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Sausage & Green Bean Casserole
November 10, 2015 Lee
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Sausage & Green Bean Casserole

Instead of sausage, try using chicken thigh meat lightly chopped. Lots of variables here, for sausage you can use spicy smoked, Italian, or even Bangers. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams pork sausage, (1 lb), Shortcut
  • 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, Shortcut
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • bread crumbs, Shortcut
  • 1 kilo long beans, cut into 1 inch pieces, (2 lbs)
  • fresh mushrooms, optional, chopped, a good handful or two or three

Instructions
 

  • If using bulk sausage, crumble into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Drain grease, and set aside. If using sausage links, cook them until done, then remove and slice into 1/4 inch or so rounds. If using chicken thighs, remove the bone and cut into bite pieces then cook until done. Cook the mushrooms if using those with the meat.
  • Preheat the oven to 180 C, grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with butter or use a non-stick dish.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the soup, milk, garlic, and pepper. Mix in the sausage or chicken, then add the green beans, and stir until evenly coated. Pour half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the bread crumbs. Spread remaining green bean mixture over the bread crumbs.
  • Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle the rest of the breadcrumbs over the top. Return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes, or until the bread crumbs are toasty, and green beans are cooked to your desired doneness. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Italian sausage made yourself this would be 125 Baht/kilo. Spicy Smoked Sausage runs about 250 Baht/1 kilo. English pork Bangers (large pork sausage) runs about 200 Baht/1 kilo. Chicken thighs can run between 56-60 Baht/kilo (buy quarters and cut yourself, and remove skin as well for this recipe). Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless would run about 87 Baht/kilo.
For this recipe I will use the Spicy Smoked Sausage at 250 Baht/kilo. 500 grams would be needed, so that cost is 125 Baht. The soup would be about 50-55 Baht/can, and much cheaper if you made yourself from a shortcut.
All other items are minimal. Cost would be just under $1 per serving, even less with homemade sausage, pork bangers, or chicken.
Shortcuts: Sausage, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Breadcrumbs.
Variant: 1. Use whipping cream in place of milk.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Peanut Butter Cookies I
November 10, 2015 Lee
1 Comment

Peanut Butter Cookies I

Makes a great snack during the day or after a hearty meal. I made these on 23 Dec 2016 and they are delicious! This is a no flour recipe. Photos added from my baking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups peanut butter, creamy or chunky, (in Thailand use two 340 gram jars)
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 3 eggs, chicken or duck
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180 C, line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, stir peanut butter and sugar together until smooth. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the baking soda and vanilla.
  • Drop by rounded teaspoons on the baking sheet, placing them 2 inches apart. Use a fork and make a crisscross on the top and press down slightly.
  • Bake for 10-20 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes as they will be quite mushy at this point.
  • Then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Perfect, and delicious, Peanut Butter Cookies.
  • Variant used, chocolate chips mixed in.
  • Variant used, made Blossoms out of several, perfect touch for those that like chocolate.

Notes

Low cost.
Variants: 1. Mix in chocolate chips. 2. To make peanut blossoms, place a Hershey's kiss on top of each cookie right when they come out of the oven. 3. Make Blossoms using cookies with chocolate chips.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS
Thousand Island Sauce
November 10, 2015 Lee
3 Comments

Thousand Island Sauce

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Use on a salad or a hamburger.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • â…“ cup tomato ketchup
  • â…“ cup salad cream
  • â…“ cup cream

Instructions
 

  • Combine all together and refrigerate until use.
  • Measurements do not have to be in cups, can use any measurement you want as long as it is equal parts for each ingredient.
Ingredients - Salad Dressings
Country Potato Bacon Soup
November 9, 2015 Lee
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Country Potato Bacon Soup

Chicken stock may be substituted for water but I don’t think it’s necessary. All the ingredients, except potatoes, are quite flavorful on their own. Save chicken stock for something that needs a flavor boost. Don’t shy away from buttermilk without giving it a fair shot. It has less fat that half and half or cream and much more flavor. The soup can be pureed if you want it smooth. I prefer to slightly mash the potatoes with a potato masher and leave the texture chunky. As with most soups, this one is better the second day. It takes a while for the bacon grease and buttermilk to become comfortable with each other. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices bacon, fried crisp and set aside, drippings reserved
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 1/2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced into one inch cubes
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup buttermilk, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • In a pot, saute the onion in the reserved bacon fat until soft. Add potatoes and stir well. Cover the potatoes with the water, add salt and pepper and stir.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover. Cook for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, eat a piece of that bacon sitting on the counter staring at you.
  • Once the potatoes are soft, you can puree them or slightly mash them. Taste for seasoning and adjust.
  • Add buttermilk and stir well. Brink temperature back to simmer and cook for 15 minutes uncovered, do not let it boil.
  • Ladle into bowls. Crumble the remaining bacon, if there is any left, and garnish each bowl with a bit of crumbled bacon.

Notes

Most expensive item is potatoes, but at 35 Baht per kilo, you can make a lot soup! Easily under $1 per meal for this dish. Serve as a side with dinner or a light lunch.
Shortcut: Buttermilk.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Skillet Potato Stroganoff
November 9, 2015 Lee
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Skillet Potato Stroganoff

This is the poor mans stroganoff, but is a hearty and delicious meal. Cooked in one skillet, making cleanup easy. Serve with a salad or vegetable for complete meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 kilo ground beef, OR minced pork
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, OR use 2 cups milk if not using sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups potatoes, thinly sliced or diced
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced, any type works fine

Instructions
 

  • Brown the beef or pork in a large skillet, drain fat.
  • Add all other ingredients except the mushrooms, stir and bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cover, stirring occasionally. When the sauce thickens a bit, add the mushrooms and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Serve and enjoy. a salad or vegetable on the side works well for a complete meal.

Notes

Half kilo of beef or pork is very reasonable, other ingredients are minimal. A very good meal, less than $1 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BEEF
Skillet Chili Mac
November 9, 2015 Lee
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Skillet Chili Mac

Excellent meal, this goes well with a salad or vegetable on the side.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 kilo ground beef, OR minced pork
  • 2 1/4 cups hot water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup stewed tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions
 

  • Brown the beef or pork in a large skillet, drain any fat.
  • Add all other ingredients except the cheese, stir and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and stir occasionally.
  • When the sauce has reduced and thickened a bit, and the macaroni is tender, stir in the cheese and serve. Goes well with a salad or vegetable on the side.

Notes

Half kilo of beef or pork and the macaroni is very reasonable, for 4 to 6 meals, this is well under $1 per meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BEEF
Tuna Casserole I
November 8, 2015 Lee
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Tuna Casserole I

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is an easy to assemble casserole, simple but but nice quality flavor. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Pan (9x13 inch)
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry elbow macaroni, (1 lb)
  • 3 cans tuna, in water, drained, or 1½ cups fresh cooked, (about 185 g / 7 oz cans), Shortcut
  • 1 can corn, drained, or 2 cups frozen or fresh, (425 g / 15 oz)
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, (10½ oz / 298 g), Shortcut
  • 225 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, (8 oz)
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot of salted water to boiling, then add the macaroni and cook until just tender, drain. Once the macaroni is added to the boiling water, go ahead and preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F) and get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • While the macaroni is cooking, and add the drained corn, tuna, and soup to the baking dish.
  • Mix together.
  • Drain the macaroni when done and pour into the baking dish. Using a large spoon, mix everything together thoroughly. Salt and pepper to taste, spreading the mixture out evenly.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over the top.
  • Place in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Fresh Tuna, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Variants: 1. Use chicken or chicken mushroom soup in place of mushroom soup. 2. Use peas or peas and carrots in place of corn.
Updated on 9 June 2023.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES,Fish - Tuna
Ranch Dressing Mix I
November 8, 2015 Lee
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Ranch Dressing Mix I

Adapted from an internet recipe.
An easy to make dry shortcut that is much less expensive than the store bought packets, and just 2 more ingredients, you can make a great dressing for a salad that is cheaper than the bottled versions.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • â…” cup dried parsley
  • ¼ cup saltine crackers, finely crushed
  • â…“ cup dried minced onion
  • 3 tablespoons garlic salt
  • 2 tablespoons onion salt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried dill weed
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Mix everything together and store in an airtight container. 1 tablespoon is one dry packet.
  • To make Ranch dressing for a salad, combine 1 tablespoon of mix with 1 cup of mayo and 1 cup of buttermilk, refrigerate until use.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Ingredients - Salad Dressings
Italian Dressing Mix
November 8, 2015 Lee
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Italian Dressing Mix

Adapted from an internet recipe.
An easy to make dry shortcut that is much less expensive than the store bought packets.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 packets, approximate

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon celery salt

Instructions
 

  • Add everything to a bowl and mix together.
  • Store in an airtight container.
  • Use 2 tablespoons for every 1 dry packet needed.
  • To make salad dressing, mix together 2 tablespoons of dry mix with â…” cup olive oil, ¼ cup white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons water.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Ingredients - Salad Dressings
Heavy Cream Substitute
November 8, 2015 Lee
1 Comment

Heavy Cream Substitute

Adapted from an internet shortcut.
Options to make heavy cream substitute. Each provides 1 cup of heavy cream substitute.
Print Recipe
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

Option 1

  • â…“ cup unsalted butter, melted AND cooled to room temp
  • ¾ cup milk

Option 2

  • 1 cup Cream cheese

Option 3

  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Option 4

  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions
 

Option 1

  • This combination is great when your recipe does not call for whipped heavy cream. melt the butter and let cool to room temp, then add to ¾ cup milk and stir. If you prefer to use low-fat milk, add 1 tablespoon flour to thicken your mixture and stir well.

Option 2

  • Another substitute for heavy cream you can use in soups and sauces is low-fat cream cheese, which provides a similar consistency but with reduced calories and fat. However, you will need only half the amount called for in the recipe. Therefore, for every one cup of heavy cream needed, use only half a cup of cream cheese. Cream cheese tastes a little bit sour, so avoid using it in recipes that need to be sweet.

Option 3

  • Just mix the cornstarch into the milk, stir and allow to thicken slightly.

Option 4

  • Just mix the cornstarch into the evaporated milk to thicken.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
INGREDIENTS