Select Page

Restaurant Recreations

Oct 2021 | Daily Fork, RECIPES

Restaurant Recreations

During the pandemic, the classic restaurant experience has changed.

We all have those days where we just can’t get that special meal from one of our favorite restaurants out of our minds.

Well if you choose not to go to the restaurant, the Daily Fork is here to help you bring the restaurant to your home!

Get cozy or gather the family. From Olive Garden breadsticks, Cracker Barrel macaroni n’ cheese, Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits and more… let’s dig in!

1. Olive Garden Breadsticks

From the butter melting down into your hands, the crunch each bite makes, and the parmesan, garlic duo… their endless baskets are dangerous!

Bring this family favorite to your kitchen table. They are easy to make, fulfilling, and shareable!

If you are making the breadsticks out of fresh dough, you can add some fun by shaping the sticks the way you want.

Let us help you get started!

Ingredients:

For the Breadsticks:
  • 1 1/2 c. warm water
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 packet yeast (.75oz – or 1 Tbsp)
  • 2 tsp fine sea salt (and a bit extra to sprinkle on top)
  • 2 Tbsp butter (softened)
  • 4-5 c. bread flour (you can also use All-Purpose flour, but they will turn out denser)
For the topping:
  • 1/4 c. butter
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Once you have your ingredients gathered, it is time to get cookin’.

Many of these ingredients are common household items so you can save the extra trip to grocery store!

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast
  2. Let it proof for 10 minutes, and get nice and foamy. Then, mix in the 2 tsp of salt, 2 tbsp of softened butter, and about 3 cups of the flour. Keep adding the remaining flour until you get a nice, soft dough that pulls away from the side of the bowl and isn’t too sticky.
Now the dough has to rise for 1 hour
  1. If you have a warm kitchen, you can cover the bowl with a damp towel and leave it on the counter.
  2. My kitchen is far too cold, so I warm my oven (just until it reaches 170°F) and turn it off. Then, I set a dish of hot water on the lower rack, and the bowl with the dough on the top rack. This keeps everything nice, warm, and moist. (It’s important to remember to turn the oven off!)
  3. After an hour, punch the dough down, and separate it into 14-16 balls.
  4. Roll the balls into “snakes” and place on 2 greased cookie sheets. These now go back to rise for another 15-30 minutes (or until they’ve doubled in size)
  5. After they rise, melt the 1/4 c. of butter, and mix with the garlic powder. Brush over the unbaked breadsticks. Sprinkle the tops with fine sea salt.
  6. Bake at 400°F, for 12-14 minutes – or until golden brown.
  7. Brush once more with the garlic butter mixture.

2. Cracker Barrel Macaroni n’ Cheese

There are not many meals that can categorize as soul food but, it’s safe to say we can agree macaroni n’ cheese is one of those.

Time to get extra cheesy with this recreation!

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 and ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 and ½ cups shredded Colby cheese
  • 2 and ½ cups uncooked pasta
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • optional add-ins 1 cup diced ham, 1 cup cooked bacon, 1 jar drained diced pimentos, 1 cup caramelized onions, or 2 cups steamed broccoli spears.

After you have gathered your ingredients, it is time to feed the soul and put the chef hat on!

Instructions:

1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a separate pot; add salt and pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente then drain.

2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add the flour a little bit at a time whisking to combine to make a roux. Cook for 2 minutes.

3. Heat the broth.

4. Add the broth to the roux, stirring constantly with the whisk.

5. Add cream until it reaches the desired consistency. Remember it will thicken more as it cooks.

6. Add shredded cheese to the cream sauce stirring until cheese melts.

7. Add the pasta and stir to combine.

8. Pour the mix into an oven safe dish and bake uncovered in a preheated oven set to 350°F for about 10 minutes or until brown around the edges.

9. Remove and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

3. Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuit

These biscuits are so delicious, you lose track of how many you have had. These biscuits are super quick, easy and fun to make!

You can mix them up with personal dips and serve them on a party platter!

 

Let’s get started already, we are starting to drool!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

FOR THE TOPPING

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Once you have all the ingredients ready, the next step to consider is preparation. Once preparation is completed, commence the cooking!

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper, if using.

3. In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and butter. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir using a rubber spatula just until moist. Gently fold in cheese.

4. Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, scoop the batter evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.

5. For the topping, whisk together butter, parsley and garlic powder in a small bowl. Working one at a time, brush the tops of the biscuits with the butter mixture

6. Serve immediately.

4. Burger King Impossible Whopper

Burger King is known for their whoppers! These juicy, flavorful burgers can be your next household favorite!

 

Before the start of cooking, here are some of the ingredients you will need!

Ingredients:

  • 4 Beyond Burger patties
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt plus extra
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 4 sesame hamburger buns
  • 12 pickle slices
  • 1/2 white onion sliced into rings cut 1/8-inch thick
  • 1 large tomato cut into 8 slices about 1/8-inch thick
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup
  • 8 leaves iceberg lettuce torn into pieces about the width of the buns
  • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise

Once you have gotten all of the ingredients ready, it is time to start cooking! Depending on how you prefer your meat cooked, cooking time may vary.

Instructions:

1. Thaw the Beyond Burger patties if necessary. Lay the thawed patties between two sheets of waxed paper, roll out the patties with a rolling pin to 1/4-inch thickness. Do not press too hard. Season the patties with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and black pepper.

2. Butter the hamburger buns and toast them in a skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Set aside.

3. Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Cook the burger patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side. While cooking, add a dash of salt to each burger.

4. To build the burger, place the meat on the bottom bun. Then add 3 or 4 dill pickle slices, 3 or 4 onion ring slices, and 2 or 3 tomato slices. Squirt a small amount of ketchup onto the burger, add lettuce, and then spread mayonnaise onto the top bun. Place the top bun onto the burger and serve.

5.TGI Friday’s Pretzel Sticks and Beer Cheese Dip

The magical combination of savory and salty makes these pretzel sticks and beer dip a TGI Friday’s favorite!

These are another great option for a larger crowd and you can add some fun by creating different shapes with the pretzels!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/8 teaspoon yeast 1 package instant yeast
  • 1 cup water plus 2 tablespoons warm water (125 to 130 degrees)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • vegetable oil for the bowl
  • 8 cups water
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 egg white lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for glaze
  • 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt for sprinkling

Beer Cheese Sauce

  • 8 ounces American cheese
  • 4 ounces beer

We know the ingredients may look intimidating but, these are actually really easy to make!

If you want to personalize this recipe, you can use your favorite beer or even use an alternative cheese.

Instructions:

Pretzel Sticks

1. Proof the yeast by combining it with 2 tablespoons warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl. Once the yeast begins to foam and bubble, it is ready to use.

2. Transfer the yeast mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.

3. Add flour and salt. Begin to mix on low and slowly stream 1 cup of warm water into the flour until a ball of dough forms. Continue to mix for another minute to knead the dough.

4. Grease a bowl with vegetable oil and place the dough ball in the oiled bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, approximately 35 minutes.

5. Dust a cutting board with flour and place the dough on the board.

6. Knead and then divide the dough into 16 portions.

7. Roll each portion into a cigar shape and use a sharp knife to cut 2 or 3 slits into the top.

8. Cover the rolled dough pieces with a towel and let rise for another 25 minutes.

9. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees while the dough in on the second rise.

10. Bring 8 cups of water to boil in a large saucepan. Add the baking soda and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar (the water will foam for a moment).

11. Drop 4 pretzel sticks at a time into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds per side. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sticks and place them on a baking sheet.

12. Whisk together the egg white and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.

13. Brush the pretzels with the egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse kosher salt.

14. Bake at 375 degrees until brown, about 25 minutes.

15. Transfer the pretzel sticks to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes.

16. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Beer Cheese Sauce

1. Chop American cheese into 1-inch cubes and place them in a small saucepan with 4 ounces of beer.

2. Cook and stir over low heat until the cheese has melted.

3. Enjoy!

 

 

 

We always want to be transparent and honest about our article content. From time to time, we may link to products and services that compensate us for the referral. This does not affect your cost, but it does help us fund future content for this site.