Author Archive
Fisherman’s Pie I
May 22, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Fisherman's Pie I

This is traditionally made with cod, I have never seen cod available in Thailand, but any white fish works, think Pangasius or Barramundi, boneless skinless fillets. This sounds really tasty and is on my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams Pangasius fillets, boneless and skinless, cut into chunks
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, warmed, more as needed
  • 1 cup white Cheddar cheese, shredded, OR just go with Edam
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded, this is for the topping
  • 280 grams spinach, frozen or fresh, frozen thaw and drain, OR use peas
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Arrange fish chunks in a single layer in a large baking dish, set aside.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour, and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown, 2 to 5 minutes.
  • Gradually whisk warm milk into the flour mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 5 minutes. Whisk in white Cheddar cheese, then mix onion, spinach, salt, and black pepper into the sauce.
  • Remove saucepan from heat and stir in garlic. If sauce is too thick, stir in more warm milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Pour sauce over fish in the baking dish.
  • Layer mashed potatoes on top.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, then sprinkle with the yellow Cheddar cheese. Continue baking until fish is easily flaked with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes more and the cheese should be a nice golden brown. Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, serve with a green salad.

Notes

Pangasius fillets cost about 60 Baht/500 grams. Barramundi (Giant Sea Perch) costs about 75 Baht/500 grams but you have to fillet them yourself. The cheese is about 180 Baht per block of 200 grams, which would provide the 2 cups needed, either 1 cup of white and 1 cup of yellow, or just go with 2 cups of yellow, divided. This meal (based on Pangasius) would cost about $1.20 per serving. Very reasonable.
Variants would add to the cost but would make a delightful meal for visiting friends and family. Variants could be peeled shrimp, scallops, and even shucked oysters (although with the oysters, I would cook them first before adding to the baking dish).
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,FISH - ALL,Fish - White Fish
Baked Ziti Casserole
May 22, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Baked Ziti Casserole

This sounds really good and is on my to cook list. Do not get tied up in the type of pasta, Penne pasta is tubular with the ends cut at an angle, Ziti pasta is tubular with the ends cut squarely. When I make this, I am using Penne for sure because it is more common than Ziti. There is a chance to use 3 shortcuts in this recipe to reduce the cost considerably. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams Italian sausage, this can be pork or chicken, OR use the shortcut on this site
  • 2 cups Ziti pasta, OR just use Penne, it is the same
  • 1 can tomato soup, 18 oz/510 grams, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1 cup Ricotta cheese, OR make Cottage Cheese from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

  • Heat your oven to 190 C.
  • Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. In 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain. Add soup (if making the soup from the shortcut on the site, use 2 1/3 cups of soup), pepper, and cooked pasta, stir well.
  • In a bowl mix the Ricotta (or Cottage cheese), Parmesan cheese, and egg.
  • Pour the pasta mixture into a 9x13 glass baking dish (or a 7x11 dish if you have that), spoon the cheese mixture over the top, sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese over the top, cover with foil and bake 25-30 minutes, remove foil for the last 10 minutes to brown the cheese. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

Notes

The pork for the sausage would cost about 65 Baht for 500 grams, even less if using chicken. The cheese is minimal as not complete packages are used, for the Ricotta, do your self a favor and make the Cottage cheese yourself as you would save a lot there. For the soup, that would cost minimum 52 Baht if purchased canned, if you make yourself, the cost is 17 Baht.
Going with store bought prices, the cost is about $1 per person for 6 people. If you make the shortcuts, you can get this down to probably 60 cents per person.
Shortcuts: Italian Sausage, Tomato Soup, Cottage Cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Tomato Soup
May 22, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Tomato Soup

I had to do some research as I have a recipe that states tomato soup, but that is not available where I live, so I found a shortcut. It is healthier than canned tomato soup, but is just as easy as opening a can of soup and heating it up. This is NOT a condensed soup. I made this on 28 Apr 2017, it is good, not fine dining but it is good soup.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

Soup

  • 1 can tomato paste, this would be a 170 gram can, the really small one
  • 4 cans milk, use the tomato paste can
  • pinch salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, OR honey

Optional Additions

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, OR Mozzerella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed

Instructions
 

  • Put tomato paste in saucepan, add milk using empty tomato paste can and rinsing can thoroughly. Add salt and sugar and optional additions if using, whisk and heat this on medium heat and serve as a side dish with a sandwich. I topped my bowl of soup with grated Parmesan cheese.
  • If this is just needed for a recipe, whisk all ingredients together and use as the recipe states, however, you will need to measure the amount needed for the recipe.

Notes

campbells-tomato-soup2A can of tomato paste costs 17 Baht, a can of name brand soup would cost 52 Baht. And just for example, here is what is in Campbell's Tomato Soup.
A Thai brand of tomato paste consists of concentrated tomatoes to make a paste with skin and seeds strained out, and a pinch of salt, a lot healthier than what you see in the ingredients for Campbell's!
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Homemade Honey-Based Ketchup
May 21, 2016 Lee
3 Comments

Homemade Honey-Based Ketchup

Sounds really good and easy to make.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can tomato paste, this would be a 170 gram can, the really small ones
  • 1/4 cup honey, make sure it is natural honey
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat; whisk until smooth. When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and cover until cool. Chill and store refrigerated in a covered container.

Notes

Adapted from an internet recipe.
CONDIMENTS
Beef & Noodles II
May 21, 2016 Lee
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Beef & Noodles II

I have not tried this but it sounds good and easy for a basic Beef & Noodles dish. Lots of possibilities here to tailor this. The Beef & Noodles I recipe is in the Beef - All Other category. 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 American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef roast, OR any cut of beef
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR make from a shorcut
  • 250-500 grams egg noodles, OR go with Fettuccine
  • salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Put roast in slow cooker, mix the soup mix in a cup of warm water first then pour on top of roast, then add water to cover roast plus 2 inches. Cook 6 to 7 hours on Low setting or 4 hours on High setting. When roast is cooked, shred it in the slow cooker. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add noodles, stir to combine and make sure all noodles get wet with water, add more warm water if needed. Cover and cook on High setting for 1 more hour. Check and stir occasionally so noodles don't stick. Serve with a side of your choice.

Notes

Beef will run about 150 to 200 Baht/kilo. Going with 200 Baht, this comes to about $1 per serving for 6 servings, for 8 servings, this is about 75 cents per serving. Excellent value.
Variations would be add sliced mushroom during the last 2 hours or so.
Shortcut: Dry Onion Soup Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker
Banana Bread I
May 20, 2016 Lee
3 Comments

Banana Bread I

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a simple recipe and it is excellent. I have made this several times, it is fool proof and I get great reviews from my Thai family and friends. I use the small bananas grown right here in our yard for this.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened, (1 stick or 1/2 block)
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups banana, mashed, small bananas if you have them
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Lightly grease with butter the bread pan.
  • Cream together the sugars and butter. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
  • Add the mashed bananas and mix in. Mix in the flour, then mix in the baking soda. (This looks like a lot as I doubled the recipe to make two loaves.)
  • Pour batter into the prepared bread pan.
  • Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place the pan(s) on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, roll out onto the rack and let rest until cooled.
  • Slice and enjoy!

Notes

Minimal cost and a great tasting bread.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,BREAD & PASTRY,BREAKFAST (for dinner!)
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti
May 20, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

This sounds really good with the Cream cheese, nice touch. On my to cook list for sure. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 350 grams spaghetti
  • 3 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 250 grams Cream cheese, this is 1 standard block, room temperature

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C, lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • In a pan, brown ground meat until cooked through, drain fat and stir in spaghetti sauce, set aside.
  • Cook spaghetti according to instructions, drain and place in bowl. Add Cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Stir until cream cheese is melted and the spaghetti is thoroughly coated.
  • Spread a small amount of meat sauce in the bottom of the dish. Put spaghetti on top of sauce and top with remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Nice sides to serve with this would be a green salad and garlic bread.

Notes

Ground beef would be about 75 Baht for 500 grams, pork and chicken even less. The sauce is about 55 Baht/can (need 2 cans) OR make yourself from tomato paste for 17 Baht/can (2 cans) and some spices. Cream cheese would run about 120 Baht per 250 gram block. This comes out to about $1.50 per person for 6 people, and about $1.12 per person for 8 people. Overall, not a bad cost for a good meal.
Shortcut: Spaghetti/Tomato Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,PASTA
Easy Baked Chicken
May 20, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Easy Baked Chicken

This is quick and excellent dish. I made this on 11 June 2016, my comments below.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, OR legs and thighs skin on bone in
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, if you like cheese, feel free to use more
  • 1 container plain yougurt, this is the regular small container
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • milk, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. Add the chicken to the dish.
  • Mix the cheese, yogurt, and salt and pepper in a bowl. The mixture will be very thick, add a tablespoon of milk or so at a time to get a thinner consistency.
  • Spread mixture over chicken, bake for 45 minutes. Serve with a side of your choice. This would be excellent with buttered pasta, mixed vegetables, etc.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp, target temp is 82 C / 180 F.

Notes

Last time I bought chicken breasts, just a few days before posting this, that cost me 74 Baht. Everything else is minimal. This comes out to about 55 cents per serving for 4 people.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Chili Dog Casserole
May 20, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Chili Dog Casserole

When I found this recipe, the chili and cheese were both listed as processed, such as canned and packaged shredded. This recipe I am going to show here is a mix of recipes from the site. These are easy to make recipes. The cheese will be real as well. That leaves tortillas, which are packaged, and I have not tried to make yet. And the hotdogs, buy quality dogs, they do in fact make them in Thailand and are not the chemical laden import dogs. This recipe takes time in the planning but you can make several other dishes in between. I made this on 2 Aug 2016, excellent! I modified this for using some canned items I used while in the US in May 2020.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups chili, see Step 1.
  • 500 grams beef hot dogs, (1 lb)
  • 8-10 flour tortillas, 8 inch tortilas are perfect
  • 250 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, real cheese, (1/2 lb)

Instructions
 

  • You can make your favorite chili or use canned, with or without beans. I have made this with both. For canned, use two 24 oz (1 1/2 lb / 680 g) cans. When I made this in the US I used two 24 oz (1 1/2 lb / 680 g) cans of chili.
  • I have also made this with my homemade Pinto Bean Chili.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 C (400 F).
  • Spread 1 can of chili and beans (OR 3 cups of homemade chili) in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Roll up franks inside tortillas and place in baking dish, seam side down, on top of chili and beans.
  • Top with remaining can of chili (OR another 3 cups of homemade chili), and sprinkle with cheese to cover.
  • Cover baking dish with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and allow to brown on the top, remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost for the US and Fair to High cost per serving in Thailand based on quality hot dogs and quality cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
# Buster Approved,#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CASSEROLES
Granny’s Sausage Gravy
May 20, 2016 Lee
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Granny's Sausage Gravy

I have made this several times, easy, and delicious. When I make this again I will take step by step photos. 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 Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams breakfast sausage, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup butter, this is 1/4 of a regular block of butter
  • 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Crumble sausage into hot skillet. Cook until browned. Remove sausage from skillet, let drain on paper plate or paper towels. Add butter to hot skillet and melt together with sausage fat.
  • Whisk together the evaporated (canned) milk and water with the flour. Add to hot fat in skillet. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until gravy starts to thicken. Add sausage back into gravy; heat until sausage is hot and gravy is thick. Remove from heat. Ladle over biscuits, toast, or potatoes. This would be perfect with the Drop Biscuit recipe listed in Sides - All Others.

Notes

500 grams of minced pork is about 65 Baht if you make the sausage yourself, it is so easy! Minced chicken for a chicken sausage, even less. Pre-made breakfast sausage, more than likely an import would be costly. Going with home made breakfast sausage, 65 Baht is well under $1 per serving. I will say that with store bought bulk sausage this would be a Fair Value item.
Shortcut: Breakfast Sausage.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Pork - Sausage