Favorite copycat recipe?

[Antilope]

What is your favorite copycat recipe?

[shaebones]

Not sure I got it from Copycat but it has to to be CF's Miso Salmon...and yours?

[Antilope]

I didn't mean specifically from Copycat, but just a clone recipe. I make KFC Coleslaw a lot and Jiffy Corn Muffin mix and Bisquick.

[shaebones]

Funny, I ALMOST said the KFC coleslaw too! :)

[Morganna]

me three! it's the most successful copycat I've ever made. :)

[jeanmarieok]

add me to the list - that KFC slaw is the bomb!! Dicing the cabbage into small pieces, instead of leaving long strands makes it exactly like I remember as a child.

[Val]

Right now, it's IHOP's Multigrain and Walnut Pancakes, really great. Re: the KFC coleslaw...I remember that it *USED* to be very good...green, a little tart, a little sweet, etc. Then I ordered some at a drive-thru with co-workers as a side last year...ugh! ugh!!! It was all white, sweet and gloppy; I threw it away. Can you please post your KFC coleslaw recipe? Am curious to know if it is the way I remember it. Thanks!

[HillJ]

http://www.grouprecipes.com/48974/cop...

KFC coleslaw ccat recipe is a huge block party staple.

[Val]

Thanks, might try it this weekend! Certainly not anything like what I had more recently; maybe they'd run out of theirs and went to buy some at a Quik-mart or something.

[alkapal]

the copycat kfc cole slaw tastes just like the original -- not the current offering, which is gloppy. probably full of that stinkin' guar gum and carrageenan! yuk.

i like the buttermilk ranch dry mix: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Dry-Ranch-Style-Seasoning-for-Dip-or-Dressing/Detail.aspx -- some add some crushed saltines to this for thickening power (then you can omit the seasoned salt).

and carrabbas' dipping spice mix. http://www.recipezaar.com/Carrabbas-Bread-Dipping-Spice-53876

val, thanks for the heads up on the harvest grain and nut pancakes -- my favorite! http://community.tasteofhome.com/foru...
now if there was a clone for their butter pecan syrup! mmmmm.

[Antilope]

That's the KFC Coleslaw recipe I use. But I add 1 Tbs of cream style horseradish to it. Adds a little zing. Also, usually I have plain yogurt on hand and use that instead of buttermilk.

[HillJ]

The horseradish is a great add in, thanks for sharing it!

[Val]

Here's the link...I make a batch on weekends and then freeze to have during the week:
http://www.joycesfinecooking.com/Copy...

[Wtg2Retire]

Do you have another addy for Joyce'S Fine Cooking? This one does not work. I did a Google search, but none of the links worked.

[Antilope]

Here's the link on the Wayback Machine:
http://web.archive.org/web/2009020218...

[HillJ]

thanks for the handy link.

[Wtg2Retire]

Thank you, Antilope.

Does anyone know if the Joyce'S Fine Cooking website was done away with?

[randyjl]

Do you have that IHOP Multigrain/Walnut Pacake recipe? Thanks

[HillJ]

http://www.spiceplace.com/forums/brea...

Val might not see this after two years so I thought I'd help out.

[alkapal]

hillJ -- those are my favorite pancakes; i am pretty sure your recipe link is the same recipe as the one i posted upthread. that site you link looks fun, too.

[HillJ]

oh sorry alk, I didn't expand the whole shebang to help out a fellow CH last night.

[alkapal]

no worries. i just thought to myself, that i'd check out my old post since i loved the pancakes so much. and i wanted to be sure i didn't say the same dang thing again. LOL

[Val]

Val sees it...and thanks you...I see the link I posted in '09 is broken...argh! (^o^)

[HillJ]

hey Val, nice to see u! My pleasure.

[alkapal]

VAL SEES ALL.

LOL -- bet that would be good anagram material.

[silvergirl]

Applebee's Oriental salad dressing. It's mayo, dijon, honey, sesame oil and rice wine vinegar.

[lilmomma]

What are the exact measurements for the Oriental Salad dressing. Thanks.

Also, if anyone has the recipe for the maple scones at Starbucks, I would love to have it or the house dressing at Portillo's. THanks!

[HillJ]

http://www.cookie-recipe-club.com/sta...

Starbucks Maple Scones recipe - copycat

[alkapal]

oooh, thanks hillj, i love those scones -- esp. when they first began to offer them. they had lots of glaze and weren't as dry as these days.

[HillJ]

oh I agree the quality has changed! I make a glaze with heavy cream, maple syrup, rum until reduced and thick creamy.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Unfortunately, some of the quality change in their baked goods is the result of them choosing to emphasize lack of trans fats. So no more butter in the baked goods, as it has just a smidge of natural trans fats. All the more reason to make them at home!

[alkapal]

caitlin, geesh, they eliminated *butter* because of some *smidge* of "natural trans fats"?
i don't even know what "natural" trans fats are. <edit, from wiki: There is another class of trans fats, vaccenic acid, which occurs naturally in trace amounts in meat and dairy products from ruminants."> oh, pleeeeeease, starbucks! give us a break!!! that's what "political food correctness" will get you: crummy quality!

what do they use, canola oil?

no butter? no wonder the scones stink now!

[Caitlin McGrath]

alkapal, I found the articles where I originally learned about this. According to one of them, the answers for some of the goods are margarine and palm oil. Recommendation: Do NOT buy "croissants" from Starbucks - no butter!

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E3DC1730F930A35752C0A9619C8B63&scp=2&sq=starbucks%20trans%20fats&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/07/din...

[alkapal]

caitlin, thanks! it is freakin' hi-lar-i-ous if they removed butter to put in margarine or palm oil. LOLOL!

wow, from the second article i take this away: government regulators plus do-good-nanny companies who put "appearances" before food quality are a very dangerous combo for good eats.

[Full tummy]

Thanks for sharing. Funny that they think nobody will notice a change in the quality of the croissants...

[HillJ]

http://www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus...

House dressing at Portillo's.

btw-hungrybroswer.com is a king at copycat recipes

[Antilope]

There are a lot of copycat recipes out there, but which one's are worth trying? That's where this thread can be a lot of help.

[HillJ]

Absolutely and then the 'net' is useful for tracking the actual recipes down.

[lilmomma]

I agree which is why I asked bec i did make a copycat maple scone recipe and it was horrible. Can somebody make this recipe and report back? If not, I will probably make it this weekend and let you know.

[HillJ]

I've made this recipe many times. With the exception of sub'ing my own glaze, the scone recipe is very nice. Scone tip: make sure all of your ingredients are cold.

[mcel215]

Just added to my favorites, thanks Hill.

[HillJ]

My pleasure mcel2., happy to share the recipe.

[Quine]

Uncle Phaedrus rocks!

[HillJ]

YES! it does!

[silvergirl]

I'm pretty sure this is it - I just do it by taste now:

3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

[lilmomma]

Thank you!!!

[Calipoutine]

I like Islands China Coast dressing better than applebee's. Here are both for comparison.

Applebees oriental salad dressing.

3tbls honey
1.5 tbls rice wine vinegar
1/4c mayo
1tsp grey poupon
1/8 tsp seseame oil

salad
3 cups chopped romaine
1 cup. chopped red cabbage
1 c. chopped napa cabbage
1/2 carrot shredded
1 green onion chopped
1tbls almonds
chow mein noodles

Islands China Coast dressing
1/2 c. mayo
5tbls rice wine vinegar
2tbls sugar
2tbls sesame oil
1tbls soy sauce
1tsp garlic powder

[Antilope]

Maple Oat Nut Scones - Starbucks
http://www.food.com/recipe/maple-oat-...

[alkapal]

oh YEAAAAHHHHHH! those were my faves until they started scrimpin' on the glaze. ;-((.

[weezycom]

PF Changs' shrimp dumplings

[happybellynh]

I love La Madeleine's tomato basil soup recipe. When I was in college, you could get a bottomless cup of coffee, a cup of tomato basil soup, and two or three slices of their fresh bread and butter for under $5- it was a great way to stretch the dollars on a rainy afternoon.

http://www.recipezaar.com/La-Madelein...

[alkapal]

i think it'd be nice if everyone would post the link to the copycat recipe, if they can.

[GretchenS]

Since I was a kid Campbell's Bean & Bacon soup was my all-time-favorite but it got so I couldn't take the sodium anymore. I was so pleased to find this copycat recipe which is EXACTLY like Campbell's minus the salt. (I tested this by making the soup and sprinkling salt on one spoonful.) It's even that slightly weird orange color, due to the carrots which get put in the blender. http://www.recipezaar.com/Cbells-Bean... (I use a smoked ham hock to make ham stock for this and skip the Liquid Smoke.)

[clamscasino]

Todd Wilbur did a series of (I think) three books of"Top Secret Recipes" a few years ago. My favorites: Mrs. Smith's Chocolate Chip Cookies and Keebler's Pecan Sandies.

[alkapal]

clamscasino, i know that homemade pecan sandies have to be better than what keebler is putting out these days. last year, i bought some out of nostalgia, and returned them for a refund. terrible: fake-fat mouthfeel, non-existent flavor.

[clamscasino]

That's why we make the knock-off recipe. Real butter! Trace of trans-fats be damned!

[alkapal]

let's foment the "butter revolution"!

[clamscasino]

Actually, I just looked up the recipe and it calls for shortening, not butter. But I always use butter....Viva la revolution!

[clamscasino]

Ugh, that would be Mrs. Field's Chocolate chip Cookies....

[alkapal]

you can still edit your former post -- for two hours after you post it.

[lilmomma]

I would like the pecan sandies recipe please.

[clamscasino]

Here ya go: (proceed with the ingredients as you would any other cookie recipe. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls, then flatten and bake at 325 for 25 to 30 minutes.)

1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
4 cups AP flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp water
1 cup shelled pecan, chopped fine.

Note: no sifting called for.

[cookie44]

Interesting topic, particularly since as someone else noted you can't always be sure of the many copycat recipes you find out there on the net.

For example, there are tons of recipes for Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits but I'm skeptical of them. (If anyone has a good copy of this I"d love to know about it!)

[alkapal]

ah, the wonderful cheddar bay-bies. we had a sub-thread a while back on this.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6206...

[Lotti]

This looks like a good one, with more complete directions etc.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Recipes/top...

[Antilope]

Most use Bisquick. Here's one from scratch:

http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/r...

[alkapal]

thanks for that -- i love the share to FB feature there, miss antilope!

[CDouglas]

Very close to Dreamland BBQ sauce:

http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/reci...

[jacobp]

"Todd Wilbur did a series of (I think) three books of"Top Secret Recipes" a few years ago. My favorites: Mrs. Smith's Chocolate Chip Cookies and Keebler's Pecan Sandies."

Pretty much everything I've made from his books has been pretty spot on accurate. The last couple things I've used his copycat recipes for were Outback Steakhouse Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie with spicy remoulade, and Macaroni Grills Penne Rustica. The Penne Rustica was absolutely fabulous, and I'm sure much more healthy than at the restaurant.

[lilmomma]

Is the Penne Rustica the cheesy baked pasta? Ill take the recipe if it is. Thanks

[jacobp]

yes, its baked it small cast iron dishes at the restaurant. It also has prosciutto, chicken, and shrimp. I have the book at home, so if I can't find the recipe online, I'll post it when I get home from work today.

[jacobp]

http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/recip...

That should lead you right to it.
If not, you can get it at topsecretrecipes.com

[kchurchill5]

Outback dipping sauce
Red Lobster Cocoanut Shrimp and Dipping Sauce

KFC Coleslaw ok, a few years back but not in the restaurant anymore, soupy and just not the same

[Antilope]

Yes. I think we are all remembering and copying the Old KFC Coleslaw, not the new stuff.

Reminds me of a story. Back in the 1970's Colonel Sanders was alive and making radio appearances for KFC (which he had sold to Heublein). He was on the Owen Spann radio show in San Francisco. He said Heublein was doing a good job managing KFC, but that they had "ruined his gravy". ;-)

[Antilope]

My current favorite is the Mexican restaurant sweet corn cake. I got tired of baking it so I modified the recipe for the microwave:

http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/y...

[alkapal]

that is such a HUUUUGE time-saver, antilope. thank you! this is a great thanksgiving side dish.

[02putt]

I love the Olive Garden House dressing, Mrs. Fields cookies, and KFC coleslaw. I wish there were more Canadian chain restaurant recipes available. They all seem to be chains based in the US which are great but there are some Canadian restaurant chains that I would kill for the recipe.

[monavano]

I love OG dressing. I could eat that whole bowl of salad!

[South Carolina Girl]

Great thread. So glad I stumbled upon it. Will check out cheddar biscuit thread and the Top Secret Recipes site asap. I have a Jiffy cornbread copy cat recipe to share (found it online). I mix all the dry ingredients and store it in the pantry, but it takes less than 3 mins to make!

I also did Applebee's brunch potato skins but they've been off the weekend brunch menu so long probably no one remembers them. Plus there is too much prep work; they are just not worth the effort.

I am looking for several good copycats if anyone can point me in the right direction.
1. Chic-fil-a chicken breasts (without a pressure cooker) and their coleslaw
2. 25 years ago Red Lobster add a great coleslaw too
3. any US chain Japanese steakhouse carrot and ginger dressing (I can't seem to find a copycat that gets the proportions right!)

[South Carolina Girl]

Found Benihana ginger dressing at Top Secret recipes. trying it today!

[lilgi]

I haven't been able to find a clone that comes even slightly close to the Benihana Ginger dressing. The op of this thread had the same issue
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/689393
and I'm certain that the dressing contains pureed carrots. At least once a month I purchase a container from the hibachi steakhouse by me (they see me coming a mile away) because I can't live without it. They call it a Ginger-Carrot dressing like you originally posted. To me it tastes the same as the Benihana one but I could be wrong. I think ghg is also onto something on when she mentions miso.

South Carolina girl, looking forward to your report but I'm already skeptical because of most of the feedback. I've almost given up trying, there's an addictive quality to the dressing I get that's just not present in any of the mixes I've tried, and the balance almost always seems completely off.

[South Carolina Girl]

I think carrot is a main ingredient in the dressing I'm looking for too. Maybe I was too quick to claim "Eureka, I found it!"

I should follow your lead and find a local steakhouse here (I'm American but live in the Toronto area now) and see if they will sell it in bottles.

[lilgi]

I plan on doing a little 'finessing' myself to find out either how they make it, or what friggin factory this is coming from :) I don't doubt that it's probably loaded with msg, but I'll know when I make it at home if I have the right balance of flavors. Will post back if I have any further info.

I'm not surprised that Todd Wilbur's recipe didn't work, I think the success of his recipes largely depend on a small crowd that are satisfied with outcome of whatever he's trying to replicate, just my .02. In any case he probably has a few that are spot on, this not being one of them.

[Antilope]

Red Lobster Coleslaw
http://www.tampabay.com/features/food...

[South Carolina Girl]

Thanks Antilope!

[Googs]

South Carolina Girl, you might try popping into the Royal York Hotel and asking if they'll sell some to you. I've also had great luck simply asking chefs how it's made. Some have written recipes down for me. Haven't tried it at Benihana, but you never know.

http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork/Gue...

[monavano]

Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp Sauce- very easy to make at home. Basically mayo, sweet Thai chili sauce and sriracha.

[aurora50]

Anybody know how to recreate the clam chowder soup from Harbor House restaurant?
I've asked them several times for the recipe, they just won't give it out.
It has corn in it.
(I'm here in Southern California).

[Antilope]

Found this with a Google search. Has corn in it. Maybe similar?

Cliff House Clam Chowder
www.cliffhousemaine.com/dining/recipe...

[aurora50]

Sorry Antilope, I tried to click on the link and it wouldn't let me.

[alkapal]

the link worked for me. it is a pdf so maybe your computer is restricted about opening pdfs?

here are the ingredients:
Shopping LiSt 3 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted 6 slices apple wood smoked bacon 1⁄2 cup white onion, diced 1⁄2 cup celery, diced 1 large ear of native corn, kernels
removed 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped 1⁄8 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped 1⁄8 teaspoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
2 cups clams, finely chopped 1 1⁄2 cups clam broth 3 cups heavy cream 1⁄8 teaspoon ground white pepper 11⁄2 cups potato, peeled and diced 5 drops tabasco Sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch 2 tablespoons water

[aurora50]

Thank you for taking the trouble to paraphrase this for me, alkapal!
It looks good, I will copy it and put it with my recipes for when I can try it!

[alkapal]

well, i didn't do anything about instructions, and merely copied the ingredients list.

is it the case that you can't open ANY pdf files? maybe search for a link that is not a pdf.

this recipe CLAIMS to be from the cliff house, but you can tell it is not the same from the list of ingredients. http://gonewengland.about.com/od/morerecipes/r/recclfhschowder.htm

looking at other supposed versions of this recipe, it seems that they have NOT hewed to the original as expressed by the cliff house in their pdf file -- for example, this one: http://bostonchef.blogspot.com/2008/0... (which just copied the copy, then added back in the celery).

the copies omit the corn, i notice.

for what it is worth. LOL.

[aurora50]

Well, I can just try to make do with the general instructions.
And yes, I can open SOME pdf files, but I've noticed that my computer "hangs up" on others.
Don't know why - I'm not that great a computer whiz -
oh well.

[pine time]

Mr Pine wants me to make the Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake. It's e-gads sweet, and the various on-line copycats I've seen haven't hit the mark yet. Ideas?

[Antilope]

Here are links to a couple of recipes. I've not made them.

Cracker Barrel Double Fudge Coca Cola Cake
http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/recipe-exchange/43643-cracker-barrel-double-fudge-coca-cola-cake.html

Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake
http://www.recipesecrets.net/forums/r...