Author Archive
KFC Gravy
March 9, 2016 Lee
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KFC Gravy

KFC does have some tasty gravy, but more than likely the ingredient list is as long as my arm, so here is a shortcut. I have not tried this yet but on my list of things to do.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 5 tablespoons flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cube beef boullion, OR use the powder
  • 1 cube chicken buollion, OR use the powder
  • 2 cups water

Instructions
 

  • Bring the water to a boil and add the bouillon or powder and stir until dissolved, set aside.
  • In another small pot, melt the butter on low heat, stir as needed. Mix the sage, black pepper, and garlic powder with the flour.
  • Slowly add the flour mixture to the melted butter and whisk continuously, until the mixture takes on a golden brown color.
  • At this point, slowly stir in the bouillon mixture, continuing to whisk. One the mixture is whisked in, turn up the heat to medium until some of the water evaporates and leaves a creamy and pourable gravy.
  • Serve while hot over mashed potatoes.

Notes

Adapted from an internet recipe.
CONDIMENTS,INGREDIENTS
Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
March 9, 2016 Lee
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Lawry's Seasoned Salt

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a shortcut to make this seasoned salt, I have not tried this but some cooks swear by it.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 spice bottle

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground tumeric
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon corn starch

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Pour the blend into an empty spice bottle to store. Use where ever Lawry's Seasoned Salt is required in a recipe.
Ingredients - Spice Mixes
Cajun Seasoning Mix
March 8, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Cajun Seasoning Mix

Just a Pinch Recipe Club, Patrick Johnson, United States.
This is an easy recipe and is much cheaper than the store bought product.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup seasoning

Equipment

  • Screw Top Jar

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1½ tablespoons salt
  • 2½ tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1½ tablespoons ground black pepper
  • 1½ tablespoons onion powder
  • 1½ tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1½ tablespoons dried thyme

Instructions
 

  • Put everything in a screw top jar, I used a 1 pint Mason jar, shake to mix. When a recipe calls for Cajun seasoning, use as directed, such as 1 tablespoon in a recipe is 1 tablespoon of mix. See, that was easy.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
#1 Go-To Recipes,Ingredients - Spice Mixes
Beef & Noodles I
March 7, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Beef & Noodles I

Prepare, bake, then enjoy, it is that easy. On my list to try! This the first version, Beef & Noodles II is in the Beef - Slow Cooker category. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef, cut into 1 in cubes
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR you can make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR you can make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 packet brown gravy, OR you can make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 can mushrooms, sliced
  • egg noodles, cooked, OR or wide fettuccine noodles, OR mashed potatoes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 160 C.
  • Add the cubed beef to a 13×9 baking dish.
  • Combine the cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix and water in a bowl. Add the mushrooms and stir to combine. Pour over the beef and stir to mix thoroughly.
  • Cover with foil and bake for three hours. Uncover and serve on top of egg noodles, fettuccine noodles, or even mashed potatoes.

Notes

Beef will cost about 200 Baht/kilo. Just go with a large chunk from an open market and cube that. For 6 servings, this is about $1 per serving. Very reasonable on price for a hearty meal.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Dry Onion Soup Mix, Brown Gravy.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Slow Cooker Beef Stew I
March 7, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Slow Cooker Beef Stew I

Basic Beef Stew recipe, this is on my list to make 🙂
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups beef stock, fresh or from powder
  • 3 potatoes, diced
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Place meat in slow cooker. In a small bowl mix together the flour, salt, and pepper; pour over meat, and stir to coat meat with flour mixture.
  • Stir in the garlic, bay leaf, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onion, beef broth, potatoes, carrots, and celery.
  • Cover and cook on Low setting for 10-12 hours or High setting for 5-6 hours.

Notes

Beef will cost about 200 Baht/kilo. Just go with a large chunk from an open market and cube that, the slow cooker takes care of the tenderness. For 4 people, this is about $1.50 per person, for 6 people, this is about $1 per person. Very reasonable on price for a hearty meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Soups, Stews, Chili - Slow Cooker
Easiest Chicken Casserole
February 24, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Easiest Chicken Casserole

6 ingredients and 2 hours of cook time, easy, a must try. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 cup dry white rice
  • 1 can condensed cream of celery soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 packet onion soup powder mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 onions, roughly chopped
  • 2 soups cans water, OR 2 1/2 cups of water if you made the shortcut soup

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 160 C. Get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Pour the dry rice into the dish and spread around to even cover the bottom of the dish. Add the chicken on top of the rice.
  • Pour the condensed soup into a large bowl or pot, add the onion soup mix then add two soup cans of water or 2 1/2 cups of water if you made the soup from the shortcut. Stir this to mix, add salt and pepper to taste to the mixture.
  • Pour the soup mixture over the rice. Sprinkle the chopped onion on the top.
  • Bake in the oven for 2 hours. Serve with a green vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

Chicken breasts run about 60 Baht/kilo. Two breast would be around 40 Baht I would think, putting this meal, easily under $1 per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Celery Soup, Dry Onion Soup Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Condensed Cream of Celery Soup
February 24, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Condensed Cream of Celery Soup

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a popular ingredient in many recipes but the ingredients on the store bought can is just down right horrific! Here is a shortcut, you know what goes in it exactly. This makes basically 1 can of Condensed Cream of Celery Soup.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 can

Equipment

  • Microwave

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup celery, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 can evaporated milk, 385 gram can is what I use, Falcon brand
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper powder
  • ¼ teaspoon celery salt, OR table salt
  • pinch sugar

Instructions
 

  • Place chopped celery and oil into a 1 quart microwave safe bowl. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 minutes.
  • Add remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  • Microwave for 2 minutes, stopping to whisk after 1 minute and again when finished, if not thick or to your desired consistency, microwave for another minute and whisk again, continue until thickened.

Notes

Most recipes will just call for a can of condensed soup, some recipes (or if you just want to make the soup by itself) call for plus 1 can of water. One can equals 1¼ cups of water. But as a healthier alternative to using water, try using whey if you recently made cottage cheese, or water used to boil potatoes. Milk can also be used in place of water to make a creamier soup.
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
#1 Go-To Recipes,Ingredients - Condensed Soups
Slow Cooker Cajun Style Ribs
February 18, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Slow Cooker Cajun Style Ribs

I like a good plate of ribs, Thais however cook most ribs in a soup. I made this, these are very good, and I have modified the recipe on my findings, my comment on the dish is listed below. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 1 day 9 hours
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 racks pork ribs, see Step 1
  • 1/2 cup water

Dry rub

  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed, use 3/4 cup if using 6 racks

BBQ sauce

  • 1 cup BBQ sauce, your favorite sauce or homemade
  • 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions
 

  • A rack of ribs is the long strip of ribs, the rib bones are about 3 inches long. Pick out strips that are meaty between the straight bones and not so much of the odd shaped bones. Prep the ribs by rinsing them then cut the racks into portions, 3 bones per section. (Photo credit: Tesco Lotus Thailand.)
  • Mix the dry rub ingredients in small bowl. Using your hands rub the dry rub on the ribs on both sides. Place ribs in a bag and twist to remove air and place in a bowl and put in the fridge overnight. Perfect use for a Tesco Lotus plastic bag.
  • Next day, remove the ribs from the fridge. Mix the barbecue sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Layer the ribs in your slow cooker and on each layer, add a tablespoon of sauce. Add the water to the sides of the pot, cover and cook on Low setting for 9 hours, do not remove the lid during this time. Serve with the sauce on the side. Side dishes recommended would be pinto beans, and even potato salad.

Notes

Pork ribs run about 140 Baht/kilo, I bought 3 slabs for about 180 Baht. This came out to about 90 cents per person for 6 meals.
Shortcuts: BBQ Sauce, Creole Seasoning Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Pork - Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Beer Chicken
February 18, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Slow Cooker Beer Chicken

Two of my favorites, beer and chicken. This is easy and delicious and is truly fall off the bones tender and juicy. I took the photos last night, 1 March, when I made this, report is in the comments section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken, OR chicken pieces
  • 1 can beer, any type, room temperature
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 1 onion, peeled and cut into quarters
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon parsley
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Wash chicken inside and out, remove giblets if in the cavity, if a local market bought chicken, remove the neck, feet, and trim the fat from the gut opening. Place chicken in slow cooker breast side down, add the garlic and onion in the gaps on the sides of the chicken.
  • Pour beer over the chicken, sprinkle on the spices.
  • Cover and cook on Low setting 7-8 hours or High setting for 3-4 hours.
  • When chicken is cooked through (does not hurt to use a meat thermometer at this point), remove the whole chicken carefully from the pot as it may fall apart. If using chicken pieces, use a large slotted spatula.
  • Make a gravy from the juices from the pot, enjoy. Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes or rice and a vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

A whole chicken will cost about 150 to 200 Baht. This is a $1 meal for 6 people, less for 8 people.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Cola Chicken
February 18, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Slow Cooker Cola Chicken

Not a fan of coke or any soft drinks, but I will have to try this. Very easy recipe and can be adapted in many ways with the meat used. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 lemon, cut into quarters
  • 1 onion, peeled and cut into quarters
  • 1 bottle BBQ sauce, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 can cola

Instructions
 

  • Wash the chicken inside and out, remove giblets if present inside. If the chicken if from a local market, remove the neck and feet, trim excess fat at the gut opening, place chicken in the slow cooker breast side up.
  • Toss in the onion and lemon quarters, pour in the entire bottle of BBQ sauce and the entire can of cola.
  • Cover and cook on Low setting for 6-8 hours or High setting for 3-4 hours.
  • Serve with boiled buttered potatoes and a salad for a meal.

Notes

A whole chicken will cost about 150 to 200 Baht. BBQ sauce if store bought will run about 90 Baht. For 6 people, this is about $1.50 per meal per person, very reasonable. Less for 8 people.
Shortcut: BBQ Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Chicken - Slow Cooker