Nut-Free Pesto

Worried about potential allergic reactions? Want a nut-free pesto? Start with coarsely ground cheese as opposed to finely ground cheese to help better approximate the texture of a traditional pesto. Next, add fennel or finely diced carrots, zucchini or celery. This will provide a different flavor, one that will distinguish your pesto from the competition.

The Right Mix

Dough should come out of the mixer at a temperature of 80 to 85 F. If your dough is consistently warmer than that, try this process the next time you mix: Fill a five-gallon bucket with half ice and half cold water. Pour the ice water into the bowl and let it chill the bowl just before you are ready to mix. After two minutes, pour the water back into the bucket for the next use. Add your water, salt, sugar and flour to the chilled mixing bowl. Add the yeast on top of the flour and mix for 30 to 45 seconds. Add oil and mix to a smooth consistency (generally, this takes about 90 seconds). Repeat this for each dough mixed. This process will allow you to maintain a finished dough temperature of 80 to 85 F.

Load it Up

When it comes time to purchase a new dishwasher, be sure you get one that fits your capacity needs. Take the number of seats in your restaurant and multiply that by the number of meals per table you serve during your average rush period. After you have that number, multiply it by the number of dishes used for each place setting. For example, let’s say your restaurant seats 100. If you serve six meals per table during a rush period, take 100 x 6 and arrive at 600. Let’s say each place setting utilizes four pieces of dishware. 100x6x4 = 2,400. That means you need a washer with the capacity to clean 2,400 dishes an hour.

Wake Up and Smell the Calzone

Open for breakfast? Consider pushing early morning calzones. Simply fill your dough with scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, sausage, diced tomatoes, green pepper, onion and a cheddar-mozzarella cheese blend. These can be made ahead of time and held under heat lamps for a quick order turnaround with a cup of coffee for early morning customers on the go.