Archive for the ‘#1 Go-To Recipes’ Category
Rolo Crackers
I seen these on the internet on various sites from time to time and decided to give this a try. I made these on 7 Feb 2021, and they very good! I made a batch of these after I was baking some cookies, so I did not turn on the oven just for these. No quantities are given, this is a make as much or as little as you desire. Highly recommended for a quick dessert.
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- Rolo candies
- butter crackers, Ritz or store brand
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F) or as I did, just use the oven after baking another dish. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unwrap the Rolo candies and count out the butter crackers, you will need twice as many crackers as Rolo candies. For this batch I used 20 candies.
- Place butter crackers upside down on the parchment paper.
- Place a Rolo candy in the center of each cracker. Bake for 5 minutes and remove from oven.
- As soon as the sheet is removed from the oven, place a butter cracker, right side up, on top of a Rolo candy and push down to make a sandwich cookie. Repeat with remaining crackers.
- Remove from the sheet to a plate and allow to cool. When cooled, serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Cheese Ball
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Campbell's Creative Cooking With Soup, printed in 1985. As you read this recipe, the ingredients list will have Options and you can choose an option from the list below the ingredients. This is a delicious cheese ball that does not require cream cheese. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 1 can Soup Option, (11½ oz / 326 g)
- ¼ cup salsa, Shortcut
- 3 cups Cheese Option, shredded, (12 oz / 340 g)
- Seasoning Option
- Coating Option
- assorted crackers
OPTIONS
Soup - Use 1 Item
- condensed bean & bacon soup
- condensed split pea with ham & bacon soup
, no longer produced by Campbell's
Cheese - Use 1 Item
- Sharp Cheddar
- American
- Monterey Jack
Seasoning - Use 1 Item
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Coating - Use 1 Item
- fresh parsley, chopped
- walnuts, chopped
- corn chips, finely crushed
Instructions
- To a medium mixing bowl, add the Soup Option, salsa, Cheese Option, and Seasoning Option.
- Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until smooth as possible.
- Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap, place cheese mixture in the center. Pull the corners and sides of the plastic wrap up and over the top, covering the mixture completely, and shape into a ball. Place in a bowl and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, lay out a piece of parchment paper, add the Coating Option and spread out. Take cheese mixture out from fridge, remove plastic wrap and shape again into a ball. Roll the ball in the coating until well covered.
- Place ball on a serving tray, surround the ball with assorted crackers. Serve and enjoy. I made the cheese ball using the condensed bean with bacon soup.
- On 7 Mar 2021 I made another version of the Cheese Ball using option with the condensed split pea with ham and bacon soup. Equally good taste.
Notes
Not sure of the soup costs as I have not see those here in Thailand, will tailor this when I find those. For now I will say high cost based on the cheese alone.
Shortcut: Salsa.
Peanut Butter Cookies III
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, and moist. Very well liked by the entire family. Highly recommended.
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190° C (375° F), line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- To a mixing bowl, add the flour and baking soda, whisk together and set aside.
- In another mixing bowl, add the butter, sugar, white sugar, egg, and salt, and mix together.
- Add the peanut butter and mix in.
- Add the flour and mix in.
- Roll dough into walnut sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add spoon or two of sugar to a small bowl, dip the tines of a fork into the sugar and press down the ball of dough slightly, dip the tines again into the sugar and press crosswise on the dough to make a crisscross pattern. Repeat with all the balls.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes or until set slightly browned on the edges and starting to crack on the top. Remove from the oven and let cool on the sheet for 10 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
- After the cookies are completely cooled, place on a serving tray. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost.
Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Salad Lover's Cookbook, printed in 1979. This is a make the day before serving. I made this on 6 Mar 2022 and taste tested by myself and the family, and everyone agrees, this is excellent dressing for a fruit salad. This makes about 1⅔ cups of dressing. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Electric Mixer
- Screw Top Jar I used a 1 pint Mason jar.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1½ teaspoons onion salt, Shortcut
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ⅓ cup vinegar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, onion salt, and dry mustard, then stir in the vinegar.
- Use an electric mixer and beat at medium speed while slowly pouring in the oil. Continue beating for another 5-10 minutes until thickened.
- Pour into a screw top jar, like a Mason jar, add the poppy seeds, cover tightly and shake well to mix. Store covered in the fridge overnight for use the next day. (Once the poppy seeds are added and mixed in, the color of the dressing will change.)
- Shake well before using. Use on fruit salads, grapefruit sections, or even lettuce wedges. Enjoy.
Notes
Salmon Loaf IV
This recipe is from an extensive cookbook titled Favorite Recipes, compiled by the active and retired employees of Michigan Bell in 1981. This is a really good tasting salmon loaf. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Oven
- Bread Pan
Ingredients
For the Salmon Loaf
- 1 can salmon, drained, (1 lb / 454 g), Shortcut
- ½ can condensed cream of mushroom soup, (10.5 oz / 298 g can), Shortcut
- 1 cup bread crumbs, Shortcut
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup onion, diced
- ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Sauce
- ½ can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ⅓ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190° C (375° F). Grease a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix together with a large spoon, breaking up the fish, until well combined, mixture will be soft.
- Pack the mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 1 hour or until browned.
- Just before the loaf is done, prepare the sauce if desired. In a saucepan add the Sauce ingredients and heat on medium, stirring often, until heated through.
- Cut into slices, serve with sides of your choice, spoon sauce over each slice, enjoy.
Notes
I will price this if I can locate canned salmon. An option would be to buy frozen salmon and steam that then use as directed in the recipe. For now I will state high cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Steamed Salmon (Rice Cooker), Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Bread Crumbs.
Baked Cod
This is an easy recipe for excellent cod, perfectly cooked, and delicious. This would work for any white fish and I look forward to preparing this with barramundi. Highly recommended for a simple yet flavorful dish.
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 500 grams cod fillets, boneless, skinless, (1 lb)
- lemon juice, as desired
- olive oil, as desired
- salt, as desired
- cayenne pepper, as desired
- fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200° C (400° F). You will need a glass baking dish or a baking sheet that you have lined with foil.
- If using frozen cod fillets, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Rinse each fillet and pat dry with paper towels. Place fillets in the baking dish or on a prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil on each piece, then drizzle lemon juice on each piece. Sprinkle each piece with salt then cayenne pepper.
- Place in the heated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, 1-2 minutes longer for very thick fillets. Fish will easily flake with a fork.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost if using a common whitefish such as pangasius or barramundi. Cod is probably available in the high end markets but is more than likely well above the $1 per serving range.
Variants: 1. Use pangasius or barramundi fillets instead of cod. 2. Use chili powder in place of cayenne pepper.
Oatmeal Mint Chocolate Cookies
I adapted several recipes and came up with this, and they are excellent cookies.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
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)
- 1 bag Andes Crème de Menthe candies, (8.5 oz / 241 g)
Instructions
- Place the Andes mint chocolate candies in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill. Remove from the fridge, remove each candy from its foil wrapper, break in half and put in a bowl. When all the candies are unwrapped and broke, place the bowl back in the fridge until needed. Don't worry about measuring, just use the entire 241 g / 8.5 oz bag of candies.
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking sheet with butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk together then set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl add the butter and sugar and cream together. Add the eggs and vanilla, and mix together.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix together until well combined.
- Add the oats and broken candies and mix together until mixed throughout the cookie dough.
- Drop by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 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.
Notes
Low cost.
Meatballs in Brown Gravy (Slow Cooker)
This is hands down the most flavorful gravy I have made with meatballs, the entire family loved this dish. Highly recommended! Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 packages frozen meatballs, such as Kroger or Great Value brand, about 26-32 oz each
- 2 packets brown gravy mix, Shortcut
- 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, Shortcut
- 1 can beef consommé
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place the meatballs in your slow cooker if using store bought or prepared meatballs you cooked and froze. If wanting to use fresh homemade meatballs, brown them in a pan or bake them first, then add them to the slow cooker. (I used two bags of Kroger brand Homestyle meatballs.)
- Prepare the gravy following the instructions on a packet.
- To the gravy, stir in the soup, consommé, and onion powder.
- Pour the gravy mixture over the meatballs.
- Set the slow cooker to Low setting for 4 hours or High setting for 2 hours.
- Serve as is or over hot cooked noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice and sides of your choice. Enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving if using the shortcuts, and using homemade meatballs.
Shortcuts: Italian Meatballs, Chicken Meatballs, Gravy Mix, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Variants: 1. Add sliced mushrooms. 2. Use 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup and 1 can of condensed cream of celery.
Salmon Loaf III
This recipe is from an extensive cookbook titled Favorite Recipes, compiled by the active and retired employees of Michigan Bell in 1981. This is a basic recipe that uses only four ingredients, yet is a delicious salmon loaf for a simple dinner. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Oven
- Bread Pan
Ingredients
- 1 can salmon, drained, (1 lb / 454 g), Shortcut
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup breadcrumbs, Shortcut
- 1 cup peas, frozen thawed or canned
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Grease a bread pan with butter.
- Add the drained salmon to a mixing bowl and break up with spoon. Add the eggs and mix together.
- Mix in the breadcrumbs. Fold in the peas.
- Pack mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove to a rack and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Turn out onto a serving plate and slice, or simply leave in the pan and slice into serving pieces and use two forks to remove each slice. Serve with sides of your choice.
Notes
I will price this if I can locate canned salmon. An option would be to buy frozen salmon and steam that then use as directed in the recipe. For now I will state high cost per serving.
Shortcut: Steamed Salmon (Rice Cooker), Breadcrumbs.
Fresh Fruit Salad
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Salad Lover's Cookbook, printed in 1979. I made this on 7 Mar 2022, tasted by myself and the family, excellent fresh fruit salad! Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 8 cups fruit, see Step 1
- lettuce leaves, as desired, Bibb is a good choice
- poppy seed fruit salad dressing, as desired, Shortcut
Instructions
- For the fruit, use a mixture of fresh fruit that is cut into bite size pieces, such as any of the following: oranges, apples, bananas, pears, peaches, strawberries, seedless grapes, kiwi, dragon fruit, etc. Place fruit in a large mixing bowl and gently toss together. (I just used about 2-2½ cups each of fresh kiwi fruit, pineapple, and oranges.)
- If desired, you can line a large salad bowl with Bibb lettuce leaves, or lettuce leaves of your choice or what is available, and pour the fruit mixture into the salad bowl. Cover and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to chill.
- Serve the salad with the poppy seed fruit dressing on the side for guests to simply pour on as desired. Enjoy.
Notes
Shortcut: Poppy Seed Fruit Salad Dressing.
