Author Archive
Beef Stock
February 26, 2018 Lee
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Beef Stock

This is from a good American friend, Brian, who lives in northeastern Thailand. When I order beef next time in the village I will have to order some cut leg bones to try this out, sounds like excellent stock.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 quarts

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, cut into chunks
  • 2 large carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 stalks imported celery, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 kilos beef marrow bones, cut into 2 to 3 inch pieces, (4 lbs)
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 8 whole black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 quarts cold water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 C (450 F). Oil a roasting pan and add the marrow bones, onions, carrots, and celery. Roast for 20-30 minutes or until the vegetables are browned, turn the veggies occasionally.
  • When the veggies are roasted, transfer the bones and veggies to a large stock pot add the water. All the contents should be covered with water.
  • Now with the roasting pan, pour out any fat and discard that. Add 1/2 cup hot water to the pan and scrape up any bits stuck to the pan, then pour that water into the stock pot.
  • To the stock pot, now add the tomato paste, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Bring the pot to a simmer and maintain a simmer for 4 to 6 hours. Check the pot once in a while and skim off any foam and fat. Add water as needed to keep the contents covered.
  • Once simmered, turn off the heat and allow the pot to cool. Remove the bones and discard or for a treat for your dog. Strain the stock and discard what you strained out.
  • Can be used immediately or stored in the fridge for several days, or even frozen.

Notes

Low cost.
Recipe provide by good friend, Brian Colligan, Pleasures & Pastimes (which is a great resource for gardening seeds and other items).
Thailand.
INGREDIENTS
Forget the Rice Cooker Rice
February 26, 2018 Lee
1 Comment

Forget the Rice Cooker Rice

Brian Colligan, Thailand.
Or use a rice cooker, which is what I did and this is great rice! This is from a good American friend, Brian, who lives in northeastern Thailand, and he makes this often. This has a twist to it, flavored with star anise and cardamom.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Rice Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dry white rice, rinsed
  • 2½ cups cold water
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 3-4 cardamom pods, or ⅛ teaspoon ground, see Step 1

Instructions
 

  • For the cardamom pods, you can use fresh, dried, or even ground. Fresh would be preferred, If using dry, soak the pods for at least an hour before use. For ground cardamom, use ⅛ teaspoon. You can also use ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon in place of cardamom.

Stovetop Method

  • Place everything in a pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Remove the star anise and cardamom pods, fluff with a fork and serve as a side with any Asian dishes.

Rice Cooker Method

  • Add everything to your slow cooker, stir together. Cover and set to Cook setting.
  • When rice cooker switches to Warm, unplug, remove the star anise and cardamom pods, fluff, serve as a side dish. Enjoy.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,SEASONED RICE,Seasoned Rice - Rice Cooker,SIDES
Thai Fish Cakes
February 25, 2018 Lee
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Thai Fish Cakes

This comes from a good friend and sounds delicious. You can prepare the fish two ways, 1. with a food processor, or 2. with a meat grinder and your hands, I will use the second way. On my to cook list.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 46 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Thai
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams whitefish, any will do fine, (1 lb)
  • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar, or cane sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 80 grams fresh long beans, finely chopped, (2 3/4 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1-2 teaspoons kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped, optional but recommended
  • lime wedges, for garnish if desired

Instructions
 

For Food Processor Use

  • Put the fish in your food processor and process until coarsely chopped, then add the curry paste, egg, sugar, salt, and corn starch and process until well blended. Stir in the beans, cilantro, and kaffir lime leaves (if using those).

For Meat Grinder & Hands Use

  • Run the fish through your meat grinder using the coarse plate (the wagon wheel). With the ground fish in a mixing bowl, add the curry paste, egg, sugar, salt, and corn starch and mix with your hands to completely mix everything together. Stir in the beans, cilantro, and kaffir lime leaves (if using those).

Continuing On...

  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes have passed, get the bowl and shape fish mixture in balls then flatten to make the fish cakes.
  • Heat the oil in a non stick pan, when the oil is hot, add the fish cakes (in batches) and cook for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  • Garnish with lime wedges. Serve as a side with any Thai main dish, such as a curry over rice.

Notes

Low cost.
Recipe and photo provided by good friend, Khanthary Singnhoth, and her recipe is here.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,: THAI,FISH - ALL,Fish - White Fish,SIDES
Pinwheels
February 23, 2018 Lee
1 Comment

Pinwheels

This comes from a friend and is absolutely delicious. This is a base recipe, make with what you have on hand to make a few or many.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • large flour tortillas
  • Cream cheese, softened
  • Ranch dressing
  • spring onion, sliced
  • bell pepper, red, yellow, or orange, diced
  • cheese, shredded, your choice, Cheddar would be good
  • deli ham
  • deli turkey
  • smoked turkey

Instructions
 

  • Lay out a tortilla, spread on some cream cheese and drizzle on some Ranch dressing, use a spoon and spread out the dressing.
  • Sprinkle on some spring onion and bell pepper.
  • Add slices of deli ham, turkey, and or smoked turkey as desired.
  • Roll the tortilla up and secure with 1 or 2 toothpicks and place covered in the fridge for at least an hour.
  • Remove, slice about 3/4 inch thick, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Recipe and photo provided by Kevin Barnett and his original recipe is here.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS
Old Fashioned Onion Rings
February 22, 2018 Lee
3 Comments

Old Fashioned Onion Rings

Sounds delicious, I made these on 22 Feb 2018 and they are perfect. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large white onion
  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk, or as needed
  • 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • cooking oil, for frying

Instructions
 

  • Slice the onion into 1/4 inch slices, then separate into rings and set them aside.
  • In a gallon size zip lock bag, add the flour, salt, and baking powder, zip closed and shake to mix. Add some onion rings, zip closed and shake to coat the rings, remove and set the coated rings aside, repeat with the remaining onion rings.
  • Once all the rings are coated with flour, add the egg and milk to the zip lock bag, close and squish that up with your fingers. Add some rings, lock the bag and squish around to coat, remove to a wire rack over foil to drip. Repeat for the remaining rings.
  • While waiting for the rings to drip, go ahead and heat a large deep pan with oil or a deep fryer with oil, heat to 180 C (350 F), and add the bread crumbs to a shallow bowl.
  • While the oil is heating, place a few rings on the breadcrumbs and coat well, tap off excess, and set aside. Repeat with the remaining rings.
  • When the oil is hot, add a few rings at a time and fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown, remove to paper towels to drain and continue with the rest of the rings. Rings just went in during this photo.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Breadcrumbs.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES
Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce
February 22, 2018 Lee
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Chicken in Sweet Soy Sauce

Pisang Susu, Pauline Chavannes de Senerpont Domis, Netherlands.
This is an Indonesian dish from a good friend and sounds delicious, on my to cook list. This recipe uses basic, everyday readily available ingredients.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Indonesian
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 800 grams chicken thighs, or legs, or wings, ( 1¾ lb)
  • 6 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon course ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce

Instructions
 

  • Rub the chicken pieces well with the pepper and nutmeg.
  • Heat a large non stick pan on medium heat and when hot, add the chicken and cook until golden brown on the first side, then flip all the chicken over.
  • Add the onion and enough warm water so about ⅓ of the chicken pieces are in the water.
  • Add the vinegar and sweet soy sauce. Cover partially with a lid and turn heat to low and let simmer for 25-35 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and fully cover with the lid for 15 minutes.
  • Serve with rice, spoon some of the sauce over the rice, and sliced cucumbers.

Notes

Low cost, easily less than $1 per serving.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,: INDONESIAN,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Poached Eggs (Silicon Poacher)
February 22, 2018 Lee
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Poached Eggs (Silicon Poacher)

I really like poached eggs, but I absolutely suck at making them by dropping in hot water so I bought some silicon egg poachers, easy to use.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Course Breakfast, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken eggs
  • 4 slices toast, buttered
  • 4 silicon egg poachers

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot (with a lid) of water to simmering. Lightly grease each silicon cup with butter.
  • Crack an egg into each cup. Once the water is at a nice simmer, place each silicon cup into the water, they float as well. Cover the pot and set a timer for 6 to 7 minutes depending on how you like your poached eggs.
  • When the time is done, remove each cup from the water using a slotted spoon.
  • Use a spoon to go around each egg to loosen them and scoop out each one onto a slice of toast.
  • Serve with sides of your choice.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet site regarding the use of silicon egg poachers.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken
Cheesy Bean Enchilada Casserole
February 22, 2018 Lee
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Cheesy Bean Enchilada Casserole

This is my own creation made on 21 Feb 2018, nothing special to look at but is tasty if one likes bean enchiladas. This recipes makes use of another recipe here on the site for the refried beans. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 batch refried beans, shortcut listed below
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, or a 4 cheese blend
  • 1 packet enchilada sauce, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the refried beans from the shortcut below, I don't know how many cups or cans this makes, I make mine in batches of 500 grams (1 lb) dry beans. These take 8 hours, so you can either start the beans really early or make the casserole the next day, which is what I did.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Prepare the enchilada sauce according to the package or shortcut instructions.
  • Lay a tortilla on your work surface, spread some refried beans in the middle, top with some shredded cheese.
  • Fold or roll up the tortilla and place seam side down in a 7x11 baking dish. Repeat with the remaining 3 tortillas.
  • Spoon some beans into each end of the dish.
  • Spoon the rest of the beans over the top of the enchiladas and spread out evenly. Pour on the enchilada sauce, then top with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes to warm through and brown the cheese.
  • Let casserole rest for a few minutes, then dig in and enjoy (see, I said it was nothing special to look at).

Notes

I will price this next time I get the cheese I used. For now I will say fair cost.
Shortcuts: Easy Refried Beans, Enchilada Sauce Mix.
My own creation, Lee Thayer.
Thailand.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,CASSEROLES
Beef Taquitos
February 21, 2018 Lee
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Beef Taquitos

These sound really good, I have not had taquitos in 30 years. On my to make list for sure. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 taquitos

Ingredients
  

  • 350 grams ground beef, (3/4 lb)
  • 1/4 cup onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and finely minced
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 cup green chilies, canned or fresh roasted
  • cooking oil, for frying
  • 12 small corn tortillas

To Serve, as desired

  • salsa, OR make from a shortcut
  • sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • guacamole

Instructions
 

  • In a large non stick pan, cook the ground beef and break up with a spatula as you cook, when no longer pink, drain the fat then add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft.
  • Add the cumin, chilies, and tomato sauce to the pan and mix in, simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • In a large, flat pan, cast iron would be perfect, heat a little oil and warm each tortilla for a minute or two on each side, this makes them very soft so you can roll them.
  • Lay a tortilla on your work surface and add some beef filling at about the point mid way between the edge and the center, make a line of filling across the tortilla.
  • Roll the tortilla tightly, goal is a nice cigar sized taquito. Repeat this for each tortilla.
  • Heat about 1/3 inch of oil in pan, when the oil is hot, quickly fry the taquitos to brown them, light golden color is the goal, about 1 minute each.
  • Serve with dipping sauces as you desire, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole would be great choices.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcuts: Tomato Sauce, Salsa, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Jerry Juliana.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,BEEF
Grilled Crab Sandwich
February 19, 2018 Lee
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Grilled Crab Sandwich

Imitation crab (fish), Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing, sounds perfect. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices bread, of your choosing
  • Thousand Island dressing, as needed
  • Swiss cheese, sliced, as needed
  • imitation crab, sliced, as needed
  • butter as needed

Instructions
 

  • Heat a non stick pan on low heat.
  • Lay out two slices of bread, spread Thousand Island dressing on each slice.
  • On one slice, place sliced Swiss cheese, then sliced imitation crab.
  • Place the second slice on top of the sandwich, Thousand Island dressing downwards onto the sandwich. Pick up sandwich and spread butter on each side.
  • Place the sandwich in the hot pan and cook until the bottom is golden brown, flip and cook the other side.
  • Remove from heat, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Variants: 1. Add a slice or two of deli chicken or turkey. 2. Add a slice or two of deli ham.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES