Archive for the ‘#1 Go-To Recipes’ Category
Easy Stuffed Shells
This sounds good, and easy, and only 5 ingredients. This comes together quickly and is a delicious meal. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 1 box jumbo pasta shells, about 35 shells, (12 oz / 340 g box)
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce, (24 oz / 1 lb 8 oz / 680 g), Shortcut
- frozen meatballs, fully cooked, about 35, Shortcut
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, (8 oz / 250 g)
- Italian seasoning, as desired, Shortcut
Instructions
- Heat a pot of salted water to boiling then add the pasta shells. Cook until just tender, then drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- While the shells are cooking, heat the meatballs. I place them on a plate, single layer and microwave on high for 2 minutes, roll them around then microwave again for 1 minute.
- Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Grease a 9x13 pan with butter. Spread 1/2 cup pasta sauce on the bottom of the pan. Place a meatball in a shell and place in the pan.
- Repeat until all the shells are stuffed and placed in the pan.
- Pour the pasta sauce over the shells.
- Top with the shredded cheese and sprinkle with Italian seasoning as desired.
- Cover with foil, place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes or until bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
I have never seen pasta shells in Thailand but I would assume this could be made easily with any pasta, Low cost per serving when making the meatballs yourself.
Shortcut: Italian Seasoning, Frozen Meatballs, Pasta Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Meatballs & Gravy IV
This is an excellent recipe that utilizes cooked frozen meatballs, store bought or homemade. I made this on 22 Mar 2020 exactly as written, the gravy is delicious. I used Kroger brand Home-style Meatballs, absolutely delicious. This is an easy gravy to make and when combined with the meatballs and egg noodles, this is a filling meal. Highly recommended. This recipe doubles well as I did this for a family get together.
Equipment
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 package frozen meatballs, (22-26 oz / 625-737 g)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, optional
- cooked egg noodles, or mashed potatoes, for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water to a boil then add the egg noodles and cook until they are just tender. If you are using mashed potatoes, prepare those your favorite way.
- Prepare the meatballs according to the package instructions, basically, you need to heat them up, I used a microwave.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter then whisk in the flour until smooth, whisk in the broth and whipping cream. Bring to a boil and whisk until thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Reduce to low heat and stir in the dill.
- Add the meatballs and stir into the gravy. Simmer until the meatballs are heated through.
- Serve over hot cooked egg noodles or mashed potatoes, garnish with chopped parsley, enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
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Meatballs & Gravy III
This can be made two ways, one with the meatballs made as listed here, and two is to use cooked frozen meatballs. I made this on 26 Jan 2020 using store bought, cooked and frozen meatballs, and I must say, this is delicious, the gravy is very simple yet flavorful. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
To Make the Meatballs
- 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- cooking oil, as needed
To Use Frozen Meatballs
- 500 grams frozen meatballs, (1 lb)
For the Gravy
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, Shortcut
- 2 tablespoons sour cream, Shortcut
- 250 grams dry egg noodles, (8 oz)
- black pepper, to taste, as desired
- fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish, as desired
Instructions
To Make the Meatballs
- Mix together the ground beef, egg, panko, salt, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl until well combined but not over mixed, an over mixed meatball is normally a dry meatball.
- Shape into meatballs, goal is about 20 meatballs.
- In a large non stick pan, heat 2 tablespoons cooking oil on medium heat. When the pan and oil are hot, add the meatballs, and cook until well browned on all sides (they will get cooked for a few more minutes later on). Remove from the pan and drain the fat from the pan, proceed with the gravy.
To Use Frozen Meatballs
- From frozen, measure out the meatballs, heat the meatballs in a microwave 30 at a time in a single layer for 2 minutes. Or heat in a 180 C (350 F) oven in a single layer for 25 minutes. Proceed with the gravy.
For the Gravy
- Heat a pot of salted water to a boil then add the egg noodles and cook until just tender. Drain.
- While the egg noodles are cooking, heat a large non stick pan or saucepan (same one used for the meatballs if you cooked those) and add the broth and bring to a boil, stir in the condensed soup and sour cream.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, taste and season with pepper to taste, then add the meatballs to the pan. Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the fresh cooked meatballs are cooked through, or heated through if using heated from frozen meatballs.
- Serve over egg noodles, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired, enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Sour Cream.
Adapted from the Campbell's recipe.
Peach & Fruit Cocktail Pie
I made this on 23 Jan 2020, and it is excellent pie. Very easy to put together, common ingredients. This is a great way to use up canned peaches and fruit cocktail you may have sitting around.
Equipment
- Oven
- Pie Dish (9 inch)
Ingredients
- 2 pie crusts, store bought or homemade, Shortcut
- 1 can sliced peaches, drained, 15 oz (425 g) can
- 1 can fruit cocktail, aka mixed fruit, drained, 15 oz (425 g) can
- 1 cup sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons butter, softened
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), get a 9 inch pie dish out, add the bottom crust to the dish.
- In a mixing bowl, add the drained peaches, fruit cocktail, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla. Stir to mix.
- To the mixing bowl, sprinkle in half of the flour and stir until the flour is mixed in, repeat with the remaining flour. Add the butter and stir that in.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pie dish and spread out evenly.
- Top with the second crust, flute the edges then cut some slits in the crust. Brush the top with beaten egg.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. (I am absolutely horrible at fluting a pie crust, I need to work on that.) Move to a rack to cool.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Pie Crust, Basic Buttery Pie Crust, or Olive Oil Pie Crust.
Variants: 1. Feel free to make a lattice top with the second pie crust. 2. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 3. After brushing the top with the beaten egg, sprinkle on some sugar for a sweet crust.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cereal Treats
For Christmas 2019 my Mom gave me a cookbook, specifically 'the chocolate cookbook' and that is where this recipe comes from. On my to make list and soon, these sound delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 5 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups rice crispy cereal
- 115 grams peanut butter MM candies, (4 oz)
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 pan with foil and spray the foil with non stick spray. Measure out the chocolate chips, MM candies, marshmallows, and cereal.
- Setup a double boiler, measure and add the peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butter.
- Stir often until the chips are melted and mixed into the peanut butter.
- Add the marshmallows and stir to melt down the marshmallows.
- The marshmallows will melt down and the mixture will be smooth.
- If you use a really large sauce pan, just remove from heat and add the cereal and MM candies and mix together, OR, you can do as I did and put the cereal in a large mixing bowl and add the marshmallow mixture on top along with the MM candies. Use two spoons like you are tossing salad and mix the cereal into the marshmallow mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press evenly into the pan. Allow the pan to cool completely.
- Cut into bars, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Adapted from a recipe listed in 'the chocolate cookbook', page 70.
Spaghetti Os Goulash
This was a childhood classic, and is my Dad's preferred way to make goulash to this day. This makes a delicious meal. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cans spaghetti Os, original, (15.8 oz / 448 g each), Shortcut
- 2 cans mixed vegetables, drained, (15 oz / 680 g each)
- 1 can lima beans, drained, optional, (8.5 oz / 241 g)
- salt and pepper, as desired, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a pot or large sauce pan, breaking it up with your spatula as it cooks. When cooked through, drain any fat, then mix in the garlic powder.
- Add the canned Spaghetti Os to the pot, if using the Homemade Spaghetti Os from the Shortcut use the whole batch, then add the mixed vegetables, and lima beans if using. Stir to mix together.
- Cook until heated through.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Homemade Spaghetti Os.
Variants: 1. If using the homemade spaghetti Os, use 1½ lb / 750 grams ground beef or pork. 2. Use a 12 oz bag of frozen mixed vegetables, steamed in place of the canned. 3. Use canned beef (1½ lb / 680 g can), drained in place of fresh beef. 4. Use cooked meatballs in place of ground beef.
Ambrosia Salad
I remember this salad from when I was growing up, this is an excellent fruit salad. On my list to make this.
Ingredients
- 1 can Mandarin oranges, drained, (15 oz)
- 1 can pineapple tidbits, drained, (8 oz)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows, white or fruit flavored
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Add the orange segments, pineapple pieces, marshmallows, and coconut to a mixing bowl. I used the fruit flavored marshmallows to add a little color to the salad.
- Give everything a gentle mix together.
- Add the sour cream and gently mix that in.
- Pour the salad into a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Haystacks
This is an old time recipe and is easy and tasty, only 4 ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup salted peanuts
- 2 cups chow mein noodles
Instructions
- Setup a double boiler and add the butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Place on medium heat.
- Melt the chips and stir often until all the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the peanuts until nearly all coated, then stir in the noodles until they are fully coated.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, drop the mixture by teaspoonfuls and let sit until completely cooled, they will firm up once they have cooled.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Mackerel Loaf
Canned mackerel is basically the low income version of canned salmon, and it is a delicious, and lower cost alternative to salmon. In Thailand, mackerel will come in small cans in tomato sauce, and is comparable with sardines. In the US, I seen canned mackerel in large cans (15 oz / 425 g) like salmon, and no tomato juice, so I picked up a can as I wanted to try it out. I tried it on 15 Jan 2020, made this loaf, and I must say, it is good, even my Dad liked this. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Oven
- Bread Pan
Ingredients
- 1 can mackerel, drained, (15 oz / 425 g)
- ½ cup bread crumbs, (Shortcut)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup onion, diced
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- black pepper, as desired
Instructions
- Mackerel is packed like salmon, skin on and bone in, these 3 pieces are from 1 can. The bones are soft and the skin mixes right in, so just use this as is. (I took this photo just to show what it looks like when it comes out of the can.)
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Grease a loaf pan with butter or olive oil.
- Add the mackerel to a mixing bowl and break the pieces apart with a fork.
- To the mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients, and seasoning with pepper as desired.
- Use a large spoon and mix together.
- Pack mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Cool on a rack for 10 minutes to firm up, then turn onto a plate for serving. Mine fell apart when turning it out, that is ok, it happens.
- Slice, serve with sides of your choice and enjoy. Chicken gravy goes surprisingly well with this.
Notes
Low cost.
Shortcut: Bread Crumbs.
Variants: 1. Use red bell pepper in place of green. 2. Add chopped hard boiled eggs. 3. Add sliced green olives. 4. Add a second can of mackerel. 5. Use crushed saltine crackers in place of bread crumbs.
Super Chocolate Cookies
For Christmas 2019 my Mom gave me a cookbook, specifically 'the chocolate cookbook' and that is where this recipe comes from. And these are delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened, (1/2 block / 1 stick)
- 1 1/3 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup MM candies
- 1 cup raisins
- 3/4 cup salted peanuts
Instructions
- Measure out the peanuts, raisins, and MM's. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt and set that aside. In a large mixing bowl, add the butter, shortening, and brown sugar.
- Now that many of the items are ready, go ahead and preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Line a baking sheet or two with parchment paper.
- Mix the sugar, butter, shortening with an electric mixer at medium speed. Add the eggs and vanilla, beat until well blended.
- Gradually add the flour mixture while mixing with the electric mixer on low speed. Swap out the mixer for a sturdy spoon to mix in the remaining flour until you get a nice dough and the flour is all mixed in.
- Stir in the MM's, raisins, and peanuts.
- Drop the dough by 1/4 cupfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, 3 inches apart. Flatten dough slightly with your fingertips. Bake 13-15 minutes or until almost set. (I just used heaping tablespoons, worked well.)
- Remove from oven and cool on the sheet for 2 minutes.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Adapted from a recipe listed in 'the chocolate cookbook', page 50.
