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Bowtie Pasta with Fresh Tomato and Basil
July 27, 2016 Lee
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Bowtie Pasta with Fresh Tomato and Basil

This sounds really good! But I will add an optional ingredient of cooked shredded chicken. On my to try list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams bowtie pasta, OR any bite size pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 large yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1-1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped, optional

Instructions
 

  • First, cook the pasta according to the package directions until the pasta is tender. Drain the pasta in a colander and then set it aside for just a couple of minutes while you prepare the rest of the dish.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and yellow pepper to the pan and cook an additional 6-7 minutes or until the peppers are tender.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, tomato mixture, basil, pepper, salt, and cooked chicken if using that. Lightly mix the ingredients using a large spoon. Then, gently stir in the mozzarella cheese until the cheese begins to melt and becomes very flavorful. Serve with a green salad.

Notes

Easily under $1 per serving, even with the chicken.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PASTA
Baked Fish Fillets
July 27, 2016 Lee
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Baked Fish Fillets

This recipe comes from a good friend, I have to try this! I will update amounts when I prepare this.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

  • white fish fillets, about 3-4 to fill a 9x13 baking dish
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 1/3 cup sour cream, OR plain yogurt
  • dried onions, from a can, OR use fresh sliced onion that is seperated
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • sliced pecans, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C and lightly grease the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Rinse the fish and pat dry, season each side with salt and pepper to your liking and place fish in a single layer in the baking dish.
  • Mix the mayo and sour cream and brush on the fillets. Cover with the sliced onion that. Then you can also sprinkle sliced pecans over the top if you desire.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with a vegetable of your choice on the side. An easy side would be long beans with butter.

Notes

Pangasius fillets cost about 120 Baht/kilo, 4 fillets is about 60 Baht. Two Barramundi that you would fillet yourself would be about 120 Baht. For 4 servings this comes out to about 45 cents per serving, and if using Barramundi fillets this comes out to about 90 cents per serving for 4 servings.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Chuck Ruth.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,FISH - ALL,Fish - White Fish
Seasoned Chicken, Yard Beans, and Potatoes
July 27, 2016 Lee
3 Comments

Seasoned Chicken, Yard Beans, and Potatoes

Easy and inexpensive meal cooked in a slow cooker. I made this yesterday on 27 Jul 2016, my comments below.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 2 1/2 cups yard beans
  • 3 cups potatoes, diced large
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice, fresh only
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken in your slow cooker, in the center if possible. Next add the green beans on one side. Then for the potatoes, you will need to mound them high off to the other side. Or if the chicken covers the bottom of the pot, place the beans on one half the chicken, and the potatoes on the other half the chicken.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic. Pour this over the chicken, green beans, and potatoes. Cover and cook on High setting for 4 hours or Low setting for 7-8 hours, do not open the lid during the cooking time. Serve.
  • This was cooked on High for 4 hours.
  • Plated.

Notes

Chicken breast will run about 62 Baht/kilo. Potatoes and beans are very inexpensive. For 4 servings, this is about 45 cents per serving. Excellent value for a complete meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Old Fashioned Goulash I
July 27, 2016 Lee
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Old Fashioned Goulash I

Yep, I like one pot meals, and a good goulash is a standard. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo minced pork, OR ground beef, OR ground chicken
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup beef stock, fresh or from powder
  • 1 3/4 cup tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can whole peeled tomatoes, diced, plus juice
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • In a large non stick skillet, add the onion, garlic, and ground pork and cook until the meat is no longer pink, remove from heat and drain any fat.
  • Add the water, stock, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and juice, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, salt and pepper, mix well. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the macaroni and stir until mixed, simmer for 30 minutes or until the macaroni is cooked. Then remove the bay leaves.
  • Add the Cheddar cheese and mix well. Serve with a bit of Mozzarella cheese on top of each serving. Serve with a salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Minced pork will run 116 Baht/kilo (Beef more, chicken will be less), The Cheddar cheese will run about 180 Baht/200 gram block, this will make 2 cups of shredded. The Mozzarella will run about 70 Baht to make one cup of shredded. This comes to about $1.35 per serving for 8 servings. Good price for a good meal.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,PORK
Spanish Rice with Sausage
July 26, 2016 Lee
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Spanish Rice with Sausage

I think I could eat this every day. When I make this (on my to cook list, I will update the steps and times). For starters, I will make this with white Jasmin rice, and no "Rotel" product used, learn how to cut up a chili or two. I will adjust the recipe when I make it.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams smoked sausage, sliced, Makro Smoked and Spicy is perfect!
  • 2 cans whole tomatoes, undrained but diced
  • 2-3 green chilies, chopped
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups rice, go with white Jasmin
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to your slow cooker and mix. Cover and cook on Low setting 2-5 hours. START checking the rice at 2 hours. add water as needed. Now wasn't that easy?
  • Serve with a salad and a fresh cooked veggy on the side, complete meal.

Notes

The spicy smoked sausage at Makro will cost about 125 Baht for 500 grams. This comes to about 62 cents per serving for 6 servings. From my experience, Makro has sales on this sausage, buy 1 kilo get 500 grams free so there is even more savings.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Pork - Slow Cooker
Dizzy’s Chicken
July 26, 2016 Lee
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Dizzy's Chicken

This is from a good friend of mine, she made this from what she had available, and from reading this, done well! I look forward to making this! When I make this I will update the process and times. Inexpensive meal. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box Stove Top stuffing, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 chicken quarters
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced, Button, Shiitake would work
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 can milk, use the soup can, for homemade soup use 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • black pepper, to taste
  • butter, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Grease a large baking dish with a little bit of butter.
  • Cook the stuffing according to instructions then spread that in the baking dish, place the chicken on top, add the mushrooms around the chicken.
  • Mix the can of soup with 1/2 can of milk, pour this over the baking dish, season the top with the celery salt, onion powder, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, and black pepper, to taste.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, at 10 minutes remove foil and bake for 15 minutes more or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Serve on a bed of hot fresh cooked pasta, with a salad and a fresh cooked vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcuts: Stuffing, Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Poultry Seasoning.
Variant: 1. Instead of mushrooms, use sliced celery or chopped onions.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Ms. Thomas.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Crock Pot Style Gyros II
July 26, 2016 Lee
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Crock Pot Style Gyros II

Ok, after the Gyros I recipe, I figured out how to say this, is it "Year O". This does sound good as well and is just a variant. This is not traditional by any means as lamb is not used, but you are free to use that if you wish. This can be pork, beef, pork and beef, chicken, chicken and beef, chicken and pork. The original recipe stated lamb and turkey, lamb and turkey is costly but feel free to use that if you wish. Beef will be costly, chicken the least costly. This makes a smaller amount than the Gyros I recipe.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mixed
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Meat

  • 250 grams ground beef, OR minced pork
  • 250 grams ground chicken, OR just use 500 grams of ground chicken
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 cup onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • juice from 1 lemon

Sauce

  • 1 cucumber, small, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
  • juice from 1 lemon

To serve

  • Pita bread, OR corn or flour tortillas
  • lettuce, shredded
  • tomatoes, optional, chopped
  • Feta cheese, optional, crumbled
  • olives, optional

Instructions
 

  • Slice the onion and the mince the garlic, place in the bottom of your slow cooker. In a bowl mix the 2 types of meat (or just chicken) with the oregano and paprika.
  • Form the meat into a meatloaf and place on top of the onions in the slow cooker. Cook, covered, on Low setting for 3 to 4 hours or High setting for 2 hours. Use of a meat thermometer would be good to check the internal temp.
  • While the slow cooker is started, prepare your sauce. Just mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until the meat is done.
  • When the meat is done, carefully lift this out of the pot and place on a cutting board and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Slice thinly and serve in tortillas (or pita bread) with the sauce and the desired optional fixings. Enjoy.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 50 Baht (that is a guess since I do not have that here), minced pork would be about 30 Baht/250 grams, and chicken about 20 Baht/250 grams (another guess). The costly item is the flour tortillas, store bought is about 230 Baht for a pack of 10 (I need to learn how to make these!) Using the beef price and chicken and the tortillas, and figuring 4 servings and roughly half the tortillas, this is about $1.40 per serving, it goes down with pork, and chicken, and if using chicken only (which sounds really good) this would be under $1 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Style Gyros I
July 26, 2016 Lee
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Crock Pot Style Gyros I

I have never figured out how to say this, is it "Hero" or "Gyro" or "Year O". Either way, this sounds good. This is not traditional by any means as lamb is not used, but you are free to use that if you wish. This can be pork, beef, pork and beef, chicken, chicken and beef, chicken and pork. The original recipe stated beef and turkey, turkey is costly but feel free to use that if you wish. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mixed
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Meat

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork
  • 500 grams ground chicken
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves galic, smashed and chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Greek seasoning, OR make from a shortcut on this site

Sauce

  • 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Greek seasoning, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

To serve

  • flour or corn tortillas
  • lettuce, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Place onion and garlic into your slow cooker. Mix together meat and Greek seasoning. Form into two small loaves and place on top of onions and garlic. Cook on Low setting for 4-5 hours or until done, use of a meat thermometer would be a bonus here.
  • While the slow cooker is started, prepare your sauce. Just mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until the meat is done.
  • When the meat is done, carefully lift this out of the pot and place on a cutting board and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
  • Slice the meat thin and serve on tortillas with shredded lettuce and the sauce. Enjoy.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 100 Baht (that is a guess since I do not have that here), minced pork would be about 60 Baht/500 grams, and chicken about 40 Baht/500 grams (another guess). The costly item is the flour tortillas, store bought is about 230 Baht for a pack of 10 (I need to learn how to make these!) Using the beef price and the tortillas, and figuring 6 servings, this is about $1.60 per serving, it goes down with pork, and chicken, and if using chicken only (which sounds really good) this would be under $1 per serving.
Shortcut: Greek Seasoning.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Greek Seasoning
July 25, 2016 Lee
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Greek Seasoning

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Basic Greek seasoning recipe.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Cuisine Greek
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried mint, optional

Instructions
 

  • Mix everything in a small bowl, store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Ingredients - Spice Mixes
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
July 25, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

What is Cincinnati Chili? I have no idea except that is has cinnamon and allspice in it. Normally, I guess, this is made with ground beef which is boiled rather than pan browned, but I will be using minced pork, but by all means if you use chicken, leave a comment on the results. I will make with ground chicken as well. Maybe Cincinnati was the start of Chili Mac? Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo ground beef, or ground pork, or ground chicken, (2 lbs)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce, Shortcut
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder, adjust to your liking
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 can red Kidney beans, Shortcut, 1-2 cups cooked
  • pasta, spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine, for serving
  • Cheddar cheese, shredded, for topping
  • onion, diced, for topping

Instructions
 

  • In a large non stick pan, add the onion and ground meat.
  • Brown the ground meat and onion, breaking up the ground meat with your spatula but still leaving it a bit chunky. Drain fat, then place in your slow cooker.
  • Add to the slow cooker the garlic, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire, vinegar, salt, pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, and beans. Give everything a mix, there is a lot in the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on High setting for 2 hours. Then switch to Low setting for another 1 hour. (You can also cook just on Low setting for 5 hours.)
  • Cook your desired pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until tender, drain. Put pasta in a bowl and ladle on the chili. Top with cheese and onions as desired. Enjoy.

Notes

Beef in my village will run about 250 Baht/kilo, but you have to mince that yourself. Minced pork at Tesco will run about 115 Baht/kilo, chicken, I have no idea on the price for ground chicken as I have not done this yet. For 8 servings, made with beef this is only 92 cents per serving. For 8 servings, made with pork this is about 43 cents per serving. Using beef and 8 servings, this is still only about 92 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Variants: 1. Replace the tomato sauce with a can of whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, plus juice. 2. Use your favorite chili seasoning packet in place of the chili powder, cumin, and black pepper.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Soups, Stews, Chili - Slow Cooker