Does anyone use copycat recipes??

I have a craving for Olive garden's Zuppa Toscano so I looked up some of the copycat recipes and will be making it for dinner tonite.
I have tried a few in the past that turned out ok.
Has anyone made copycat recipes and results close to the real food item??

My mom and dad use them all the time and they say they come close. I guess it depends on the recipe really. Or if the "secret seasoning" can be identified.

We got a copy cat recipe of the O'Charley's potato cheese soup from my fiance's mom. When my dad makes it, its BETTER than the original!!

Originally Posted by GailC

I have a craving for Olive garden's Zuppa Toscano so I looked up some of the copycat recipes and will be making it for dinner tonite.
I have tried a few in the past that turned out ok.
Has anyone made copycat recipes and results close to the real food item??

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Actually, if you ask Olive Garden they will give you their actual recipe! I've asked for several of them over the years and have been given them each time.

I wonder if anyone else remembers the Nighthawk Restaurants in Austin. There were two or three, plus the Frisco shop "diner" version, but my favorite was the original -- that huge old red-roofed building on I-35. It had two enormous rooms, one with a fireplace the size of a Buick, and one with a long glass case where the owner's wife displayed the orchids she grew. That room also had some high clerestory windows with big chunky stained glass panels in them. And all the waitresses were middle-aged ladies who called everybody Honey. What a great place! Now there's nothing left but the line of Nighthawk frozen dinners. ~ sigh ~

As a vegetarian, I only got salad and baked potato, but what made it so special was their big soft white rolls, served hot, with the most amazing cheese spread! It was very sharp cheddar spread, loose and slushy, and it had a wonderful sweet/sour tang that I just couldn't resist.

After years of experimentation in my secret underground laboratory, I finally came up with something that's a pretty close approximation of that amazing Nighthawk cheese spread. All I do is take an extra-sharp cheddar spread from the grocery store (Kaukauna works fine) and stir white zinfandel into it until I get the right consistency! So simple, and sooooooo good.

Anybody else ever been to the good ol' Nighthawk?

Mmm... getting hungry... for Austin food...

I've never used copycat recipes. Anybody have some from Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin?

I used a few with good success.

Gail, if that Zuppa Toscano turns out well you'll have to share. That's my favorite thing from there.

Yes, I have used them before and my food was pretty good. I haven't done that in a while though.

Hey, I've made the Zuppa Toscano too!!! And Bennigan's Monte Cristo sandwiches with the raspberry preserves...YUMMY!!!

I love the Olive Garden. We haven't had one around here in years though! And I didn't even know there were copycat recipes!

The Mrs Field's $250 Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe floated around for years. I actually made a change to it and they were better than the real Mrs. Field's cookie. If anyone has it, replace the chocolate chips with chocolate chunks then add a small bag of chips on top of it.

I have made the Red Lobster buiscuits and the Olive Garden Stuffed Mushrooms. Both turned out pretty good...I would love to find the recipe for the brocolli and cheese from Cheddar's Restaurant in Ohio.

Oh i LOVE the Zuppa! YUM...and i have the recipie from Olive garden I make a Big batch of it whenever i make it..Ooh now i want a batch...

Yes, I have tried a few of them.Red Lobsters cheddar biscuits, crab egg rolls and one of my FAVS Mocha Moolatees.YUM YUM!!!

I have a recipe for Carraba's Sausage and lentil soup that is very similar to the original.

Uhoh. What are these cheddar biscuits you speak of, kemosabe? I've never been to Red Lobster, but those sure sound good...

You know those Cheddar Bay biscuits Red Lobster serves with every meal???

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Uhoh. What are these cheddar biscuits you speak of, kemosabe? I've never been to Red Lobster, but those sure sound good...

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Oh man, one of the baking companies has the mix already in a pack, just add water.... in the aisle where the muffin mix and stuff is... I can't remember which company. Bright yellow pack....

Those cheddar biscuits are the best. You will have to get some!

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Uhoh. What are these cheddar biscuits you speak of, kemosabe? I've never been to Red Lobster, but those sure sound good...

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Oh they are so YUMMY!!! Yes, Bisquick I think is who makes some like Red Lobsters.Of course they aren't nearly as good as Red Lobsters. Maybe cause of the NO seafood to accompany it here at the house.