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Inspired entrees

Mighty meat dishes never go out of style. Add an ethnic twist, and you can keep your customers interested and coming back for more. Include a few vegetarian items and you've got them locked in. Entrees are the place in the menu plan where operators can most uniquely differentiate themselves from the

pack while also fostering customer loyalty and repeat sales.

Because today's customers are more food savvy than ever before, onsite chefs have virtually free reign to create and manipulate ingredients in any way necessary to meet the demands of a particular customer base.

Looking for some outstanding hand-held ideas? Consider a tuna melt with a twist or a hearty pizza recipe. Need something with an ethnic flare? Try a spicy Mexican pork dish or Thai-inspired chicken. Craving something upscale? Prepare an elegant veal dish or soothing vegetarian casserole. Recipes like these, plus some money savers and tips on filling an ethnic pantry, can be found on the following pages. Enjoy!

In addition, make sure to read these articles:

  • Sandia Cafe Introduces New Mexico Cooking, Ambiance to Prince William County.
  • Business Editors WOODBRIDGE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 2003 Sandia Cafe, a new, moderately priced restaurant located here, is introducing area residents to New Mexico-style cuisine, artwork ......
  • Regional American favorites
  • IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH 2 A TASTE OF THE SOUTHWEST: Ancho and Cumin-Spiced Southwest Idaho Potato Fries are a spicy side at Mesa Grill, NYC. Menu Trends ......
  • South-of-the-border flavor
  • MenuTrends As the demand for spicy tastes heats up, American restaurants are looking to the vast territory South of the border for menu inspirations. At ......
  • Idaho potato-pepper fritatta
  • IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH 1 Step by step 1 Cut potatoes in 1/8-in. slices; distribute among 24 nonstick, 3-oz. muffin cups. 2 Top potatoes with pepper and ......
  • Morning glories
  • Deb Kahn Dietary Director Eveleth Health Service Park Nursing Home Eveleth, MN "Here in Minnesota, breakfast is big! Our customers want substantial, hearty breakfast fare ......
  • Vegetable purees
  • HEADNOTE This classic technique adds Favor, color and texture to a multitude of menu options. For chefs looking for innovative and imaginative ways to sauce ......
  • Braising the bottom line
  • HEADNOTE Braising and stewing are economical ways to add rich flavor to healthful dishes. For a simple dish, full of nutrients and that homespun "comor ......
  • Recipe of the month: Picadillo chimichangas
  • Raisins, a rich source of iron, are a quick and easy out-of-hand snack. Not only do these sweet dried grapes lend spunky bursts of flavor ......
  • The versatile omelet
  • HEADNOTE This traditional egg dish can literally be anything you want it to be. IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH 3 This gyro omelet is filled with a combination ......
  • Delicious desserts
  • One of the best ways to build incremental sales is with a dessert cart or bakery case. Few customers can resist a sweet, whether enjoyed ......
  • Emeril kicks school lunch up a notch
  • HEADNOTE Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse puts his spin on student fare. IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH 3 BAM!: top: Would-be chef Andrew Beckortt, a student at Emerson Elementary ......
  • recipe of the month: Wisconsin Brie and Chicken Quesadillas
  • YIELD: 8 servings 8 Tbsps. olive oil 8 tsps. garlic, minced 4 tsps. chipotle puree 16 oz. chicken breast, julienned 24 oz. Wisconsin Brie cheese ......
  • Healthful baked and broiled seafood
  • HEADNOTE Baked or broiled seafood can be just as flavorful as its fried cousin can. Fish and seafood are naturally healthful foods. With the exception ......
  • Recipe of the month
  • GINGER JOY. Hot, sweet, tongue-tingling, throat-- tickling ginger is one of the "hot" flavor trends in cooking today. And though it's an emerging flavor favorite, ......
  • recipe of the month
  • IMAGE PHOTOGRAPH 1 Almond Fettuccine Primavera YIELD: 24 Servings 1 cups olive oil 1 cups minced garlic 18 cups chicken stock 3 cups roasted almond ......

How to Determine Restaurant Plate Costs
Interview with John Foley, AllBusiness.com's restaurant advisor.