Author Archive
Easiest Cookies Ever
February 18, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Easiest Cookies Ever

Stephen Connell, United States.
If nothing more, these do in fact sound interesting, and quite healthy. Just three ingredients. and just two if in a pinch.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings 12 cookies

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients
  

  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
  • handful raisins, optional, OR any dried fruit

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), get out a baking sheet and line with parchment paper.
  • Peel the banana and place in a bowl, add the oats, and any dried fruit. Using your hands mix everything together.
  • For oven baking, just drop by spoonful's to make about 12 cookies, slightly flatten them down, bake for about 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
  • For microwave cooking, shape spoonful's into flat cookie circles and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, making sure they do not burn.
5 Ingredients or Less,DESSERTS,VEGAN,VEGETARIAN
Easy Crab Bombs
February 18, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Easy Crab Bombs

Stephen Connell, United States.
Sounds delicious! On my to cook list. I would use fresh crab cooked yourself and picked, prep time does not reflect this step. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams crab meat, (1 lb)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup butter crackers, crushed, like Magic or Ritz
  • 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, Shortcut
  • 1 tablespoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • butter, melted, for drizzling

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), get out a baking sheet and line with parchment paper.
  • Place crab meat in a mixing bowl, remove any stray shell fragments. Add crushed crackers, Old Bay seasoning, and parsley, gently toss together.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, mustard, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour mixture over the crab meat and gently mix, careful not to break up large lumps of crab meat.
  • Shape into golf ball sized balls and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Drizzle with melted butter and allow to cool before serving.

Notes

I cannot price this until I make it in order to get the amount of crab needed. For now I will say fair value.
Shortcut: Old Bay Seasoning.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,SEAFOOD - ALL,Seafood - Crab
Bacon Cheese Biscuits
February 18, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Bacon Cheese Biscuits

Sounds tasty! On my to cook list. I have never seen crescent rolls in a tube anywhere in Thailand (maybe Villa Market carries them) so there is a bread maker recipe for crescent rolls listed as a shortcut. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tubes crescent rolls, OR make from a shortcut
  • cheese, what ever you like
  • 300-500 grams bacon, fried crisp
  • all purpose flour, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a baking sheet with butter.
  • Lightly flour your work surface. Unroll one can of crescent rolls on your work surface (if using the shortcut, roll out one half). Using your hands, press the seams together and lightly press and stretch a little into a nice rectangle.
  • Add a layer of cheese, can be sliced or shredded, then then add your layer of cooked bacon. Unroll the remaining can of crescent rolls on top & press all the seems together both on top and all around the edges.
  • Using a pizza cutter or a knife slice into squares. Place the entire thing on your baking sheet using a large spatula, working in batches. Lay all the squares right beside each other, just as they were before you sliced it. You want all the cut seams to be touching so that your cheese doesn’t leak out.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the top of the crescent rolls are lightly browned. Remove from the oven ans cool on a wire rack for 3-5 minutes before digging in. The crescent squares will pull right apart. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

I cannot price this until I find out how many servings this will make, for now I will say this is a fair value dish based on just the cheese and bacon used.
Variants: Use cooked crumbled sausage or even just ground beef.
Shortcut: Crescent Rolls (Bread Machine).
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,BREAD & PASTRY
Crescent Rolls (Bread Machine)
February 18, 2017 Lee
3 Comments

Crescent Rolls (Bread Machine)

Just a Pinch Recipe Club, Sharon Perez, United States.
This makes 16-24 rolls depending on the size you want. Basically this makes two 8 oz containers which are 8 rolls each, however, these are much tastier! Light, fluffy, and buttery, excellent rolls. Highly recommended if you really like crescent rolls, you will not be disappointed. If using this recipe in place of the store bought containers, cut the recipe in half by changing the servings to 8 rolls if your recipe calls for just one 8 oz container. If your recipe calls for two containers, use the recipe as stated.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 16 rolls

Equipment

  • Bread Machine
  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup milk, warmed
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 4 cups all purpose flour, (512 grams if using a scale)
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2½ teaspoons instant dry yeast

Instructions
 

  • Place the Ingredients listed in your bread machine in the order listed and choose the dough/raw dough cycle. While the bread machine is doing its thing, about 20 minutes, take out an additional 4-6 tablespoons of butter from the fridge and let soften on the counter in a small bowl, you will use this butter as directed after the dough comes out of the machine.
  • After the cycle, remove dough to a floured surface using floured hands. Divide dough in half. Roll out each half into circle. Spread some softened butter onto each circle with a pastry brush and cut each circle into 8 or 12 pie-shaped wedges, depending on the size of roll you want.
  • Starting with the wide end, roll up each wedge. Place on baking sheet with the point end down, cover with a cloth and let stand for about 1-2 hours until rolls have doubled in size. About 30 minutes before the end of the rise time, preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). At this point, take out an additional ¼-½ cup butter and melt that, this will be used when the rolls come out of the oven.
  • One batch ready.
  • Second batch ready.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown, remove from oven and brush with melted butter. First batch done.
  • Second batch done.
  • A few got pretty big.
  • If using these for another recipe other than rolls, use the dough prior to cutting into wedges and use as the other recipe directs.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
#1 Go-To Recipes,Bread & Pastry - Bread Machine
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Tandoori Style
February 18, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Tandoori Style

I love a good Tandoori chicken, and this sounds really good. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500-750 grams chicken drumettes, or wings
  • salt and pepper, as needed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala, heaping
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • pinch cayenne pepper, pinch or two
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • dash Sriracha Chili Garlic sauce, easily use a tablespoon
  • fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Cool Minted Yogurt Dipping Sauce, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Wash and pat dry the chicken drumettes and or wings and pat them dry with a paper towel and place in a large bowl. Add to them 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, the paprika, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and cayenne, and using your hands, mix/rub the spices into the chicken; set aside for a moment.
  • In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and Sriracha, and mix to blend, then pour this mixture over the chicken, rubbing it into the chicken, cover and refrigerate and allow it to marinate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
  • When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 230 C, line a baking sheet with foil, and place a wire rack over the baking sheet. Remove the chicken from the yogurt marinade, and allow the excess to drip off; place the wings onto the wire rack, and bake in the oven for about 25 minutes, until slightly charred and crisp.
  • Serve garnished with a some cilantro leaves, and the Cool Minted Yogurt Dipping Sauce on the side.

Notes

Drumettes are called Chicken Wing Sticks at Tesco (I get pricing from Tesco), and are about 80 Baht/kilo. Full wings are 90 Baht/kilo. Going with 750 grams of drumettes, this is about 88 cents per serving for 2 servings.
Shortcut: Cool Minted Yogurt Dipping Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Cool Minted Yogurt Dipping Sauce
February 17, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Cool Minted Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Perfect dipping sauce for Tandoori chicken.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, chopped, heaping
  • salt, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to a small bowl, and add in a couple of good pinches of salt to taste, mix with a fork, and use immediately, or keep covered and in the fridge until ready to use.

Notes

Adapted from an internet recipe.
CONDIMENTS
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
February 17, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Sounds extremely good! Minimal ingredients, and two shortcuts for cost savings. Baked and not fried. I will state the number of meatballs I can make from this when I make this. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams sausage, OR make from a shortcut
  • 250 grams Cream cheese, softened, this 1 standard block
  • 1 1/4 cups Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 110 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C.
  • Mix all ingredients until well combined, roll into 1 inch balls. bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve as an appetizer or in main dish in a pasta sauce over spaghetti.

Notes

Minced pork will cost about 50 Baht/500 grams if making the sausage yourself. The Cream cheese will run about 150 Baht/250 grams, and the Cheddar will run about 90 Baht for half a 250 gram block. For all the meatballs, this is about $8.53, I will break this down to per meatball when I make these. I will state high cost for now.
Shortcuts: Sausage, Bisquick Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,MEATBALLS
Best Hamburger Meat
February 17, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Best Hamburger Meat

This is a stand alone recipe, once you make this, you can make any burgers of your choice. I wanted to add this tip as it is excellent! There is 3 options here. This tip is for grinding your own beef or at a minimum, grinding the optional ingredients. You can grind these items together or do as I did and just grind separate and mix together by hand.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 burger patties

Ingredients
  

Beef with Bacon

  • 500 grams beef, any cut
  • 200 grams smoked bacon

Beef with Sausage

  • 500 grams beef, any cut
  • 250 grams beerwurst sausage, bratwurst, smoked sausage, etc

Beef with Green Chili

  • 500 grams beef, any cut
  • 200 grams smoked bacon
  • 1-2 large green chilies, also called large green peppers, roasted

Instructions
 

Beef with Bacon

  • Cut the beef into strips and place in the freezer to chill for about 20-30 minutes, place the bacon in the freezer as well. Thoroughly clean the grinder parts then sterilize in bleach water for a few minutes, then RINSE the parts completely, dry, and assemble the grinder. Grind the beef with the bacon, or grind separate and mix. Immediately chill the ground meat in the fridge until use. This makes 4-5 patties.

Beef with Sausage

  • Cut the beef into strips and place in the freezer to chill for about 20-30 minutes, place the sausage in the freezer as well. Thoroughly clean the grinder parts then sterilize in bleach water for a few minutes, then RINSE the parts completely, dry, and assemble the grinder. Grind the beef with the sausage, or grind separate and mix. Immediately chill the ground meat in the fridge until use. This makes 4-5 patties. This one I have done and it makes a great burger!

Beef with Green Chilies

  • Cut the beef into strips and place in the freezer to chill for about 20-30 minutes, place the bacon in the freezer as well. Thoroughly clean the grinder parts then sterilize in bleach water for a few minutes, then RINSE the parts completely, dry, and assemble the grinder. Grind the beef with the bacon and roasted chilies, or grind separate and mix. Immediately chill the ground meat in the fridge until use. This makes 4-5 patties.

Notes

The beef will cost about 100 Baht/500 grams, bacon can go up to 150 Baht/200 grams and is normally more than sausage. For 4 burger patties, this is about $1.84 per burger patty. High cost but great for a once in a while meal.
The Beef with Bacon, provided courtesy of good friend, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
The Beef with Green Chili, inspired by good friend, Jerry Juliana.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,BEEF
Best Ever Beef Stew
February 16, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Best Ever Beef Stew

Love a good beef stew, and this sounds pretty good. I cannot vouch for this being 'best ever' but it does sound good.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef, any cut, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • olive oil, as needed
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup Worcherstershire sauce
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons beef stock powder
  • 4 potatoes, diced large
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 1 stalk celery, import, diced
  • black pepper, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Shake the beef in a resealable plastic bag with the flour, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated. Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet then add the floured beef to the pan and brown on all sides. Remove using a slotted spoon or tongs and place into the bottom of your slow cooker. Season with pepper as desired.
  • Saute the diced onion in the same hot skillet for 2 minutes. Don't worry about cleaning it out in between, that's added flavor! Transfer the onions into the slow cooker as well.
  • Pour the Worcestershire sauce, water, beef stock powder into the same skillet and whisk until mixed. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Add the diced potatoes, carrots, celery, bay leaves to the slow cooker. Now, pour the mixture from the skillet into the slow cooker. Cover, cook on Low setting for 8 hours. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Notes

The beef would cost about 200 Baht/kilo. For 6 servings, this is about 98 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Soups, Stews, Chili - Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Lasagna
February 16, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Crock Pot Lasagna

Stephen Connell, United States.
Sounds good, on my to cook list. Several shortcuts listed for cost savings as well. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • lasagna noodles, as needed
  • 3 cups pasta sauce, Shortcut
  • 1½ cups Cottage cheese, Shortcut
  • 1½ cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain, and set aside.
  • Pour 1 cup of sauce in the slow cooker and spread around to coat the bottom. Mix remaining sauce with the ground beef.
  • Place 2 uncooked lasagna noodles on sauce in slow cooker. Spread ⅓ of the meat mixture on top of the noodles. Spread ¾ cup of cottage cheese over the meat. Sprinkle ½ cup Mozzarella over the cottage cheese.
  • Add another layer of uncooked noodles, ⅓ meat mixture, the remaining cottage cheese and ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
  • Place another layer of uncooked noodles, remaining meat mixture, then remaining Mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top. Cook on low for 4 hours. Serve.

Notes

Figure about 100 Baht for the ground beef, and 140 Baht for the Mozzarella cheese. For 4 servings this is about $1.76. Not a bad price for lasagna.
Shortcuts: Pasta Sauce, Cottage Cheese.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Pasta - Slow Cooker