Author Archive
Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs
September 30, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs

These sound very good, feel free to use ground beef, ground pork, bulk Italian sausage, or even ground chicken. Several shortcuts here to cuts costs as well. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR bulk Italian sausage, OR ground chicken
  • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 3 cups tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, with juice from one can
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Instructions
 

  • In your slow cooker pot, add the tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, and dried oregano. Mix this up a bit.
  • In a large bowl mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, fresh parsley, garlic, onion, and egg together. Form into 16-20 meatballs. Place meatballs in the slow cooker and gently stir to coat them all in the sauce. Cook on High setting for 1 hour, then change to Low setting for another 3-4 hours. IMPORTANT, every few hours, use a spoon and skim the fat off the top of the sauce. Serve over pasta of your choice.

Notes

The ground beef will cost about 200-250 Baht/kilo. Figuring 200 Baht, for 16 servings (I think this is quite high and I will adjust when I make this), is about 37 cents per serving, less if using pork or chicken.
Shortcuts: Italian Sausage, Seasoned Breadcrumbs, Tomato Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,MEATBALLS
Low Country Boil
September 30, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Low Country Boil

This is truly a one meal, for the time it takes potatoes to cook, the meal is ready. You can tailor this for as many or as few people as you are serving. This is just a base recipe, you can add or replace items to suit your taste. Adding items will increase the cost however. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo potatoes, cut into large pieces
  • 1 kilo smoked sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 ears sweat corn, cut each ear into 3 pieces
  • 1 1/4 kilos fresh shrimp, whole, or you can remove heads if you want
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning, OR make from a shortcut, reserve 1 teaspoon aside
  • lemons, cut into wedges
  • melted butter
  • cocktail sauce, OR make from a shortcut, optional

Instructions
 

  • Fill a large pot with water, about 8 quarts (liters) and bring to a boil.
  • Add the Old Bay seasoning and bay leaves, reserve 1 teaspoon of Old Bay for use later. Place the potatoes in the water and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until they are just beginning to soften when pierced with a fork. Then add the sausage and cook for another 5 minutes. Then add the corn and the corn and cook for another 5 minutes. Finally, add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
  • Remove everything and drain well and place on a large platter or two (or just put down some newspapers on a table if eating outside). Sprinkle the remaining Old Bay over the meal and drizzle with melted butter. Set out lemon wedges as well. For the butter, you can also serve melted butter in individual small bowls for each person. Optional, serve with cocktail sauce.

Notes

One kilo of smoked sausage is between 100 and 200 Baht depending on where you get it from, I will use 150 Baht as an estimate here. Shrimp go with about 150 Baht as well, much less if you can get from a local fisherman. Corn and potatoes, you can get them locally. This comes to $2.20 per serving for 4 servings, and about $1.50 per serving for 6 servings. Not a cheap meal but would be a hit for visiting friends and family.
Variants, add fresh clams, add fresh crabs or just large crab claws.
Shortcuts: Old Bay Seasoning, Cocktail Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Pork - Sausage,SEAFOOD - ALL,Seafood - Shrimp/Prawn
Substitute Old Bay Seasoning
September 30, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Substitute Old Bay Seasoning

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I do have some in the spice cabinet since I found some in Phuket so I bought a bottle for use in some other recipes, then I came across this recipe to make a substitute.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 3 teaspoons celery salt
  • 2 teaspoons mustard powder
  • 1½ teaspoons black pepper
  • 1½ teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • Mix everything and store in an airtight container, use in place of Old Bay Seasoning. This makes approximately ¼ cup of seasoning.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Ingredients - Spice Mixes
Roasted Turkey & Sweet Pea Ranch Pasta Salad
September 30, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Roasted Turkey & Sweet Pea Ranch Pasta Salad

Sounds very good. Feel free to use diced ham or cooked and diced chicken. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups dry pasta, small shells, spirals, or macaroni
  • 2 cups turkey breast, cooked and diced,
  • 3/4 cup sweet peas, frozen, thawed
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Ranch dressing, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup mayo

Instructions
 

  • Add the pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook until tender, about 6-8 minutes or so. Drain and rinse pasta and place in a large bowl.
  • Add the turkey, peas, and cheese and give that a quick mix.
  • Mix the mayo and ranch dressing together and then mix this into the pasta mixture until everything is well coated. Cover and place in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Ranch Dressing.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sides - Salads
Quick Cocktail Sauce
September 30, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

 

Quick Cocktail Sauce

Great shortcut instead of the high price for store bought cocktail sauce. I will have to try this for sure.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • dash Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1 lemon
  • dash tobasco sauce, or to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix the ketchup, horseradish, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, a squirt of lemon juice, and a dash of tabasco sauce. Chill, then serve as a dipping sauce with cooked shrimp.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
 
Adapted from an internet recipe.
CONDIMENTS
Creamy Beef Stroganoff
September 28, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Creamy Beef Stroganoff

This sounds really good, an easy skillet dinner that is on my to cook list. Link to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 1/2 cups egg noodles, cooked
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot of water and when boiling, cook the noodles until tender. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick skillet and brown the ground beef and season with salt and pepper to your liking, just before beef is done, add in the onion and bell pepper and cook until tender. Stir in the soup and milk and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sour cream then add the noodles or pasta, mix well and serve.

Notes

The beef will cost about 200-250 Baht/kilo. Figuring 200 Baht, for 4 servings, this is about $1.47 per serving, less for 6 servings. Using minced pork at about 80/kilo, this is about 60 cents per serving, less for 6 servings. Good value overall.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Sour Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,BEEF
Balsamic Vinegar Substitute
September 28, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Balsamic Vinegar Substitute

Sounds reasonable to me.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Servings 1 tablespoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Mix well, use in place of 1 tablespoon of Balsamic vinegar.

Notes

This is easily scaled to any amount you need, for instance, you need 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar, use 8 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 4 teaspoons of brown sugar.
INGREDIENTS
Biscuits
September 28, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Biscuits

These sound good, can be served with butter, honey, jam, or gravy (which would be my preference). These are easy with no kneading. On my to cook list so I can try these out. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, cold, shredded
  • 1 cup buttermilk, OR use the shortcut, OR regular milk
  • butter, couple of tablespoons, melted, to brush the tops

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 220 C, get out a baking sheet.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar, cut in the butter until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Gradually stir in the buttermilk until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the side of the bowl.
  • Turn out dough onto a floured surface and pat or roll dough out to 1 inch thick, then cut biscuits with a large cutter or juice glass dipped in flour. Repeat until all dough is used. Brush off the excess flour, and place biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet. Do not twist the cutter or glass, that will seal the edges and prevent rising.
  • Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter, bake for 13-15 minutes until the edges begin to brown.

Notes

Shortcut: Buttermilk.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
SIDES
Classic Chicken and Dumplings I
September 28, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Classic Chicken and Dumplings I

Sounds like a really good dish. On my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped, import celery
  • 3-4 carrots, chopped
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, between 1/4 and 1/2 block of butter
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for serving
  • 10 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
  • olive oil, as needed
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a splash of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on each side. Brown in batches, 4-6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; reserve the pot.
  • Add the celery, carrots, onions, thyme, and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chicken, bay leaves, and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 25-30 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and transfer the chicken to a plate and let cool let cool. Once the chicken is cooled, shred the chicken with 2 forks and return it to the pot, discarding the skin and bones or use for a treat for your dog.
  • Whisk together 1/2 cup of the flour, 2 cups of the cooking liquid, and salt and pepper to your liking in a small bowl. Slowly whisk the flour mixture into the pot and simmer until slightly thickened, about 8-10 minutes.
  • To make the dumplings whisk together the remaining 2 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk in the butter, buttermilk, and parsley. Reduce heat to low and drop the mixture into the broth in 8 large spoonfuls. Simmer covered until the dumplings are firm, about 12-15 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley.

Notes

The 6 thighs might cost you about 80 Baht, go with quarters, use the thighs and save the legs for another recipe. Thighs from quarters are large than buying thighs separate. For 6 servings, this is about 40 cents per serving. Excellent value.
Shortcut: Buttermilk.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Slow Cooker Beef and Gravy III
September 27, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Slow Cooker Beef and Gravy III

Straight forward basic recipe, use the shortcuts for cost savings. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef, any cut, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 packet brown gravy, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 tablespoon beef stock powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 small onion, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Put everything in your slow cooker and give it a mix. Cook on Low setting for 7-8 hours or until fork tender. Serve over hot rice or pasta.

Notes

The beef will cost about 200-250 Baht/kilo. Figuring 250 Baht, for 6 servings, this is about $1.23 per serving. Good value.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Brown Gravy Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker