Author Archive
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
This is a shortcut to make the popular Jiffy Corn Muffins, some recipes use this as a base or you can just make muffins. This makes 1 box of mix, which makes 6 muffins. I made the muffins on 30 Mar 2017 and they are very good.
Ingredients
Corn Muffin Mix
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow corn meal
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted, OR vegetable oil
To make just muffins, add this
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon fresh chilis, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
Instructions
- Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Whisk in melted butter and mix until dry mixture is smooth and lumps are gone.
- If another recipe is calling for a box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, add the above mixed ingredients to that recipe.
- To make Corn Muffins, preheat your oven to 200 C (390 F), lightly butter a muffin pan. OPTIONAL: add any combination of optional ingredients you prefer. Combine mix with egg and milk, mixing well. Let mixture rest for 5 minutes, then give it a quick stir, fill muffin pan cells half full, bake for 15-20 minutes.
Notes
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
- Chili Cornbread Pie.
- Tamale Pie.
- Creamed Corn Cornbread, made it, GO-TO recipe.
- Beef & Beans Casserole.
Pasta Shells with Chicken and Brussels Sprouts
Sounds really good, on my to cook list!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 400 grams fresh brussel sprouts, OR frozen, they would work also, thawed
- 1 cup chicken stock, fresh or from powder
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 red onion, diced, or just go with a small yellow onion
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 250 grams medium pasta shells, OR just go with Penne pasta
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed and diced
Instructions
- Cut the brussel sprouts into quarters from the top to the step, set aside.
- In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon each butter and a splash of olive oil over moderate heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and just done, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Cut into small pieces.
- In the same pan, heat the a splash of olive oil over moderately low heat. Add the red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, Brussels sprouts, stock, and red-pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook covered, until the Brussels sprouts are just done, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken, lemon juice, parsley, Parmesan, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, season with salt and pepper to your liking. Remove from the heat.
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until just done, about 10 minutes. Drain and toss with the sauce. Serve.
Notes
Chicken would cost about 40 Baht, everything else is low cost or on hand, easily well under $1 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Neal's Chicken Soup
I received this recipe for soup from a good friend of mine in the states. Sounds good and very easy. Minimal and very common ingredients. No exact measurements are given, this is a make as you like to your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, Remove the head and feet and remove the giblets
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1-2 yellow squash, sliced
- 3-4 whole tomatoes, see Step 3
- 3-4 tomatoes, diced, see Step 3
- 1-2 onions, chopped
- 3-5 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- ground cumin, to taste
Instructions
- Salt and pepper the chicken, inside and out, place chicken in a large pot add water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for about 90 minutes, or until chicken meat is falling off of the bone. Skim off any foam from time to time.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and remove the skin and debone, return the meat back to the pot, add the squash, onion, garlic, and cumin to the pot.
- Now for the tomatoes, use fresh or canned tomatoes. This is the brand I use for canned tomatoes, Brook (it is in English on the other side). There is about 4 small tomatoes in the can and it is packed with tomato juice. This a 565 gram can and cost is about 35 Baht. I would recommend using 2 cans, simply open the first can and pour into the pot, there is the whole tomatoes and about 1 cup of juice. Open the next can, drain the juice into a glass, chop the tomatoes while still in the can, very easy, drain more juice into the glass. Pour chopped tomatoes into the pot. (photo credit: Tesco Lotus Thailand)
- Return the pot to a simmer to cook the vegetables. Drink and enjoy the tomato juice while the soup is simmering. Adjust salt, pepper, and cumin to taste as needed while the soup simmers, when the veggys are soft, serve.
Notes
A whole chicken at a market will cost about 200 Baht, 2 cans of tomatoes would cost 75 Baht. Fresh tomatoes (Sida aka Plum) costs about 50 Baht/kilo. Going with the chicken and canned tomatoes, this is right about $1 per serving, and the 8 servings is a rough estimate. Less if fresh tomatoes are used. A hard item to find would be yellow squash.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Angle Hightower.
United States.
United States.
Brats with Spicy Peppers
A few days ago I found out the Tesco in the city is now stocking Brats, local made, not imported. And today, a good friend sent me this recipe. This is a sure sign that I need to fire up the grill and make these. On my to cook list, and soon!
Ingredients
- 5 Bratwurst
- 5 hot dog buns, large
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 large green chili
- 1 red onion, OR go with a white onion if that is all you have
- 1/4 cup butter, this is 1/4 of a regular block
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 cup beer
- 2 tablespoons brown mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- For a charcoal grill, light your charcoal, for a gas grill, light and heat the grill. You are looking for a temp of 180 to 230 C.
- Cut bell peppers into strips lengthwise, dice the large green chili. Cut the onion in half from the top to the root end, then cut each half crosswise into 1/4 inch slices.
- In a large disposable foil pan (or a large cast iron pan) over direct medium heat, melt the butter and add the fennel seeds. After a minute or so of the fennel cooking in the butter, add the peppers, chili, and onion, season with salt and pepper to your liking. Mix well with tongs. Cook the vegetables in the pan over direct medium heat, with the lid closed, until tender and turning golden brown in spots, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the vegetables brown too quickly, slide the pan over indirect heat and cook them there, with the lid closed.
- When the vegetables are tender, add the beer and mustard. Mix well with tongs. Slide the pan over indirect heat to keep warm.
- Grill the bratwurst over direct medium heat, with the lid closed, until lightly charred on all sides, about 15 minutes, turning them every few minutes and swapping their positions as needed for even cooking. Then move the bratwurst to the pan over indirect heat. Smother them with the peppers and onion, close the lid, and simmer them for about 30 minutes. If the pan is getting too dry, add a little more beer.
- Serve them in a bun with the pepper mixture on top.
Notes
For pricing, go with about 180 Baht for 5 Bratwurst. For 4 servings, this is about $1.33 per serving.
Keep in mind, we are not in Wisconsin here, grill the sausage FIRST, THEN simmer in the beer, butter, and pepper mixture.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States. Photo courtesy of good friend, Willie Klaus.
United States.
United States. Photo courtesy of good friend, Willie Klaus.
United States.
Best Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
From a good friend of mine, and these are excellent muffins, not over powering from the banana, great flavor.
Equipment
- Muffin Pan (12 cell)
- Paper Cupcake Liners
- Oven
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Wet/Other Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 bananas, over ripened, mashed, or 5 small Thai bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt, or regular yogurt, or Sour Cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Get out your muffin pan and line with 12 cupcake papers.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together except the chocolate chips.
- Mix all the wet/other ingredients together.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Swiftly mix until just combined, do not over mix.
- Add the chocolate chips and give it a quick mix.
- Spoon the batter into a muffin pan lined with paper liners, dividing batter between all 12 cells, each cell will be almost full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until they have rose and golden brown, they are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the muffin pan and set on a rack to cool.
- Serve and enjoy. Best the day they are baked.
Notes
Updated on 20 April 2022.
Updated on 18 April 2022.
Cheddar Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta
Sounds great! This is a must try and seems easily tailored to your liking. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 500 grams Penne pasta
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix, OR make from a shortcut
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- spring onions, chopped, green and white parts, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water until done, drain, set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the the bacon in a large non stick pan until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside. In the same pan, add the chicken, butter, and salt and pepper to your liking, cook until no pink remains.
- Add the flour to the chicken and stir and cook for a few more minutes. Add the ranch dressing mix and the milk. Stir and cook for a few more minutes to make nice sauce. Remove from heat and add the bacon and stir to combine, then add the cheese stir to combine, then add the pasta and stir to combine. Plate and sprinkle with chopped spring onions for garnish. Serve.
Notes
Two chicken breasts is minimal, well under $1 per serving without even doing the math.
Variants: Include adding some yellow or red diced bell pepper, or even some fresh mushrooms, this dish screams of using sliced Shiitake mushrooms.
Shortcut: Dry Ranch Dressing Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Mike Early.
United States.
United States.
Mozzarella Stick Onion Rings
I like fried Mozzarella sticks, and I like onion rings, this is both in the same package of an onion ring! Lot of variants to try as well. On my to make list for sure! Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, sliced into 3/8 to 1/2 in thick pieces
- 3-4 slices Mozzarella Cheese, sliced into 3/8 to 1/2 in strips
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 5 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
- oil, for frying
- marinara sauce, for dipping, Ranch dressing, OR make from shortcut
Instructions
- Peel and cut onions into 3/8 to 1/2 inch slices, then separate the rings. Slice the mozzarella into 3/8 to 1/2 inch strips, and place a smaller onion ring in the center of a larger ring. Fill the gap between the rings with strips of mozzarella. Repeat with remaining onion rings and freeze them for 1 hour.
- Place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into three separate bowls. Dip each prepared ring into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs, then back into the egg, and one last time into the bread crumbs. Repeat with the remaining onion rings.
- Heat the oil in a pot over high heat. Fry the rings in batches until golden brown, being careful not to fry them for too long as the cheese may ooze out completely. Drain on paper towels and serve with marinara sauce or Ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
The cheese would cost about 140 Baht/200 grams, slice it thin and you could probably double the recipe. If you use the entire block of cheese, this would cost about $1.03 per serving.
Shortcuts: Marinara Sauce (tomato sauce), Ranch Dressing, Breadcrumbs.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Skillet Lemon Chicken Pasta I
This sounds very easy, one pan to wash, and sounds tasty, on my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 500 grams chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 3 cups dry Penne pasta
- 5 cloves garic, smashed and minced
- 3 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 lemons, medium size, zested and juiced
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, more if you like cheese
- 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese, OR Cottage cheese made from a shortcut
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, loosely packed, sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup spinach, loosely packed, sliced thinly
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, sliced, for garnish, optional
- olive oil
Instructions
- Heat a splash of olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook for 20 seconds. Toss in chicken and saute until just browned. Stir in chicken broth, water, and uncooked pasta to pan. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to low. Cover the pan and cook on low for about 12-15 minutes, stirring pasta with tongs often so it does not stick to bottom of pan. Remove cover when pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed and allow to simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, spinach, parsley, basil, Parmesan and Ricotta cheese. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed and garnish with lemon slices and additional Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired.
Notes
Chicken breasts will run about 35 Baht/500 grams. This is easily less than $1 per serving.
Shortcut: Cottage Cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Beef and Noodle Casserole
This sounds really good, a must try for me. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 3 cups egg noodles, cooked, OR use cooked Fetticcine pasta
- 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork
- 2 cups tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
- 2 cloves garlic
- 125 grams Cream cheese, 1/2 block, softened
- 1 cup sour cream, or 1 cup plain yogurt
- 3-4 spring onions, chopped
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 C. Spread cooked noodles in the bottom of a medium casserole dish.
- In a frying pan, brown ground beef and garlic. Drain fat. Add tomato sauce to the meat, heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings to taste. Pour meat the mixture over the noodles in the casserole dish.
- In a small bowl combine the cream cheese with the sour cream and mix until smooth. Stir in spring onion. Spread over meat mixture. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over top of the cream cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Notes
Beef will run about 150 Baht/kilo. The block of Cream cheese will cost about 120 Baht, you will need 1/2 of that. The Cheddar will cost about 180 Baht for a block, you will need 1/2 of that. Going with 300 Baht, this comes to about $1.47 per serving for 6 servings, for 8 servings, this is about $1.11 per serving. Not bad for a once in a while meal.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Shrimp & Asparagus Stir Fry
Easy dish for a lunch or dinner. Serve with some rice on the side and you have a filling meal.
Ingredients
- 500 grams shrimp, peeled with tail removed, and deveined if you choose
- 500 grams fresh asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, heat a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp to the pan, then season with salt and red pepper flakes, cook until the shrimp is pink, remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, heat another splash of olive oil and add asparagus, add ginger and garlic, then season with salt. Stir frequently and cook until the asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Return the shrimp to the pan, then add soy sauce. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and heated through, just before the dish is ready, add lemon juice, stir once more, then serve while hot. Serve with rice on the side would be excellent.
Notes
Shrimp would run about 100 Baht/500 grams, this comes out to about 75 cents per serving for 4 servings. Excellent value and nutritious.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
