Author Archive
Chinese Steamed Egg (蒸水蛋)
July 3, 2017 Lee
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Chinese Steamed Egg (蒸水蛋)

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sounds good. This is traditional and common dish served all over China. Very simple ingredients. I will use my rice cooker to steam this but you can use any steaming method you like.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Rice Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 3 eggs
  • 1¼ cups warm water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon chicken stock powder
  • 1 teaspoon light soy sauce, for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon fried garlic, for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon spring onion, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Heat your steamer with about 1 inch of water.
  • Crack the eggs into a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs and slowly add in the warm water. Add the salt, pepper, and chicken stock powder and mix well.
  • Strain the egg mixture into a heatproof bowl, cover with heatproof cling wrap, a plate, or even foil on the top, this prevents water from dripping into the egg.
  • Place the dish in the steamer and reduce the heat to low, cover, and steam for 10 minutes or until set.
  • While that is steaming, fry the minced garlic until golden brown, remove from pan along with the oil and set aside.
  • Remove the dish from the steamer, garnish with the soy sauce, fried garlic, and spring onion, enjoy with rice on the side for a lunch or light dinner.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Variants: 1. Add sliced or chopped mushrooms and or sliced spring onion.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,: CHINESE,EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken,Eggs - Rice Cooker
Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner
July 2, 2017 Lee
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Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner

Sounds really good, basic ingredients for a complete meal. When I make this, I will verify the quantities needed. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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 chicken breasts, cut into strips, or use fillets
  • 4-5 small potatoes, cut into wedges
  • 500 grams fresh long beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 can button mushrooms, sliced, small can or fresh is fine, optional
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 packet dry chicken gravy mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Lightly grease your slow cooker with butter. Combine the water, melted butter, Italian seasoning, and gravy mix. Set aside.
  • Layer the chicken, potatoes, green beans and then the mushrooms if using those. Pour liquid mixture over the top. Cover and cook on Low setting for 6 to 7 hours, season with salt and pepper to taste, serve.

Notes

Figure about 40 Baht for the chicken, for 4 servings, this is about 30 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Italian Seasoning, Chicken Gravy Mix.
Provided by Slow Cooker Kitchen and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Potato Ham & Cheese Soup
July 1, 2017 Lee
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Potato Ham & Cheese Soup

Sounds great, I like a good potato soup. Very simple ingredients as well, perfect, on my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups potatoes, cubed
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup ham, diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Boil the potatoes in a stock pot until desired tenderness then drain off the water reserving 1 cup for later use.
  • Melt the butter in a small pan and cook the onion until soft.
  • Now add the cooked onion, butter and flour to the stock pot and stir to mix together over low heat. Keep stirring until you get the thickness desired then remove from the heat.
  • Now mix in the potatoes, milk, the cup of liquid from the potatoes, cheese, and ham to the stock pot stir to mix and simmer over medium heat for 30 to 40 minutes stirring from time to time until it thickens.
  • Serve.

Notes

I cannot price the ham yet until I go back to Makro and buy some, reasonable price though. The cheese is costly, so for now I will state this as fair value and will update pricing when I get some ham.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels
July 1, 2017 Lee
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Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels

Garland Davis, United States.
Common ingredients, easy to make, and are delicious! I made these on 7 Mar 2022 as a light dinner with another pinwheel version I wanted to test out and a nice fruit salad as well. These can be appetizers or a light main dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Passive Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams Cream cheese, softened, (8 oz)
  • ¼ cup Ranch dressing
  • ½ cup Cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 6-8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chives, minced, or spring onion tops
  • flour tortillas, (I used three 8 inch tortillas, which was perfect)

Instructions
 

  • Fry bacon until crisp, then drain on paper towels, then chop. I prepped the cheese and spring onion tops, then chopped the bacon.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and ranch dressing. Mix until smooth.
  • Stir in the Cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives.
  • Spread a generous layer of filling over a tortilla. (I used 8 inch tortillas.)
  • Roll tortilla tightly and stick a toothpick in it.
  • Repeat rolling more tortillas to use all the filling. I used three 8 inch, which was perfect. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours.
  • When ready to serve, remove the toothpicks and slice ¾ to 1 inch thick. Serve and enjoy as appetizers or as a light main dish.

Notes

Low cost.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS
Vegetable Calzones
June 29, 2017 Lee
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Vegetable Calzones

Stephen Connell, United States.
Sounds delicious. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Foil
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams pizza dough, (1 lb), Shortcut
  • 1 cup Ricotta cheese, Shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
  • pinch crushed red pepper, optional
  • 1½ cups broccoli, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup baby spinach, packed, chopped
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Place a rack on bottom shelf of oven; preheat to 230° C (450° F). Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly grease with olive oil.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, and red pepper if desired. Cook for 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low. Add broccoli. Cook for 2 minutes. Cover and cook until broccoli is crisp tender, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in spinach.
  • In a large bowl, combine Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan, season with salt and pepper as desired. Stir in broccoli mixture. Working with 1 portion at a time, divide dough into 4 pieces, roll out dough on a lightly floured counter into 8 inch rounds. Divide filling among dough circles (about 3/4 cup each). Fold dough over to enclose filling; press to seal edges. Beginning in 1 corner, stretch sealed edge outward, pinching and rolling dough up and over to form a decorative edge.
  • Transfer calzones to baking sheet. Whisk egg with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush top of each calzone with egg wash. Cut 3 small vents in each calzone. Bake until golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce for dipping if desired.

Notes

Figure about 72 Baht for the Mozzarella cheese. For 4 servings, this is about 53 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Pizza Dough, Cottage Cheese.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PIZZA
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
June 29, 2017 Lee
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King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Sounds like an easy casserole, on my to cook list. Use the shortcuts for savings as well. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cups chicken, cooked, chopped
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, drained or diced tomatoes with green chili
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 corn tortillas, 6 inch size
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

Instructions
 

  • For the chicken go with 750 grams to 1 kilo, quarters, breasts, what ever you like, boil or bake to cook, let cool enough to handle and debone if needed, remove skin if needed, and chop to get the cups needed.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Cook onion and bell pepper in hot oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken and next 7 ingredients, remove from heat.
  • Tear tortillas into 1 inch pieces,layer 1/3 of tortilla pieces in bottom of the baking dish, top with 1/3 of the chicken mixture, then top with 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat these same layers 2 more times.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until just beginning to brown on the top.
  • Serve with a green salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Going with 1 kilo of quarters, 75 Baht/kilo and the cheese would be about 180 Baht for a 250 gram block, shredded. I cannot price the corn tortillas yet so I will update this when I locate those. For 8 servings, this is about 94 cents per serving, however, the tortillas, unless you make them yourself, will put this at fair value at least.
Variant: Substitute the condensed cream of chicken soup for 1 cup of sour cream.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Make It Your Own Grandma Pie
June 28, 2017 Lee
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Make It Your Own Grandma Pie

Adapted from an internet recipe.
A Grandma Pie is a square/rectangular pizza that is easy on the toppings, not the huge monstrosities that I normally make. Keep the cheese as listed, no need to add extra. This is your base, Keep the toppings to 1 or 2 items, this type of pizza is not overloaded. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 recipe Grandma Style Pie Dough, Shortcut
  • 340 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, (12 oz)
  • 1½ cups pasta sauce, Shortcut
  • red pepper flakes, optional, as desired
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • sea salt, as needed

For Toppings, try these combinations

  • Tomato & Basil
  • Mushroom & Anchovie
  • Mushroom & Sausage
  • Ham & Bacon
  • Pepperoni & Mushroom
  • Bell Pepper & Onion

Instructions
 

  • Take the prepared dough out of the fridge, coat a 18x13 inch rimmed baking sheet with the olive oil. Gently and gradually stretch dough until it reaches the edges of baking sheet. (If dough springs back or is stiff to work with, let it rest 10 minutes before continuing. You may need to let it rest more than once.)
  • Preheat your oven to 250° C (480° F).
  • Cover dough on baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place until it is puffed and full of air bubbles, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Once dough has risen in baking sheet, top with mozzarella, dot pie with tomato sauce, add toppings of your choice, add sea salt and red pepper flakes if desired.
  • Bake until golden brown and crisp on bottom and sides, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

The Mozzarella cheese is about 220 Baht/for the 340 grams. For 6 servings, this is about $1.08 per serving. Some toppings will add to the overall cost.
The beauty of this, use what you like on a pizza, but keep it to 1-2 toppings.
Shortcuts: Grandma Style Pie (Pizza) Dough, Pasta Sauce.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,PIZZA
Classic Mozzarella Grandma Pie
June 28, 2017 Lee
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Classic Mozzarella Grandma Pie

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Nothing wrong with a cheese pizza, even if it is square. A Grandma Pie is a square/rectangular pizza that is easy on the toppings, not the huge monstrosities that I normally make. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 recipe Grandma Style Pie Dough, Shortcut
  • 340 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, (12 oz)
  • 1½ cups pasta sauce, Shortcut
  • red pepper flakes, optional
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • sea salt, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Take the prepared dough out of the fridge, coat a 18x13 inch rimmed baking sheet with the olive oil. Gently and gradually stretch dough until it reaches the edges of baking sheet. (If dough springs back or is stiff to work with, let it rest 10 minutes before continuing. You may need to let it rest more than once.)
  • Preheat your oven to 250° C (480° F).
  • Cover dough on baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place until it is puffed and full of air bubbles, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Once dough has risen in baking sheet, top with mozzarella, dot pie with tomato sauce, top with sea salt and red pepper flakes if desired.
  • Bake until golden brown and crisp on bottom and sides, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Slice into squares, serve.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Grandma Style Pie (Pizza) Dough, Pasta Sauce.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PIZZA
Black Olive & Provolone Grandma Pie
June 27, 2017 Lee
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Black Olive & Provolone Grandma Pie

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sounds good. A Grandma Pie is a square/rectangular pizza that is easy on the toppings, not the huge monstrosities that I normally make. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 recipe Grandma Style Pie Dough, Shortcut
  • 340 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, (12 oz)
  • 120 grams Provolone cheese, shredded, (6 oz)
  • 1½ cups pasta sauce, Shortcut
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup black olives, oil cured or brined is fine, coarsely chopped
  • red pepper flakes, for serving, optional
  • ½ cup olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Take the prepared dough out of the fridge, coat a 18x13 inch rimmed baking sheet with the olive oil. Gently and gradually stretch dough until it reaches the edges of baking sheet. (If dough springs back or is stiff to work with, let it rest 10 minutes before continuing. You may need to let it rest more than once.)
  • Preheat your oven to 250° C (480° F).
  • Cover dough on baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place until it is puffed and full of air bubbles, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Once dough has risen in baking sheet, top with mozzarella and provolone, dot pie with tomato sauce, and top with the onion and olives.
  • Bake until golden brown and crisp on bottom and sides, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Grandma Style Pie (Pizza) Dough, Pasta Sauce.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,PIZZA
Grandma Style Pie (Pizza) Dough
June 27, 2017 Lee
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Grandma Style Pie (Pizza) Dough

Adapted from an internet recipe.
What is a Grandma Style Pie, anyways? Fair enough question, a Sicilian pie and a Grandma Pie are both stretched in a square/rectangular sheet pan with olive oil. Grandma pies are proofed (allowed to rise) for a shorter time than Sicilian pies. Grandma pies are thinner than Sicilian pies. This makes enough dough to cover one 18x13 inch rimmed baking sheet.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 "pie"

Ingredients
  

  • 512 grams all purpose flour, plus more for surface, (4 cups if no scale)
  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter, plus more for the bowl
  • 1½ cups warm water

Instructions
 

  • Combine yeast and the warm water in a large bowl, let stand until yeast starts to foam, about 10 minutes.
  • To the bowl, mix in the olive oil, then salt and half of the flour. Add about half of the remaining and mix, and add the remainder of the flour, mixing until incorporated and a shaggy dough forms.
  • Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until soft, smooth, and elastic, 10–12 minutes. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
  • Use to make a Grandma Style Pie.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
PIZZA