Day 4 of 30 Recipes from America's Secret Recipe Copycats

Really good, genuine copy cat recipes are not easy to come by. America's Secret Recipes Cookbooks are said to have the best. Great Super Bowl recipes can be used on other special days.

Tex Mex Turkey Stew from America's Secret Recipes

1 lb ground turkey
1 1/4 cup -- mild thick and chunky salsa -- divided
1 cup packed fresh cilantro, chopped and divided
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp cumin, divided.
1/4 tsp salt
nonstick cooking spray
1 17 ounce wh kernel corn, drained
14 1/2 oz nonfat chicken broth
15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
4 oz chopped green chilies, drained
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp oregano
corn chips, optional

Preheat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, combine turkey, 1/4 cup salsa, 1/2 cup cilantro, the onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and the salt. Form mixture into 16 meatballs.

2. Place meatballs on l0-by-15-by-1-inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until meatballs are lightly browned and no longer pink in center.

3. Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, combine corn, broth, beans, chilies, remaining salsa and cumin, chili powder and oregano. Increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered 5 to 10 minutes, or until mixture is heated through.

4. Add meatballs and remaining cilantro. Simmer 5 to 10 minute Ladle into bowls and serve with corn chips

Servings: 4

Day 3. Super Bowl Copycat Cheese Biscuits- Red Lobster

Red Lobster recipes are some of the most popular favorites of customers featured prominently in America's Secret Recipes.

Try these out on your Super Bowl guests and you will get comments like, "WOW, I Can't Believe You Made This Yourself!" Serve them with Tex Mex Turkey Stew from America's Secret Recipes. You won't be able to stop the requests for your cooking, believe me.

Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits

2 cups biscuit mix (Bisquick)
1/2 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese
2/3 cup milk
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Parsley flakes, for sprinkling

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Stir together the biscuit mix, cheddar, and milk until a soft dough forms. Beat with a wooden spoon for about 30 seconds.
3. Spoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Smooth down the tops to prevent hard points from forming.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the tops are brown.
5. While the biscuits are baking, melt the butter in a pan and stir in the garlic powder.
6. Once the biscuits are done, brush the butter on tops, sprinkle with parsley flakes, and serve hot.

Makes 10 biscuits

Click the book cover and get your own recipes.

Copycat Super Bowl Secret Restaurant Dip for Your Guests

Some of my best recipes for the big game come from America's Secret Recipe.  Save money in 2010 and impress your friends by making your favorite restaurant dishes at home. Get the secret recipe cookbooks shipped to you today - go here:

Here is a copycat recipe that comes from the secret recipe blog.  It originates from the Melting Pot restaurant.  It's a Super Bowl Secret Restaurant Dip that us something different than the regular onion dip.  It goes great with raw veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, or zucchini.  Or try it with cruncy bagel or pita chips for a change of pace.

8 ounces cream cheese, sliced
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 tablespoons finely sliced chives

In a microwave-safe container, microwave cream cheese and milk for 2 to 4 minutes, whisking after each minute, until cream cheese melts and mixture is smooth. Stir in sour cream, onion, parsley and chives. Refrigerate until cold.

Watch your guests devour this delicious and unique Super Bowl Secret Restaurant Dip.

For Your Food Budget. 30 Recipes in 30 Days. Here's One from from Moosewood Restaurant

 Today I'm starting 30 recipes in 30 days.  Get America's best restaurant secret recipes here at a special rate and cook recipes like this one below from the famed Moosewood vegetarian restaurant.  Copycat recipes are going to be essential in 2010 for your food budget.

Moosewood Restaurant Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

Vegetarian burritos are filled with a puree of sweet potatoes, black beans, onions, chiles, garlic, and cilantro. They are rolled up like enchiladas and baked. Serve topped with homemade salsa.  (These are great for your food budget.)
Ingredients:

    * 5 cups peeled cubed sweet potatoes
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 2 teaspoons canola or other vegetable oil
    * 3-1/2 cups diced onions
    * 4 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed
    * 1 Tablespoon minced fresh green chile
    * 4 teaspoons ground cumin
    * 4 teaspoons ground coriander
    * 4-1/2 cups cooked black beans (three 15-ounce cans, drained)
    * 2/3 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
    * 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    * 1 teaspoon salt
    * 8 eight-inch flour tortillas
    * Fresh tomato salsa or jarred

Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with the salt and water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, warm the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan and add the onions, garlic, and chiles. Cover and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, about 7 minutes. Add the cumin and coriander and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a food processor, combine the black beans, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, and cooked sweet potatoes and puree until smooth. (You can also mash the ingredients in a large bowl by hand using a potato masher. The result will be a less smooth but nicely textured
filling.) Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a large mixing bowl and mix in the cooked onions and spices.

Lightly oil a large baking dish. Spoon about 2/3 to 3/4 cup of the filling in the center of each tortilla, roll it up, and place it, seam side down, in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot. Serve topped with salsa.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Recipe Source: Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites (Clarkson Potter Publishers)
Get more fabulous famous recipes from America's favorite restaurants.  Get rave reviews from your own kitchen.  Keep your 2010 food budget in tact with these mouth-watering recipes.

Is Peanut Oil Safe for Allergic People?

My daughter, Wendy, and I were talking recently about peanut oil.  It brought up a conversation about cooking with peanut oil and whether people with peanut allergies can digest it.   As a home cook, you should always be aware of food allergies when preparing meals for others.

I decided to see for myself how safe it is since many restaurants use peanut oil.  It turns out that several studies have been done on the subject.  I was surprised to find that many allergic people can safely eat foods that contain or are cooked in peanut oil.

If you suspect a peanut allergy, however, you should always check with your doctor to see if the oil affects you.  As far as cooking for others is concerned, if there is the slightest possibility for harm, announce what you have used for cooking. 

As long as the oil is not labeled extruded, cold-pressed, expelled or gourmet peanut oil, it may be safe.   These could contain the proteins from peanuts that cause the allergic reaction.  The version of the oil used in restaurants and found in your local supermarket is refined; a process that extracts those proteins.
 

Cooks like peanut oil because they can cook foods at a high temperature without smoking, so it is great for frying.  Also, it is known as a "good or healthy" fat because it is a monounsaturated fat which falls into a category of fats that can lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol.  It makes some snacks relatively healthy.  Some companies, like Utz and  Dirty brand, fry their potato chips in peanut oil.

You can use this light tasting oil in stir-fried dishes.  Peanut oil is very versatile and is used in lots of Asian and African restaurants.  You can even use it in desserts such as fudge or fried peach pie.

My Version of Buffalo Chicken Wings

Here is one of my favorites for my version of Buffalo chicken wings. You can use a deep fryer if you have one. I don't, so I use a heavy sauce pan or my trusty cast-iron skillet, because it gets nice and hot. A Dutch oven also works. Anything you can put a quantity of oil in. Please note that I also don't use flour to coat the wings, so make sure to pat dry the wings and drop them carefully in the oil.

Ingredients:                                              

Peanut oil for deep frying
12-24 wing pieces (Whole wings cut in half or buy frozen "wingettes")

4 Tbs margarine
1 Tbs vinegar
* 5 Tbs hot sauce (I use Louisiana, Uncle Brutha's or whatever I have. You can use Tabasco also)
Garlic salt and pepper to taste
Blue cheese dressing
Celery sticks

Directions:

Heat oil in skillet to about 375 degrees F. (190.5 degrees C.) Add enough to cover wings-about an inch or two deep. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper if you like. Drop thawed chicken wings gently into the hot oil, one batch at time. Do not crowd. Fry until golden brown. About 10-15 minutes depending on wing size. Remove the wings from the oil and drain on a rack or paper towels.

While wings are cooking, melt margarine in a saucepan, add hot sauce and vinegar. Stir and put in a large mixing bowl. Add the Buffalo chicken wings and toss in the sauce to coat each wing. Place in a bowl or platter.
Serve with blue cheese dressing, celery sticks and lot of napkins.

*If the wings are for children, start with a Tbs hot sauce. Serve the kids first, and then add more hot sauce to the bowl.

Find chicken wing recipes from Applebee's, TGI Fridays and Chili's you can cook at home.

Moroccan-Style Salmon with Couscous for Home Cooks

Home cooks are always looking for interesting dishes for family and friends to sample.  Try this recipe from Morocco for an exciting taste.  The flavors blend beautifully. Fresh coriander is not always available, so you may substitute 1 teaspoon of ground.

Moroccan-Style Salmon with Couscous for Home Cooks

Ingredients:

1 small onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbs olive oil

1 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes with juice

4 tsp honey

1 tsp grated lemon peel, grated

3/4 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Salt and black pepper to taste

1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper to taste

6 salmon fillets, 4-6 oz each

2 Tbs chopped toasted almonds

2 Tbs fresh coriander, chopped

3 cups cooked couscous or rice

Directions:

Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil in a medium skillet over

medium high heat until golden. Stir in tomatoes with juice, honey, lemon peel and cumin. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in

lemon juice and season with salt, black pepper and cayenne.

Meanwhile, season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Broil 4-6

inches from heat, allowing 10 minutes cooking time per inch of

thickness, measured at the thickest part. Place each steak on a

dinner plate. Top with tomato sauce. Sprinkle with almonds and

coriander. Serve with couscous.

6 servings