Author Archive
Poached Chicken
January 22, 2025 Lee
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Poached Chicken

The Cookie Rookie, Becky Hardin, United States.
This recipe comes from a social media friend and comes highly recommended. I look forward to making this as it sounds excellent.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Equipment

  • Instant Read Thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, or bone in thighs
  • 1 cup Chardonnay
  • 4 cups chicken broth, or water

Recommended Aromatics #1

  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled, cut in half
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

Recommended Aromatics #2

  • 1 lemon, slicked thick
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled, cut in half

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken breasts in a medium size saucepan, add the wine.
  • Now add the broth, or water, to just cover the chicken by 1 inch.
  • Add just one of the Recommended Aromatics ingredients. If using water as part of the liquid, go ahead and add 1 teaspoon of salt as well.
  • Place the saucepan on medium low heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat but leave saucepan on the same burner.
  • Turn the chicken over then cover the saucepan with a lid for 15 minutes, the chicken is still cooking.
  • Check the internal temp of the thickest part of a chicken breast, the chicken is done when it reads 74° C (165° F).
  • Remove the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice.
  • Serve and enjoy. Topped with Mustard Cream Sauce is optional but worth it.

Notes

Fair cost per serving.
Mustard Cream Sauce.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Mustard Cream Sauce
January 21, 2025 Lee
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Mustard Cream Sauce

The Cookie Rookie, Becky Hardin, United States.
This recipe comes from a social media friend and comes highly recommended. I look forward to making this as it sounds excellent.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup shallots, finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons Chardonnay, or a good dry white wine
  • 1¼ cups heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
  • salt and pepper, as desired, to taste
  • fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat a saucepan on medium low heat, when hot, add the shallots, sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the Chardonnay, stir to deglaze the saucepan and cook until the liquid evaporates, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to low, stir in the cream and simmer until sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the mustards until blended, taste and season with salt and black pepper as desired.
  • Pour into a gravy boat and garnish with parsley if desired. Serve with beef, pork, chicken, or even fish.

Notes

This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, just warm on low heat in saucepan, stirring often.
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Ingredients - Sauces
Steamed Lobster Tails
December 17, 2024 Lee
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Steamed Lobster Tails

Simple Seafood Recipes
This recipe originally stated using lobster tails weighing from 6 to 8 ounces (170 to 226 g) each, and I can only source 4 ounce (113 g) lobster tails, but the steaming time will be similar, the most important check is the internal temp regardless of the size of the tail you are using, which is 60° C (140° F).
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 lobster tails per serving

Equipment

  • Rice Cooker with Steamer Tray or a large saucepan with a steamer tray
  • Kitchen scissors
  • Instant Read Thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lobster tails, 4, 6, or 8 oz (113, 170, or 226 g) each
  • salt and pepper, as desired
  • Old Bay seasoning, as desired
  • melted butter, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Add about 2 inches of water to your rice cooker and place the steamer tray on top then cover with the lid, set to cook to bring the water to a boil. (Feel free to use a large saucepan with a steamer tray if that is what you have, then place on high heat to bring the water to a boil.)
  • While the water is heating, prepare the lobster tails. Butterfly the tails by cutting along the top of the shell with a pair of kitchen scissors to just before the tail fin.
  • Turn the tail over and press down in the center to crack the ribs.
  • Turn the tail back over and gently open the shell and gently lift the tail meat out, leaving it attached to the tail fin, and rest it on top of the shell.
  • Run a knife down along the back, just deep enough to remove the dark vein.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning as desired.
  • When the water is boiling, remove the lid and place the tails on the steamer tray, shell side down, and cover with the lid.
  • Steam for 6 to 8 minutes, the tell tale signs of the lobster is done is when the shells turn bright red and the meat turns solid white and is firm when pressed, and most importantly, use a meat thermometer and check the thickest part of the tail, the ideal temperature is 60° C (140° F).
  • Move the lobster tails to a serving plate and let rest, and if preparing more, add them to the steamer when the first batch comes out.
  • Serve with melted butter and sides of your choice.

Notes

High cost per serving as lobster tails in Makro are imported from Canada.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,SEAFOOD - ALL,Seafood - Lobster
Gin Cosmo
December 11, 2024 Lee
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Gin Cosmo

This is a Cosmopolitan cocktail based on Gin instead of Vodka.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Course Drink
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Bar Jigger

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz dry gin
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 2 oz cranberry juice
  • ½ oz lime juice
  • ice as needed
  • 1 lime slice, for garnish
  • 1 cocktail glass, or coup, chilled

Instructions
 

  • Add handful of ice to a cocktail shaker, add the gin, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice to the shaker, cap and shake until well chilled.
  • Pour into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with the lime slice, serve, and enjoy.
#1 Go-To Recipes,DRINKS
Basic Chili III
October 16, 2024 Lee
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Basic Chili III

Lee
Another name could be Skillet Chili since I made this in a wok pan. I made this on 15 Oct 2024 with ingredients I normally keep on hand. Easy and tasty chili.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons chili seasoning mix, (or one 1 or 1¼ oz / 28 or 35 g packet)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained, (565 g / 20 oz)
  • 2 cans red Kidney beans, undrained, (400 g / 14 oz each)

Instructions
 

  • Heat a non stick wok pan or pot, add the ground beef and onion, breaking up the beef with a spatula, cook until no pink is visible, drain off most of the excess fat.
  • Add the chili seasoning mix.
  • Stir the mix into the beef.
  • Pour in the tomatoes and beans, mix together. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy. Top with oyster crackers, shredded cheese, or sour cream, as desired.

Notes

Fair cost per serving.
Variants: 1. Add a diced green bell pepper when cooking the beef. 2. Use ground pork in place of beef. 3. Use canned pinto beans in place of red kidney beans.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Chili Bean Chili
October 7, 2024 Lee
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Chili Bean Chili

Lee
I came up with this on a whim. I like chili beans and I like chili with ground beef, so I made this, and it is very good and easy, and only 5 ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cans chili beans, (439 g / 16 oz each)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, (565 g / 20 oz)
  • salt and pepper, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Heat a non stick pan on medium heat, add the onion and ground beef, season with black pepper as desired. Cook, breaking up the beef and mixing with the onion.
  • While the beef is cooking, open the chili beans and diced tomatoes, and pour into a pot.
  • Cook the beef until no pink remains, drain out most of the fat.
  • Add the beef to the pot with the tomatoes and beans.
  • Stir together and place on low heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring often.
  • Serve and enjoy.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Frito Casserole
September 17, 2024 Lee
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Frito Casserole

Princess Pinky Girl
I found this recipe while looking for dishes to make with canned chili, and this is perfect! This is also known as Frito Pie and Frito Pie Casserole. Three ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time and you can have a great dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Casserole (2 quart)
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans chili with beans, (15oz / 425g)
  • 4 cups Fritos chips, divided
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • sour cream, for topping, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), lightly butter a 2 quart casserole dish.
  • Add 2 cups of the Frito chips to the bottom of the casserole.
  • Pour the chili over the chips and spread out evenly.
  • Sprinkle the rest of the chips over the chili.
  • Sprinkle with the cheese.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the chili is bubbly on the sides of the casserole. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes.
  • Serve, and optionally top servings with a big dollop of sour cream, enjoy.

Notes

The most expensive item in this casserole is the Frito chips, so this is a high cost meal but an excellent one in a while meal.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,CASSEROLES
Dirty Martini
September 3, 2024 Lee
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Dirty Martini

Just a twist on the standard martini, however this drink is shaken, not stirred, to infuse the olive brine into the gin and vermouth.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Course Drink
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Bar Jigger

Ingredients
  

  • 2½ oz dry gin, chilled
  • ½ oz dry vermouth, chilled, goes without saying
  • ½ oz olive brine
  • ice as needed
  • cocktail spear, or toothpick
  • 3 green olives with pimento
  • 1 cocktail glass, chilled

Instructions
 

  • Spear the olives and place in the chilled cocktail glass.
  • Add handful of ice to a cocktail shaker, add the gin, vermouth, and olive brine to the shaker, cap and shake until well chilled.
  • Strain into the glass, serve and enjoy.
#1 Go-To Recipes,DRINKS
“Canned” Ham & Bean Soup
August 24, 2024 Lee
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"Canned" Ham & Bean Soup

Lee
I call this "Canned" in the title as I use canned beans and canned condensed soup. This is easy to put together, and the flavor is excellent! I made this on a whim to use up some frozen ham steaks I had lingering in the freezer. I made this on 23 Aug 2024, updated this on 10 Oct 2024.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cans white beans, undrained, (400 g / 14 oz each)
  • 2 cans condensed mushroom soup, (10½ oz / 298 g each)
  • 500 grams cooked ham, diced, (1 lb)
  • black pepper, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Add the beans (undrained) and the soup to a saucepan. (I used creamy mushroom chicken soup this time.)
  • Mix together to get the soup blended into the beans.
  • Dice the ham and add to the saucepan. Season with black pepper as desired.
  • Mix together. Place on low to medium heat and simmer to heat through, stirring often.
  • Ladle into bowls, serve and enjoy.

Notes

Fair cost per serving.
Variants: 1. Use canned pinto beans in place of white beans, or combination of white and pinto beans. 2. Use condensed creamy mushroom chicken soup in place of mushroom soup.
Updated on 10 October 2024.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Yellow Bird Cocktail
August 21, 2024 Lee
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Yellow Bird Cocktail

A refreshing cocktail that uses Galliano as one of the ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Course Drink
Cuisine American
Servings 1 drink

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Cocktail Picks or Toothpicks
  • Cocktail Glass chilled

Ingredients
  

  • 1 oz white rum
  • ½ oz Galliano
  • ½ oz Cointreau
  • ½ oz lime juice
  • ice cubes, as needed
  • maraschino cherry, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • And a handful of ice cubes to a cocktail shaker, add the rum, Galliano, Cointreau, and lime juice. Cover and shake until well chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with a maraschino cherry and lime slice as desired. Enjoy.
#1 Go-To Recipes,DRINKS