CAFE ZUPAS SOUP

Here are my 2 fave Cafe Zupas soup knock-off recipes.  They do not disappoint!!  They've become part of our monthly recipe rotation, much to my husband and kiddos chagrin.  =)








Tomato Basil Soup
http://triedandtasty.com/copycat-zupas-tomato-basil-soup/
Cooks note: I substitute Costco's pesto (about 2 cups) for the homemade pesto.  It's just easier.  =)

Wisconsin Cheddar
http://jamiecooksitup.net/2013/12/zuppas-wisconsin-cauliflower-soup/

CAFE RIO CREAMY TOMATILLO DRESSING

Cafe Rio is my FAVE restaurant.  Numero Uno.  No contest.  This is the closest knock off recipe I can find for the dressing.  See if you think so too!!

1 pack Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix 
1 cup Mayo
1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk works, too)

    Juice from one LIME

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro

1/4 cup green salsa

Blend Ranch, Mayo, and milk in a blender.  Then add the rest.  Refrigerate before serving.  

DISNEYLAND: MINNIE'S CHOCOLATE CHIP SUPREME COOKIES

Funny story.  I'm kind of a cookie snob.  Well, whilst at Disneyland my Mom bought some cookies that said they won the national bakers contest of something-or-other so we tried them.  I was a bit skeptical but I'm so glad I tried them because they are to die for!!  After hours of searching the Internet I found this recipe and it is definitely equal OR BETTER to Minnie's Chocolate Chip Supreme cookies that you buy at Disneyland!!  YAY.  =)

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup powdered sugar (this is NOT a typo, it IS powdered sugar, NOT granulated sugar)
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2  2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
3/4 cup dark chocolate chunks
3/4 cup Wilton Candy Melts (light cocoa wafers), roughly chopped
3/4 cup toffee bits
1 cup chopped pecans

Place softened butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl. Cream with an electric mixer on high for 3-5 minutes. Add the egg, water and vanilla. Mix well. Add in flour, salt and baking soda. Mix well to incorporate, stopping once to scrape sides of bowl then mix again. Add in chocolate and nuts then mix just enough to distribute throughout dough.
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
 
Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1/3 measuring cup place heaping scoops of dough onto cookie sheets. You can fit 6 per cookie sheet.
 
Place the baking sheets of dough directly into your freezer. Let them chill for 15-20 minutes until firm. This will firm up the butter in the dough and prevent excessive spreading. Remember, we want the cookies to be thick mounds, not flat discs. Remove from freezer and place into hot (400 degree) oven. Set timer for 2 minutes. Blasting the dough at the high temperature will create a crisp outer shell while keeping the inside moist.
 
After 2 minutes lower heat to 350 degrees and bake cookies for an additional 15 minutes until light golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes on pans. Slide the cookies onto cooling racks and let cool. 

OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY: CREAMY PESTO DRESSING

I love The Old Spaghetti Factory and I especially enjoy their house salad dressing.  My sister has been making it for years and I finally got around the putting the recipe on here.  YUM.

3/4 cup oil
1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
2 tablespoons crushed dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, minced

Whisk together oil and mayonnaise. Add buttermilk, cheese, basil, salt, garlic and hot pepper sauce to taste. Mix thoroughly. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

LION HOUSE: SARAH SALAD

My Mom and I could hardly believe that we didn't have this recipe on here!! Whoops!! Please forgive us. This is one of our faves.

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
3 strips bacon (fried and diced)
5 oz frozen peas
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese slices, cut in strips
2/3 cups chopped green onion
1/4 cup Mayo
1/4 cup Miracle Whip

Put lettuce in a bowl and sprinkle with sugar, salt, and pepper. Run hot water over frozen peas and drain. Add peas, cheese, onion, mayo, and Miracle Whip (these ingredients can be layered with the mayo/Miracle Whip spread on last then covered and refrigerated overnight.) Toss and garnish with bacon. Makes 8 servings.

LION HOUSE: ROLLS

I've always stuck to my roll recipe (Lightest Hot Rolls) because they are a family favorite and I know how to make them. Last night I made Lion House Rolls and they were great for a change. Here is the recipe.

2 tablespoons active-dry yeast
2 cups warm water
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or shortening
1 egg
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk
5-6 cups flour

In the large bowl of an electric mixer combine yeast and water. Let stand 5 minutes. Add sugar, butter/shortening, salt, dry milk, 2 cups flour and egg. Beat together until very smooth. Add remaining flour gradually (about 1/2 cup at a time) until a soft but not sticky dough is formed. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead until it is smooth and satiny (I simply use my very-well-loved Kitchenaid mixer to knead for me.) Return dough to an oiled bowl and cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Separate dough into two portions. Roll out each portion into a circle and cut into 12 pie-shaped pieces. Roll up crescent-style and place on baking sheet. Cover with saran wrap that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes - until nicely browned. Makes 2 dozen rolls.

LITTLE CAESARS: PIZZA SAUCE

I am HUGE fan of Little Caesars. I know to some it might be bottom of the totem pole but I love it. Here is the recipe for their pizza sauce. It's great. =)

1 12 ounce can Hunts tomato paste
1−1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon Accent (AKA MSG, I don't use it)

Pre−mix the dry ingredients and set aside. In a smal saucepan combine tomato paste and water. Bring to a simmer. Add the pre−mixed spices and stir well. Reduce heat to low and simmer 35−40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until needed. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

LION HOUSE: CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

This soup is creamy instead of brothy. I love it and it's so easy to make.

2 teaspoons (or cubes) chicken bouillon
4 cups canned chicken stock/broth
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup evaporated milk or 1/2 cup whole milk
Roux (if you need it)
2 cups cooked diced chicken
4 cups cooked egg noodles

Heat chicken stock/broth and bouillon together. Add carrots, celery, and onion, and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add cream of chicken soup and milk. Thicken with roux as desired, then add cooked chicken and noodles. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 2 1/2 quarts or 10 one cup servings.

WINGERS: STICKY FINGERS

I have recently acquired a love for Winger's Sticky Fingers. The sauce is SO GOOD and instead of buying it I found a recipe to make it at home. How frugal of me. =)

6 T Franks Red Hot Sauce
4 T water
1 1/2 cups brown sugar

Combine in saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves and it thickens.

To make Sticky Fingers: Buy breaded chicken tenders and cook as per directions. Then coat cooked chicken with sauce.  Serve with Ranch and celery sticks. My nephew also claims this sauce is great on hamburgers. So versatile. =)

ORANGE JULIUS: SMOOTHIE

J, here's that recipe as per your request. Our family used to drink lots of this especially before Zuka Juice showed up. I don't see the Orange Julius franchise around any more.

6 ounces orange juice concentrate
1/3 cup powdered milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tray ice

Whiz all ingredients in blender. Serves six.

Mom