Author Archive
MVP Chili
October 24, 2020 Lee
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MVP Chili

Adapted from a recipe card in "Cooking with Beer".
For Christmas 2019 my Mom gave me a cookbook, specifically 'Cooking With Beer' recipe card set and that is where this recipe comes from. This sounds very good, on my to make and taste list.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1125 grams Italian sausage, bulk or links with casings removed, (2 ¼ lbs)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 bottle beer
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, (28 oz / 794 g)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 can kidney beans, rinsed, drained, (15 oz / 425 g)
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed, drained, (15 oz / 425 g)
  • 1 ½ cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large saucepan on medium heat, then add the sausage, cook while turning and breaking up the sausage. Cook until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Add the onion, garlic, chili powder, and cumin, Stir together and cook about 5 minutes or until the onion is soft and translucent.
  • Add the beer and simmer for 5 minutes, stir a few times to loosen any bits on the bottom of the pot.
  • Stir in the tomatoes and tomato paste, simmer uncovered, 10-15 minutes on low heat, stir occasionally.
  • Stir in the beans, simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the chili is heated through.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Kielbasa & Cabbage Soup
October 22, 2020 Lee
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Kielbasa & Cabbage Soup

Adapted from a recipe card in "Cooking with Beer".
For Christmas 2019 my Mom gave me a cookbook, specifically 'Cooking With Beer' recipe card set and that is where this recipe comes from. This sounds very good, on my to make and taste list.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams kielbasa, cut into ½ inch cubes, (1 lb)
  • 1 package coleslaw mix, cabbage & carrot, (500 g / 1 lb)
  • 3 cans beef broth, (14.5 oz / 411 g each)
  • 1 can beer
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 2 cups French fried onions, Shortcut
  • fresh dill, for garnish, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Spray a 5 quart pot with cooking spray, place on medium high heat and add the sausage. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until browned.
  • Mix in the coleslaw and sauté until tender.
  • Add the broth, beer, water, caraway seeds, and 1 cup of French fried onions. Bring to a boil on medium high heat.
  • Reduce to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
  • Ladle into serving bowls, top with remaining French fried onions. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs as desired. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: French Fried Onions.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Slow Cooker Little Smokies
October 22, 2020 Lee
2 Comments

Slow Cooker Little Smokies

Spend with Pennies, Holly, Canada.
This recipe comes from a good friend and it is so easy, and tasty! Just three ingredients, and four if you want just a hint of spicy heat.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo little smokies, (2 lb)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce, bottled or homemade, Shortcut
  • ½ cup grape jelly
  • 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha Chili Garlic sauce, optional

Instructions
 

  • Add all the ingredients to your slow cooker.
  • Mix together, cover, and set the slow cooker to Low setting for 2-3 hours.
  • Scoop out the little smokies and place in a serving bowl. Serve as an appetizer or as a main dish with sides of your choice. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Basic BBQ Sauce.
Variants: 1. Use apply jelly or cranberry sauce in place of grape jelly. 2. Use ketchup in place of BBQ sauce. 
# Buster Approved,#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,Chicken - Sausage,Pork - Sausage
Hearty Beefy Beer Soup
October 21, 2020 Lee
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Hearty Beefy Beer Soup

Adapted from a recipe card in "Cooking with Beer".
For Christmas 2019 my Mom gave me a cookbook, specifically 'Cooking With Beer' recipe card set and that is where this recipe comes from. This sounds very good, on my to make and taste 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
  

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 340 grams beef round steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes, (¾ lb)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 5 cups beef broth
  • 1 bottle dark ale, (12 oz / 330 ml)
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained, (15 oz / 425 g)
  • 1 small zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 115 grams mushrooms, sliced, (4 oz)

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a 5 quart pot on medium heat, when hot, add the beef, onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender and the beef is no longer pink, about 5-8 minutes.
  • Pour in the ale and broth, add the oregano, salt, and pepper. Give the pot a stir and bring the pot to a boil on high heat, then reduce temp to medium low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes or until the beef is fork tender.
  • Add the beans, zucchini, and mushrooms and bring to a boil on high heat, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 5 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Blonde Fruitcake
October 13, 2020 Lee
1 Comment

Blonde Fruitcake

Lana Stuart of Never Enough Thyme, the original recipe is here. United States.
I found this recipe online and it sounded good because it is not a dark or heavy fruitcake, this is a light, aka blonde, blonde. I made it on 11 Oct 2020, and it is very good, best fruitcake I have ever eaten! Highly recommended.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups pecans, chopped
  • 454 grams candied pineapple, chopped, (16 oz / 1 lb)
  • 113 grams candied red cherries, halved, (4 oz)
  • 113 grams candied green cherries, halved, (4 oz)
  • 113 grams candied chopped mixed fruit, (4 oz)
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1¾ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup butter, (2 sticks / 1 block)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Prep the fruit and nuts. Chop the pecans, slice the cherries, and chop the pineapple. Place in a large mixing bowl.
  • Sprinkle the fruit and nuts with the 3 tablespoons of flour and toss to coat, set aside.
  • Preheat your oven to 120° C (250° F). Generously grease a bundt or ring pan with butter, then flour the pan.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the 1¾ cups flour, salt, and baking powder. Whisk together, then set aside.
  • In another mixing bowl, add the butter and sugar and cream together with an electric mixer.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla, beat in with the mixer. Remove the mixer as we are done with that.
  • Using a spoon, mix in the flour mixture.
  • Pour the batter into the fruit and nuts, using a heavy spoon, mix together. Easiest way is push spoon down the side to the middle of the bottom and slowly lift up, then rotate the bowl and repeat until the fruit and nuts are evenly coated with the batter.
  • Spoon batter into your prepared bundt or ring pan and spread out evenly, smoothing the top.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 2½ hours and the top will become golden brown. Test for doneness when a toothpick (I used a wood skewer) comes out clean. This cake was perfect at 2½ hours. Cool in the pan on a rack for 15 minutes, then turn out the cake onto a rack and allow to cool completely.
  • When completely cool, dust with powdered sugar for a nice touch.
  • Slice, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

I will have to price this in Thailand if I can find the candied fruit, I will say it is a fair cost based on number of servings.
Variant: 1. Use walnuts in place of pecans. 
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,DESSERTS
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies
October 4, 2020 Lee
1 Comment

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Favorite Recipes page 562, Mrs. Frank Glombowski, Marysville, MI.
This recipe is from an extensive cookbook titled Favorite Recipes, compiled by the active and retired employees of Michigan Bell in 1981. These are excellent cookies, easy to make and this recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened, (1 block / 2 sticks)
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup oatmeal

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper, for easy cleanup, or just leave the baking sheets bare and ungreased.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together then set aside.
  • In another mixing bowl, add the butter and sugars. Cream together until smooth.
  • Add the eggs and peanut butter. Mix together until combined and smooth.
  • Add the flour mixture and mix together, then add the oatmeal and mix until combined.
  • Scoop out dough and roll into balls about 1 inch diameter and place evenly on a baking sheet. Use a fork and flatten each ball in a crisscross pattern.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Serve as a dessert or snack, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS
Baked Eggs
October 2, 2020 Lee
1 Comment

Baked Eggs

Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here. United States.
This is a quick and only 5 ingredients recipe, and it is tasty! No serving size is given, as this is a make what you have on hand. I will list this for 10 eggs.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10 baked eggs

Equipment

  • Muffin pan

Ingredients
  

  • 10 slices deli ham, thin sliced
  • 10 eggs, chicken
  • 10 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 5 tablespoons Cheddar cheese, shredded, or as desired
  • salt and pepper, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200° C (400° F). Grease the cups in a muffin tin with butter. Place a slice of ham in each cup.
  • Crack an egg into each ham slice.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of cream to each egg. Sprinkle with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Sprinkle a half tablespoon of the Cheddar cheese or as desired, on each egg.
  • Place in the oven and bake; soft yolks: 12 minutes; medium yolks: 15 minutes; hard yolks: 18 minutes, then remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes.
  • Scoop out each egg with a large spoon, arrange on a serving plate.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Variant: 1. I will try this with duck eggs and will report back, they should be equally as good.
# Buster Approved,#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,BREAKFAST (for dinner!),EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
September 26, 2020 Lee
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Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Lee
I adapted several recipes and came up with this, and they are excellent cookies.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 30 cookies

Equipment

  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup butter, room temp, (2 sticks / 1 block)
  • 1 ¾ cups dark brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups quick cooking rolled oats, (or old fashioned oats)
  • 2 ½ cups dried cranberries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter.
  • In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk together then set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl add the butter and sugar and cream together. Add the eggs and vanilla, and mix together.
  • Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and mix together until well combined.
  • Add the oats and cranberries and mix together until mixed throughout the dough.
  • Drop by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake each sheet for 13-15 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 3-5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Serve and enjoy.
#1 Go-To Recipes,DESSERTS
Swedish Style Meatballs with Egg Noodles
September 4, 2020 Lee
1 Comment

Swedish Style Meatballs with Egg Noodles

This recipe is from a Kroger brand package of Swedish style meatballs.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Swedish
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Kroger frozen Swedish meatballs, (26 oz / 737 g bag)
  • 1 package dry egg noodles, (1 lb / 454 g package)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 can condensed cream of celery soup, Shortcut
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • black pepper, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot of salted water to boiling, then add the egg noodles and cook until just tender. Drain.
  • Melt butter in a large sauce pan, when melted add the onion and saute until soft and translucent.
  • Stir in the soup and broth and bring to a boil, stir until the soup is mixed in completely, and stir often until sauce just comes to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in the allspice and nutmeg, after the spices are mixed in, add the meatballs and stir into the sauce. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through.
  • Serve meatballs and sauce over the egg noodles with a side of your choice, enjoy.

Notes

Adapted from the recipe on the Kroger brand Swedish style meatballs. 
# Buster Approved,#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,MEATBALLS
Baked French Eggs
September 1, 2020 Lee
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Baked French Eggs

These sound easy and tasty, and only 4 ingredients. On my to make and taste list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Equipment

  • Muffin pan

Ingredients
  

  • 4 eggs
  • heavy cream, as needed, or melted butter
  • Parmesan cheese, grated, as needed
  • salt and pepper, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 215° C (425° F). Lightly grease the muffin cups of the pan with butter.
  • Crack in one egg per cup.
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the top of each cup.
  • Season each cup with salt and pepper as desired. Sprinkle each cup with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan.
  • Place muffin pan in the oven and bake: 7-8 minutes for soft eggs (yolks), 9-10 minutes for semi soft eggs, or 11-12 minutes for firm eggs.
  • Serve with additional Parmesan as desired.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Variants: 1. Use duck eggs in place of chicken eggs. 2. Place a cooked sausage patty or slice of ham in the cup first, then add the egg. 3. Use a cheese of your choice.
Adapted from numerous internet recipes I reviewed.
BREAKFAST (for dinner!),EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken,Eggs - Duck