Author: Choy Chang
If you want to know how to copycat your favorite Macaroni Grill recipes, read on!
We all know that things are not going so well on the economic front. As a result, we are all looking for ways to cut back. But we are human, and I know personally there are very few things I am willing to go without. I'm not so stubborn, however, to know that I can have the same things, just in a more cost efficient manner. I will admit that one of my weaknesses is going out to eat. There is just something about the Seafood Alfredo at one of the restaurants down the road that makes me crave it at the strangest times. If I could make it at home, I wouldn't be held back by cost, or time, or even having to leave the house.
Something like Seafood Alfredo is pretty common, and you can find recipes online for it fairly quickly. But it isn't the same as the Alfredo at the restaurant. Alfredo sauce is pretty much Alfredo sauce, but the extra little spices and the combination of seafood they use is what makes it special. Check the internet to see if someone has posted the recipe for your favorite restaurant. Sometimes all it takes is one disgruntled employee to spill secrets.
Failing that, treat yourself to dinner out. But don't just order, eat and leave. You are on a mission. Mention to your server that the Alfredo sauce tastes a little different from the Alfredo sauce you make and you would love to know what they use for that extra bit of flavor. The server might know, and be able to tell you. Ask nicely enough, and they may even try to find out from the cooks. You can even ask to see the chef. If you are going to use this tactic, make sure you don't go during busy hours. Go when there is a lull in customers, and you have a better chance of having that one on one.
A lot of the ingredients you can figure out just by dissecting your meal. If you know they use shrimp, scallops, mussels, lobster, and crab, you can take that information and make yourself a reasonable facsimile of the dinner at home. Try to figure out how they cooked the seafood. Did they grill the scallops? Are the mussels soaked in a garlic wine sauce? Don't be afraid to take notes. People won't even notice what you are doing.
Once you have that information, you can then start to make it at home. It may take a few tries to get it perfect, but you will eventually be able to make your favorite dish at home.
To get you started, here is a recipe to duplicate Macaroni Grill's Shrimp Portofino:
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup melted butter
16 large shrimp, cleaned and de-veined
16 medium mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cloves fresh garlic, crushed, peeled, and minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (fresh is better for the taste)
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (drain before using)
4 slices lemon
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (don't use dried parsley)
Saute the mushrooms and garlic in butter until just about tender. Add the shrimp and saute until shrimp is cooked (not translucent - but don't overcook), about 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients (except the lemon and fresh parsley) and heat thoroughly.
Serve over pasta of your choice. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/recipes-articles/macaroni-grill-restaurant-recipes-revealed-copycat-your-favorite-macaroni-grill-menu-item-1091368.html
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Find more great Macaroni Grill recipes at:
Macaroni Grill Restaurant Recipes!
