Author Archive
Wendy’s Chili
May 24, 2017 Lee
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Wendy's Chili

Chili always a great meal and this sounds very good. This can be made on the stove top or in a slow cooker. The beans can be cooked from dry beans the day before, or you can use canned beans in the standard size can. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo ground beef, (2 lbs)
  • 4 cups tomato juice, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 cups tomato puree, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can red Kidney beans, 15 oz or 425 g, drained, or 2 cups cooked
  • 1 can Pinto beans, 15 oz or 425 g, drained, or 2 cups cooked
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, diced
  • 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 2-3 tablespoons chili powder, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin, or to taste
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the garlic. Drain off most of the fat, not all.
  • Put the beef and the remaining ingredients in a large pot, cover, and simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes.
  • You can also cook this in a slow cooker on Low setting for 3-4 hours.

Notes

Figure about 200 Baht/1 kilo of beef. For 6 servings this is about 98 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Tomato Juice, Tomato Puree.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI,Soups, Stews, Chili - Slow Cooker
Cracker Barrel Fried Apples
May 24, 2017 Lee
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Cracker Barrel Fried Apples

Sounds good. I have never had fried apples so I will have to give this a try.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large Golden Delicious apples, with peel, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
  • 2 1/2 cups apple juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon

Instructions
 

  • In a medium skillet, add 2 cups apple juice, butter, and the sliced apples. Simmer gently until apples are fork tender but not mushy, turning apples frequently. Remove apples from juice using a slotted spoon and place in an oven safe dish.
  • In a blender (or whisk in a bowl), combine the remaining 1/2 cup apple juice, cornstarch, spices, salt and sugar. Blend a few seconds until smooth.
  • Whisk mixture into hot apple juice in skillet and cook, stirring constantly on medium high heat until it bubbles and becomes thickened and smooth. Pour thickened mixture over apples and serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES
Loaded BBQ Chicken Nachos
May 24, 2017 Lee
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Loaded BBQ Chicken Nachos

Sounds really good. The tortilla chips are available in the larger cities. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, finely diced
  • 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder, or to taste
  • 3/4 cup BBQ sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 bag tortilla chips, 13 oz or about 370 grams
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded, or a blend
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 avocado, diced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180 C. Heat the oil in a pan over high heat. Cook the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder for two to three minutes. Add the barbecue sauce and cook until the sauce has reduced by about half, about five minutes. Remove from heat.
  • In a large baking dish, spread out two large handfuls of tortilla chips. Layer with half of the barbecue chicken, followed by half of the cheese, onion, tomato, bacon, and parsley. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Drizzle the sour cream and sprinkle the avocado on top. Serve.

Notes

The chicken might cost 35 Baht, the cheese would be about 180 Baht, and the bacon about 120 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $2.46 per serving.
Shortcuts: BBQ Sauce, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS
Baked Lemon & Garlic Tilapia
May 23, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Baked Lemon & Garlic Tilapia

Stephen Connell, United States.
Excellent tasting fish, can use any white fish you like, such as Pangasius, Barramundi, or even Tub Tim.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3-6 tilapia fillets, or any white fish fillets
  • 6-8 cloves garlic, smashed and diced large
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or lime juice
  • 3 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • I bought a fresh Tilapia (live) from a vendor that came by the house. I filleted it (which is NOT the preferred way by the family) and got two nice thick fillets, removing the pin bones, I cut them out in a strip, resulting in 4 pieces. The head and back bone went to the brother in law and he made soup with that, so everything was used.
  • Preheat your oven to 200° C (400° F). Get out a baking dish, size will depend on how many fillets you are using. I used an 8x8 Pyrex dish for 2 fillets which was perfect.
  • Melt the butter in a small sauce pan. Pour half the butter into your baking dish along with 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, mix and spread out.
  • To the sauce pan, add the garlic and saute on low heat for about 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice, remove from heat and stir together.
  • Place the fish in the baking dish, and season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour the lemon butter mixture on the fish and top with fresh parsley.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, fish should just be starting to brown and should flake easily with a fork. Transfer to a plate, spoon some of the liquid over the fish, serve and enjoy.

Notes

Tilapia is low cost, if getting the fish from a open market, the seller will fillet for you for free most times. Tilapia can also be caught on rod and reel in many ponds, making the meal essentially free.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,FISH - ALL,Fish - Tilapia,Fish - White Fish
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili II
May 22, 2017 Lee
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Slow Cooker Chicken Chili II

Sounds good, on my to cook list. 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 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into bite size pieces, (1 1/2 lbs)
  • 2 cups red Kidney beans, cooked, or 1 can
  • 2 cups Pinto beans, cooked, or another 2 cups of kidney beans
  • 1 1/2 cups salsa, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 cups tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1-2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 cup corn, frozen, canned, or fresh
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, optional, for serving

Instructions
 

  • For the beans, you can cook yourself the day before, or you can use canned beans that are rinsed and drained before use.
  • Combine beans, salsa, tomato sauce, and chili powder in slow cooker. Top with chicken, onions, and corn. Do not stir. Cover and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 4 to 5 hours. Stir and serve topped with cheese if desired.

Notes

Chicken will cost about 60 Baht/750 grams. The cheese if used will cost about 90 Baht. For 8 servings, this is about 55 cents per serving if you prepare the beans from dry beans. If using canned beans, this is about 98 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Salsa, Tomato Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Soups, Stews, Chili - Slow Cooker
Cheesy Garlic Baked Potatoes
May 22, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Cheesy Garlic Baked Potatoes

These are great! Large potatoes make a main dish with a vegetable or salad on the side, smaller potatoes should be used if making these as sides. These are basically Hasselback style potatoes with a twist. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large potatoes, washed and dried
  • 3-5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • olive oil, as needed to brush the potatoes
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • fresh chives, or spring onions, chopped
  • bacon, cut into large chunks
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

For the Sour Cream

  • 1/2 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C (390 F).
  • Make several parallel slits, about 1/2 inch apart, into each potato top, making sure not to slice completely through. Place 3-5 garlic slices between the slits on each potato, use more if you like. I used a slice of garlic in every slit.
  • Brush each potato, all sides, with olive oil. Place potatoes on a baking sheet lined with foil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
  • When the potatoes begin to “fan out”, about 15 minutes depending on your oven and the size of the potatoes, it’s time to add bacon. Carefully slip a chunk of bacon into each slit of the potato and return to the oven. Don’t worry if a slit breaks through, the cheese will hold it together later. Lay a piece of bacon over a slit, then use the handle of a spoon and press the bacon into the slit, folding it as you gently press it in the slit.
  • Once the potatoes and bacon are fully cooked, use fork to test, you can leave them as is, meaning with the garlic, bacon, salt and pepper, they are delicious no matter what way you have them. If that is your choice, pour a little melted butter and chopped parsley over each potato and put into the oven for about 5 more minutes. To give you an idea on the size of these potatoes, they are in a pie dish.
  • Or top the potatoes with the Cheddar cheese.
  • Bake until tops are crispy. The baking process total time is about 1 hour. Transfer to a serving dish and top with the sour cream and chives.

For the Sour Cream

  • Mix all the ingredients for the sour cream together and refrigerate until use.

Notes

Figure about 90 Baht for the cheese. For 4 servings, this is about 66 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,POTATOES,SIDES
Taco Casserole
May 22, 2017 Lee
3 Comments

Taco Casserole

Mention casserole, I like it! And this is really good. I was surprised I found nacho flavored tortillas up in the city, they are excellent as well, and made in Thailand with no preservatives as well. I made this on 2 June 2018, very well liked by the family. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 200 grams Nacho Cheese Doritos, about 1 bag
  • 500 grams ground beef, or ground pork, (1 lb)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 250 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 200 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • lettuce, shredded as needed
  • tomatoes, diced, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F).
  • Brown beef and onion in a skillet, drain off any fat, add taco seasoning and mix in. Mix together the Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese. Just starting. I used ground pork for this and two small diced onions.
  • Layer ingredients in a 9x13 pan as listed; crushed chips (just pour the bag of chips in and crush with your hands, seasoned meat, and 2/3 of cheese. (Now I messed up the cheese part, I added the 2/3 cheese to the meat in the pan, which actually turned out well and I have add that as a variant.)
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  • Remove from the oven, top with the remaining cheeses, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
  • Serve.

Notes

Ground beef will cost about 100 Baht, the Cheddar 180 Baht, and the Mozzarella 120 Baht. For 8 servings, this is about $1.47 per serving.
Shortcut: Taco Seasoning.
Variants: 1. Use a 7x11 baking dish instead of a 9x13 dish. 2. Mix the 2/3 cheese with the ground meat just before adding to the dish on top of the crushed chips.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Oreo Balls
May 21, 2017 Lee
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Oreo Balls

These sound like a great snack or dessert. I will have to try these. I will verify the package sizes when I make these as package sizes here vary from the US.
Print Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Oreo cookies
  • 250 grams Cream cheese, softened
  • 1 package cooking chocolate

Instructions
 

  • Place Oreo Cookies in a bag and smash until it is the consistency of dirt.
  • Mix the softened cream cheese into the smashed oreros.
  • Roll the mixture into balls.
  • Melt chocolate according to package directions in the microwave.
  • Cover balls in chocolate then leave to set in the fridge.

Notes

I cannot price this for now, I will say low cost for now.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS
Cinnamon Roll Cake
May 21, 2017 Lee
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Cinnamon Roll Cake

I like cinnamon rolls and this sounds really good! On my to cook list soon!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

For the Topping

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 5 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Mix the Cake ingredients together except for the butter. Slowly stir in the melted butter and pour into the prepared dish.
  • Mix the Topping ingredients together until well combined, drop evenly over the cake batter and swirl with a butter knife.
  • Bake for 28-32 minutes, check for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center, if it comes out clean, should be done.
  • Mix the Glaze ingredients and drizzle over the warm cake.

Notes

Low cost and very common ingredients.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS
Garlic-Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken
May 20, 2017 Lee
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Garlic-Lemon Double Stuffed Chicken

Sounds really good, on my to cook list. Use the shortcut for savings as well.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 250 grams Cream cheese, cut into 1/2 inch slices
  • 250 grams Cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 inch slices
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 4 clove galic, smashed and minced
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted, this is 3/4 regular block
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a large, shallow baking dish with butter.
  • Butterfly each breast by slicing in half horizontally through the center, cutting almost but not completely through. Place one slice each of Cheddar and Cream cheese in the center of each breast. Close again as if placing between the pages of a book. Set aside.
  • Pour the milk into a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Carefully dip each breast first in milk, then in breadcrumb mixture, patting lightly to firmly coat. Place breasts side by side in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, tucking edges under to seal.
  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in lemon juice and garlic, and drizzle evenly over chicken. Season breasts with garlic salt and paprika, if using. Bake for 30 minutes, or until no longer pink in center and juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

The chicken, for 8 breasts, will cost about 150 Baht. The cheeses, Cream cheese will cost about 120 Baht, the Cheddar will cost about 180 Baht. For 8 servings, this is about $1.65 per serving.
Shortcut: Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY