The Chefs Black Book

Applebee's® Chicken Wonton Tacos 

8 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons stir fry sauce
4 tablespoons Asian sesame vinaigrette dressing
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons dole slaw mix (no dressing, prepackaged, 
from the produce section)
1 tablespoon coleslaw dressing
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon teriaki sauce
2 wonton wrappers
2 tablespoons green onion tops
2 tablespoons cilantro
  Make the Taco Shells
1.Brush the wonton wrappers lightly with olive oil.
2.Drape them over a wide edged baking to create a 
taco shape.
3.Bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes or until shells
are golden brown.
Make the Chicken
1.Dice the chicken into tiny little pieces.
2.Toss the chicken with the stir fry sauce, 3 tablespoons
of the Asian dressing, soy sauce and teriyaki sauce.
3.Heat a skillet or wok with enough olive oil to stir fry
your chicken, try to keep it lean. Add pepper to taste.
4.Fry until the meat is fully cooked.

Make the Asian Slaw
1.Mix the remaining tablespoon of Asian dressing
with the coleslaw dressing .
2.Toss the mixture into the coleslaw mix and green
 onion tops.
Fill the Taco Shells
1.Take the taco shaped wontons and fill them 
1/4 the way up with cooked chicken.
2.Add the slaw, then top with chopped cilantro
and almonds

Applebee's® Baked French Onion Soup

Don't even try to find this one on the menu at Applebee's,
because it isn't there; though it's the most popular soup
served each day at this huge restaurant chain. This is the
first of several big-time soup clones we'll unveil here in
the next few weeks to help get you through the cold winter
months. And they're all a cinch to make. Just be sure you
have some oven-safe soup bowls for this one, since we'll
have to broil it a bit before serving. Under the gooey
melted provolone of the original version you get from A
pplebee's is a unique round crouton that's made from bread
similar to a hamburger bun. So that's exactly what we'll use
in our clone.

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 medium white onions, sliced
8 cups beef broth (Swanson is best)
1 cup water
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
5 plain hamburger buns
10 slices provolone cheese
10 teaspoons shredded parmesan cheese

1. Add 3 tablespoons oil to a large soup pot or saucepan
over medium/high heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté
for 20 minutes until the onions begin to soften and start
to become translucent. You don't want them to brown.

2. Add the beef broth, water, salt, garlic powder and
black pepper to the pan and bring mixture to a boil.
When soup begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer for
45 minutes.

3. To make the croutons cut off the top half of each top
of the hamburger bun so that the bread is the same thickness
as the bottom half of each bun. Throw the tops away. Now you
should have 10 round pieces of bread -- 5 bottom buns, and 5
top buns with the tops cut off. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Place the bread in the the oven directly on the rack and bake
for 15 to 20 minutes or until each piece is golden brown
and crispy. Set these croutons aside until you need them.

4. When the soup is done, spoon about 1 cup into an oven-safe
bowl. Float a crouton on top of the soup, then place a slice
of provolone cheese on top of the crouton. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon
of shredded Parmesan cheese over the provolone.

5. Place the bowl into your oven set to high broil. Broil the
soup for 5 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is melted and
starting to brown (you may need to broil longer if you are
making more than one bowl at a time). Sprinkle an additional
1/2 teaspoon of shredded parmesan cheese over the top of the
soup and serve. Repeat process to prepare remaining servings.
Makes 10 servings.

 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® Oriental Chicken Salad

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 Pico de Gallo

Notes: This is a great summer relish to serve with chips,
or even on a hamburger.
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.

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.