Baby Ruth® Candy Bar

Beneath the chocolate of Nestlés popular candy bar
is a chewy, peanut-covered center that resembles
Hershey's PayDay. To clone this one we'll only have
to make a couple adjustments to the PayDay clone recipe,
then add the milk chocolate coating. Even though the
wrapper of this candy bar calls the center "nougat,"
it's more of a white or blonde fudge that you can make
in a saucepan on your stovetop with a candy thermometer.






Centers
1/4 cup whole milk
5 unwrapped caramels
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar


20 unwrapped caramels
1 1/2 teaspoons water
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips





1. Combine all ingredients for the centers, except the
powdered sugar, in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir
often as the caramel slowly melts. When the mixture is smooth,
add 3/4 cup of powdered sugar. Stir. Save the remaining 1/2
cup of powdered sugar for later.

2. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to exactly 230
degrees, stirring often, then turn off the heat.

3. When the temperature of the candy begins to drop, add the
remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar to the pan, then use a hand
mixer on high speed to combine. Keep mixing until the candy
cools and thickens and can no longer be mixed. That should take
a minute or two.

4. Let the candy cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, or until
it can be touched. Don't let it sit too long - you want the candy
to still be warm and pliable when you shape it. Take a
tablespoon-size portion and roll it between your palms or on a
countertop until it forms a roll the width of your index finger,
and measuring about 4 1/2-inches long. Repeat with the remaining
center candy mixture and place the rolls on wax paper. You should
have 8 rolls. Let the center rolls sit out for an hour or two to
firm up.

5. Combine the 20 caramels with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a
small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until the caramels melt
completely, then turn off the heat. If you work fast this caramel
will stay warm while you make the candy bars.

6. Pour the peanuts onto a baking sheet or other flat surface.
Using a basting brush and working quickly, "paint" a coating of
caramel onto one side of a center roll. Quickly turn the center
over, caramel side down, onto the peanuts and press gently so that
the peanuts stick to the surface of the candy. Paint more caramel
onto the other side of the roll and press it down onto the peanuts.
The candy should have a solid layer of peanuts covering all sides.
If needed, brush additional caramel onto the roll, then turn it onto
the peanuts to coat the roll completely. Place the candy bar onto
wax paper, and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place these
bars into your refrigerator for an hour or two so that they firm up.

7. Pour the milk chocolate chips into a glass or ceramic bowl and zap
it in the microwave for 2 minutes on 50 percent power. Gently stir the chips, then heat for an additional 30 seconds at 50 percent power. Repeat if necessary, stirring gently after each 30 seconds. Don't overcook the chips or the chocolate will burn and seize up on you.

8. Drop a candy bar center into the melted milk chocolate. Cover the
candy bar with chocolate using two forks, one in each hand. When
the candy is covered with chocolate, balance the bar on both of the
forks, one at each end of the candy bar, and tap the forks on the
top edge of the bowl so that much of the chocolate drops off.
Carefully place the candy bar onto wax paper and remove the two
forks. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, and then chill the
candy bars until firm.
Makes 8 candy bars.

BABOLI PIZZA CRUST

Ingredient




1 pk Yeast

1/4 c Water -- warm

6 tb Olive oil -- + extra for pan

6 c Flour

1 t Salt (Optional)

2 1/4 c Water -- warm


-----TOPPINGS-----


SEA SALT -- OR KOSHER SALT
Pepper -- ground

4 tb Olive Oil
Chopped Rosemary and Thyme

2 tb Water

Mix together first six ingredients and let rise 30 to
0 minutes. Divide dough into 3 parts and place in 3
olive-oiled pie pans. Dimple dough with fingers. Mix
olive oil and water, brush tops with this mixture.
Sprinkle on top: sea salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme.
Let rise 50 to 60 mins. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25
minutes. May dip in olive oil. Peggy also says if the
herbs are dried to soak in water 10 minutes and then
pat dry with paper towels.

Auntie Anne's Pretzels

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 tsp Yeast, 1/2 tsp Brown sugar, 1 tsp Salt, 1 1/2 c Water,
4 c Bread flour, 2 tsp Baking soda, 2 c Warm water, 1/2 lb Butter,
2 Tbsp Honey, White sugar Brown sugar.

Preparation Instructions: Mix yeast, brown sugar, dash of salt
and 1 1/2 cups water. Let sit for five minutes. Add bread flour.
Knead well. Let rise for about one hour. Grease baking sheet.
Mix baking soda and warm water. Take a piece of dough and roll
and shape into a pretzel. The easiest way to shape is to roll
into a rope, whatever size you prefer. Pinch ends of rope then
bring ends of rope to other side of circle. Dip pretzels in
warm water and baking soda mixture and put on baking sheet.
Bake at 425F for about 12 minutes. While still hot, brush
with melted butter and honey. Sprinkle with white and brown
sugar (approx. half and half mixture).

Arby's® Jamocha Shake

Okay, wash out the blender; this one's been
begging to be cloned for years now. Arby's
famous Jamocha Shake was one of the first frozen
coffee drinks to gain popularity, even before
Starbucks pummeled us with Frappuccinos. This
thick drink is actually more milk shake than
coffee drink, but if you like the original,
you'll love this easy-to-make clone that serves two.


1 cup cold coffee
1 cup low-fat milk
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 cups vanilla ice cream
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

1. Combine the coffee, milk, and sugar in a blender and
mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve the sugar.

2. Add ice cream, and chocolate syrup then blend on high
speed until smooth and creamy. Stop blender and stir mixture
with a spoon if necessary to help blend ingredients.

3. Pour drink into two 16-ounce glasses.
Makes 2 large drinks.

Arby's® Bronco Berry® Sauce

This sweet and spicy jelly sauce comes on the side,
in little 1.5-ounce containers, with Arby's battered
jalapeno and cheese Side Kickers. But, you know, you
ust never get enough of the tasty gelatinous goo in
those little dipping packs to use later with your own
home-cooked delicacies. And isn't it odd that the sauce
is called "Bronco Berry" when there's not a berry to be
found in there? Sure, the sauce is bright red and sugary,
but you won't find a speck of fruit on the ingredients list.
Nevertheless, the sweet and spicy flavors make this a
delicious jelly sauce that has many uses beyond dipping
quick service finger foods. For one, use it as a side
for your next batch of lamb chops rather than mint jelly.
It would take more than just a few blister packs to perk
u that meal.


3/4 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons pectin
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vinegar
50 drops or 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
dash cayenne pepper
dash garlic powder
dash paprika
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced canned jalapeno peppers



1. Combine all the ingredients except the bell and minced
jalapeno peppers in a small saucepan. Whisk well.

2. Set saucepan over medium/high heat, uncovered. Add peppers
and bring mixture to a full boil, stirring often.

3. Reduce heat and simmer sauce for 5 to 7 minutes, or until
thick. Remove from heat and let sauce sit for about 10 minutes.
Stir and cover.

4. Use sauce when it reaches room temperature or cover and chill
until needed.
Makes 1 cup

Applebee's® Tequila Lime Chicken

It's one of Applebee's top-selling signature dishes
and a big request here on the site. This tasty dish
combines the tangy flavor of the tequila lime marinade
with creamy southwestern-style dressing, and tops it all
off with a melted cheese blend. Just be sure you don't
marinate the chicken longer than the 3 to 4 hours, or the
citric acid in the lime juice may toughen the chicken.
The bed of crispy corn tortilla strips can be easily
cloned with crumbled store-bought corn chips, but if
you want strips like those served at the restaurant,
just follow the "tidbits" below. Serve this dish with
your choice of rice (Spanish rice is recommended),
along with some pico de gallo (you can find a recipe here)
or salsa on the side.


Marinade

1 cup water
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon mesquite liquid smoke flavoring
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon tequila
1 chicken breast fillets

Mexi-Ranch Dressing

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon milk
2 teaspoons minced tomato
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon minced canned jalapeno slices (nacho slices)
1 teaspoon minced onion
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
dash garlic powder
dash ground black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar/monterey jack cheese blend
2 cups crumbled corn chips or fried tortilla strips (see tidbits)

1. Prepare marinade by combining marinade ingredients
in a medium bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl, cover and
chill for 2 to 3 hours.

2. Make the mexi-ranch dressing by combining all of the
ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well until smooth, then
cover dressing and chill it until needed.

3. When you are ready to prepare the entree, preheat the
oven to high broil. Also, preheat your barbecue or indoor
grill to high heat. When the grill is hot cook the marinated
chicken breasts for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until
they're done.

4. Arrange the cooked chicken in a baking pan. Spread a
layer of mexi-ranch dressing over each piece of chicken
(you'll have plenty left over), followed by 1/4 cup of
the shredded cheese blend. Broil the chicken for 2 to 3
minutes, or just until the cheese has melted.

5. Spread a bed of 1/2 cup of the tortilla strips or crumbled
corn chips on each of four plates. Slide a chicken breast onto
the chips on each plate and serve with your choice of rice,
and pico de gallo, or salsa.
Serves 4.

Tidbits

Crumbling store-bought tortilla chips is the easy way to
make the bed of crunchy chips that the tequila lime chicken
rests on. But, you can make tortilla strips like those served
at the restaurant by cutting a stack of eight 6-inch corn
tortillas in half. Stack the halves on top of each other and
slice the tortillas into thin strips. Fry the tortilla strips
in 2 cups of oil preheated in a large skillet for 3-5 minutes
or until crispy. Salt lightly and cool on paper towels to drain.