Author Archive
Caramel Sauce
February 6, 2017 Lee
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Caramel Sauce

An alternative to store bought, and can be tailored to Salty Caramel Sauce if you like.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, optional
  • 1 teaspoon corn syrup, optional

Instructions
 

  • Add the sugar and water to a 3-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Stir until combined. Do Not Stir Again! Simply swirl the saucepan until the sugar has melted and turns a light amber color. If you use a candy or instant read thermometer, the mixture should register 350ยบ at this point. (Optional, when mixing the sugar and water mix in the corn syrup to reduce the chance of crystallization of the sugar.)
  • Carefully add your butter and whisk until all the butter has melted.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and slowly pour in the cream, whisking constantly until all of the cream has been incorporated. Set aside to cool. (Optional, after whisking in the cream, whisk in the sea salt for a Salty Caramel Sauce.)
  • Once cooled to room temperature, pour into an airtight container and store in fridge, use as needed.

Notes

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Ingredients - Sauces
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak III
February 6, 2017 Lee
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Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak III

Sounds great, and plenty of shortcuts to reduce the cost as well. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo ground beef
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 packet au jus mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, and milk using your hands. Shape into 8 patties.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Dredge the patties in flour just to coat, and quickly brown on both sides in the hot skillet. Place browned patties into the slow cooker stacking alternately like a pyramid.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, au jus mix, and water. Pour over the meat. Cook on the Low setting for 4 to 5 hours, until ground beef is well done. Serve with mashed potatoes and the sauce from the slow cooker.

Notes

Figure about 200 Baht for the ground beef. For 8 servings this is about 75 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Dry Onion Soup Mix, Italian Bread Crumbs, Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Au Jus Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker
French Onion Dip Sandwiches II
February 6, 2017 Lee
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French Onion Dip Sandwiches II

This is a Leftover recipe and is quick and easy. Think left over roast beef, toasted rolls, and au jus for dipping. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • beef roast, leftover
  • sandwich rolls, toasted
  • 1 packet au jus mix, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the au jus either from the packet instructions OR by using the shortcut on this site.
  • While that is heating up, heat the left over roast beef up in a microwave then slice thinly. Toast the sandwich rolls to your liking.
  • Pour the hot au jus in a bowl for dipping, load up a roll with roast beef and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost as the roast beef is already paid for from a previous meal.
Shortcut: Au Jus Substitute.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,BURGERS & SANDWICHES,LEFTOVERS
Au Jus Substitute
February 6, 2017 Lee
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Au Jus Substitute

I needed this cheater recipe for another recipe that called for a packet of dry au jus mix. I have never seen that available where I live so the next best thing is a bit of research and I found this.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons beef stock powder
  • 4 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons corn starch

Instructions
 

  • Put everything in a blender and mix for about 30 seconds to make a fine powder. Store in a airtight container.
  • To prepare a "packet" of au jus, mix 4 1/2 teaspoons of the mix with 2 cups of water and heat for about 15 minutes until hot and slightly thickened.
  • To use a "packet" of au jus in recipe, simply use 4 1/2 teaspoons for each packet called for.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak III,
French Onion Dip Sandwiches II
Adapted from an internet recipe.
CONDIMENTS,Ingredients - Sauces
Spicy Vinegar
February 5, 2017 Lee
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Spicy Vinegar

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a Filipino vinegar used extensively there and can be used to marinate raw fish or as a dipping sauce. The longer you let this sit, the spicier it becomes.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine Filipino
Servings 2 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 cups white vinegar
  • 1 cup Bird's Eye Chilis, fresh, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons ginger, sliced
  • 1 head garlic, skin removed, crushed
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns

Instructions
 

  • Add the chilies, ginger, garlic, onion, and peppercorns to a large jar, cover and shake them up a bit to mix them. Pour in vinegar to fill the jar or at least cover the ingredients. Cover tightly and store for at least 3 days before use but it can be stored for longer and will get spicier.
: FILIPINO,CONDIMENTS,Ingredients - Sauces
Grilled Pork on a Stick
February 5, 2017 Lee
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Grilled Pork on a Stick

This is a Filipino recipe for the familiar grilled meat on a stick for anyone who has visited the Philippines. I look forward to making this. No servings or times given, this is a make what you want, think large crowd like family visiting, or when having friends visit, would be a good meal in itself while sitting around and chatting.
Print Recipe
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine Filipino
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • pork butt, OR pork shoulder
  • 1 1/2 cups soy sauce
  • 2 cups brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon banana ketchup, OR, sweet chili sauce
  • 10 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • wooden skewers, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Take the pork and cut into thin strips.
  • Mix the marinade ingredients together and add the pork. Refrigerate over night, or if pushed for time, marinate for at least 2 hours prior to grilling.
  • Soak the skewers in water to prevent burning. Light your grill, charcoal would be preferred, when the coals are ready, no more flames, skewer the pork strips and grill until done, turning as needed. Serve as an appetizer or main meal with sides of your choice.

Notes

For pricing I will use pork shoulder at 103 Baht/kilo, A kilo would make a lot of sticks of meat! For an estimate of say 8 people (an average Thai family get together), this is about 38 cents per person. Great value.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Edward Coleman.
Philippines.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,GRILLED / BBQ / SMOKER
Homemade Yellow Cake
February 4, 2017 Lee
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Homemade Yellow Cake

To cut costs, this uses the Homemade Yellow Cake Mix recipe on this site. This will make two 8 inch rounds, one 9x13 pan, or 24 cupcakes. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Equipment

  • Electric Mixer
  • Oven
  • Baking Pan(s)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cake mix recipe, Shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs, chicken or duck
  • ยฝ cup butter, softened, (ยฝ block / 1 stick)
  • 1ยผ cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • frosting, of your choice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease and flour a 9x13 baking dish or two 8 inch rounds.
  • Add the butter to a mixing bowl, cream with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes. Add the cake mix to mixing bowl, mix for 30 seconds. Add the eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla mix, mix on medium high for 1-2 minutes. Do not over work the batter or the result will not be a light and fluffy cake.
  • Pour the batter into your prepared pan(s) and bake for 20-25 minutes for two 8 inch pans, 30-38 minutes for a 9x13 inch pan, 15 minutes for cupcakes. Let cool completely before turning out to a platter before frosting.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Homemade Yellow Cake Mix.
Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Made it, GO-TO recipe.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS
Homemade Yellow Cake Mix
February 4, 2017 Lee
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Homemade Yellow Cake Mix

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Yellow Cake Mix, a standard when I was growing up, came in a box, added a few ingredients, bake, and you have a cake. Where I live, the city does have this boxed mix at a premium price as well. This is the base mix recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 boxed cake mix

Ingredients
  

  • 2ยผ cups all purpose flour
  • 1ยฝ cups sugar
  • 3ยฝ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Whisk all ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to one month, or use right away to make a yellow cake.
  • This mix equals 1 box of store bought mix which will make two 8 inch rounds or one 9x13 pan.
  • Use in any recipe that calls for a box of yellow cake mix.

Notes

Low cost.
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
#1 Go-To Recipes,INGREDIENTS
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
February 4, 2017 Lee
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No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I remember my Mom making these when I was little. Very happy to have this recipe now. I made this on 31 Mar 2017 and these are exactly as I remember them, fantastic and easy!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 6 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter, this is 1/2 of a standard block
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups quick cooking rolled oats

Instructions
 

  • Add the butter, sugars, milk, cocoa, and salt to a large sauce pan or pot.
  • Bring to a rolling boil and hold for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  • Add peanut butter and stir until melted, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  • Now mix in 2 1/2 cups of oats until completely coated, if it looks wet enough, add 1/4 cup at a time from the remaining 1/2 cup and mix in until coated.
  • Drop the cookies by tablespoons onto wax paper or foil and let cool until set.

Notes

All readily available ingredients, low cost.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS
Gouda Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers
February 4, 2017 Lee
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Gouda Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers

Don't let the name fool you, even though Jalapeno peppers are not common except in the larger cities, just use the large green chilies available in all markets. And you can make the Chorizo yourself as well. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 24 poppers

Ingredients
  

  • 12 big green chilies, Jalapenos if you can find them
  • 24 slices smoked bacon
  • 2 links Chorizo sausage, OR make from a shortcut
  • 250 grams Gouda cheese, OR Edam cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup Cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove stems and seeds.
  • Remove the casings from chorizo links and crumble up a bit, if using patties, just crumble those up a bit. Brown chorizo in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and place into a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the rest of the except the peppers and bacon, mix together and press mixture into the pepper halves, mounded as well. Wrap each pepper half with a strip of bacon.
  • Fire up your grill, gas or charcoal (charcoal preferred) and grill, covered until the bacon is cooked, about 10 minutes or so, I will update this when I prepare these.

Notes

I cannot buy chorizo premade so I have to make myself, figure about 50 Baht for two links or patties. For the cheese, figure about 180 Baht for the Gouda or Edam, and for Cream cheese figure 60 Baht for half a standard package. The total cost for 24 poppers would be about $8.53 or about 36 cents per popper. This would be a good item for a get together with family and friends.
Shortcut: Chorizo.
Provided courtesy of good friends, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS