Archive for the ‘#1 Go-To Recipes’ Category
Spinach & Pasta Casserole
Very easy to make and it is really delicious! This makes a lot! I made this on 20 Aug 2016. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 500 grams minced pork, OR ground beef, OR ground chicken
- 1 can tomato pasta sauce, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
- 125 grams Cream cheese, softened, this is 1/2 a standard block
- 500 grams dry Penne pasta, OR any bite size pasta
- 2 cups spinach, I used frozen that was thawed, perfect
- 400 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, this is 2 standard blocks
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F). Get out 2 baking dishes.
- Cook the pasta in boiling water until just done, drain and place in the baking dish or dishes.
- While the water is heating for the pasta, brown the minced pork (or meat of your choice) in skillet (feel free to use more meats as well), drain any fat. Add the tomato sauce and softened cream cheese that has been cut into cubes, and the thyme, season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally until the cheese is melted or nearly melted.
- Spoon the meat sauce over the pasta layer in the baking dish or dishes. Then add the spinach over the meat sauce.
- Now layer the shredded cheese over the spinach. One block of cheese per dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Minced pork is about 62 Baht/500 grams. The Cream cheese is 60 Baht for half of a 250 gram block, and the Mozzarella cheese is about 280 Baht for two 200 gram blocks. Make the tomato sauce from paste for greater savings. This comes out to about $1.20 per serving for 10 servings. Using chicken this would be less, using beef would be more.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Minced Beef SOS
This is a old school classic than many US Armed Forces will remember. Served over toast traditionally, but may be served over biscuits, hash browns, or even pasta. Add a couple of fried eggs on top for a hearty breakfast or dinner. I have not had this since 2005, I made this last night on 22 Sep 2016 and was pleasantly surprised, excellent taste, easy to put together. My photo of it plated, no need to really take step by step photos for this, and my comments below.
Ingredients
- 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, see Step 1
- 1 teaspon powdered chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- ground mace, OR ground nutmeg
Instructions
- The fat from the ground beef adds flavor to this, do not drain that off. However, if you use minced pork, drain the fat or this will not work out well.
- Heat a large non stick pan over medium high heat, add the ground beef, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, black pepper, and onion powder. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
- Stir in the flour and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes, add the milk and continue stirring and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and add a little bit of mace or nutmeg, the flavor will be correct when you just start to taste the mace or nutmeg. Then simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken, it will thicken fast. Serve over toast, biscuits, hash browns, or even pasta. Top with a few fried eggs for a complete and filling meal.
Notes
Ground beef would cost about 150 Baht/500 grams, minced pork runs about 70 Baht/500 grams. For beef, this is about $1.10 per serving for 4 servings, if using pork, this is about 52 cents per serving.
Variants. Add a can of stewed whole tomatoes and break them up with the spatula, this makes Red SOS (in US Armed Forces, this would be called Train Wreck). Replace the minced beef (or pork) with chipped beef for Creamed Beef. Another option is to omit the beef and make the white sauce and then use a can or two of drained tuna.
For leftovers, stuff some bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake in a 180 C oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Slow Cooker Sausage & Potatoes I
Excellent and spruced up a bit with cheese if you like. I made this on 17 Aug 2016. Photos added and the recipe modified slightly. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 5 links spicy smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1 large onion, quartered then sliced
- 6-8 small potatoes, washed, skin on, cut into large chunks
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun spice mix, OR make from a shortcut, or to taste
- 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, optional
Instructions
- Place the sausage, onion, and potatoes in your slow cooker.
- Add the Cajun spice mix and the can of soup, mix, then cover 7-8 hours on Low setting or until the potatoes are cooked.
- When the potatoes are cooked, you can serve at this point, or if you are using the cheese (recommended), add the cheese and mix, cover and cook for another 20 minutes, then serve. This photo shows I added cheese and is after the 20 more minutes of cooking.
Notes
The sausage would cost about 150 Baht/500 grams (this is about 5 large links). This makes the dish to about 55 cents per serving for 8 servings. If you make the soup from the shortcut here you have more savings. If you use the cheese, one block (250 grams) is 180 Baht. This increases the price per serving to $1.21. Overall, a reasonable price for a filling meal.
Variant, add sliced or chopped mushroom.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Cajun Spice Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Baked Chicken Nuggets
These are homemade nuggets not the nuggets from stores or fast food places. These are really good, I made these on 22 May 2017.
Ingredients
- 500 grams chicken tenders/fillets, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200 C (390 F). Get out a baking sheet with a rack.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, cheese, and seasonings. Place milk in a separate bowl. I took this photo well after I was dipping and coating the chicken.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the milk, then in the breadcrumbs to coat, place well coated pieces on the rack and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. I used a foil lined baking sheet, and a foil covered rack. These are ready for the oven now.
- Serve as an appetizer with a dipping sauce of choice, as a side, or as a main dish.
Notes
The chicken will cost about 40 Baht/500 grams. Easily under $1 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Ham Soup
Delicious and easy! Not an overpowering cheese sauce. Takes several steps to make but still very easy. Once it goes in the slow cooker, 6 hours on low is perfect, you do not have to touch it at all. I made this on 10 Aug 2016, my comments below. Recipe modified slightly to reflect my findings.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter, this is 1/3 of a standard block of butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
- 5 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
- 6 cups fresh broccoli, cut to bite size pieces, plus stems
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup milk
- 250 grams Cheddar cheese, this is one block, shred the whole block
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cups ham, cooked, cubed, I get thick ham slices at Macro
Instructions
- In your slow cooker, add the chicken stock or 5 cups of water and a heaping tablespoon of chicken stock powder and the thyme, stir to mix. Cut up the broccoli, dice the onion, and measure out the flour and the evaporated milk.
- Melt butter in a large non stick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Whisk in flour and season lightly with salt and pepper then cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. While whisking, slowly pour in evaporated milk (whisk well to smooth). Cook mixture, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken (this only takes a few minutes).
- Pour the onion mixture in the slow cooker along with chicken broth and whisk to mix well, then add the broccoli. Cover with lid and cook on High setting for 2 1/2 - 3 hours or Low setting for 6 hours.
- Turn heat to Warm setting and stir in milk, then add in shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese and stir to blend. Season with salt and pepper to taste, allow to heat through for about 30 minutes, serve.
Notes
Cheese cost 180 Baht for a 250 gram block of New Zealand import cheese, brand is Mainland. The ham slices, 3 thick slices was about 125 Baht, the broccoli was about 50 Baht. This comes out to about $1.30 per serving for 8 servings. If you use cubed chicken, the price would be at about $1 per serving.
Variants: Substitute cooked diced chicken for ham, add sliced mushrooms.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili
What is Cincinnati Chili? I have no idea except that is has cinnamon and allspice in it. Normally, I guess, this is made with ground beef which is boiled rather than pan browned, but I will be using minced pork, but by all means if you use chicken, leave a comment on the results. I will make with ground chicken as well. Maybe Cincinnati was the start of Chili Mac? Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 1 kilo ground beef, or ground pork, or ground chicken, (2 lbs)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce, Shortcut
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon Worcherstershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 teaspoons chili powder, adjust to your liking
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 can red Kidney beans, Shortcut, 1-2 cups cooked
- pasta, spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine, for serving
- Cheddar cheese, shredded, for topping
- onion, diced, for topping
Instructions
- In a large non stick pan, add the onion and ground meat.
- Brown the ground meat and onion, breaking up the ground meat with your spatula but still leaving it a bit chunky. Drain fat, then place in your slow cooker.
- Add to the slow cooker the garlic, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire, vinegar, salt, pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, and beans. Give everything a mix, there is a lot in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on High setting for 2 hours. Then switch to Low setting for another 1 hour. (You can also cook just on Low setting for 5 hours.)
- Cook your desired pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until tender, drain. Put pasta in a bowl and ladle on the chili. Top with cheese and onions as desired. Enjoy.
Notes
Beef in my village will run about 250 Baht/kilo, but you have to mince that yourself. Minced pork at Tesco will run about 115 Baht/kilo, chicken, I have no idea on the price for ground chicken as I have not done this yet. For 8 servings, made with beef this is only 92 cents per serving. For 8 servings, made with pork this is about 43 cents per serving. Using beef and 8 servings, this is still only about 92 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Variants: 1. Replace the tomato sauce with a can of whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, plus juice. 2. Use your favorite chili seasoning packet in place of the chili powder, cumin, and black pepper.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sausage, Peppers, and Onion
This is an old school recipe that has been a mainstay for years of many folks. This used to be considered poor folks food, but sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. I have been making this for years but stopped when I got to my present location due to availability of the sausage, now that I have found the sausage, this is a excellent dish and low cost. You can change this up to your liking. You can use any sausage you like, chicken, beef, or pork.
Ingredients
- 500 grams smoked sausage, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- 1 onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet on medium high heat, add the sliced sausage.
- Brown the sausage, about 5-10 minutes.
- Then add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper.
- Season with oregano, and salt and pepper to your liking. When the pepper and onion are tender, remove from heat. (I cover with a lid while it is cooking and just mix it every few minutes.)
- Sprinkle on the cheese and mix to coat everything, serve.
- Serve as is, or over hot rice or pasta.
Notes
The sausage at Makro will cost about 125 Baht for 500 grams. This comes to about 90 cents per serving for 6 servings. From my experience, Makro has sales on this sausage, buy 1 kilo get 500 grams free so there is even more savings.
Variants: 1. Use more sausage and add a red bell pepper. 2. Add a good handful of sliced mushrooms, King Oyster or Shiitake would be good, and I think Straw mushrooms sliced in half lengthwise would be excellent.
Another variant, provided by good friend John Petersen, United States, serve this on a bed of freshly cooked hash browns and top with a couple of sunny side up eggs. (This I will do!)
Been making this for years.
Old Fashioned Ham Salad
This is an excellent ham salad and is very easy to prepare. Serve as a snack or appetizer on crackers, or in a sandwich for a lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups ham, fat removed, minced, (about 325 g / 11-12 oz ham)
- 1 tablespoon onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish, or minced sweet pickle and a bit of juice
- mayo, as needed
Instructions
- Use a meat grinder, or a cleaver and a chopping block, and mince the ham, add the onion, mustard, and pickle. Mix together. I used diced sweet gherkins.
- Add and mix in mayo, a heaping tablespoon at a time, until you have achieved a creamy consistency. Serve on crackers, crackers and cheese, or use as a filling for sandwiches. Enjoy.
Notes
Nice ham slices can be bought at Makro if you do not have ham on hand. If using sliced ham from Makro, the type that comes 6 slices in a package of 1 kilo, use 2 slices.
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
This is a shortcut to make the popular Jiffy Corn Muffins, some recipes use this as a base or you can just make muffins. This makes 1 box of mix, which makes 6 muffins. I made the muffins on 30 Mar 2017 and they are very good.
Ingredients
Corn Muffin Mix
- 2/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow corn meal
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted, OR vegetable oil
To make just muffins, add this
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon fresh chilis, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
Instructions
- Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Whisk in melted butter and mix until dry mixture is smooth and lumps are gone.
- If another recipe is calling for a box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, add the above mixed ingredients to that recipe.
- To make Corn Muffins, preheat your oven to 200 C (390 F), lightly butter a muffin pan. OPTIONAL: add any combination of optional ingredients you prefer. Combine mix with egg and milk, mixing well. Let mixture rest for 5 minutes, then give it a quick stir, fill muffin pan cells half full, bake for 15-20 minutes.
Notes
Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
- Chili Cornbread Pie.
- Tamale Pie.
- Creamed Corn Cornbread, made it, GO-TO recipe.
- Beef & Beans Casserole.
Best Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
From a good friend of mine, and these are excellent muffins, not over powering from the banana, great flavor.
Equipment
- Muffin Pan (12 cell)
- Paper Cupcake Liners
- Oven
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Wet/Other Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 bananas, over ripened, mashed, or 5 small Thai bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt, or regular yogurt, or Sour Cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Get out your muffin pan and line with 12 cupcake papers.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together except the chocolate chips.
- Mix all the wet/other ingredients together.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Swiftly mix until just combined, do not over mix.
- Add the chocolate chips and give it a quick mix.
- Spoon the batter into a muffin pan lined with paper liners, dividing batter between all 12 cells, each cell will be almost full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until they have rose and golden brown, they are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the muffin pan and set on a rack to cool.
- Serve and enjoy. Best the day they are baked.
Notes
Updated on 20 April 2022.
Updated on 18 April 2022.
