Alfredo - Olive Garden Copycat

Olive Garden Alfredo

1 pkg Pasta (penne or fettuccine)

1 stick of butter

1 clove of minced garlic

1 pint of heavy cream

1 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp cream cheese

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp white pepper

Cook the Pasta al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for two minutes stirring constantly, then add in heavy cream and cream cheese, stirring constantly. Heat until the mixture begins to bubble along the sides, but do not boil.

Add in Parmesan Cheese, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Continue stirring until the sauce is fully incorporated, but do not boil it as that will cause the cream to curdle.

Serve over hot (drained & rinsed) pasta of your choice and add a lovely side salad to complete the meal.

Eggo Buttermilk Waffles - Copycat

Eggo Buttermilk Waffles

3 cups flour

1 Tbs baking powder

1 1/4 tsp salt

4 eggs

2 1/2 Tbs tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup buttermilk (or 3/4 c. Water and 3 TBS Buttermilk Powder)

3/4 cup water

1/4 c. vegetable oil

10-12 Drops Yellow food coloring (optional)

In a mixer, beat eggs and sugar with a mixer on high speed for 1 minute. Add water, milk, oil and buttermilk, mixing well until combined.

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt mixing well.

Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl, mixing on medium/high for 1 minute.

Heat the Waffle Iron, Spritz it liberally with non-stick spray (we use an olive oil Misto!) Pour 1/2 cup of batter into the center of the waffle iron, allowing it to spread evenly and cook about 1 minute. Do not cook longer, the point is not to brown the waffle, this will be done in the toaster later!!

Cool, place in freezer or vacuum seal bags and freeze. 

To enjoy, pop a waffle or two into the toaster on the lowest setting and toast, top with butter, syrup, fresh berries, etc as desired.

The recipe makes about 9 large Round waffles, but we recommend using a square waffle maker because they seem to toast more evenly and fit in the toaster better!

* recipe courtesy budget101.com

"Steakhouse Onion Burger Seasoning Blend" McCormick Grill Mates - Copycat Recipe

I was getting ready to make hamburgers last night, and I discovered I was nearly out of my favorite hamburger seasoning blend.  When I say "almost out," I mean about 1/2 a teaspoon left in the bottle.  I needed 1 & 1/2 to 2 tablespoons for my burgers.  So I decided to see if I could create a blend that tasted like it.  After reading the back of the bottle, I got to work mixing seasonings and compared it to what was left in the bottle.  Success!  We tried it with the burgers last night and they turned out delicious!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

Steakhouse Onion Burger Seasoning Blend (copycat recipe)

4 tsp dry onion flakes

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp onion powder

1 1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper 

1 tsp paprika

Mix ingredients well and store in airtight container.  Add 1/2 - 1 Tbsp per pound of hamburger meat.  If possible, add seasoning to meat 2-4 hours prior to cooking.  Keep meat refrigerated until ready to cook. 

*This will make enough to season 3.75 lbs using 1 Tbsp per pound. 

For a crowd (~7.5 lbs hamburger meat):

2 Tbsp + 2 tsp onion flakes

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp onion powder

2 1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp paprika