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May is National Asparagus Month

5/9/2012 7:17:43 PM

Many chefs around the world try to incorporate vegetables into their cuisine, but one interesting ingredient has an entire month dedicated to it. Asparagus works its way into everything from casseroles to pizza, and since May is National Asparagus Month, restaurant owners might consider including it in a few dishes. Here are some of the top ways to use this green vegetable over the next month.

1.) Never serve it alone - While everyone trusts in the deliciousness of asparagus, it can't really be eaten by itself. At best, it is a yummy side dish. Whether you fry, bake or saute it, always serve asparagus with something like chicken, or additional vegetables.

2.) Casseroles - Layer the vegetable in between layers of lasagna or other pasta to create the perfect casserole.

3.) Put it on top of pizza - Pineapples, anchovies and eggs are already put on top of pizza, so why not throw on some asparagus? If cooked properly with restaurant equipment like Grindmaster-Cecilware IC18A Countertop Induction Range, the crunchy texture will add a flavorful finish to any slice.

4.) Load up on butter and salt - the natural bitterness of the asparagus is tasty to some, but must be combated with these two condiments most of the time.

Top 5 dishes of National Beef Month

5/9/2012 12:16:02 PM

It's time to dust off the barbecue and start grilling this summer, and there is no better time to begin than now because May is National Beef Month.

Beef has been a staple of the American diet since the birth of the nation, and the United States is renowned for particular brands of cattle. Corn-fed Iowa beef, for example, simply cannot be found anywhere else. In the spirit of National Beef Month, restaurant owners should serve varieties of the following five beef dishes in May.

1.) Hamburgers - What could be more American than a hamburger topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese and a healthy dose of ketchup? If you lack a creative streak, you can always fall back on this traditional dish for ideas. A beef patty can be topped with literally any ingredient - bleu cheese, buffalo sauce and portabella mushrooms are just a few examples.

Hamburgers can be flash-cooked within minutes using a device like the Eagle CLCHRBL-36-NG RedHots Chef Line Charbroiler. The varying temperature settings can satisfy any customer's cooking preference, from ultra-rare to well-done.

2.) Steak - The same device can be used to cook a nice, thick steak. Consider experimenting with different kinds of cuts, including flank, sirloin and brisket varieties. Get creative - steak tips are often served with eggs for breakfast, but can be the perfect compliment to any meal.

3.) Corned-Beef Hash - This traditional Irish dish can be cooked quickly and easily, as it only requires a few ingredients. Simply mix sliced onions with cooked potatoes and corned beef to create a mixture known as hash. Season with butter, salt and pepper and brown on a skillet before serving with any meal.

4.) Meatloaf - Another traditional American dish is meatloaf, which can be customized with different sauces and unique ingredients. Ground beef forms the basis of this dish, and it is often combined with ketchup and cracker crumbs in recipes. However, consider adding a brown sugar glaze or other coating for a fresh taste that will draw a customer's attention.

5.) Pot Roast - Pot roast gets its name from the pot that is normally used to tenderize shredded beef into a sort of stew. You'll need a crock pot or other restaurant equipment to properly cook the beef, but you'll also need to add vegetables like carrots, onions and garlic. You can also experiment with different marinades and stocks for added flavor.

May is National Egg Month

5/7/2012 9:07:17 PM

Eggs are one of the most widely-used ingredients in cooking. They can be hard- or soft-boiled, fried, scrambled or even pickled, and they are a common staple of breakfast food in the United States. As a secondary ingredient, they add flavor and texture to cake batter and other pastries, and the yolk serves as a great source of dietary protein.

May is National Egg Month, and a savvy restaurant owner can celebrate this holiday with unique dishes centered around this oval object. If you need ideas for meals or menu options, consider some of the following recipes during May.

Add eggs to any dishWhile traditionally served as a side to breakfast meats like bacon and sausage, eggs can be subtly incorporated into any dish for a unique twist. For example, certain Asian cuisine mixes bits of scrambled eggs into rice bowls, noodle dishes and other meals for texture and body.

You can do the same for your own recipes - add a fried egg on top of a burger, or add chunks of hard-boiled eggs to a salad. Avoid incorporating too many eggs, because too many eggs can weigh down a meal and leave a customer feeling full.

Quiches
Another delicious idea is the quiche, which is essentially a pie filled with an egg and cheese base. While the description might sound strange, this dish is very popular in Europe and the United States, and can be made easily with the help of quality restaurant equipment.

One recipe on Allrecipes.com lists spinach as a theme, but you can incorporate any vegetable or meat you want. All you have to do is whisk and beat a desired amount of eggs and milk and pour the resulting mixture into a pie crust filled in this case with spinach. Bake the pie for about 15 minutes at 375 degrees - however, this might take more or less time depending on the size of the quiche.

The Garland/US Range 36ET36 36E Series Range is just one example or restaurant equipment that can bake a quiche. Larger devices will be able to cook numerous pies at once, perfect for establishments with higher demands.

There are still a few weeks left in May, so serve up some eggs during National Egg Month to provide your loyal customers with a fun and tasty break from the norm.

Get outside and take advantage of National Barbecue Month

5/4/2012 4:48:17 PM

Ever since man invented fire, there has been nothing more appetizing than grilling vegetables, meat and other fare over an open flame. This is especially pleasant if enjoyed outside - many parks and recreation centers around the United States have open grills for public use. Restaurant owners can take advantage of this popular activity by serving up dishes that conjure tasty memories of warm weather and summer sunshine, and there is no better time to do this than in May - National Barbecue Month.

It's all in the sauce

Barbecue sauce is unique to the United States. If you have ever travelled outside America and ordered some chicken nugget dipping sauce, you know that other countries can't seem to get the taste just right - it ends up being too tomatoey or tastes just like ketchup. The key during National Barbecue Month is developing a sauce that can be used as a marinade, condiment or dressing.

Simply Recipes guest author Hank Shaw writes that the perfect barbecue sauce is combination of sweet, spicy and salty flavors that affect each area of the tongue. Though recipes vary greatly, apple cider vinegar is generally used for tanginess and molasses/brown sugar for sweetness. The ketchup or tomato base provides the traditional salty flavor. Experiment with different levels of these ingredients to find the combination that is right for you.

Host a promotion or cooking contest

Want to increase your customer base? All you have to do is hold an outdoor cooking competition where the best cook gets a free dinner at your establishment. You could do this in a public park, a parking lot or even in your backyard, depending on the amount of customers you expect to show up. A promotion like this allows you to give out free samples from your menu to potential patrons - if they like what they eat, they will be back for more. Plus, the fun atmosphere and good times will be permanently associated with your brand name and image.

Restaurant equipment

The night before your competition, you can use a device like the Wolf C60-SC-6B-24G Challenger XL Restaurant Range to precook all your dishes. Barbecue sauce can be simmered over one of the many surface burners, and items like pulled pork can be slow-roasted in the ovens below.

Take advantage of No Diet Day with some delicious meals

5/3/2012 4:42:23 PM

While there are a number of national holidays in May, one of the most important celebrations in the restaurant industry comes on May 6th - No Diet Day.

This is the one day of the year where people are encouraged to throw caution to the wind and indulge in their favorite snacks and dishes. If you are the owner of a culinary institution, consider using the following ideas on May 6th this year.

Bacon

While this will not appeal to vegetarians, there are few meat eaters who will tell you they do not like bacon. In America, this crispy pork is incorporated into many things - chocolate, salads and even milkshakes.

When in doubt, wrap food in bacon to add heart-clogging deliciousness. Serving baked salmon and looking for an additive? Wrap it in bacon. Need a salty addition to a sandwich? Slap a few bacon slices on top of lettuce and tomato. This is the one day of the year you can serve relatively unhealthy fare without worrying about complaints from health-conscious customers.

Sweets

Even though dentists across the country will cringe, serve as much pastries, chocolate and candy as possible during this day. This does not necessarily have to be in traditional forms. For example, if you serve frozen drinks from the Cecilware GIANT2 FrigoGranita Slush Machine, make a chocolate slushie instead of a fruit smoothie.

You can do anything - put M&Ms inside pancakes, Reeses Pieces inside pastries and even Starburst inside fruit dishes. Never underestimate the influence a sugary treat can have on a customer base.

Get creative

Incorporating food in ridiculous ways is not as out of the ordinary as you may think. KFC recently marketed a sandwich called the "Double Down" that featured two slices of chicken instead of bread. As Dr. Nick jokes in The Simpsons, "Instead of making sandwiches with bread, use pop tarts. Instead of chewing gum, chew bacon!"

While you don't have to be as outlandish as KFC, you can still incorporate unusual ingredients in traditional fare.

With the proper restaurant equipment and menu ideas, a chef can create innovative dishes to attract customers on No Diet Day. Just make sure your customers know this is a one-time offer, as unhealthy eating should generally be avoided on any other day.

Top five dishes that take advantage of the summer

5/1/2012 8:31:41 PM

Summer is fast approaching, and lets face it - restaurant owners have got to spruce up their menus if they wish to enjoy a successful summer season. Ideas can be hard to come by during this time, as everyone assumes that citrus salads and grilled chicken dishes are the limit when it comes to summer meals. However, consider one of the following five options to improve your menu in the warm weather.

1.) Soup can be delicious and nutritious - You've got to go beyond the traditional chicken noodle and tomato soup and use fresh, creative ingredients for a summer dish. For example, New Mexico Magazine lists a recipe for Squash Blossom Soup, which is mixed greens in either a chicken cream or vegetable broth. The inspiration behind this dish is that it still carries full-bodied flavor without actual chunks of meat - consider doing the same with your soup creations this summer.

2.) Ditch the lettuce - Tired of the same old greens in your salad? Get rid of lettuce altogether and compose a salad from scratch using only fresh vegetables. The news source also lists a recipe for a green bean salad, which is simply chopped onions, celery and green beans. The simpler the better - even a single ingredient can be season with dressing and condiments to become a "salad."

3.) Fruit desserts - You'll want to break tradition again here and stay away from the typical fruit salad. Take a page from Bleeding Espresso and soak fruit in alcohol for an adult treat - the website lists "Drunken Peaches" (that are soaked in red wine) as one of its top five dishes for the summer.

4.) Choose seasonal ingredients - While everyone associates tropical fruit with summertime, this is not necessarily true - use fruits, vegetables and ingredients that are currently in season and can be harvested locally. The fresher the ingredients, the better the final dish will taste.

5.) Pair dishes with one another - Once you've established a bunch of recipes, sample each course and determine which complements the other. For example, would the green bean salad, squash soup and drunken peaches taste good together? Probably, but you'd need to create a main course just to be sure.

When preparing any summer dish, be sure to use reliable restaurant equipment like the Vulcan V6BU36S V Series Heavy Duty Range. If maintained properly, this device will continue to perform in even the most demanding kitchen conditions.

Focus on the customer experience to create a unique restaurant brand image

5/1/2012 8:28:14 AM

Everyone has certain expectations when they enter a restaurant. For example, wait staff must be friendly and professional at all times, the food must be served in a timely fashion and the check must be presented with a smile. However, what if a restaurant turned these common assumptions on their head to create a dining experience customers would never forget? Consider the following ideas to make your establishment stick in the minds of patrons forever.

Get sassy

Plenty of restaurant chains have taken this approach to provide a humorous option to customers who "dare" to sample their cuisine. Dick's Last Resort is just one example - here, waiters throw menus and utensils on the table, put dunce caps on customers and write funny public messages about the clientele.

If you wish to do the same, you've got to make sure that your staff remains tasteful at all times. Above all else, customers should know what they are walking into, so you should have a sign that advertises the "sassiest restaurant in town." Therefore, no one will be surprised if a waiter is rude.

However, you don't necessarily need be rude to incorporate humor into your menu. A list of jokes and some clever nicknames of meals may be all you need to make a patron burst out laughing.

Create unique meals to go along with your jokes

Once you've divided up your menu into humorous sections, you should try to gear recipes and dishes according to a certain theme. For instance, "snarky burgers" can be spicier than the rest of the menu and feature jalapenos, hots and other spicy ingredients that will appeal to customers looking for a burst of heat.

You can also take the opposite approach and offer sweet options on the "nicer" part of the menu. Ice cream and frozen desserts can be a part of the described "friendlier" dishes that are served with respect rather than sarcasm.

Incorporate restaurant equipment to prepare food

A device like the Garland US Range G48-6G12LL G Starfire Pro Series Restaurant range can be used to cook any of the dishes that you decide to serve, from the spiciest burger to the mildest pasta. With the proper restaurant equipment, managers may enjoy the maximum return on investment as customers flock to their establishment to enjoy a unique dining experience.

Target unique customer demographics to ensure repeat business

5/1/2012 8:28:14 AM

In the restaurant business, owners are constantly trying to reach out to new customer bases with innovative dishes and cuisine. However, what many managers fail to realize is that sometimes the menu options don't necessarily matter - instead, you have to consider the environment your customers dine in. While restaurant equipment can help in the kitchen, the ambiance of a dining area is just as important.

For example, the Daily Texan reported the ViUDA Bistro in Buda, Texas caters specifically to deaf patrons. The chefs and waiters here have some basic training in American Sign Language (ASL) and strive to provide a great experience for the hearing impaired.

"It's very inspiring what they do for the deaf community," said former employee Dan Nelson, according to the news source. "They have great food and give jobs to people who don't normally get these opportunities."

If you decide to target a similar demographic with your establishment, remember that you still will need quality restaurant equipment to prepare recipes. Devices like the Turbo Air TARG-6B24G Radiance Restaurant Range have enough burners to cook large amounts of food in a short amount of time and can increase kitchen efficiency.

The best wines to serve at your restaurant this summer

5/1/2012 8:28:13 AM

The perfect complement to a light summer meal is a full-bodied, flavorful glass of wine that conjures feelings of contentment and relaxation. However, pairing a certain wine with a specific dish is no easy task due to the wide selection of cabernets, merlots, zinfandels and more. If you are looking to draw in more customers this summer, consider adding one of the following wines to your menu.

White versus red

Perhaps the most important question to ask is whether to serve red or white wine. Red wine is traditionally associated with red meats like beef and pork, while white wine is generally paired with lighter fare like fish and chicken. However, many summer dishes include no meat whatsoever, so these traits do not even come into play.

Epicurious.com lists the 2009 Didier Montchovet Aligote as one of its top five wines to drink this summer, and the low cost per bottle ($21) makes it more than affordable for a restaurant to buy in bulk. This tangy white wine has a warm finish and is a zesty complement to a mixed salad or citrus dish.

In terms of red wine, consider the Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - this South African wine might be slightly expensive to import, but pairing it with a barbecued dish can make all the difference to a customer, as the vibrant flavor goes well with any sort of grilled meat.

Use cheaper wine in cooking

While the wines listed above are way too expensive to be used in food preparation, consider purchasing an above-average table wine to use as a marinade or lubricant. Cooking Light suggests dry wines and recommends using an American Sauvignon Blanc for white wine recipes.

To help save time and money, you may buy quality restaurant equipment such as the Turbo Air TARG-4B24G Radiance Restaurant Range. This handy unit has a large number of burners on the top, so you can saute chicken in white wine on one side and simmer a red-wine broth on the other.

By using a commercial range like the Turbo Air, you can prepare the basic ingredients before customers order, allowing you to cut down on cooking time. If used properly, the device will not sacrifice quality for quantity, and is a great addition to any kitchen.

Restaurant Equipment and Appliances

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