Author Archive
Mashed Potato Pie
March 8, 2017 Lee
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Mashed Potato Pie

This sounds really tasty as a side dish with meatloaf or a roast chicken or turkey. This is what I call a Leftover dish, using left over mashed potatoes, even the cottage cheese can be from a previous meal. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups mashed potatoes, leftovers are perfect, room temp
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup Cottage cheese, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 spring onions, chopped, white and green
  • 2 slices bacon, chopped, fried crisp
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Lightly butter a baking dish.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add in the cottage cheese and sour cream. Stir to combine and add the potatoes and remaining ingredients. Mix together well and pour into the baking dish.
  • Bake for 20 minutes on the center rack, then move the dish to the upper rack and cook for another 6-7 minutes or until it begins to get golden brown. Let sit for a couple minutes before slicing, serve as a side.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcuts: Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,LEFTOVERS,POTATOES,SIDES
French Toast Bread Pudding
March 8, 2017 Lee
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French Toast Bread Pudding

Sounds really good, on my to cook list. If you are not near a bakery to get challah, make from scratch in your bread machine. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 loaf challah, OR make from a shortcut
  • 8 eggs
  • 5 cups half and half, or milk
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch ground cinnamon
  • pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • confectioners sugar, for serving
  • maple syrup, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. You will need a 9x13 baking dish, and a larger roasting pan that the baking dish will fit inside.
  • Slice your bread to 3/4 inch thick slices. Arrange the bread in two layers in a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish, cutting the bread to fit the dish. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, honey, orange zest, vanilla, and salt. Pour the mixture over the bread and press the bread down. Allow to soak for 10 minutes.
  • Place the baking dish in a larger roasting pan and add enough hot water to the roasting pan to come an inch up the side of the baking dish. Cover the roasting pan tightly with aluminum foil, tenting it so the foil doesn't touch the pudding. Make two slashes in the foil to allow steam to escape. Bake for 45 minutes, remove the foil, and bake for another 40 to 45 minutes, until the pudding puffs up and the custard is set. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.
  • Cut into squares and lightly dust the tops with confectioners sugar, serve with maple syrup on the side.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Challah or Egg Bread (Bread Machine).
Provided courtesy of good friend, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS,EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken
Challah or Egg Bread (Bread Machine)
March 8, 2017 Lee
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Challah or Egg Bread (Bread Machine)

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Easy enough sounding recipe, let the bread machine work for you.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course Bread
Servings 1 750 g (1½ lb) loaf

Equipment

  • Bread Machine

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 408 grams bread flour, 3 cups if no scale
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1½ teaspoons instant dry yeast

Instructions
 

  • Add ingredients to your bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
  • Select Basic Bread or White Bread setting, 750 g (1½ lb) loaf size, and Light Crust. Press start.
  • When the bake cycle has completed, turn out loaf to a rack to cool before slicing.
Bread & Pastry - Bread Machine
Root Beer BBQ Pork Ribs
March 8, 2017 Lee
2 Comments

Root Beer BBQ Pork Ribs

Sounds good, and the ribs I would use are the short ribs found in any Tesco or even fresh markets but watch the cook time. I will verify this when I make them. This is a slow cooker recipe that will also need your broiler as well. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 kilos pork ribs
  • 2 cans Root Beer, OR Ginger Ale aka Ginger Beer
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • salt and pepper, as needed
  • spring onions, thinly sliced, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • These are the ribs I get at Tesco. Look for the strips that are meaty, remove the distorted bones on the ends and save for a soup if you wish, and just go with the nice straight bones. The bones are only about 3 inches long.
  • Remove silver skin from the back of the ribs if that is present. Cut the ribs into 3 bone sections, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and place in the slow cooker.
  • Pour the root beer into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on Low setting for 5 hours, do not remove the cover.
  • Check the ribs at 5 hours, if very tender, you are almost done, if not tender, continue cooking and checking each hour. Once the ribs are tender, carefully remove from the pot and set on a foil lined baking sheet.
  • Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and broil for a few minutes, charring a bit is ok, then flip the ribs over, brush more sauce, and broil for a few more minutes, again, a bit of char is ok. Remove to a serving tray, sprinkle some thinly sliced spring onion on, and serve.

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,5 Ingredients or Less,Pork - Slow Cooker
Basic Pinto Beans (Slow Cooker)
March 7, 2017 Lee
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Basic Pinto Beans (Slow Cooker)

Common recipe I have been making for years, and never the same.
I like beans and make a lot of items using dry beans to start with, and I have a lot of time on my hands so I go with slow cooked beans in my slow cooker as the standard. This recipe can be tailored at will with what you have on hand or what you want to use. This recipe is what I make but it also changes each time.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 1 day 10 hours
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry Pinto beans, (1 lb)
  • 250 grams sausage, or ham, or bacon, etc., (8 oz)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • ground cumin, to taste
  • dried oregano, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Sort the beans and remove any bad ones or debris, soak overnight.
  • Next day, drain and rinse the beans, add to your slow cooker. Add cut up sausage, ham, or bacon, add water to the slow cooker about 1 inch above the contents.
  • Cook on Low setting for 8-10 hours (I routinely start my beans about noon, cook until about 7 or 8 pm, leave in the pot and just start cooking the next day).
  • Season with some salt, black pepper, oregano, and cumin to your liking. Keeping mind, slow cookers will reduce the seasoning level the longer you cook.

Notes

Variants: Use any of the following, chopped onion, tomato paste, chopped chilies, ham, bacon, or even chicken, use chicken stock instead of water, you get the idea, tailor this at will.
5 Ingredients or Less,Sides - Slow Cooker
BLT Pasta Salad
March 7, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

BLT Pasta Salad

This is really good! I made this for a party the family had on 13 Aug 2018, only one small portion left over for me the next day. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry elbow macaroni, or any small pasta
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, or cider vinegar
  • 8 slices bacon, chopped and fried crispy
  • 1 cup lettuce, chopped, or spinach
  • 2-4 spring onions, sliced, white and green parts
  • 3/4 cup mayo
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup tomatoes, diced

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta until tender, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain some more. Add the cooked bacon and mix in.
  • Gently mix in the rest of the ingredients to combine. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • Ready to serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Sour Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Sides - Salads
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
March 7, 2017 Lee
1 Comment

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Stephen Connell, United States.
I love a good meatloaf, and this is by far the best I have made! Excellent flavor from the use of butter crackers and cheese. Highly recommended.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Loaf Pans (two, 4x8 inch)
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 2 eggs
  • â…” cup milk
  • 32 butter crackers, crushed, like Magic or Ritz
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 120 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, (4 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or a mix of black and white pepper
  • 1 kilo ground beef, (2 lb)
  • ½ cup ketchup, or chili sauce
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon mustard

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Get out two loaf pans. I used my Pyrex pans.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and crackers and stir together. Add the onion and cheese and stir together. Stir in the salt and pepper.
  • Add ground beef. Mix well.
  • Divide mixture between the 2 loafs, pack lightly and smooth off the top.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. While the meatloaf is baking, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard to make the topping. I used chili sauce in place of the ketchup.
  • After 30 minutes of baking, spoon ¼ of the topping onto each meatloaf, return the pans to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Then spoon on the rest of the topping, dividing between the loaves, and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let the loaf rest for 5 minutes.
  • Slice and serve right from the pan with your favorite side dishes, and enjoy.

Notes

For 8 servings this is actually low cost per serving and also depends on where you source the beef from. I purchase in bulk from a local butcher and grind myself.
Updated on 2 July 2022.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BEEF
Cream of Green Chili Soup
March 7, 2017 Lee
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Cream of Green Chili Soup

Sounds good!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups big green chilies, roasted, diced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 3-4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions
 

  • In a medium pot over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and salt. Cook, stirring, until the onions are soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, another minute or so until the mixture is very fragrant.
  • Add the chilies and broth (3 cups for a thicker soup, 4 cups for a thinner soup) to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer and cook until vegetables are extremely soft and flavors have blended, about 15 minutes.
  • Blend until very smooth in blender or food processor (about 2 minutes).
  • Return the mixture to the pot and stir in cream. Gently heat until the soup is heated through. Add more salt to taste, if you like. Enjoy.

Notes

This would be low cost.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Jerry Juliana.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Three-Ingredient Baked Chicken
March 7, 2017 Lee
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Three-Ingredient Baked Chicken

This is a basic baked chicken recipe, very customizable. If you have a recipe calling for cooked chicken as an ingredient, this sounds like it would work perfect. Or add a few vegetables to the dish and bake those as well and you have a meal.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skin on or off
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted, 1/4 of a standard block

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Lightly butter a baking dish.
  • Place the chicken in the baking dish, skin side up. Add the salt to the melted butter and brush onto the chicken and pour the remaining butter over the chicken as well.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes or until cooked through and juices run clear.
  • Use as directed by another recipe or serve with vegetables on the side.

Notes

Figure about 100 Baht for 4 chicken breasts. For 4 servings, this is about 74 cents per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Mushroom Chicken
March 6, 2017 Lee
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Mushroom Chicken

Chicken, mushroom soup, and cheese, sounds like my kind of meal. On my to cook list. I will verify the cooking times when I make this. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 cups sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • milk, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • Prep the chicken by cutting into the standard 8 pieces; 2 legs, 2 thighs, 2 wings minus the tips, and 2 breasts. Use the carcass to make chicken stock, link provided in the Recipe Notes.
  • Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish in one layer and bake for about 30 minutes.
  • Mix the soup and sour cream together, if it is too thick, thin it out with a bit of milk, this needs to be pourable. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  • When the chicken is near done (maybe about 30 minutes), sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake until the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
  • Remove from oven, let rest for 5-10 minutes, serve.

Notes

The whole chicken will cost about 180 Baht at a Tesco, more than likely less at a fresh market near you. The cheese will be about 70 Baht for 100 grams. For 4 servings, this is about $1.84 per serving.
Variants: Fry the chicken to brown before baking.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Basic Chicken Stock, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Frances Collins.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY