Introduction

AMERICAN FAMILIES LOVE TO go out to eat at their favorite restaurants; however, surveys have
shown that people are spending less money than ever at restaurants due to budget restrictions and a
declining economy. If you are one of those people, why not surprise your family and friends with their
favorite restaurant dish by making it at home in your own kitchen?
This book will pay for itself the first time you use it because you can cook at home for a fraction of
the cost of dining out. You will find step-by-step instructions for all those amazing dishes that draw
people into restaurants, and you will be sure that the food was cooked under hygienic conditions
since you will be making it yourself.
You don't have to be a master chef to prepare these meals. All the recipes in this book use basic
ingredients that can be found in any grocery store. There is no need to buy any fancy equipment, since
the cooking techniques are simple.
In this book, you will find tips on how to create the restaurant feeling at home. You'll get a list of
basic cookware and appliances you need to have in your kitchen as well as how to stock your pantry
to prepare some amazing dishes. There will be a primer on how to choose the best and freshest
ingredients. You will also learn the basic cooking terms and techniques used in this book. Other key
factors to be discussed in creating a restaurant atmosphere at home are setting an inviting table and
presenting the food in the most appealing way.

Another benefit of The Everything® Restaurant Recipes Cookbook is the ability to alter dishes to
your own tastes and dietary guidelines. Restaurant foods contain more fat, salt, and sugar than we
should have in our diets. You may use these recipes and make your own substitutes for a lower
calorie or sugar free meal. Since you already know in advance what the dish is supposed to taste like,
you know you will enjoy it before you start cooking.
Portion control is a huge issue in the restaurant industry today. Every meal is served on a giant
plate with the thought that more is better. Most diet books recommend that when dining out you eat
only half the portion of an entrée and put the rest in a box to go. Cooking at home allows you to
control the amount of calories you consume. Plus, you can take a break from the meal and have
dessert and coffee several hours later, which is something you cannot do in a restaurant.
Recipe cloning can be a fun activity in which the whole family can participate. You will be able to
prepare dishes from several different restaurants in one sitting. Let the children pick an appetizer
from T.G.I Friday's, Dad can choose his favorite dish from Outback Steakhouse, and Mom can choose
a dessert — everyone will be happy with the meal — because this book will add a variety of
restaurant recipes to your cooking repertoire.