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Easy Broccoli Gratin
September 3, 2016 Lee
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Easy Broccoli Gratin

Sounds like a tasty side for any meal. One my to cook list.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces, plus the stems
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 2 teaspoons mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 500 grams Swiss cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Steam the broccoli for only a few minutes, make sure there's still a little crunch to it. Place in the baking dish.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the mayo and mustard, then add the cheese and mix. spoon this mixture onto the broccoli and make sure it is evenly spread around. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite main dish.

Notes

The cheese would cost about 180 Baht per 250 gram block, so 2 blocks, this would be about $1.33 per serving for 8 servings but you can probably push this to 10 as it is a side dish. Not a bad cost for a great side for a once in a while meal with friends and family.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
5 Ingredients or Less,SIDES
Breakfast Pie
September 3, 2016 Lee
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Breakfast Pie

Not only the pie, but you will make the pie crust as well. This is a great sounding recipe that could be for a late breakfast or even a dinner. On my to cook list.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Crust

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water

For the Filling

  • 500 grams minced pork, OR ground beef, OR even ground chicken
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup cheese, shredded, your choice
  • 1 cup cheese, shredded, another of your choice

Instructions
 

For the Crust

  • In a large bowl combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the water and mix until a ball is formed. Divide dough into two, one for the bottom and one for the top of the pie.
  • Press one of the balls of dough into the bottom of a pie dish, rising up the sides slightly OR you can roll out the bottom crust and set into the pie dish. Roll the other ball of dough out flat into a large circle to cover the pie once you put the filling in.

For the Filling

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • In a large skillet, saute onions and mushrooms until onions start to become a little translucent. Add the meat and cook thoroughly. Drain the drippings and stir in garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  • In a separate bowl, beat eggs, milk, and mayo together. Combine with the meat mixture. Fold in cheeses and pour mixture into the prepared pie dish.
  • Cover pie with second portion of pie crust and seal off around the edges. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 150 C and bake for 20-30 minutes more, or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Let stand about ten minutes before cutting. Serve. Toast or fresh hash browns would be great side dishes here.

Notes

The only thing expensive in this dish is the cheeses. Use 1/3 to 1/2 of a 250 gram block of each of your cheeses of choosing, the cost would be about 180 Baht if using half a block each. This is about $1.35 per serving for 4 servings, and about 90 cents per serving for 6 servings. Over all, not a bad cost for this meal.
For the cheese, think Edam & Mozzarella, or Cheddar & Swiss. Up to you.
Variants. If using minced pork, consider adding spices to make that breakfast sausage and use that.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,PORK
Drop Biscuits and Gravy
September 2, 2016 Lee
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Drop Biscuits and Gravy

This is a great meal for breakfast or dinner, filling and hearty. The biscuits are drop biscuits, even better! On my to cook list. A couple of fried eggs on the side, you have a meal. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Biscuits

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

For the Gravy

  • 500 grams breakfast sausage, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine milk and butter and incorporate into dry ingredients just until blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a medium saucepan over medium heat, until cooked through. Add the butter and stir until melted. Sprinkle the flour over the sausage mixture and mix, then gradually add the milk, salt, and pepper. Stir over medium heat until it thickens to desired consistency. Serve over warm biscuits. Serve as is, with a side of fried or scrambled eggs, hash browns, and or toast.

Notes

Make the sausage yourself from minced pork will cost about 50 Baht/500 grams. For 4 servings, this is about 37 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Breakfast Sausage.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Pork - Sausage
Easy Egg Casserole
September 2, 2016 Lee
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Easy Egg Casserole

Easy, eggs, cheese, and chilies, sounds great! On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 15 eggs
  • 500 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, this is 2 250 gram blocks
  • 4-6 big green chilies, diced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • In a large bowl, add the eggs and lightly beat them, then add the cheese and chilies and stir that in. Pour into the baking dish.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, IMPORTANT! DO NOT OVER BAKE! When the middle of the dish is set, checked by inserting a knife and it coming out clean, remove from the oven. The eggs will cook for a few more minutes when it is removed.
  • Cut into squares and serve with hash browns and sausage on the side. Nothing easier.

Notes

Most expensive items is the cheese. This will cost about 180 Baht per 250 grams, so 360 for the 500 grams needed. This comes out to about $1. 32 per serving for 8 servings. Overall not a bad cost as what this can be served with very low cost, possibly even stretching it to 10 or 12 servings.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Mashed Potato Pancakes
September 2, 2016 Lee
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Mashed Potato Pancakes

Sounds great! Use this as a side to chicken or pork, or as a main for breakfast topped with a couple of eggs and some sausage on the side. This makes a lot as written, so cut this recipe in half or when making the first time. On my to cook list for sure. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 15 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 kilos potatoes, washed and cut into large pieces, peel if you desire
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 2 1/2 cups Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • olive oil, for frying

Instructions
 

  • Boil the potatoes in a large pot until soft, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and put back in the pot. With a cheese grater, grate in the onion into the pot. Add the beaten eggs, Bisquick, salt and pepper. Mix and mash thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and you have a batter the same consistency as mashed potatoes.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Form pancakes from the potato dough, about the size of your palm. Cook in the oiled skillet, about 3-4 minutes each side. Serve topped with sour cream as a side dish with chicken or pork, or as a main with a couple of eggs, and bacon or sausage on the side.

Notes

Low cost dish. Make the Bisquick yourself for greater savings.
Shortcut: Bisquick Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES
Chicken Noodle Soup
September 2, 2016 Lee
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Chicken Noodle Soup

This is an old time classic. On my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, or just go with a 1 kilo
  • 3-4 carrots, sliced
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen, optional
  • noodles, of your choice, cooked, Fettccine would be a good choice

Instructions
 

  • Boil chicken and veggies in the water for 20 minutes, when the chicken is cooked through, remove from the water, shred and return to the pot. Add cream of chicken soup, basil, and pepper and bring to a boil again before adding noodles and peas (if desire). Simmer for 5-10 minutes, serve.

Notes

Chicken will cost about 67 Baht/kilo for breasts, if you want to add some dark meat as well, the cost will increase slightly. This is about 32 cents per serving. Excellent value.
Shortcut: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Chicken Rice Soup
September 2, 2016 Lee
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Chicken Rice Soup

Sounds easy, and good, and turkey would be a great choice as well if you can find local raised turkeys, they are here! This makes a lot of soup. On my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo cooked shredded chicken, roasted or boiled chicken, OR turkey
  • 3-4 carrots, sliced
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon powdered chicken stock
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 2-3 cups uncooked rice
  • pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, add the water, rice, veggies, and stock powder, for 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked. Add the turkey (or chicken), the soup, basil, and pepper to your liking then brink to a boil again, then simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve.

Notes

Chicken will cost between 67 and 84 Baht/kilo (breasts, thighs). No idea on the cost of turkey yet. I have found a source for local raised, free range turkeys, cost coming soon. Make the condensed soup your self for great savings on that. I will estimate this using thighs at 84 Baht/kilo and 6 servings. This is about 42 cents per serving. Excellent value.
If you are going to boil the chicken and not use roasted, boil the chicken with the rice and veggies, skin on and bone if possible, and omit the powdered stock. When the chicken is cooked through, remove from the water, shred and return to the pot. Easy!
Shortcut: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Dijon Chicken
September 2, 2016 Lee
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Dijon Chicken

This is an excellent dish! I made this on 3 Sep 2016, very easy to put this together with common and minimal ingredients. I found this recipe on a recipe site and read all the reviews and made a few changes based on the reviews. This recipe reflects those changes. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs, OR use make with a shortcut on this site
  • 200 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, this is one block, Caroline brand
  • black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter, set aside. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  • In a shallow dish, whisk together the mustard, mayo, and milk. In another shallow dish, mix together 2/3 the cheese and bread crumbs. Photo shows my cluttered counter, the cheese and bread crumb mix, the milk mix, and the greased baking dish. Set everything up like an assembly line to make this go very fast. And for those paying attention, I did swap the order of the plates, milk mix, breadcrumbs, then the baking dish.
  • Take each chicken breast and coat both sides in the milk mix, then coat in the bread crumbs mix, place in the baking dish.
  • Pour the remaining mustard and milk mixture over the chicken.
  • Then sprinkle on the remaining cheese. Add black pepper if desired.
  • Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until cooked through, cut one breast in half to check. Serve. On pasta is great with some of the sauce spooned over the pasta, and a vegetable on the side would make this a complete meal.

Notes

Chicken breasts will run about 67 Baht/kilo boneless with skin on, just remove the skin and you are set. 4 breasts would likely be less than that, but I will figure at 67 Baht. The block of 200 grams of cheese will cost about 142 Baht. This is about $1.55 per serving for 4 servings.
Shortcut: Breadcrumbs.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Island Teriyaki Burger
September 1, 2016 Lee
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Island Teriyaki Burger

Sounds delicious! On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons Teriyaki sauce
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 canned pineapple rings, OR try fresh (my choice)
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 4 hamburger buns

Instructions
 

  • Place the beef in a large mixing bowl. Fold in the Island Teriyaki sauce and panko. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour or until ready to cook.
  • Prepare a charcoal grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat. Seed the bell pepper and cut it into 4 pieces. When the meat mixture is ready, shape the meat into 4 burger patties.
  • Grill the burgers to desired doneness. Also grilling the bell pepper, pineapple rings, and lightly toasting the buns.
  • Serve the burgers on top of lettuce, bell pepper and then topped with the pineapple ring. Include a side and you have a meal.

Notes

I am going to go with 200 Baht/kilo for beef (would only need 750 grams, but a kilo would make better burgers), how you get that beef may involve you grinding it yourself. For 4 servings, this is about $1.48 per serving. If you was to make this from pork which could very well be done, the cost would be about half of this per serving, chicken would be less.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Creamy Garlic Pasta
August 31, 2016 Lee
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Creamy Garlic Pasta

This is a base recipe that is open to have anything added like shrimp or chicken for a main dish, or as is as a side dish. On my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams spaghetti
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder, plus a little extra
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream, OR use milk, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley

Instructions
 

  • In a medium sized pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for 1-2 minutes. Add butter and melt, stirring constantly, then add the salt, pepper, and 3 cups chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then add the pasta and cook until just done. Add a little more stock if the noodles start to stick to the bottom. Reduce heat and add the cheese, cream, and parsley and mix thoroughly to heat through. Serve immediately as is for a side dish.
  • For a main dish, feel free to add 1-2 cups of any of the following: cooked diced chicken, cooked cubed ham, cooked shrimp (remember to take the tails off), even sliced smoked sausage. Also consider adding steamed broccoli, cauliflower, pea pods, asparagus, or even baby corn.

Notes

As a side, this is minimal cost. Adding a meat and even the vegetables to make a main dish, this is still under $1 per serving for 4 servings.
Shortcut: Heavy Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PASTA