2 Favorite Secret Restaurant Recipes

Well, I don't know about you guys, but this bad economy has really hit my pocketbook. After being unemployed for several months now, my family and I can't afford to go to our favorite restaurants anymore. I've done a lot of searching online trying to find good recipes to make for my family that are similar to what our favorite restaurants make. I found a couple of really great recipes! One is by PF Chang and it's called Orange Peel Chicken. The other is by T.G.I. Friday's and it's their famous Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe. These recipes are out of this world and a lot cheaper to make at home! I hope you like them!

PF Chang's Orange Peel Chicken

Ingredients:

Sauce:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
4 green onions, sliced
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Chicken:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
peel from 1/4 orange, julienned (into 1/8"-thick strips)
cooked white or brown rice, to serve

Directions

1. Prepare the sauce: In medium saucepan, heat oil; add garlic and onions; do not let the garlic burn; add tomato sauce; bring to boil.

2. Add sugar, chili sauce and soy sauce; bring to boil; simmer 5 to 6 minutes or until sauce thickens; remove from heat.

3. Prepare chicken: In wok or large skillet, heat oil. Meanwhile cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.

4. In medium bowl combine egg and milk; mix well. Place flour in shallow dish.

5. Coat chicken pieces - first in the flour, then the egg wash and back into the flour. Cook in 2 or 3 batches until all chicken is cooked.

6. When chicken is done, remove oil and rinse out wok with water; reheat pan. When hot, add orange peel and chicken; heat through - about a minute - stirring gently. Add sauce; heat through.

7. Serve with white or brown rice.

Serves 4


T.G.I. Friday's Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

2 lbs fresh broccoli
1 cup green onions (chopped and tops and bottoms separated)
2 (10 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 lb colby cheese
1-1 1/2 lb American cheese or cheddar cheese
1 cup half-and-half
2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
1-2 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken)
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon oil

Steam Broccoli by either putting in Microwave safe dish with lid and a small amount of water, or on stove in a covered sauce pan and small amount of water.

Cook just until soft.

Oil skillet 1/8" in bottom. Heat, then add 3 TBS Butter.

Add 2 Tbs Flour, chopped Green onion bottoms and ground Pepper.

Cook until Yellow in color, just enough so the flour is not raw.

Add 2 Cans of Chicken Broth.

Stir quickly, using whisk if you have one.

Add Steamed Broccoli and any pan liquids.

Add Green Onion tops, and Simmer 15-20 minutes on Med heat.

This will slightly reduce liquid and impart flavors.

Reduce heat.

Add Colby and American Cheeses.

Cook on low 1 minute.

Add 1 Cup Half and Half slowly, so it will not clump.

Here you must watch temperature, so keep it on low.

Cook 10 minutes.

Add Cornstarch to water and stir.

Pour in 1/2 of cornstarch mixture and stir.

Then pour in 2nd half of mixture and stir.

Turn heat off and stir until thick.

Pour into bowls and serve. Enjoy!