Mushroom Herb Pasta

Mushroom Herb Pasta

This sounds really good, I think this would pair well with baked fish. On my to cook list for sure.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 225 grams fresh mushrooms, Shiitake is good, (8 oz)
  • 340 grams dry Fettuccine pasta, (12 oz)
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth, fresh or from powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, or 3 sprigs fresh
  • 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Wash the mushrooms, if using Shiitake remove stems, and thinly slice. Set aside.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil then add the pasta and cook until just tender, drain, and set aside.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat a large non stick pan on medium heat and add the butter and garlic. Cook the garlic until fragrant, maybe 1 or 2 minutes but do not let the garlic or butter brown.
  • Now add the mushrooms and cook until nicely browned and any water they released has cooked off.
  • Reduce heat to low or medium low and add the flour, continue to cooking, stirring often until the flour turns golden brown.
  • Whisk in the stock and whisk until all the flour has dissolved into the stock, then add the thyme, sage, season with black pepper as desired. Increase the temp to medium or medium high, as the sauce starts to simmer, it will thicken.
  • Stir in the cream and let the sauce simmer and taste and adjust salt as desired, this will depend on the type of stock or broth you used.
  • Mix in the pasta to the sauce and turn the heat down to low and let the pasta heat through.
  • Serve as a main by itself or with baked fish or grilled sausages.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Pastalaya

Pastalaya

This sounds really good, the pasta version of Jambalaya but is pasta based and not rice based. Lot of ingredients but this goes together quickly.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 250 grams smoked sausage, halved, sliced into thin rounds, (1/2 lb)
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, with juice, (15 oz)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning, or Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika, smoked variety if you have that
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups chicken broth, fresh or make from powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 500 grams dry Penne pasta, or any small pasta, (1 lb)
  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 bunch spring onion, sliced, green and white
  • salt, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large pot with the oil, when hot, add the sausage and cook until the sausage is good and browned, maybe 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, cook, and stir for about a minute until the garlic is fragrant, then add the bell pepper, onion, and celery and cook, stirring often until softened.
  • Add the can of tomatoes, creole seasoning, oregano, paprika, thyme, black pepper to taste, and then the water and broth. Add the pasta, and stir everything together. Bring to boiling then reduce to low, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. Stir often to keep the pasta from sticking. If the mixture seems to be too soup, leave the pot uncovered for the last few minutes of simmering.
  • When the pasta is cooked and tender and has a consistency you like, remove from heat. Stir in the cream, parsley, and spring onion (reserving just a bit of parsley and spring onion for garnish if desired).
  • Serve.

Notes

I will price this when I get smoked sausage again from Makro, for now I will said Fair priced.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Phad Prik King Gai

Phad Prik King Gai

Thai dish of chicken and long beans fried directly in red chili paste and garlic.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Thai
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces, (1 lb)
  • 2 cups long beans, cut into 1 inch pieces, or green beans
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn with center stems removed
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 4 tablespoons red chili paste, also called red curry paste
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil, and as needed
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoonq mushroom sauce, also called mushroom soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • steamed rice, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Add the oil to a wok or non stick pan and heat on high then fry the garlic until fragrant but do not burn it, reduce heat to medium. Add the chili paste and and fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the chicken pieces and turn the heat to medium high, if the chicken appears to dry, add more oil a tablespoon at a time.
  • Fry the chicken until cooked halfway way through, stirring often, then add the long beans, and keep stirring often and cook for about 2-3 minutes then add the fish and mushroom sauces, and the sugar.
  • Continue to fry until the chicken is cooked through and the long beans are soft and tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Serve over jasmine rice and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Hamburger Noodle Supper

Hamburger Noodle Supper

This sounds good for a quick dinner, and can be tailored endless ways, consider this just a base recipe. On my to cook list.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • 2 packets ramen noodles, beef flavor
  • 1 cup beef stock, fresh or from powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large skillet on medium heat and add the ground beef, breaking it up with the spatula, and cook until no longer pink then drain.
  • While the beef is cooking, heat a sauce pan with the beef stock and when boiling, add the ramen without the seasoning pack, and cook until tender, drain and set aside.
  • To the beef, place on low heat add the vegetables and mix in the two seasoning packs as well.
  • When the ramen is done, drain, then add to the beef mixture. Mix and heat until everything is heated through.
  • Serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Variants: 1. Use ground pork and pork flavored ramen. 2. Use egg noodles in place of ramen. 3. Use fresh cooked corn and diced carrots. 4. Add onion and garlic powder when cooking the beef or fresh diced and minced. 5. Add fresh blanched broccoli.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Chicken & Dressing II (Slow Cooker)

Chicken & Dressing II (Slow Cooker)

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Now depending on where you are from, you could call this Chicken & Stuffing 😉 For those that would not like to heat up their kitchen this is the Slow Cooker version of this recipe. There is two very easy shortcuts you can make to reduce the use of processed items. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, Shortcut
  • 1 can water, or 1 1/4 cups if making the soup
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1 box Stove Top stuffing, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Mix together the soup and water and pour into your slow cooker. Lay the chicken breast in the cooker.
  • Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast.
  • Add the dry stuffing mix covering the entire pot.
  • Cover and set the cooker to High setting and cook for 4 hours without removing the lid.
  • Serve.

Notes

Not sure home many chicken breasts are in a kilo so I will price this when I buy 4 of them. If making the shortcuts, this is certainly Low cost.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Stove Top Stuffing.
Variants: 1. Add frozen peas, corn, or carrots to the soup mix. 2. Combination of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup, or a combination of cream of chicken and cream of celery soup.
Chicken & Dressing I

Chicken & Dressing I

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Now depending on where you are from, you could call this Chicken & Stuffing 😉 This sounds really good, and there is two very easy shortcuts you can make to reduce the use of processed items. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, Shortcut
  • 1 can water, or 1 1/4 cups if making the soup
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1 box Stove Top stuffing, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F).
  • Mix together the soup and water and pour into a 9x13 baking dish. Lay the chicken breast in the dish.
  • Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast.
  • Add the dry stuffing mix covering the entire dish.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 50 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Serve.

Notes

Not sure home many chicken breasts are in a kilo so I will price this when I buy 4 of them. If making the shortcuts, this is certainly Low cost.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Stove Top Stuffing.
Variants: 1. Add frozen peas, corn, or carrots to the soup mix. 2. Combination of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup, or a combination of cream of chicken and cream of celery soup.
Tuna & Rice

Tuna & Rice

Adapted from an internet recipe.
To me this sounds good, I will have to give this a try. Simple ingredients. On my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1½ cups dry white rice
  • 3 cups vegetable stock, fresh or from powder
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 2-3 cans tuna in oil, (185 g / 5 oz each), Shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a large sauce pan, when hot, add the onion and cook until softened, stirring often. When the onion is soft and translucent, add the rice and stir to coat with the oil and cook until the rice grains have a glassy look.
  • Add the stock, stir then cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes.
  • Stir in the peas and corn, cover and cook another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and leave the pot covered to stand for 5 minutes.
  • Open and drain the canned tuna and place in a small bowl and flake with a fork. If using fresh cooked tuna, you will need 1-1½ cups.
  • Gently stir the parsley into the rice, then the tuna, serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Fresh Tuna.
Variant: 1. Use a mix of peas and corn, peas, corn, and carrots, or go all out and a mix of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans.
Pumpkin Soup (Slow Cooker)

Pumpkin Soup (Slow Cooker)

This comes from a friend in Northern Thailand and sounds delicious! On my to cook list.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium pumpkin, peeled and cubed
  • 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cubed
  • 2 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 - 1 cup whipping cream

Instructions
 

  • Place everything in your slow cooker except the whipping cream. Set to High, cover, and cook for 4 hours.
  • After 4 hours, use a immersion blender, hand blender, or like me, I will use a potato masher.
  • Now add the cream as desired, from 1/2 to 1 cup, blend again, serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Provided by friend, Kurt Hammerschmidt.
Thailand.
Square Pumpkin Pie

Square Pumpkin Pie

Rectangle pie really, as this uses a 9x13 baking dish. Pumpkin pie was requested by the family for a wedding party and since I only have one pie dish, I opted to go with a 9x13 pan and modified my other pumpkin pie recipe to make this work. This is from scratch recipe, meaning you will make the filling and the crust, so this does take time but well worth it.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 31 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Crust

  • 2 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, cold, shredded, 1 standard block
  • 7 tablespoons cold water, or as needed

For the Filling

  • 1 small pumpkin, winter squash, 2-2 1/2 kilos (4-5 lbs)
  • 1 1/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • First thing we need to do is steam the pumpkin. Cut the pumpkin into quarters, then cut each quarter into chunks, no need to peel, it is much easier when it has been steamed. Place the chunks in a steamer (I use my rice cooker with a steamer tray) and once the water is boiling, steam for about 15 minutes or so until the pumpkin is fork tender, work in batches if needed depending on the size of your steamer. Once the pumpkin is steamed, remove to a bowl and let cool.
  • Now we make the crust, make sure you have a large work surface to do the rolling on.
  • Add the flour and salt to a mixing bowl and mix together, then add the shredded cold butter and cut into the flour with a large sturdy fork until it has the consistency of bread crumbs.
  • Now add about 4 tablespoons of cold water and mix together with a large sturdy spoon, keep adding water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough forms a nice ball, if too sticky, add flour as needed.
  • Transfer the dough onto your floured work surface, rub your rolling pin with flour, sprinkle some flour on the dough and roll it out very large, about 1/8 inch thick, you want it larger than 9x13 due to the sides of the dish as well.
  • Once rolled, roll it up on the pin and unroll it over the dish, gently pushing down and helping it in to cover the bottom and sides. If the side split and break off, no worries, just add them back to the sides and press together the seams. Trim off the excess dough from the edges. Place the dish in the fridge. (You can take the excess dough and roll it back out, cut into strips and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and bake those if you like.)
  • Preheat your oven to 230 C (450 F). And take the baking dish out of the fridge and set on the counter, very important if you are using Pyrex so you do not do a major temp change.
  • Now to make the filling. Take the cooled chunks of pumpkin and peel all the skin off using a pairing knife, very easy to do, toss each cleaned piece into a medium sized pot. When all are cleaned and in the pot, use a potato masher and mash the pumpkin.
  • Add the rest of the Filling ingredients to the mashed pumpkin, mash a few more times then mix with a large spoon.
  • Pour the filling into the baking dish and spread evenly, dish will be about 3/4 full. Place dish in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Lower temp to 160 C (325 F) and continue to bake until set, use a toothpick to check, this takes 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Once the filling is set, leave the pie in the oven and turn off the heat and let the pie set for 30-40 minutes (this gives a firm texture to the pie).
  • Remove the pie to a rack on the counter and let completely cool. Then place in the fridge until chilled.
  • Serve with whipped topping and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from a combination of my pumpkin pie recipe and and internet recipe.
Fresh Beets (Pressure Cooker)

Fresh Beets (Pressure Cooker)

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I really like beets but they can take some time just boiling on the stove top, so here is a way to reduce time, have more flavorful and nutritious beets, and reduce the amount of energy used, which for me is propane. I use a large 9 liter (9½ quart) stove top pressure cooker with a pressure of 80 kPa (12 psi) and a steamer tray as well. Follow all safety precautions for your pressure cooker.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • whole beets, 4-6, pot no more than â…” full
  • 1½ cups water

Instructions
 

  • The amount of water used is not increased with more beets, the main thing to keep in mind is do not fill the cooker more than â…” full.
  • Wash the beets but do not peel them, if they have greens attached, cut them off about an inch from the beet. I buy beets at Tesco and have weighed them at 145 to 250 grams (5 to 9 ounces) each. These would be considered medium to large.
  • Place the steamer tray in the cooker, add the water, and add the beets.
  • Add the cover and lock in place, place weight on top. Bring up the pot on high heat until the jiggler (the weight) starts to move and vent pressure, then lower the temp to low or medium low to maintain the jiggler movement and pressure venting. Now start timing for 12 minutes. If using small beets, time for 8 minutes.
  • When the time has passed, turn off the heat and move the pot to an unused burner and allow the pressure to release naturally.
  • Open, remove beets (the beets should be able to be easily pierced with a fork).
  • Allow to cool, then peel and slice or dice as desired for what ever dish you are adding them to or for a simple side dish.

Notes

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