Archive for the ‘#1 Go-To Recipes’ Category
Fried Egg Sandwich II
August 8, 2020 Lee
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Fried Egg Sandwich II

This is an excellent egg sandwich to enjoy for dinner, two variants, one with fresh bread and the other with toasted bread.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients
  

  • 2 eggs, chicken or duck
  • 2 slices bread, white, wheat,whole grain, your choice
  • salt and pepper, as desired
  • mayo, as desired
  • butter, as needed
  • 1 slice Cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat a small non stick pan on medium heat, many people use a dedicated pan as their 'egg pan', with 1-2 teaspoons of butter. When hot, crack in the eggs and poke the yolks to break them. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Fry the eggs until the bottom is set as well as the top is starting to set, then turn the eggs over. If using a small pan, you may be able to flip the eggs in round shape like the pan. Cook for another 2 minutes or until the whites are no longer runny. If using duck eggs, ensure they are cooked completely through.
  • While the eggs are cooking, place the bread on a plate and spread some mayo on each slice, using as much mayo as you like.
  • If using toasted bread, just toast the slices then spread mayo on each piece of toast.
  • If the eggs are separate when cooked, place one fried egg on a slice of bread or toast. If the eggs cook in a circle like the pan, use the spatula to cut the circle in half, then place one half of that on a slice of bread or toast.
  • Top the egg with a slice of Cheddar cheese.
  • Top the cheese with another fried egg or the other half if you cut the two in half.
  • Top the sandwich with the other slice of bread or toast, mayo side down. Cut the sandwich in half diagonally, serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Been making fried egg sandwiches like this for years, very common method.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES,EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken,Eggs - Duck
Fried Egg Sandwich I
August 8, 2020 Lee
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Fried Egg Sandwich I

This is the basic egg sandwich I grew up with, two variants, one with fresh bread and the other with toasted bread.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 sandwiches

Ingredients
  

  • 2 eggs, chicken or duck
  • 4 slices bread, white, wheat,whole grain, your choice
  • salt and pepper, as desired
  • mayo, as desired
  • butter, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Heat a small non stick pan on medium heat, many people use a dedicated pan as their 'egg pan', with 1-2 teaspoons of butter. When hot, crack in the eggs and poke the yolks to break them. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Fry the eggs until the bottom is set as well as the top is starting to set, then turn the eggs over. If using a small pan, you may be able to flip the eggs in round shape like the pan. Cook for another 2 minutes or until the whites are no longer runny. If using duck eggs, ensure they are cooked completely through.
  • While the eggs are cooking, place the bread on a plate and spread some mayo on each slice, using as much mayo as you like.
  • If using toasted bread, just toast the slices then spread mayo on each piece of toast.
  • If the eggs are separate when they cooked, place each fried egg on 2 of the 4 slices of bread or toast. If the eggs cook in a circle like the pan, use the spatula to cut the circle in half, then place each half on a slice of bread or toast.
  • Top each egg with another slice of bread or toast, mayo side down. Cut each sandwich in half diagonally, serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Been making fried egg sandwiches like this for years, very common method.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,BURGERS & SANDWICHES,EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken,Eggs - Duck
Ting-a-Lings I
August 4, 2020 Lee
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Ting-a-Lings I

I remember my grandmother and my mother making these, so after reading through several recipes on the internet, this is what I put together. Lots of variables to make this your own signature candy.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 candies

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams almond bark, (1 lb)
  • 2 cups chow mein noodles
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 3/4 cup roasted peanuts

Instructions
 

  • Setup a double boiler on medium heat, add the almond bark or a combination of bark and chocolate chips. Line two baking sheets with parchment. (I had half a bag of chips on hand so I used those with the almond bark.)
  • While the chocolate is melting, measure out the noodles, marshmallows, and peanuts and place them in a large mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula and toss them together. (I used trail mix in place of the peanuts.)
  • When the chocolate is fully melted and smooth, remove from heat and let sit about 5 minutes to let it cool just a bit.
  • Pour the chocolate into the chow mein noodles.
  • Use the rubber spatula again and toss everything together. What works really well is using the spatula with one hand and a large spoon with the other hand. Toss until everything is coated with chocolate.
  • Drop by tablespoons on the prepared baking sheets. Set the sheets aside to cool.
  • When the candies are cooled and solid, remove from the parchment and place on a serving tray. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

For pricing in Thailand, I have never seen US made "chow mein noodles" as they are different than Chinese noodles which is a type of ramen. So a good alternative, and the original way ting-a-lings were made, is with corn flakes. With the corn flake alternative, this would be low cost per serving.
Variants: 1. Use almond bark only, or milk chocolate chips, or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips, or any combination (I used 8 oz almond bark and 8 oz milk chocolate chips). 2. For the roasted peanuts, just keep that amount to 1 3/4 cups and consider using roasted almonds, cashews, mixed nuts, or trail mix (the trail mix I used was walnuts, dried apples, cranberries, and raisins). 3. For a Christmas theme, use vanilla almond bark and lightly sprinkle each candy with red and green candy sprinkles.
Adapted from several similar recipes.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,DESSERTS
Trail Mix Cookies
August 1, 2020 Lee
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Trail Mix Cookies

Adapted from an internet recipe.
These are excellent cookies, highly recommended.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2 dozen

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup butter, room temp, (2 sticks / 1 block)
  • 1 3/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups quick cooking rolled oats, or old fashioned oats
  • 2 1/2 cups trail mix, your favorite type

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter.
  • In a medium mixing 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. Mix in the eggs one at a time then mix in the vanilla.
  • Add half the flour mixture to the wet mixture, mix together until well combined, then add the remaining flour mixture and mix again until well combined.
  • Add the oats and trail mix, and mix together until they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
  • Drop by heaping tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 12-15 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.
  • Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Variant: 1. If your trail mix does not contain chocolate chips, reduce the amount of trail mix to 2 cups and add 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
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Beef & Noodles IV
July 28, 2020 Lee
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Beef & Noodles IV

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a basic recipe for using canned beef for a quick and low cost meal, and it is very versatile. Read the Variants. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dry macaroni, or any bite size pasta, (1 lb)
  • 1 can beef, (750 g / 1½ lb)
  • 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, (10½ oz / 298 g each), Shortcut
  • 1 packet beef gravy mix, Shortcut
  • 1 can peas, drained, or 2 cups frozen and steamed
  • salt and pepper, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot of salted water, when boiling, add the pasta and cook until tender, drain.
  • While the water is heating for the pasta, prepare the packet of beef gravy in a small sauce pan.
  • While the water is heating for the pasta, open and drain the can of beef, add to a pot and add the canned soup. Heat the pot on medium low heat, breaking up the beef with your spatula.
  • When the pasta is tender and drained, add to the pot with the pork. Stir to combine, taste, and season with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Add the peas and gravy, mix in. Cook until everything is heated through.
  • Serve with a side veggy or salad. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Beef Gravy Mix.
Variants: 1. Add a can of drained vegetable, such as corn, diced carrots, or even mixed vegetables in place of peas. 2. Add a can of diced tomatoes. 3. Saute a diced onion, diced bell pepper, or even sliced mushrooms, or any combination of these, before adding the pork. 4. Add a jar of sliced green olives with pimentos. 5. Season with fajita seasoning. 6. Add rosemary, parsley, thyme, oregano, in addition to salt and pepper. 7. Use fresh ground beef or pork in place of canned.
# Buster Approved,#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Beef - Canned,PASTA
Trail Mix Bark
July 23, 2020 Lee
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Trail Mix Bark

This is a straightforward recipe with just two ingredients, your favorite trail mix and almond bark. The trail mix I am using is just a combination of chopped walnuts, dried apple and cranberries, and raisins.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750-1000 grams almond bark, (1 1/2 - 2 lbs)
  • 500 grams trail mix, your favorite kind, (1 lb / about 4 cups)
  • candy sprinkles, optional, just to add some color

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Setup a double boiler, add the bark.
  • While the bark is melting, open the bag of trail mix (I used a 1 lb / 500 g bag and it measured out to just over 4 cups) and place on a plate or shallow bowl so you can grab handfuls of this. The mix I used is just chopped walnuts, dried apple and cranberries, and raisins.
  • Heat until the bark is all melted and smooth.
  • Pour the bark onto the parchment. Gently shake the pan around while tilting it to spread out evenly.
  • Sprinkle trail mix evenly over the bark. Use the bottom of a drinking glass, or I just used the bottom of the measuring cup I used, and justly tap down the mix, you are just making sure everything is in the bark.
  • Top with sprinkles if desired to add bit of color.
  • Allow the bark to cool and it will set up. Break bark up into large chunks. Enjoy as a snack or a dessert.
  • I made this again on 6 Aug 2020, and used vanilla almond bark. Perfect.

Notes

I will price this when I get home, for now I will say Fair cost per serving. A lot depends on the type of trail mix used as well.
Variants: 1. Use vanilla or chocolate almond bark. 2. Use any type of trail mix you prefer, just keep the weight to 500 g / 1 lb.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,DESSERTS
Egg Roll Skillet
July 15, 2020 Lee
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Egg Roll Skillet

This dish does not use egg roll wrappers so this is a low carb dish. And this is delicious! Easy to put together and minimal ingredients. I made this on 15 Jul 2020, very tasty and highly recommended.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground pork, (1 lb)
  • 4 spring onions, sliced, white and green seperated
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 500 grams coleslaw mix, (1 lb)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil, or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large non stick pan and add the pork, breaking it up with your spatula. Cook until no pink remains, drain off the fat.
  • To the pork, add the spring onion white parts, ginger, and garlic. Stir to mix in. Add the coleslaw mix and stir that in.
  • Cook, stirring often, until the cabbage is tender, about 5-8 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil, stir until coated. Garnish with the green parts of the spring onions
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

This is Low Cost per serving.
Variant: 1. Add sauteed mushrooms.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
# Buster Approved,#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PORK
Strawberries & Cream
July 10, 2020 Lee
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Strawberries & Cream

Specifically the whipped cream in the pressurized can. My Mom made this for a dessert one evening and I have never had strawberries like this, just strawberries and cream. Easy and brilliant. This is very versatile so you can make this with any berries you like, or any combination. No servings or quantities listed as this is a make as desired guide.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • fresh strawberries, as desired, trimmed
  • 1 can whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • Trim the strawberries by cutting off the green part, and coring if needed. Cut strawberries in half, and chop the large ones.
  • If using other berries, give them a rinse and sort through them and remove any bad ones.
  • Place strawberries in each serving bowl, adding a smaller amount of other berries as desired.
  • Top with some whipped cream. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Variants: 1. Use additional berries with the strawberries, strawberries and blueberries is an excellent choice. 2. Instead of strawberries, use your favorite berries!
Common method for serving berries as a dessert.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,DESSERTS
Best Cheese Ball
July 6, 2020 Lee
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Best Cheese Ball

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I made this on 13 Sep 2020, and chilled it overnight and then rolled in the nuts on the 14th. Tasted it, and I will say this is an excellent cheese ball! My family that has tried this say it is really tasty. Doubtful this would be able to be made in Thailand as written since the jarred cheese would probably not be available.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 packages Cream cheese, softened, (8 oz / 250 g packages)
  • 1 jar Kraft Old English Sharp Cheddar, (5 oz / 142 g)
  • 1 ½ cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ¼ teaspoon onion salt
  • 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice, depends on how tangy you want this
  • 2 heaping tablespoons mayo
  • 2 cups pecans, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
  • crackers, your choice, for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, add the first 7 ingredients.
  • Mix together until combined and smooth.
  • Shape into a ball. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and place the ball on top. Wrap up with the plastic wrap. Place wrapped ball on a plate and place in the fridge for 1 hour to firm up.
  • Just before you are ready to serve, go ahead and chop the pecans and parsley. Place these on a plate and mix together.
  • Unwrap the ball, and roll on the pecans to coat the outside.
  • When fully coated, place in the center of a serving plate, and circle the ball with crackers of your choice. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost due to the high number of servings.
Variant: 1. You can prepare this 2 days ahead of time, just keep in the fridge, wrapped in plastic wrap until you are ready to serve.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS
Fried Red Tomatoes
June 28, 2020 Lee
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Fried Red Tomatoes

Fried red tomatoes are common with Full English Breakfasts and are a great addition. These make an excellent side dish with any meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 ripe red tomatoes
  • dried basil, as desired
  • dried thyme, as desired
  • extra light olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Cut out the stem core on the tomatoes, then slice thick, between 1/4 and 1/2 inch.
  • Heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil in a non stick pan, when the pan is hot, add the tomato slices in a single layer, work in batches if needed. Sprinkle with basil and thyme as desired.
  • Cook for about 4-5 minutes, turn slices over when the tomato is softened and cook the other side.
  • Place cooked slices on a plate.
  • Serve as side dish, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Common way to cook red tomatoes.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,SIDES