Archive for the ‘#1 Go-To Recipes’ Category
Homemade Country Gravy & Biscuits
This recipe uses the dry mix listed on the site, shortcut for that is in the Recipe Notes section. This makes the equivalent of using 2 store bought country gravy packets. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Ingredients
- 500 grams bulk breakfast sausage, (1 lb), Shortcut
- 1 bell pepper, your choice of color, diced
- 6 tablespoons homemade country gravy mix, Shortcut
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cups milk
- ½ cup chicken broth, Shortcut
- hot cooked biscuits, your choice, Shortcut
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add the breakfast sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until no longer pink and cooked through. Drain any excess fat, then remove the sausage to a plate and set aside.
- To the same saucepan, add the bell pepper and cook until softened, stirring occasionally. When cooked, remove bell pepper and place on the plate with the sausage.
- Now you will want the butter, gravy mix, and milk all measured out and ready, the gravy will come together quickly.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat, do not let it boil or burn, then add the gravy mix to the pan and whisk into the butter to make a thick paste, this takes less than a minute.
- Whisk in the broth and whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and creamy, this should take less than a minute.
- Keep whisking and pour in the milk, keep whisking until the gravy just comes to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for another 1-2 minutes, whisk or stir often.
- When the gravy is thick and creamy, return the sausage and bell pepper to the saucepan and stir in. Cook for a minute or two to heat the sausage through.
- Serve over hot cooked biscuits, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Breakfast Sausage, Homemade Country Gravy Mix, Chicken Broth, Linda's Biscuits.
Homemade Country Gravy Mix
This is the homemade version of the very popular gravy packets available in the US. This is just the dry mix. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Notes section.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- 1 tablespooon black pepper, fresh ground
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, Shortcut
- ½ teaspoon rubbed sage
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk together.
- Store in an air tight container and use within 1 year.
- 3 tablespoons of mix equals 1 store bought country gravy packet. How to use is listed in the Notes.
Notes
Shortcut: Poultry Seasoning.
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
- Homemade Country Gravy & Biscuits, made it, GO-TO recipe.
- Broccoli Cheese Soup, made it, GO-TO recipe.
Country Gravy & Biscuits
This can be prepared with your own homemade country (white) gravy, from a store bought packet (which I used), or from a shortcut to make the packets (which I will be doing soon to test). This also uses store bought refrigerated biscuits in a tube (also which I used) or you can make biscuits from scratch. Since I am in the US now, I used the store bought items for the low cost and convenience. When I return to Thailand, I will certainly be making the shortcuts for the sausage and gravy. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 500 grams bulk breakfast sausage, (1 lb), Shortcut
- 2 packets country gravy, (2.75 oz / 78 g packet size), Shortcut
- 1 bell pepper, any color, diced
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup cold milk
- biscuits, for serving, your choice
Instructions
- Heat a pot on medium heat and add the sausage, breaking it up with your spatula as it cooks.
- Cook until the sausage is no longer pink and cooked through. Remove the sausage to a plate and pour out any fat from the pot.
- Place the pot back on heat and add the diced bell pepper. Saute until just softened. Remove from the pot and add to the sausage.
- Place the pot back on heat and add the water and bring to a boil. While the water is heating, measure out the 1 cup of milk into a measuring cup and add the 2 packets and stir with a fork. Bake the biscuits of your choice.
- Once the water is boiling, give the milk mixture another stir, then grab a whisk and start whisking, then pour in the milk mixture and whisk until the gravy thickens. Reduce heat to low.
- Add the sausage to the gravy and swap out the whisk for a spoon and mix the sausage in. Simmer until the sausage is heated through.
- Split open some biscuits, ladle the gravy over, and enjoy.
Notes
In the US this is low cost for the store bought sausage, gravy packets, and refrigerated biscuits. When I return to Thailand, I will be making this from scratch using shortcuts.
Shortcuts: Breakfast Sausage, Country Gravy.
The amount of gravy and sausage worked out perfectly. Lee Thayer.
United States.
United States.
Cherry Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake
Sounds like a tasty cake, on my to make and taste list and soon.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box white cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 can cherry pie filling, (595 g / 21 oz)
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
For the Icing
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F), grease with butter a 9x13 baking pan or bundt pan.
- Add all the Cake ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Mix together until just combined.
- Pour the cake mix in the baking pan and spread out evenly.
- Bake a 9x13 pan 30-35 minutes or a bundt cake 35-45 minutes. The cake should be golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a rack to cool completely.
- If using a bundt pan, after the pan has set on a rack for 10 minutes, place a plate on the top, grab each side with oven pads, both the pan and plate, and turn the pan and plate over to turn the cake out onto a plate. Let the cake completely cool.
- Prepare the icing when the cake is completely cooled. In a mixing bowl, stir together the first 4 ingredients, then use an electric mixer to mix in the powdered sugar.
- Drizzle the icing over the cake. (I also sprinkled some candy sprinkles on it.)
- Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving in the US and in Thailand.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Homemade Spice Cake
This recipe uses the Homemade Spice Cake Mix on this site. This will make two 8 inch rounds, one 9x13 pan, or 24 cupcakes. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 1 spice cake mix, (Shortcut)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter, softened, (1/2 block or 1 stick)
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- frosting, of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease and flour a 9x13 baking dish or two 8 inch rounds.
- Add the cake mix to mixing bowl, add the butter and work that into the flour.
- Crack the eggs into another bowl and whisk then whisk in the vanilla into the eggs. Pour the eggs into the flour and mix to combine.
- Add the milk and mix just until the cake batter comes together, do not over work the batter or the result will not be a light and fluffy cake.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan(s) and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before turning out to a platter before frosting.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Homemade Spice Cake Mix
Spice Cake Mix, a standard cake when I was growing up, came in a box, add a few ingredients, bake, and you have a nice cake. Where I live, the boxed mix is at a premium price. This is the base mix recipe. This mix equals 1 box of store bought mix which will make two 8 inch rounds or one 9x13 pan. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Notes section.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all purpose flour
- 1½ cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice, Shortcut
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Whisk together and store in an airtight container for up to one month, or use right away to make a spice cake. Use in any recipe that calls for a box of spice cake mix.
Notes
Low cost.
Shortcut: Pumpkin Pie Spice.
Variant: 1. To replace the Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix use 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground cloves.
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
- Homemade Spice Cake, made it, GO-TO recipe.
- Dream Cake, made it, GO-TO recipe.
- Quick & Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes.
- Any Flavor Cake, made it, GO-TO recipe.
Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake
This sounds really good, on my to make and taste list, and soon! The crust can be made with Oreo cookies and butter or you can use a store bought chocolate crumb crust. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate crumb pie crust, bought or homemade, Shortcut
- 200 grams caramel candies, unwrapped, (7 oz)
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup pecans, chopped, divided
- 1 package Cream cheese, softened, (8 oz, 225 g)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix, (small size, 4 serving size box)
- 1/2 cup fudge topping
Instructions
- Remove packaging or prepare the cookie crumb crust.
- Add the caramels and evaporated milk to a small sauce pan, place on low heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture is smooth, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.
- Pour into the prepared pie crust and spread out evenly.
- To a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, sour cream, and milk, mix with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add the pudding mix and mix for another 30 seconds.
- Pour cream cheese mixture into the pie dish, covering the caramel and spread out evenly. Cover and chill for 15 minutes.
- Drizzle the fudge topping over the cheesecake in a decorative pattern and sprinkle on the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped pecans. Cover and chill until you serve.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving in the US, I will price this in Thailand when I return home.
Shortcut: Cookie Crusts.
Adapted from a 1970's recipe card.
Pear Pie
This pie can be made with fresh or canned pears. Link to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 2-3 pears, or 2 cans drained
- 1 cup sour cream, Shortcut
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 unbaked pie shell, Shortcut
For the Topping
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Make and place a pie shell in a pie dish or if using refrigerated, place that in your pie dish. Poke the bottom of the crust 4-5 times with a fork.
- For the pears, for fresh, peel and core, then slice 1/4 inch thick. Or use 2 cans, drained.
- In a mixing bowl, add the Filling ingredients except the pears, mix together then pour into the prepared pie shell.
- Arrange the pear slices evenly on the filing.
- Place in the oven and bake 15 minutes. While the pie is baking, add the Topping ingredients to a mixing bowl, mix together with a fork.
- Remove the pie at the 15 minute mark, sprinkle on the topping evenly on the pie, place back in the oven and bake for another 30-40 minutes or until the filling is set as indicated by inserting a toothpick and it comes out clean.
- Remove pie to a rack and allow to cool completely.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Sour Cream. Pie Crust, Olive Oil Pie Crust.
Adapted from Fresh Pear Pie on the Great Grub, Delicious Treats website.
Mandarin Orange Pudding
This is an excellent and easy recipe! When I return to Thailand, I will be taking pudding mixes back with me so I can make this there! There are two ways to make this, one with fresh whipped cream and the other with ready made Cool Whip. I used Cool Whip this time, in Thailand I will use fresh whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla wafer cookies, you won't use all of them
- 1 can Mandarin oranges, whole segments, drained, (29 oz / 822 g)
- 250 grams Cream cheese, softened, (8 oz)
- 1 can condensed milk, (14 oz)
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 large box instant vanilla pudding mix, (6 serving size)
- 3 cups whipping cream, or three 8 oz containers Cool Whip
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, omit if using Cool Whip
- 1 can Mandarin oranges, drained, for serving, optional, (11 oz / 312 g)
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with the vanilla wafer cookies.
- Add a layer of mandarin orange segments.
- Add the cream cheese, condensed milk to a mixing bowl, beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add the dry pudding mix, vanilla, and milk. Beat until fully combined then set aside. Wash and dry the mixer blades if you are using fresh cream.
- In another mixing bowl, add the whipping cream and beat until soft peaks form, then add the powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, then set aside 1 1/2 cups.
- Take the remaining whipped cream and fold that into the pudding mixture. OR fold in two containers of Cool Whip. I used Cool Whip.
- Spread the pudding mixture evenly over the oranges.
- Top the pudding with the reserved whipped cream OR another container of Cool Whip. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- To serve, slice into serving size pieces, top each serving with a mandarin orange segment if desired.
- Enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Variant: 1. Use Cool Whip in place of the whipping cream and powdered sugar. Fold in two 8 oz containers of Cool Whip into the pudding mixture, then top with one 8 oz container before placing in the fridge.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
United States.
Slow Cooker Chicken & Gravy II
This is another Chicken & Gravy recipe and is absolutely delicious! Highly recommended. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- black pepper, as desired
- garlic powder, as desired
- 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, Shortcut
- 1 can chicken broth, (14.5 oz can or 2 cups fresh), Shortcut
- 2 packets brown gravy mix, Shortcut
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- mashed potatoes or rice, for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken on each side with black pepper and garlic powder as desired, add the chicken to your slow cooker.
- In a mixing bowl, add the soup, broth, gravy mix, and flour. Whisk together.
- Pour mixture over the chicken. Cook on High setting for 3-4 hours or Low setting for 6-7 hours.
- Turn slow cooker to Warm setting. Remove the chicken to a shallow dish and shred with two forks into bite size pieces and return to the slow cooker. Leave the lid off the cooker while you prepare the mashed potatoes or rice.
- Serve over mashed potatoes or rice (or biscuits) with sides of your choice. Enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Chicken Broth, Gravy Mix.
Variants: 1. Serve over hot biscuits, highly recommended. 2. Serve over egg noodles, also highly recommended.
Recipe provided by Conni Layton and her recipe is here.
United States.
United States.
