I recently had a chance to see a copy of The Everything® Restaurant Copycat Recipes Cookbook. Learn to re-create IHOP’s fluffy Original Buttermilk Pancakes to Olive Garden’s famous Breadsticks, In-N-Out’s Double-Double Burger, Pizza Hut’s Stuffed Crust Pizza, and even Crumbl’s beloved Pink Sugar Cookie with cookbook author, recipe developer and food photographer Kelly Jaggers.
I was really excited about this - my daughter and I enjoy cooking, and we're trying to save money by not eating out. The recipes in the book cover a wide variety of tastes and restaurants. Once in a while I was surprised at the relative simplicity - starting with something pre-made and jazzing it up - but honestly, that probably makes it even more accessible to people without a lot of fancy cooking tools or techniques. The recipes are easy to follow and generally don't require a lot of crazy ingredients that you might not use again. Just flipping through the cookbook made me hungry!
See one of the great recipes here:
You can learn more in this interview.
Why did you write this cookbook?
Like a lot of people, I love going out to eat. Unfortunately, dining out is much less affordable than it used to be, and I wanted to find ways to enjoy my favorite restaurant meals at home without breaking my budget. My goal with the The Everything Restaurant Copycat Recipes Cookbook was to create recipes that were as close as I could make them to the originals without using expensive specialty ingredients or tools. This is a book for cooks of all levels, and it makes it easy to put together delicious meals inspired by your favorite restaurants sure to please everyone at the table!
What is your process in trying to mimic restaurant-quality meals?
First, I wanted to make sure I was capturing popular dishes and best-sellers. I made a list of my favorites, checked to see what people were talking about, and looked into what's selling.
Second, I researched ingredients and flavors. Lots of restaurants include ingredient lists, or at least allergens, online so I could decipher what flavors to include. Some of this is trial and error, but that is part of the fun!
Finally, I did testing to make sure the instructions were easy to understand, and that the recipes taste as close to the original as possible. We had a lot of fun meals!
How can people make dining in a special experience?
Mood, music, and setting the scene! Dim the lights, maybe light a few candles, and find a nice spot to enjoy your meal. Do you have a patio or terrace? A coffee table or table near a window? Find a fun place to enjoy your food. Turn on some music that you love, or reminds you of your favorite restaurant.
Use your favorite plates and flatware. If you want to change things up you can also pick up a few special pieces at your local thrift store to liven up your table. Take time to plate your food elegantly. Look online at restaurant websites for inspiration.
Finally, a nice cocktail or mocktail to sip before the meal - along with a favorite appetizer - will get everyone in the mood for a good time! Make time to enjoy your meal, and don't rush or worry about dishes.
Be present and savor your creations!
Kelly Jaggers is a cookbook author, recipe developer, food photographer, food stylist, and founder of the recipe blog Evil Shenanigans. She is the author of 12 cookbooks including The Everything® Easy Instant Pot Cookbook, The Ultimate Baking for One Cookbook, and The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cooking for One Cookbook. Kelly is also a food stylist and photographer who has provided photography for various cookbooks and websites. When she is not busy cooking up a storm in her own kitchen, she teaches cooking classes and is a small event caterer. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband and two hound dogs.
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