If you want to copy your favorite Claim Jumper recipes, this article will show you how to get started!
Eating in a restaurant can be expensive. But what do you do when you have a craving for that favorite food of yours? I know I have a few that make my mouth water just thinking about them. I know that I cannot afford to eat in a restaurant every day, much as I would like to. So I’ve figured out a few little tricks you can use to turn your favorite restaurant food into your favorite comfort food.
The easiest approach is to check the Internet. There have been books in print with “famous” recipes, such as how to make a homemade Big Mac. (The secret sauce is Thousand Island dressing—who knew?) You might be able to find out which steak spices your favorite steakhouse uses, or the ingredients to make that amazing salad dressing you never get enough of. The amount of information out there is amazing. Sometimes a little surf is enough. Some restaurants even post the recipes on their websites.
If you are a regular at a restaurant, try to inform yourself. The servers are usually well versed in the menu and how each dish is prepared. They usually know the secrets that kitchen staff use to get the perfect flavor. In college, I worked as a server in a restaurant. It wasn’t cheap food, but it wasn’t a place you needed to dress up for. When a new menu item was introduced, servers had to learn the ingredients, how things were cooked, basically the same information as the kitchen staff. That way, if a customer ever asked a question about it, we could answer. Sometimes just asking the server is enough. If you are a regular and have been known to tip well, if there is anything the server isn’t sure about, you can bet they will go to the kitchen and try to find the information you are looking for. In fact, some cooks and chefs are so flattered that you appreciate their good food, they’ll come out themselves and you can easily get information out of them.
If you’re the quiet type and asking these questions seems a bit difficult, you can still find out a lot by looking at your dinner. Most menus will list the ingredients, especially now with all the allergies people have. Write them down. Take out your cell phone when dinner arrives and take a picture. Next, dissect your food. Sure it can take away some of the pleasure of sitting down, but you can really find out a lot just by taking a deeper look at what’s on your plate.
To get you started, here is the recipe for Claim Jumper Thai Cole Slaw!
Ingredients:
1/2 head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 zucchini, julienned
2 jumbo carrots, julienned
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
3 tablespoons grated coconut
3 tablespoons roasted unsalted peanuts
2 tablespoons toasted almonds
Thai Salad Dressing:
8 ounces Thai sweet chili sauce
8 ounces of orange juice
1/2 ounce honey
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon coriander, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Salad Directions: Combine cabbage, zucchini, carrots, sesame seeds, onions, coconut, peanuts, and almonds in a large mixing bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Instructions for Thai Dressing: Place ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together. Slowly add the sesame oil while continuing to beat. For desired amount, about 1/4 cup, over cold salad. Enjoy!