Basic Tacos

Basic Tacos

Basic recipe from a packet of taco seasoning.
Simple recipe and you can change the toppings to suit your taste. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning, Shortcut
  • water, as stated on seasoning packet or on Shortcut
  • 16 corn tortillas, estimate 3-4 per serving, or as desired
  • cooking oil, as needed
  • tomatoes, diced
  • lettuce, chopped
  • cheese, shredded, Cheddar or a cheese blend

Additional Toppings - as desired

  • onion, diced
  • avocado, diced
  • sour cream, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Brown the beef in a non stick pan, when browned and no pink is visible, drain fat.
  • Stir in the seasoning packet and water stated on packet or on the Shortcut. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • While the beef is simmering, heat another non stick pan with a little oil, when the oil is hot, add a 1-2 tortilla and cook for about 30 seconds then turn over and cook. Goal for this step is to make the tortillas flexible. Remove to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
  • Set out the tortillas, beef, tomato, lettuce, and cheese to let everyone make their own tacos.
  • For the basic taco, place beef along the center of a tortilla, add lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. Fold in half, enjoy. Feel free to use toppings as desired or even additional toppings.

Notes

Fair cost per serving based on where the beef, tortillas, and cheese is sourced from.
Shortcuts: Taco Seasoning, Sour Cream.
Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 77.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices dry bread
  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup Romano cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • dash black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for browning

Instructions
 

  • Soak the bread in water for 2 or 3 minute, then squeeze out moisture.
  • Add the bread and all remaining ingredients, except the oil, to a mixing bowl. Mix together well.
  • Shape into about 20 meatballs.
  • Heat the oil in a non stick pan, when hot brown the meatballs.
  • Cook meatballs in sauce in recipes that call for them. Enjoy.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Hungarian Gulyás

Hungarian Gulyás

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 72.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Hungarian
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • kilo pork, or veal or beef, (2½ lb), cut into ½ inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • tablespoons paprika
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • cups canned tomatoes
  • 1 cup sour cream, Shortcut
  • 1 recipe Spätzle, Link in Notes

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a pot, add the pork, and brown, stirring often to get most of the cubes browned.
  • Add the onion and garlic and cook until onion is softened.
  • Stir in the flour and seasonings.
  • Add the tomatoes and stir together. Cover and simmer on low heat until the pork is tender and the sauce thickened, about 1 to 1¼ hours. Stir occasionally.
  • When the meat is tender and sauce thickened, stir in the sour cream and remove from heat.
  • Serve with spätzle, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving if using pork, beef or veal may be a bit higher cost.
Additional Recipe: Spätzle.
Shortcut: Sour Cream.
Swedish Cabbage Rolls

Swedish Cabbage Rolls

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 70.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Swedish
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Pan (7x11 inch)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup onion, finely diced
  • cup milk
  • 250 grams ground beef, (8 oz / ½ lb)
  • 250 grams ground pork, (8 oz / ½ lb)
  • ¾ cup cooked rice
  • 6 large cabbage leaves
  • 1 can condensed tomato soup, (10½ oz / 298 g), Shortcut
  • 1 soup can water, (1¼ cups)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
  • boiled potatoes, for serving.

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, add the first 6 ingredients and mix well.
  • Add the beef, pork, and rice, and mix together.
  • Steam cabbage leaves for for 3 minutes or just until wilted and flexible.
  • Slit the heavy vein in each leaf about 2½ inches, to make them easier to fold.
  • Place ½ cup meat mixture on a leaf, fold in sides, and roll ends over meat. Place roll in an ungreased 7x11 inch baking pan. Repeat with remaining leaves.
  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F).
  • In a mixing bowl, add the soup, water, and brown sugar. Mix together.
  • Pour soup mixture over the cabbage rolls.
  • Bake for 1¼ hours or until meat is cooked through.
  • Serve with boiled potatoes, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Condensed Tomato Soup.
Turkish Zucchini Dolmas

Turkish Zucchini Dolmas

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 70.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list. If nothing else, these sound interesting.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine Turkish
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Apple Corer

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • cup cooked rice
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried mint, or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped mint
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill weed, or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped dill
  • 8 medium zucchini squash
  • 2 cups seasoned tomato sauce

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, add the first 8 ingredients, mix together well.
  • Cut each end off the zucchinis, use an apple corer and scoop out the centers of each zucchini.
  • Fill the center of each squash with the meat mixture. Leftover meat mixture, roll into small meatballs. Chop the centers of the squash.
  • Heat the tomato sauce in a large non stick pan, place the zucchinis in the pan and add the chopped centers and any meatballs you made. Cover and simmer 30-40 minutes or until the squash are tender.
  • Serve with sauce from the pan. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Variant: 1. Use green bell peppers in place of zucchini and steam or bake them.
Hash Peppers

Hash Peppers

Richard Thayer, United States.
I prepared these on a suggestion from my Dad, and that idea was tasty! The bell pepper and hash go together very well, excellent flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Pan (7x11 inch)

Ingredients
  

  • 3 bell peppers, any color you want
  • 2 cans corned beef hash, (14 oz / 397 g cans / about 2 cups)

Instructions
 

  • Keep in mind the sizes of bell peppers can vary so you may need more than 2 cans of hash for 3 large peppers. I used 3 medium or smaller peppers.
  • Cut the tops off the bell peppers, remove the seeds and membranes from the insides. (I dice the tops for use in other recipes.)
  • Place the peppers in a saucepan and fill with water just to the tops of the peppers. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium heat, time for 5-6 minutes once the water boils. Drain the peppers and place in a baking dish.
  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Scoop out hash from the cans and pack into the peppers, round the tops. For extra hash left over, just pack into the pan next to the peppers.
  • Bake for 45 minutes. During this time you can prepare side dishes of your choice, I fried up some yellow zucchini.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

I will say Low cost per serving as this can be a leftover dish made with homemade hash.
Classic Beef Stroganoff

Classic Beef Stroganoff

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 103.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 500 grams beef, cut into ¼ inch strips, (1 lb)
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 cup fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • cups beef stock
  • 1 cup sour cream, Shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
  • hot buttered noodles, for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a shallow bowl, add 1 tablespoon of flour and the salt, mix together. Coat the beef strips with the flour.
  • In a large non stick pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, when hot, add the beef strips and brown on each side.
  • Add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until onion is just barely tender. Remove beef, mushrooms, and onion from pan to a plate.
  • Add 2 more tablespoons of butter to the pan, when melted, stir in 3 tablespoons until smooth. Stir in tomato paste. Slowly stir in beef stock, stir until mixture thickens.
  • Return the beef, mushrooms, and onion to the pan.
  • Stir in the sour cream and wine. Heat through for just a few minutes or until hot.
  • Serve over hot buttered noodles. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Sour Cream.
Speedy Stroganoff with Noodles

Speedy Stroganoff with Noodles

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 102.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 170 grams dry medium egg noodles, (6 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 3 minute steaks, cut into strips
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, (10½ oz / 298 g), Shortcut
  • 1 cup sour cream, Shortcut
  • cup mushrooms, sliced, canned - drained, fresh - sautéed
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Instructions
 

  • Cook the egg noodles in a pot of salted boiling water, until tender. Drain.
  • Toss noodles with the melted butter and poppy seeds.
  • While the noodles are cooking, heat the 2 tablespoons of butter in a large non stick pan, when hot, brown the minute steak strips.
  • Add the onion and garlic, cook until the onion is tender.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the soup, sour cream, mushrooms, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix together.
  • Pour mixture in with the beef, stir together, cook and heat through.
  • Serve sauce over the noodles, enjoy.

Notes

Fair cost per serving based on minute steaks, and I would assume one could cut very thin slices of beef and use as well. I will need to research this.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Sour Cream.
Chafing Chuck

Chafing Chuck

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 102.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package frozen lima beans, cooked, drained, (10 oz / 283 g)
  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon MSG
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2-3 drops hot pepper sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
  • hot buttered French bread, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Cook the lima beans per package instructions, drain, set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the beef, garlic, cornstarch, sugar, MSG, soy sauce, hot pepper sauce, and water. Mix together.
  • Heat a large non stick pan, cook the meat mixture, breaking it up with a spatula until browned. Drain excess fat.
  • Mix in the lima beans and horseradish, stir until heated through.
  • Serve with hot buttered French bread, enjoy.

Notes

High cost per serving based on the beef and lima beans.
Variant: 1. Serve over toast points.
Short-rib Stew with Parsley Dumplings

Short-rib Stew with Parsley Dumplings

Adapted from a recipe in the Casserole Cook Book, page 128.
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book by Better Homes & Gardens, printed in 1961. This recipe sounds very good, on my to make and taste list.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish, Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef short ribs, (2 lb)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes, (16 oz / 454 g / 4 cups)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 4-5 carrots, peeled, sliced
  • 2 medium onions, sliced
  • 1 medium potato, peeled, diced
  • 1 recipe Parsley Dumplings, Link in Notes

Instructions
 

  • Cut ribs into 1 bone sections. To a shallow bowl, add the flour, salt, and pepper, mix together. Coat ribs in the flour mixture.
  • Heat the oil in a pot, when hot, add the ribs and brown.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the tomatoes, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce, and mix together.
  • Pour tomato mixture over the ribs. Set to low heat, cover, and simmer for 1½ hours.
  • Add the vegetables and stir in. Simmer for 45 minutes or until ribs and vegetables are tender.
  • Just before the 45 minutes is done, prepare the Parsley Dumplings.
  • Skim off any fat, taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Drop dumpling mixture by tablespoon on top of bubbling stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Fair cost per serving based on being beef ribs.
Additional recipe: Parsley Dumplings.
Variant: 1. I am going to try this with pork ribs, which is very inexpensive and I will report here with my findings.