and
mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve the sugar.
2. 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.
3. Pour drink into two 16-ounce glasses.
Makes 2 large drinks.
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
1. 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.
2. Remove the sauce from the heat. Cover and allow to cool.
3. Pour into a covered container for storage in your refrigerator.
Keeps for a month or two.
Makes 1 cup.
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).
BABOLI PIZZA CRUST
1 pk Yeast
1/4 c Water -- warm
6 tb Olive oil -- + extra for pan
6 c Flour
1 t Salt (Optional)
2 1/4 c Water -- warm
SEA SALT -- OR KOSHER SALT
Pepper -- ground
4 tb Olive Oil
Chopped Rosemary and Thyme
2 tb Water
Mix together first six ingredients and let rise 30 to
0 minutes. Divide dough into 3 parts and place in 3
olive-oiled pie pans. Dimple dough with fingers. Mix
olive oil and water, brush tops with this mixture.
Sprinkle on top: sea salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme.
Let rise 50 to 60 mins. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25
minutes. May dip in olive oil. Peggy also says if the
herbs are dried to soak in water 10 minutes and then
pat dry with paper towels.
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
1. 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.
2. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230
degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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.
Popeye's Dirty Rice
1 pound Spicy bulk breakfast sausage
1 Can clear chicken broth -- (14 ounces)
1/2 cup Long-grain rice
1 teaspoon Dry minced onion
Brown sausage in skillet until pink color disappears, crumbling with fork.
Stir in broth, rice and minced onion. Simmer gently, covered, 18 to 20
minutes or until rice is tender and most of broth is absorbed.
Popeye's Fried Chicken
3 cups Self-rising flour
1 cup Cornstarch
3 tablespoons Seasoned salt
2 tablespoons Paprika
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 package Italian Salad Dressing Mix -- Powder
1 package Onion Soup Mix -- (1 1/2 ounces)
1 package spaghetti sauce mix -- (1/2 ounce)
3 tablespoons Sugar
3 cups Corn flakes -- crush slightly
2 Eggs -- well beaten
1/4 cup Cold water
4 pounds Chicken -- cut up
Combine first 9 ingredients in large bowl. Put the cornflakes into another
bowl. Put eggs and water in a 3rd bowl. Put enough corn oil into a heavy
roomy skillet to fill it 1" deep. Get it HOT! Grease a 9x12x2 baking pan.
Set it aside. Preheat oven to 350~. Dip chicken pieces 1 piece at a time as
follows: 1-Into dry coating mix. 2-Into egg and water mix. 3-Into corn
flakes. 4-Briskly but briefly back into dry mix. 5-Drop into hot oil,
skin-side-down and brown 3 to 4 minutes on medium high. Turn and brown
other side of each piece. Don't crowd pieces during frying. Place in
prepared pan in single layer, skin-side-up. Seal in foil, on 3 sides only,
leaving 1 side loose for steam to escape. Bake at 350~ for 35-40 minutes
removing foil then to test tenderness of chicken. Allow to bake uncovered
5 minutes longer to crisp the coating. Serves 4. Leftovers refrigerate
well up to 4 days. Do not freeze these leftovers. Leftover coating mix
(1st 9 ingredients) can be stored at room temp in covered container up to
2 months.
