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Bacon Ranch Meatloaf
September 3, 2017 Lee
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Bacon Ranch Meatloaf

This sounds tasty indeed! Definitely on my to cook list! You need a large slow cooker for this. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 4 slices sandwich bread, torn into pieces
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 cup ketchup, plus extra for the top
  • 1 1/2 kilos ground beef
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 2 packets dry ranch dressing mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 3-4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, torn bread, salt, and pepper, and let sit for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, add the ketchup, onion, and ranch dressing, and mix together. Then add the beef and mix well, use your hands for this.
  • Place in your slow cooker and pack down and smooth out, add ketchup to the top to your liking.
  • Cover and cook on High setting for 15 minutes, then switch to Low setting for 7 hours.
  • Top with crumbled bacon and serve with mashed potatoes and a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

Figure about 300 Baht for 1 1/2 kilos of beef. For 8 servings, this is about $1.10 per serving, very reasonable.
Shortcut: Ranch Dressing Mix.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker
Crockpot Sausage & Pepper Dinner
September 3, 2017 Lee
3 Comments

Crockpot Sausage & Pepper Dinner

This is really good. This is truly a dump and go meal. I made this on 2 Dec 2017, easy, and most important, tasty!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium potatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 1 yellow summer squash, sliced
  • 2-3 bell peppers, chopped large
  • 500 grams smoked sausage, sliced 1/2 inch thick
  • 10-15 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
  • 1 cup chicken stock, fresh or from powder

Instructions
 

  • Layer the potatoes on the bottom first.
  • Then add the sausage. I used Cumberland sausage for this.
  • Then the garlic. If using yellow squash (I did not), then layer that on top of the garlic.
  • Then add the chopped bell peppers, I used 1 red, 1 green, and 1 yellow. Pour the stock over the top.
  • Cover and cook on Low setting for 5 to 7 hours, do not open the cover until the 5 hour mark, if the potatoes are fork tender, it is ready to be served or just set to Warm setting until ready. Salt and pepper to taste just before serving. This was perfect at the 5 hour mark using 1/4 inch thick potatoes.

Notes

I used 500 grams of Cumberland sausage that cost 178 Baht. For 6 servings, this is about 88 cents per serving.
Variants: 1. Use chopped chicken, turkey, Cumberland sausage, or shrimp, or a combination. 2. Use pork stock in place of chicken stock.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Pork - Sausage,Pork - Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Shrimp & Sausage Dinner
September 3, 2017 Lee
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Slow Cooker Shrimp & Sausage Dinner

Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here, United States.
Shrimp and sausage cooked in a slow cooker, count me in! Any type of shrimp can be used, peeled, unpeeled, head on or off, frozen, or even cooked shrimp. The steps are different for each way so the first time you make this, take note of the times for use again. And from the author of this recipe regarding the shrimp "Pink is the key. Grey isn't cooked, white is over cooked."
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams shrimp, fresh, frozen, or cooked, (1 lb)
  • 500 grams smoked sausage links, (1 lb)
  • 6-8 small red potatoes
  • 2-3 ears corn, break each in half
  • 1 lemon, sliced thin, or use a lime
  • ½ cup chicken stock, fresh or from powder

Instructions
 

  • Lightly butter the slow cooker pot. Add the corn and potatoes. Add the sausage on top.

Using Frozen Shrimp

  • Add the shrimp on top of the sausage, place some lemon slices on the shrimp, pour in the chicken stock. Cover and cook on Low setting until the potatoes are fork tender and the shrimp are pink. Serve.

Using Fresh Shrimp

  • Fresh shrimp can be peeled, deviened, tail attached or removed, or can be unpeeled with heads attached or removed. Peeled cooks faster than unpeeled. Just start the slow cooker on Low setting with the corn, potatoes, sausage and stock. Add the shrimp about 1 hour before you want to serve and some lemon slices, so when the potatoes are almost but not quite fork tender, add the shrimp and lemon slices and cook until the shrimp are pink. Serve.

Using Cooked Shrimp

  • You can use shrimp you already boiled and are pink. Just start the slow cooker on Low setting with the corn, potatoes, sausage and stock. Add the shrimp about 20-30 minutes before you want to serve and some lemon slices, so when the potatoes are just about fork tender, add the shrimp and lemon slices and cook until the shrimp warmed through. Serve.

Notes

I will price this when I get smoked sausage. For now I will say fair cost but sounds delicious!
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Pork - Sausage,Pork - Slow Cooker,Seafood - Slow Cooker
3-Ingredient Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops II
September 3, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

3-Ingredient Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops II

This is a quick to put together meal. I will use pork loin when I make this, thick cut as well, that should work equally as well as chops. Several shortcuts to use as well. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pork chops, thick cut, or loin chops
  • 2-3 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Lightly butter the slow cooker insert. Place chops in the slow cooker, sprinkle chops with the ranch dressing mix,
  • Pour the condensed soup over the top. You can use either cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Do not remove the lid before 6 hours, check for tenderness, if tender, serve, if not continue cooking until 7 or 8 hours.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes or pasta and gravy from the slow cooker and a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcuts: Ranch Dressing Mix, Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,Pork - Slow Cooker
3-Ingredient Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops I
September 3, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

3-Ingredient Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops I

This is a quick to put together meal with only 3 ingredients and two you can make from shortcuts for cost savings. I made this yesterday 14 Sep 2017 and used bone in pork chops I found in Tesco, thick cut as well, and wow is this good! I think thick cut pork loin would equally as well. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pork chops, bone in, thick cut
  • 1-2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 cups chicken gravy, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Lightly butter the slow cooker insert. Place chops in the slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle chops with the ranch dressing mix.
  • Pour the gravy over the top. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Do not remove the lid before 6 hours, check for tenderness, if tender, serve, if not continue cooking until 7 or 8 hours.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy from the slow cooker and a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

The pork chops I found at Tesco, thick cut, bone in, 250 grams each, were 160 Baht each making this about $4.70 per serving but these are so good I will make this once every 3 months, when I go to the city for my address report, I will look in Makro for these and the cost should be less. I will also test this recipe with just thick cut pork loin, which would make this a low cost meal.
Shortcuts: Ranch Dressing Mix, Chicken Gravy.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,Pork - Slow Cooker
Perfect Cheese Sauce
September 3, 2017 Lee
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Perfect Cheese Sauce

Sounds like an excellent sauce. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cup of sauce

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 3 cups milk, warmed
  • 120 grams Cream cheese, room temp, this is 1/2 of a regular block
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • This recipe comes together fast, you will want to have all the ingredients measured and ready, in the order they are used, before you begin.
  • Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat then whisk in the flour and cook, whisking often, until it is a thick paste and golden brown. Whisk in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
  • Whisk in the milk 1 cup at a time, bring to a simmer then repeat with the milk, it will start out very thick and will thin as more milk is added. When done adding milk, bring to a low simmer and cook 5 more minutes, whisking often. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Remove from heat.
  • Whisk in the Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until smooth. Can be used right away or stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. When reheating, slowly bring to a boil before use.

Notes

Cream cheese will cost about 60 Baht, Cheddar about 170 Baht, and the Parmesan about 75 Baht. Figure 4 uses from 4 cups of sauce, this is about $2.25 per use.
Shortcut: Taco Seasoning Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Ingredients - Sauces
Polish Hunter’s Stew
September 2, 2017 Lee
2 Comments

Polish Hunter's Stew

This, sounds very good! I can locate sauerkraut in other provinces so this is on my to cook list for sure. The kielbasa is here in Makro called Spicy Smoked Sausage and it is good!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Polish
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head cabbage, small head, sliced
  • 3 cups sauerkraut, drained
  • 1 can tomato paste, small can, about 2/3 cup
  • 350 grams pork belly, sliced thin, skin removed
  • 500 grams Kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1 inch rounds
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add cabbage and sauerkraut to a large pot, add 2 cups of water, and heat on medium heat, boil cabbage and sauerkraut for 10-15 minutes, until the cabbage is tender. Remove from heat and set aside, do not drain.
  • Heat olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium heat and cook the pork belly for 6 to 8 minutes, stir often. Add sausage, onion, and garlic and cook until sausage is lightly browned, the pork belly will be cooked through later.
  • Add the sausage mixture to the sauerkraut pot, and add the vinegar, bay leaf, tomato paste. Bring to a gentle simmer and let cook, uncovered, for 45-90 minutes, until desired thickness is reached. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve.

Notes

I cannot price this until I find sauerkraut where I live. I will say right now, fair priced.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Kielbasa & Onions
September 2, 2017 Lee
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Kielbasa & Onions

Stephen Connell, United States.
This is an old classic. I remember this well, perfect with a side of mashed or boiled potatoes, egg noodles, or even better, fried yellow summer squash. In Makro there is what is called Spicy Smoked Sausage, very similar in taste to Kielbasa and is very good, there is also packages of what is called Sausage Scraps, those also contain this sausage.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Polish
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo Kielbasa sausage, or Spicy Smoked Sausage from Makro
  • 2 onions, sliced, separated into rings
  • 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cut the sausage into ½ inch slices at an angle. Onions and sausage prepped, as well as some zucchini for another dish.
  • In a large non stick pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and butter, when hot, add sausage and onion.
  • Cook, stirring often, until the sausage is browned, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Ready to serve.
  • I served this with fried zucchini and egg noodles, perfect meal.

Notes

Fair cost per serving.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,Pork - Sausage
Beer Can Burgers
September 2, 2017 Lee
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Beer Can Burgers

These sound very good, and I will give two variants to try. This is a 'filled' burger as opposed to a 'stuffed' burger. Cooked on a grill and no flipping required. This is written for 2 burgers of each variant, just adjust the variant ingredients to make more or less of each. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • tomato slices, as needed
  • lettuce leaves, as needed
  • 1 beer or soda can

Cheddar & Jalapeno Filling (for 2 burgers)

  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, cubed
  • 1 fresh Jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • Heat your grill to medium with either charcoal or gas. You will be cooking over indirect heat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder, divide into 4 half pound balls. Place a beer can on top of a ball and push down and form the beef around the can and just a bit up the side. Wrap two slices of bacon the burger. Twist the can to remove that, the burger should have a nice deep indentation in it. Repeat this for the remaining balls. Season each indentation and the rest of the burger with ample salt and pepper to taste.
  • For 2 burgers, add cubed Cheddar and Jalapeno slices in each indentation.
  • For the 2 burgers with Bell Pepper, add the bell pepper and onion in each indentation then top each with a slice of Provolone.
  • Grill the burgers over indirect heat, and covered, until cooked through, 30 minutes should be a medium burger.
  • To serve, place lettuce and tomato on the bottom bun, place a burger on top, top with the top bun.

Notes

Beef will cost about 200 Baht/kilo. Cheddar about 180 Baht for 2 cups cubed, Provolone about 45 Baht for 2 slices. For 4 servings, this is about $3.13 per serving. Not cheap but sounds really good for a once in a while cookout with friends and family.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES,GRILLED / BBQ / SMOKER
Oven Pork Chops
September 2, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Oven Pork Chops

This sounds really good. I am going to have to search for pork chops now due to my location, or I will try this recipe using just sliced pork loin. I made these on 26 Mar 2018, excellent flavor.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pork chops, thin cut would be good
  • 1/2 small onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salt, pepper, garlic powder, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • Tenderize each chop with a hammer or needle tenderizer. Tenderize each side. Place chops on the baking sheet.
  • Mix together the mayo and onion. Season chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste, spread the mayo mixture evenly over the chops, top with the shredded cheese.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and chops are cooked through.
  • Serve with buttered mashed potatoes and a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

I will say low cost for now, pork is cheap, pork chops however, I need to price those.
Variant: 1. Gouda cheese works well.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,PORK