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Hamburger Potato Casserole
July 8, 2017 Lee
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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.
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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
Grilled Cheese Croutons
July 8, 2017 Lee
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Grilled Cheese Croutons

These sound easy and perfect for a nice bowl of tomato soup or tossed in a salad. On my to cook list.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 60 croutons, about

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, OR dried basil
  • 6 slices sandwich bread, wheat bread is also a good choice
  • 3 slices Cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large non stick skillet over medium low heat.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the butter and thyme, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place the slices in the hot skillet buttered side down. Top each slice with cheese, top with remaining slices buttered side up.
  • Cook until toasted on the bottom, flip and cook the other side until toasted.
  • Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let cool slightly then cut them into 1 inch squares. Use in soups, top of salads, etc.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,SIDES
Baked Ham & Cheese
July 8, 2017 Lee
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Baked Ham & Cheese

If you need to make a lot of Grilled Ham & Cheese sandwiches for a crowd, this sounds like it would be the perfect way. Ingredients are listed for 1 sandwich, increase the amounts appropriately for additional sandwiches.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices sandwich bread
  • 1 slice Cheddar cheese
  • 1 slice ham
  • butter, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 C, line a baking sheet with foil.
  • Butter each side of both slices of bread, top one slice with cheese and ham, top with the other slice of bread. Repeat this for all remaining sandwiches.
  • Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown, flip the sandwiches and bake for an additional 6 to 8 minutes or until golden brown. Serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Grilled Ham & Egg Sandwich
July 8, 2017 Lee
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Grilled Ham & Egg Sandwich

Sounds like a great breakfast, lunch, or even a dinner sandwich. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Breakfast, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices sandwich bread
  • 4 slices ham, thinly sliced
  • 1 slice Swiss cheese
  • 1 slice Cheddar cheese
  • 1 egg, scramble or fried hard
  • butter, or mayo, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Heat a non stick skillet to medium low.
  • Spread one side only of each slice of bread with either mayo or butter. Place one slice in skillet spread side down. Layer Swiss cheese, ham, scrambled egg and American cheese, in order, on plain side of bread in skillet. Top with other slice, spread side up.
  • Cook until crispy and brown. Turn and cook until brown and cheese is melted. Serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Diner Grilled Ham & Cheese
July 8, 2017 Lee
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Diner Grilled Ham & Cheese

Another diner style sandwich which uses spicy mustard. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices sandwich bread
  • 2 slices ham
  • 2 slices Swiss cheese
  • spicy mustard, as needed
  • butter, as needed, or mayo

Instructions
 

  • Spread mustard on each slice of bread. layer the ham and cheese on one slice on top of the mustard, top with the other slice, mustard side down. Spread butter or mayo on the top slice.
  • Heat a non stick skillet over medium low heat, add the sandwich butter or mayo side down, spread the top with butter or mayo. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, flip and cook the other side.
  • Cut in half and serve with additional mustard for dipping.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Grilled Ham & Cheese with Pineapple
July 8, 2017 Lee
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Grilled Ham & Cheese with Pineapple

Sounds good, on my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices sandwich bread
  • 2 slices Swiss cheese
  • 2 slices ham
  • 2 slices pineapple, thinly sliced
  • 3 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions
 

  • Layer 1 slice sandwich bread with 1 slice Swiss cheese, ham, pineapple, fresh basil, and another slice of cheese; top with bread.
  • In a skillet over medium low heat, melt butter. Add sandwich. Cover, cook until golden brown on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook the other side. Serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Island Grilled Ham & Cheese
July 8, 2017 Lee
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Island Grilled Ham & Cheese

Sound very good, on my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices rye bread
  • Cream cheese, room temp so you can spread it
  • 1-2 slices fresh pineapple, sliced thin
  • 4 slices ham, thin sliced
  • butter, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Butter 1 slice of bread and place in cold skillet butter side down. Spread cream cheese on bread in skillet. Arrange pineapple on cream cheese, using enough to cover. Layer ham slices on top. Top with other slice of bread and butter the outside of that slice.
  • Heat the skillet and cook until the bottom bread is toasted, flip and toast the other side. Serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Rye Bread (Bread Machine).
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwich
July 7, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Sandwich

Delicious, all I can say. This is how I will make grilled cheese sandwiches from now on. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices bread, of your choice
  • 2-3 slices tomato, enough to cover the bread
  • 2 slices Provolone cheese, or Swiss cheese
  • mayo, as needed
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • pinch Italian seasoning, (Shortcut)
  • garlic powder, to taste
  • butter, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Spread both slices of bread with a light layer of mayo. This is for the inside of the sandwich.
  • Put slice of cheese on one piece of bread, add tomato slices, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cover tomato slices with other slice of cheese, then cover with other piece of bread mayo side down. (I use block cheese so I slice myself, hence the slices are smaller.)
  • Heat a skillet on medium heat with butter and garlic powder. Spread butter on the top slice of bread. Place sandwich in the skillet, buttered bread facing up.
  • Cook until golden brown, flip and cook the other side, serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Italian Seasoning.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Diner Grilled Cheese
July 7, 2017 Lee
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Diner Grilled Cheese

This used to be the common practice in the US, not sure if diners still do this.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices sandwich bread, of your choice
  • 1 slice Cheddar cheese, or slices from a block to cover the bread
  • mayo, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Heat a small skillet to medium heat.
  • Use mayo on the bread like you would butter. Spread mayo on two slices of sandwich bread, place first slice mayo side down in the pan, place the cheese on top of that, place other slice of bread on top, mayo side up.
  • Cook for just a few minutes until gold brown, flip, cook the other side until golden brown, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost. Keep in mind, this calls for mayo, not Miracle Whip or fat free mayo, just mayo.
Variants: 1. Add some grated Parmesan cheese to a small amount of mayo and use that. 2. Use Gouda (my preference) or any sliced cheese of your choice. 3. Add a slice of ham or smoked ham. 4. Use two slices of cheese and one slice of ham, with the ham in the middle.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Pizza Grilled Cheese
July 7, 2017 Lee
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Pizza Grilled Cheese

Sounds good to me! On my to cook list. This is a Leftover recipe as well from making pizzas, using toppings as you would on a pizza, but keep in mind, you will have to flip this so use only 2-3 toppings.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices Mozzarella Cheese, or slices from a block to cover the bread
  • tomato sauce, leftover
  • 4 slices Pepperoni, leftover
  • mushrooms, leftover, sliced
  • black olives, leftover, sliced
  • 2 slices bread, of your choice

Instructions
 

  • Butter the bread like you would to make a normal grilled cheese.
  • Put a piece of cheese on the butter side down piece of bread. Spread some pasta sauce on the piece of cheese. Add the pepperoni, mushrooms, and olives, or use what ever pizza toppings you like but keep it to 2-3 items. Add another piece of cheese on top of the toppings. Butter the other piece of bread and put it butter side up on top.
  • Cook in a hot skillet until golden brown on each side. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES