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One Pan BBQ Pork Ribs
July 15, 2017 Lee
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One Pan BBQ Pork Ribs

I just use the pork rib term freely as the only ribs I have seen here is the short pork ribs, and they tender and delicious as well. This is the oven cooked type of ribs, and it sounds tasty. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 kilos pork ribs
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 500 grams fresh long beans, cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 140 C. Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • In a bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, and brown sugar.
  • Trim the ends of the strip of ribs to remove any odd or cartilage pieces, lay the strips on the baking sheet, cut the strips in half if needed. This is the type of ribs I use from Tesco.
  • Season both sides of the ribs with the seasoning, arrange meaty side up, cover with another sheet of foil. Bake for 2 hours.
  • Increase the oven temp to 200 C, carefully remove the foil covering the ribs, spread BBQ sauce evenly over the top of the ribs, place the long beans along the sides of the pan, season the long beans with salt.
  • Bake for another 10 minutes. Cut the ribs into single bone pieces.
  • Serve the ribs with the long beans, complete meal.

Notes

Pork ribs are about 115 Baht/kilo. 1 1/2 kilo would be about 173 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $1.27 per serving, over all good price for a quality meal, after all, who does not like ribs.
Shortcut: BBQ Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving
Endless Summer Salad
July 14, 2017 Lee
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Endless Summer Salad

This is a cucumber and onion based salad in a brine, you can add what ever vegetables you like, it does not have to be just cucumbers and onions. As the vegetables are used, just add more to the brine, this can last several weeks.
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Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium cucumber
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar, or rice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar, or 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

Instructions
 

  • Peel and thinly slice the cucumber. Thinly slice the onion and separate the rings. Add these to a bowl that has a lid. Add the garlic.
  • Whisk together the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved, Stir in the dill. Pour the brine over the cucumber and onion.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy, add more, refrigerate, repeat.
  • Serve as a salad, on hamburgers, sandwiches, etc.

Notes

Low cost.
Variants: Add chopped bell pepper, any color you like. Add celery seed to the brine. Add tomatoes, long beans, carrots, okra, etc.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Sides - Salads
Mississippi Comeback Sauce
July 14, 2017 Lee
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Mississippi Comeback Sauce

Odd name for sure, originates from Jackson, Mississippi, and actually sounds quite good. Dipping sauce for BBQ meats, fries, spread for sandwiches, or even as a salad dressing.
Print Recipe
Cuisine American
Servings 2 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup chili sauce, Sriracha comes to mind for this
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon tabasco sauce
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • juice from 1 lemon, 3 tablespoons

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients well and store in refrigerator overnight. It needs to sit to let the flavors blend.

Notes

Low cost.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Ingredients - Sauces
Sardine & Sliced Egg Sandwich
July 11, 2017 Lee
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Sardine & Sliced Egg Sandwich

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Another tasty sardine sandwich recipe. I made these on 11 May 2019, and these are delicious. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 sandwiches

Equipment

  • Toaster

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices bread, toasted, wheat would be good
  • mayo, as desired
  • 1 tin sardines in olive oil, (120 g / 4¼ oz, Ayam or any brand), Shortcut
  • 2 hard boiled eggs, sliced, Shortcut
  • lettuce leaves, as needed
  • red onion, thinly sliced, as needed, think mandolin
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice, or lime juice

Instructions
 

  • Spread some mayo on the toast and add lettuce leaves to two slices of toast.
  • Divide the sardines between the two sandwiches and split them, the tin I used had 5 sardines. The bones are are tender, don't worry about those, it's calcium.
  • Sprinkle some lemon juice on the sardines, top with some onion slices (which I skipped as had no onion) and top that with the egg slices.
  • Top each sandwich with the other slices of toast, cut each sandwich in half. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost if using homemade sardines. I make sardines using small mackerel which is sold per fish anywhere from 10 to 25 Baht each, so about 29 to 74 cents per sandwich. (I cut each fish into 3 pieces when making sardines.)
If using tinned sardines, figure 1 tin at 59 Baht for 2 sandwiches, this is about 87 cents per sandwich.
Shortcut: Sardines in Olive Oil, Perfect Hard Boiled Chicken Eggs.
Variant: 1. In place of mayo, just drizzle olive oil on each slice of toast.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES,EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken,Fish - Sardines
Sardine & Tomato Sandwich
July 9, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Sardine & Tomato Sandwich

Inspired by seeing a photo.
Shout out to my daughter, Samantha, you will like this! Basic sandwich that is healthy and nutritious. Not only did Samantha make this, she sent me some photos, one of which is featured here, outstanding looking sandwich, Samantha, you did well! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tin sardines in olive oil, drained, (120 g / 4¼ oz), Shortcut
  • tomato, sliced as needed
  • red onion, sliced, seperated into rings, as needed
  • 2 slices sandwich bread, toasted
  • mayo, as needed
  • white pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Toast the bread, spread mayo on one side of each slice. Layer tomato slices on one slice, top with some red onion slice rings.
  • Top with sardines that are split in half lengthwise. Season with some white pepper, top with the other slice of bread.
  • Enjoy. (And that is a cracking great photo as well, thank you Samantha!)

Notes

If using tinned sardines in olive oil, figure about 59 Baht/tin/2 sandwiches. This would cost about 87 Baht per sandwich, reasonable and healthy.
Variants: As with any sandwich, use your imagination. Open faced or closed, substitute olive oil for mayo, substitute mustard for mayo, and spicy mustard even better! Add veggies you like, sprinkle with lemon juice.
Shortcut: Sardines in Olive Oil (Slow Cooker).
The photo was provided by my daughter, Samantha Thayer, United States - Thailand.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES,FISH - ALL,Fish - Sardines
Spicy Beef & Bell Pepper
July 9, 2017 Lee
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Spicy Beef & Bell Pepper

This sounds absolutely delicious. On my to cook list. Basic, easily available ingredients as well.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo lean beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups bell pepper, cut into 1 inch squares
  • 1/2 onion, sliced
  • 1 cup beef stock, fresh or from powder
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha Chili Garlic sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch

Instructions
 

  • Place the meat on the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with sliced onion. For even better flavor, sauté onion in skillet until golden brown, then add it to the slow cooker. Top with cut up bell pepper. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic.
  • Mix the broth with Sriracha, pour over the peppers and beef. Cook on Low setting for 7-8 hours or High setting for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
  • Mix the 1/2 cup water and corn starch. Add 1 cup of liquid from the meat & pepper mixture and cook on medium heat until boiling, then cook 2 minutes past boil to remove the cornstarch flavor. Add this mixture back to the meat and bell peppers. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and stir.
  • Serve hot over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.

Notes

The beef will cost about 200 Baht/kilo, if you can source from a local village market, you may get it for less. For 4 servings, this is about $1.47 per serving.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and Let the Baking Begin and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker
Beef & Noodles III
July 9, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Beef & Noodles III

I am so looking forward to making this, this is true comfort food right here. Several shortcuts to make as well for additional savings. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef, cut into bite size pieces
  • 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 packet au jus gravy mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 350-500 grams frozen egg noodles, see Step 5
  • 1 large can mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 cups water

Instructions
 

  • Oil or butter your slow cooker insert. From the author of this recipe: "Trust me, don't skip this step...you'll hate yourself later if you don't." I think this step is quite important.
  • Add the beef to the slow cooker. In a large bowl, mix together the canned soup, gravy mix, and soup mix with 4 cups of water, pour soup mixture over the beef.
  • Cover and cook for 6-8 hours, looking for very tender beef.
  • About 30 to 90 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to High setting, add the mushrooms and egg noodles.
  • For the egg noodles, if you have frozen egg noodles, add them as is, frozen, with the mushrooms. If you only have dried egg noodles, cook those in a pot of boiling water until just before tender, drain, and add those.
  • Stir and squish down the noodles so they are covered with the liquid. Cover and continue to cook on High setting for 30-90 minutes to either cook the frozen noodles or heat through the cooked noodles.
  • Serve.

Notes

The beef will cost about 200 Baht, if you can source this locally in a village market, you may get it cheaper. For 8 servings, this is about 74 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Au Jus Mix, Onion Soup Mix.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Beef on Rice
July 9, 2017 Lee
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Slow Cooker Beef on Rice

This sounds really good! On my to cook list for sure. Minimal ingredients as well makes for an easy to put together meal. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Beef

  • 1 kilo beef, cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces
  • 4 cups beef broth, fresh or from powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

To Make the Gravy

  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 3 tablespoons corn starch

To Serve

  • 4-6 cups cooked rice
  • fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add the beef, broth, onion to your slow cooker, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on Low setting for 8 hours.
  • About 15 minutes before serving, transfer the contents of the slow cooker into a large pot on your stove and bring it to a boil. Whisk together the corn starch and water, add to the pot and stir in until thickened.
  • Serve over rice and garnish fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

The beef will cost about 200 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $1.47 per serving.
Shortcut: Italian Seasoning.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and Creme de la Crumb and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker
Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole
July 9, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole

Another great sounding slow cooker casserole. The cheese is the expensive part here, but go with the low side and it should be reasonable cost per serving.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry macaroni, best if cooked for just a few minutes
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted, this is 1/2 standard block
  • 250 grams Cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
  • 2-4 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 500 grams ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1-2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 3 stalks imported celery, diced, optional
  • 1 bell pepper, diced, optional

Instructions
 

  • Lightly butter your slow cooker, place everything inside, cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
  • Stir well and top with shredded mozzarella if desired. Cover and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes to let the cheese melt.
  • Serve with a salad on the side for a complete meal.

Notes

The ground beef would be about 100 Baht/500 grams, the Cream cheese about 120 Baht, 2 cups of Cheddar about 100 Baht, and 1 cup of Mozzarella about 70 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $2.86 per serving. I think the 6 servings is more accurate, especially if this is served with a salad and maybe dinner rolls, then the cost would be about $1.91 per serving.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CASSEROLES
Hamburger Potato Casserole
July 8, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Hamburger Potato Casserole

Sounds great, cannot go wrong with a casserole. On my to cook list. This is a very adaptable recipe. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo ground beef, browned and drained
  • 1 large onion, sliced thin
  • 6 medium potatoes, washed and sliced thin
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
  • 1 can red Kidney beans, drained, see Step 1
  • 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut, see Step 2
  • 1/2-3/4 cup beef stock, fresh or from powder
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • For the kidney beans, you can use a can or if making from dry, you will need to cook those first, once cooked use 1 1/2 cups of beans in place of a can. BUT, the kidney beans can be substituted with any type of beans you prefer, or any vegetable you prefer.
  • For the condensed cream of mushroom soup, first, making the shortcut is highly recommended and very easy. If you want to use cream of celery, add celery in place of the beans, that would be delicious! Shortcut for that soup is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
  • In a bowl, mix together the soup and the stock, amount of stock needed is dependent on how much sauce you would like. Set this aside.
  • Layer in this order into your slow cooker, first the browned and drained beef, then onions, then carrots, then beans or a vegetable of your choice, then the potatoes on the top.
  • Pour the soup mixture over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting for up to 10 hours. You are looking for tender potatoes, can check at 8 hours.
  • About 10 to 20 minutes before you are ready to serve, sprinkle on the cheese, cover, and let it melt. Cheese is optional, if you do not want to use cheese, just omit that.

Notes

The beef will cost about 200 Baht/kilo. The cheese, about 90 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $2.13 per serving. If you can get local sourced beef from a village market, you can reduce the cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Condensed Cream of Celery Soup.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CASSEROLES