With its classic Rock & Roll theme and great chef-prepared meals, the HARD ROCK CAFE is a fantastic place to eat.
Back in the 70’s, Eric Clapton – the original guitar god, founder of Cream and Derek & the Dominoes, writer of the immortal “Layla” – liked to eat at this quirky American restaurant in London, England, called the Hard Rock Cafe.
The diner was this funky old building that used to be a Rolls Royce dealership. It was run by a couple of young American guys who liked to keep it loose. Hard Rock Cafe was an instant classic. You could be yourself at the Hard Rock. It was good food and a good time.
So Clapton got to be friends with the American duo and asked them to save him a regular table – put up a brass plaque or something. And the young proprietors said, “Why don’t we put up your guitar?” They all had a chuckle, and he handed over a guitar, and they slapped it on the wall.
No one thought much more about it. Until a week later, when another guitar arrived (a Gibson Les Paul, by the way). With it was a note from Pete Townshend of The Who which read: “Mine’s as good as his. Love, Pete.”
The young proprietors put it on the wall. After that, the guitars never stopped coming.
The restaurant franchise continues this practice today with Hard Rock Cafes in more than thirty countries worldwide. Each Hard Rock Cafe is filled with Rock & Roll collectibles. Many famous musical artists continue to donate items to the restaurants.
Hard Rock Cafe features fun menu items like Blackened Chicken Penne Pasta, Hickory Smoked Chicken & Spinach Dip, Famous Pig Sandwich, Love Me Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce, Rock Your World Chicken Quesadillas and their Purple Haze Mixed Drink.
>>> So if you want to prepare a delicious meal to impress family, friends or even a hot date – maybe someone you met on a romantic dating site – here is Hard Rock Cafe’s most popular meal of all – BAKED POTATO SOUP FOLLOWED BY CHICKEN QUESADILLAS & ORANGE FREEZE DESSERT…
–Hard Rock Cafe Baked Potato Soup–
8 slices bacon
1 cup Diced yellow onions
2/3 cup Flour
6 cups Hotchicken stock
4 cups Diced — peeled baked Potatoes
2 cups Heavy cream
1/4 cup Chopped parsley
1 1/2 teaspoon Granulated garlic
1 1/2 teaspoon Dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 teaspoon Red pepper sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon Coarse black pepper
1 cup Grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup Diced green onions — white Part only
Additional chopped bacon –
Grated cheese and Chopped parsley for Garnish
Fry bacon until crisp. Chop bacon and reserve drippings.
Cook onions in remaining drippings over medium-high heat until transparent, about 3 minutes. Add flour, stirring to prevent lumps.
Cook 3 – 5 minutes until mix just begins to run golden. Add chicken stock gradually, whisking to prevent lumps, until liquid thickens. Reduce heat to simmer and add potatoes, cream, chopped bacon, parsley, garlic, basil, salt, pepper sauce and black pepper. Simmer 10 minutes; DO NOT ALLOW TO BOIL. Add grated cheese and green onions.
Heat until cheese melts smoothly.
Garnish each serving as desired with chopped bacon, grated cheese and chopped parsley.
–Rock Your World Chicken Quesadillas–
4 flour tortillas
1 grilled chicken breast
barbecue sauce
crushed pineapple
bacon bits
colby-jack cheese
cooking oil spray
Take flour tortilla and sprinkle half of it with cheese and 1/4 of cooked chicken.
Add bacon bits and a little bit of crushed pineapple (no juice) if desired. Pour a little bit of BBQ sauce on top. Don’t be too generous with the sauce or it will seep out of the quesadilla.
Spray the pan with cooking spray. Fold the tortilla in half and place in pan. It only takes a few short minutes to brown one side and then flip over to brown the other side.
When done, cut into wedges and serve with added BBQ sauce if you like to dip.
–Hard Rock Cafe Orange Freeze–
2 cups orange sherbet
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup milk
1 sprig fresh mint (for garnish)
In a blender, place the sherbet, juice, and milk; blend for 15 seconds or just until the sherbet is smooth.
You may have to stop the blender and stir the mixture up a bit to help it combine.
Pour into a tall, chilled glass and place a sprig of fresh mint on top.
Serve immediately, either to drink or as a dessert.
Or try…
–Hard Rock Cafe BBQ Beans–
2 15-ounce cans pinto beans (with liquid)
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons diced onion
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded pork or chopped bacon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour entire contents of the can of pinto beans into a casserole dish (with a lid). Dissolve the cornstarch in a small bowl with the 2 tablespoons of water.
Add this solution to the beans and stir. Add the remaining ingredients to the dish, stir well and cover.
Bake for 90 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Stir every 30 minutes.
After removing the beans from the oven, let the beans cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
–Hard Rock Cafe Grilled Vegetable Sandwich–
6 Tbl Mayonnaise
1/2 ts Fresh Parsley — Chopped
Dried Oregano
Salt to taste
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 sm Zucchini
1 Yellow Summer Squash
1/4 Eggplant
1/4 c Olive Oil
2 Sourdough French Roll
1 TB Parmesan Cheese — Grated
8 Onion Ring Slices
4 slices Tomato
2 Pieces Red Leaf Lettuce
Preheat the barbecue or stovetop grill.
To prepare spread, put 3 tbsp of the mayo into a small bowl and add the parsley, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Set this and the remaining mayo aside until you’re ready to make the sandwich.
Prepare the bell pepper by cutting it into quarters and seeding it. Brush the entire surface with olive oil. Slice the zucchini, squash, and eggplant into lengthwise slices with oil as well.
Cook the red pepper on a hot grill for 2 or 3 mintues. At that point add the remaining vegetables to the grill and cook everything for 4 to 5 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender.
Be sure to salt the vegetables and turn them halfway through the cooking time. When the veggies are tender and begin to char, remove them from the grill and prepare each sandwich by first cutting the french rolls in half lengthwise through the middle. Spread the parsley-mayo mixture over the bottom of the rolls.
Arrange the zucchini onto the rolls. Stack the yellow squash and then the eggplant.
Peel the skin off the red peppers and then add to the sandwiches. Arrange the onions over the peppers. Divide the parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the peppers. Arrange the onions and tomato slices next.
Add the lettuce and spread the mayo on the top of the rolls. Close sandwiches and cut in half. Pierce each half with a toothpick and serve.
Dig In and Enjoy!
A Graduate of the Holland College Culinary Course, Brian Alan Burhoe has cooked in Atlantic Coast restaurants for over 30 years. He is a member of the Canadian Culinary Federation. Brian’s articles reflect his interests in food service, dreamstudy, imaginative literature and our best friends — our dogs.
His Home Page is A CULINARY MYSTERY TOUR – A Literary Chef. His articles have been reprinted on numerous culinary websites
and various Blogs, including the popular Romantic Relationship site WUVING.com.
Other Popular items on the Hard Rock Cafe Menu:
Hard Rock Cheeseburger or Bacon Cheeseburger : Served with Seasoned Fries.
Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Sandwich: Topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato & Jack cheese. Served with Seasoned Fries & Coleslaw.
Hard Rock Cafe Veggie Burger: Served with a Side Salad.
Hickory Bar-B-Que Chicken: Served with Seasoned Fries, Coleslaw & Ranch Beans.
Entrée House Salad: Fresh mixed greens with shredded cheese, seasoned bacon bits, dried cranberries and in-house made garlic croutons. Served with choice of dressing.
A Graduate of the Holland College Culinary Course, Brian Alan Burhoe has cooked in Atlantic Coast restaurants for over 30 years. He is a member of the Canadian Culinary Federation. His articles reflect his interests in food service, dreamstudy, imaginative literature and our best friends — our dogs. His Home Page is A CULINARY MYSTERY TOUR – A Literary Chef
Filed under Recipe by on Dec 10th, 2009. Comment. 
Inspired by movies and television, PLANET HOLLYWOOD DINING ROOM is one of the most popular culinary experiences anywhere.
Specialities of the A La Cart Planet Hollywood Menu include SURF AND TURF: Jumbo blackened shrimps and a 10oz premium centre cut sirloin steak–
Parmesan Spinach Dip – Creamy Parmesan cheese dip with spinach and mushrooms served with crisp tortilla chips.
Bruschetta – Diced roma tomatoes blended in basil olive oil accompanied by tomato aioli and toasted garlic bread.
World Famous Chicken Crunch – Tender strips of chicken breast with a crunchy sweet coating served with Creole mustard.
Potato Skins – Crispy skins filled with bacon, mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses. Served with sour cream.
Texas Tostadas – Crispy mini tortillas topped with barbeque chicken, sautèed onions, Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheeses with sour cream and pico de gallo.
And for dessert – How about their White Chocolate Bread Pudding?
Planet Hollywood, a theme restaurant inspired by the history and iconic images of Hollywood, was first launched in 1991. It had the backing of Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Its menu and fine cooking have made its reputation.
>>> And now here is their most popular meal of all – World Famous Chicken Crunch
–Planet Hollywood Chicken Crunch–
2 cups Cap’n Crunch cereal
1 1/2 cups corn flakes
1 egg 1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 lbs chicken breasts, cut in 1-oz tenders vegetable oil (for frying)
1. Coarsely grind or crush the two cereals and set aside. Beat the egg with milk and set aside. Stir together the flour, onion and garlic powders and black pepper. Set aside.
2. Dip the chicken: pieces in the seasoned flour. Move around to coat well, then shake off the excess flour. Dip in the egg wash, coating well, then dip in the cereal mixture, coating well.
3. Heat oil in a large heavy skillet to 325. Drop coated chicken tenders carefully in the hot oil and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, 3 to 5 minutes depending on size. Drain and serve immediately with creole mustard sauce.
–Planet Hollywood Pot Stickers–
1/4 pound ground turkey
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon minced green onion
1 teaspoon minced water chestnuts
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (no seeds)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
Vegetable oil for frying 12 wonton wrappers (3 x 3-inch size)
On the side — Hoisin sauce.
1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the egg, wrappers and oil.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of the beaten egg. Save the rest of the egg for later. Preheat oil in a deep fryer or a deep saucepan to 375 degrees. Use enough oil to cover the pot stickers – 1 to 2 inches should be enough. Invert a small bowl or glass with a 3-inch diameter on the center of a wonton wrapper and cut around it to make a circle.
3. Repeat for the remaining wrappers Spoon 1/2 tablespoon of the turkey filling into the center of one wrapper. Brush a little beaten egg around half of the edge of the wrapper and fold the wrapper over the filling. Gather the wrapper as you seal it so that it is crinkled around the edge. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Deep-fry the pot stickers, six at a time in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes or until they are brown.
4. Drain on a rack or paper towels.Serve with hoisin sauce for dipping. If you want some crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper to the sauce. Serves 3 to 4 as an appetizer.
NOTE: If you can’t find wonton wrappers, you can also use eggroll wrappers for this recipe. Eggroll wrappers are much bigger, so you will be wasting more of the dough when you trim the wrappers to 3-inch diameter circles. But in a pinch, this is a quick solution. Pot sticker wrappers can also be found in some supermarkets, but I’ve found the wonton wrappers and eggroll wrappers, when fried, taste more like the restaurant version.
–Planet Hollywood’s LA Lasagne–
> Bolognese Mixture:
4 tbl olive oil
1 1/3 lb Italian sausage
1 1/3 lb ground beef
4 oz diced red pepper
4 oz diced red onion
4 garlic cloves chopped
1 jar tomato sauce – (16 oz)
1 can tomato puree – (12 oz)
1 tsp coarsely-ground black pepper
4 oz grated Parmesan cheese
1 pch salt Italian seasoning to taste
Coarsely-ground black pepper to taste Panko bread crumbs as needed.
1.Saute onions, peppers, garlic in olive oil, add meats and brown ensuring all meat is broken up finely.
2.Drain off all grease.
3.Add tomato puree, tomato sauce, black pepper and salt. Simmer 10 minutes; add parmesan cheese and simmer 10 minutes longer. Cool mixture in refrigerator at least 2 hours.
4.After cooling add in panko bread crumbs (just enough to bind), a pinch of salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper. Refrigerate 1/2 hour.
> Cheese Stuffing:
1 1/2 lb ricotta cheese
4 oz shredded Parmesan cheese 3/4 lb shredded mozzerella cheese
1/8 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tbl chopped fresh basil 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp coarsely-ground black pepper
1/4 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients together until well combined and refrigerate.
> To Make the LA Lasagne:
1 1/2 lb ricotta cheese
4 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 lb shredded mozzerella cheese
1/8 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tbl chopped fresh basil
2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp coarsely-ground black pepper
1/4 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1. Lay out pasta sheets and scoop 4 ounces of Bolognese Mixture onto pasta sheets spreading evenly leaving a 1-inch lip on top, then spread the Cheese Mixture on top of the meat mixture in the same manner. Brush the top edge of pasta sheet with egg wash and tightly roll lasagne up and seal. Refrigerate until cold.
2. Take roll and dip in tempura batter and then roll in the bread crumbs until completely coated.
3. Dip each end back into the batter and seal with more bread crumbs.
4.Fry in hot oil at 350 degrees for approximately 8 minutes. Carefully remove from oil and place on a cutting board. Slice off both ends of roll and discard. Cut the roll in half and cut each piece on the bias.
5. Ladle 2 ounces of marinara sauce in the bottom of a large soup bowl. Place lasagne pieces in center of bowl. Top with 8 ounces of four-cheese sauce and garnish with fresh basil.
This recipe yields 5 servings.
Dig In and Enjoy!
A Graduate of the Holland College Culinary Course, Brian Alan Burhoe has cooked in Atlantic Coast restaurants for over 30 years. He is a member of the Canadian Culinary Federation. Brian’s articles reflect his interests in food service, dreamstudy, imaginative literature and our best friends — our dogs.
His Home Page is A CULINARY MYSTERY TOUR – A Literary Chef. His articles have been reprinted on numerous culinary websites and various Blogs, including the popular WUVING.com.
Other Popular items on the Planet Hollywood Menu:
Buffalo Tenders – Golden fried chicke
n tenders tossed spicy wing sauce served with blue cheese dressing.
Buffalo Wings – Golden fried chicken wings tossed spicy wing sauce with celery and carrot sticks, served with blue cheese dressing.
Sliders – Mini-sized Angus sirloin burgers topped with cheddar cheese, Russian dressing and pickle.
Blackened Shrimp – Marinated jumbo shrimp, blackened and served with Creole mustard sauce.
VIP Platter – Planet Hollywood’s famous Chicken Crunch, Buffalo Wings, Texas Tostados and Spinach dip – Serves Four.
A Graduate of the Holland College Culinary Course, Brian Alan Burhoe has cooked in Atlantic Coast restaurants for over 30 years. He is a member of the Canadian Culinary Federation. His articles reflect his interests in food service, dreamstudy, imaginative literature and our best friends — our dogs. His Home Page is A CULINARY MYSTERY TOUR – A Literary Chef
Filed under Recipe by on Nov 22nd, 2009. Comment.
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