Archive for the ‘#1 Go-To Recipes’ Category
Banana Bread I
This is a simple recipe and it is excellent. I have made this several times, it is fool proof and I get great reviews from my Thai family and friends. I use the small bananas grown right here in our yard for this.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened, (1 stick or 1/2 block)
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 cups banana, mashed, small bananas if you have them
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Lightly grease with butter the bread pan.
- Cream together the sugars and butter. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
- Add the mashed bananas and mix in. Mix in the flour, then mix in the baking soda. (This looks like a lot as I doubled the recipe to make two loaves.)
- Pour batter into the prepared bread pan.
- Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place the pan(s) on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, roll out onto the rack and let rest until cooled.
- Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Minimal cost and a great tasting bread.
Easy Baked Chicken
This is quick and excellent dish. I made this on 11 June 2016, my comments below.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, OR legs and thighs skin on bone in
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, if you like cheese, feel free to use more
- 1 container plain yougurt, this is the regular small container
- salt and pepper, to taste
- milk, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. Add the chicken to the dish.
- Mix the cheese, yogurt, and salt and pepper in a bowl. The mixture will be very thick, add a tablespoon of milk or so at a time to get a thinner consistency.
- Spread mixture over chicken, bake for 45 minutes. Serve with a side of your choice. This would be excellent with buttered pasta, mixed vegetables, etc.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp, target temp is 82 C / 180 F.
Notes
Last time I bought chicken breasts, just a few days before posting this, that cost me 74 Baht. Everything else is minimal. This comes out to about 55 cents per serving for 4 people.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Chili Dog Casserole
When I found this recipe, the chili and cheese were both listed as processed, such as canned and packaged shredded. This recipe I am going to show here is a mix of recipes from the site. These are easy to make recipes. The cheese will be real as well. That leaves tortillas, which are packaged, and I have not tried to make yet. And the hotdogs, buy quality dogs, they do in fact make them in Thailand and are not the chemical laden import dogs. This recipe takes time in the planning but you can make several other dishes in between. I made this on 2 Aug 2016, excellent! I modified this for using some canned items I used while in the US in May 2020.
Ingredients
- 6 cups chili, see Step 1.
- 500 grams beef hot dogs, (1 lb)
- 8-10 flour tortillas, 8 inch tortilas are perfect
- 250 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, real cheese, (1/2 lb)
Instructions
- You can make your favorite chili or use canned, with or without beans. I have made this with both. For canned, use two 24 oz (1 1/2 lb / 680 g) cans. When I made this in the US I used two 24 oz (1 1/2 lb / 680 g) cans of chili.
- I have also made this with my homemade Pinto Bean Chili.
- Preheat your oven to 200 C (400 F).
- Spread 1 can of chili and beans (OR 3 cups of homemade chili) in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Roll up franks inside tortillas and place in baking dish, seam side down, on top of chili and beans.
- Top with remaining can of chili (OR another 3 cups of homemade chili), and sprinkle with cheese to cover.
- Cover baking dish with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and allow to brown on the top, remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost for the US and Fair to High cost per serving in Thailand based on quality hot dogs and quality cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Chicken & Swiss Skillet
Chicken and Swiss cheese? My favorites! Chicken breasts cooked in a skillet and covered with cooked onions, bacon, and mushrooms. This is easy recipe. I made this last night, 18 May 2016, recipe updated with my findings, my comments below.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 250 grams sliced bacon, optional, diced
- Swiss cheese, slices, slice a block for this, no processed stuff
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms
- 1/4 cup white wine, optional, OR 1/4 cup chicken stock
- spring onions, optional, chopped for garnish
- salt and pepp
Instructions
- Heat a heavy bottomed skillet (or cast iron pan) over medium heat, then add the bacon and cook 5-6 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan and set aside in a bowl, keeping the bacon fat in the pan.
- Turn the heat up to medium-high. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides, place the chicken breasts in the pan and set a timer for one minute. After the minute is up, turn the breasts over and turn the heat down to low, cover the pan, and set another timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, open the lid, lay one slice of cheese over each chicken breast (lay cheese slices over the breast from slices from a block is preferred, cannot go wrong with too much cheese) then re-cover and let cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken breasts to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Photo shows real Swiss cheese used, and I am heavy handed when it comes to cheese so the slices are thick.
- Turn the heat back up to medium and add the sliced onions, cook until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Remove onions from the skillet and place in the bowl holding the diced bacon. Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and let them brown up a little, toss once in a while to get most browned.
- Once the mushrooms have cooked, add the white wine or broth to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the bacon and onions to the pan, then toss to combine. Serve by placing one chicken breast on a plate, then topping with the bacon, mushroom, and onion mixture. Garnish with chopped spring onion or parsley if desired. Serve with a side of your choice. Photo shows the chicken plated with the onions and mushrooms on the top and a side of potato salad.
Notes
I bought 4 large chicken breasts two days ago for 74 Baht. The cheese will run 180 Baht for a block of Swiss cheese (Mainland brand from New Zealand), 1/3 of a block will cover two chicken breasts. This comes out to about $1.70 per meal for 4 servings, if you add the bacon, the cost will increase. Overall, not a bad price for a very tasty meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Basic Mac & Cheese
This is the basic recipe, add to it what ever you like, change the cheeses, etc. This is a building block, change it to make it fit your tastes. I have made this many times. I do not use boxed mac & cheese, something about powdered, glow in the dark cheese that is not right.
Ingredients
- 500 grams uncooked pasta, of your choice
- 4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup butter, this is 1/2 a standard block of butter
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder, optional
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it just until just tender, about 11 minutes. Drain the pasta then set it aside.
- In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, warm the milk until it is simmering then set it aside.
- In a large heavy-bottomed stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour and cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until it turns light brown in color and has a slightly toasted aroma, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the dry mustard (optional).
- Remove the pot from the heat then slowly whisk the warm milk into the flour mixture. Continue whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. (The mixture will become very thick and then thin out gradually until it is smooth.)
- Return the pot to the stove over medium-high heat and cook the mixture while whisking constantly until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste and reduce the heat to medium. Whisk in the Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until they are melted and the cheese sauce is smooth.
- Add the pasta, stirring to combine, then add what ever else you would like to add and mix in, cook just until the pasta is warmed throughout.
- Serve with a salad for a nice meal.
Notes
Cheese is the biggest factor here, 1 cup of shredded cheese is about 100 grams, you would need 1 1/2 blocks of good Cheddar for 3 cups, about 180 Baht per block, cost would be about 240 Baht for Cheddar. For Parmesan, 1 cup is about 150 grams, that is about 150 Baht. Not a cheap meal. This comes out to about $1.90 per serving for 6 people. Reduce the price per serving by adding a vegetable side dish.
Variants: 1. Add leftover diced ham, leftover diced chicken, and a little on the pricy side, lobster, cooked prawns, cooked sausage, imitation crab, can or two of tuna. 2. Add cooked vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower to name a few.
Been making this for several years now.
White Fish Bake
This is really good! It is economical and healthy. Any white fish can be used, but think Pangasius, Barramundi, or even Tilapia, but boneless and skinless, Pangasius would be a great option as it can be bought that way. I made this on 24 May 2016 and used Pangasius, excellent! My comments below, recipe adjusted slightly to reflect my findings and step by step photos taken as well. Added to my go-to recipe list!
Ingredients
- 500 grams white fish fillets, boneless and skinnless, think Pangasius
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayo, heaping tablespoon
- 1 carrot, medium size, shredded
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3-4 lemon slices
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- salt and pepper, to taste
- paprika, to taste
- olive oil, for pan frying
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190 C. Get out a 9x13 baking dish.
- Rinse the fish fillets and dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper to taste on each side.
- Heat a large non stick pan with a splash of olive oil, cook the fish fillets on both sides, about 2-3 minutes each side, remove fish as they are cooked and place in a single layer in the baking dish, pack them in tightly. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Use the same pan, bit more olive oil and add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown, then add the carrot and cook for another 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, add the yogurt, mayo, dill, cooked onion and carrot, season with salt and pepper as desired, and mix to combine.
- Place 3-4 lemon slices on top of the fish, then spread the yogurt mixture over the fish evenly. Sprinkle with paprika and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until fish flakes. Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes before cutting, sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Serve with rice or pasta and a vegetable for a filling and nutritious meal.
- Plated on egg noodles mixed with vegetables. Delicious!
Notes
Pangasius will run about 60 Baht/500 grams. Barramundi will run 102 Baht/fish, would take 2-3 fish however. Go with Pangasius. 60 Baht for 4 servings would be about 80 cents per serving to include the cost of the cheese. Excellent value!
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Baked Melt in Your Mouth Chicken Breasts
This is easy and delicious! Would work well for thighs, which I think would be tastier. Just five ingredients and while it is baking, you can make your side dish.
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, or large thighs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190 C (375 F). Place chicken in a 7x11 baking dish.
- Mix the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Spread mixture over the chicken.
- Bake for 45 minutes. I did remove one and cut it half to check doneness, perfect at 45 minutes.
- Serve with a side of your choice.
Notes
Minimal costs, well under $1 per person per meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Pan Fried Barramundi Fillets
Only my opinion, but I like pan fried fish the best. This is as basic as it gets with this recipe, just 1 fish, some flour, and a pan with hot oil. This recipe goes from whole fish to fillets, to pan fried, nothing easier. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 1 whole Barramundi, you can find these in Tesco called Giant Sea Perch
- all purpose flour, as needed
- cooking oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- tartar sauce, as needed, for serving, Shortcut
Instructions
- First you need to get a Barramundi, these are commonly sold at Tesco but labeled as Giant Sea Perch or you can buy in most open markets.
- Next thing you need to do is scale the fish. Grab a large spoon, and best to head outside for this part as it is messy. Using your spoon, start at the tail end work towards the head end, scrape the scales off, only takes a few minutes, scale the whole fish.
- One your fish is scaled, now you need to fillet it. Using a narrow knife, cut just behind the gill plate then turn the knife 90 degrees so the edge is headed towards the tail, then cut along the back bone to the tail and you have one fillet. Turn the fish over and repeat this. Now you have your two fillets but you have rib bones to remove, you can either scrape them out to leave just a tiny bit of meat or just cut the rib section out, easy! This photo is two fillets ready for cooking.
- After filleting the fish, rinse it under the tap. Now feel the skin side and remove stray scales that did not come off with the spoon. This is important as biting into scale is a real appetizer killer.
- Heat the oil of your choice in a large heavy pan, you do not need it smoking, just hot. If your oil is not hot, it goes right into the fish.
- Place some flour on a plate, a couple of spoonfuls, coat the fillets in the flour. Place each fillet in the oil, season with salt and pepper to your liking. When the fillet starts to get golden brown around the edges (should only take 4-5 minutes) then carefully flip the fillet and cook the other side also until that is golden brown.
- Remove from the pan and put on a plate, add a side or two of your choosing, and enjoy.
Notes
One Barramundi, in Tesco, costs 102 Baht, this is per fish, not per kilo, two servings is about $1.50 per meal, which is reasonable.
If you can find this fish in an open market, the vendor will be happy to fillet for you for free.
Shortcut: Tartar Sauce.
Squid & Shrimp Stuffed Squid
Yep, everyone calls squid "calamari" however I call it squid. This recipe is easy, and well worth it. I made this on 10 May 2016, and this is really good! Recipe updated and my comments are listed below. This is now added to the go to recipes. Lot of options here! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Pan
Ingredients
- 6 squid, about 7-8 inches long is perfect, if you use smaller squid, you need more
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 10-15 raw medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
- 2 plum tomatoes, finely diced
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped, OR use Thai celery
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups tomato sauce, Shortcut
- hot cooked pasta, of your choice
- Parmesan cheese, couple of teaspoons to sprinkle onthe top, optional
Instructions
- Clean your squid, I will write a 101 topic on this if you are not sure. Remove the skin, pull out the clear bone, and turn inside out to thoroughly clean the inside, then turn right side out, place the squid on a plate and put in the fridge. Cut the tentacles off in front of the beak, discard the head. Photo shows the squid cleaned, I used 4 squid.
- Heat your oven to 190° C (375° F), get out a 8x11 or 9x13 baking dish depending on number of squid you are using.
- Dice the the tentacles and the shrimp (remember to remove the tails), place this in the bowl with the diced tomatoes, zest, ginger, parsley, and pepper. Mix well.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat, add the onions and salt and cook until the onions turn translucent, about 1 to 2 minutes, do not brown them, add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute. Remove from heat and put this into a medium mixing bowl and set aside to cool.
- Once the onions and garlic are cool, add to the squid, shrimp mixture and mix well. Photo shows the stuffing mixed.
- Using either a long ice tea spoon or a bag with a corner cut off, fill each squid with the mixture, do not over stuff them.
- Place each filled squid in the baking dish.
- Once all are filled, cover with tomato sauce of your choice (can be home made sauce or canned spaghetti sauce). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Photo shows foil removed after baking.
- Serve over pasta of your choice.
Notes
I bought 6 squid (about 7-8 inches long) for 60 Baht. A can of tomato sauce will be about 55 Baht, a can of paste will cost 17 Baht and you can make the sauce. Everything else is minimal.
Using the cost for squid and canned sauce, the cost for 3 servings is $1.12 per meal. If using home made sauce, the cost for 3 servings is 75 cents per meal. Add a side dish and a salad, you can stretch this to 6 servings, which reduces the cost even more.
Now for the shrimp, do yourself a favor, buy a kilo for use in another recipe, take out 10-15 shrimp for this, cost is minimal, freeze the rest for another dish, problem solved.
Variants: For fillings, ground pork or pork sausage (home made will reduce cost), or ground chicken or chicken sausage (home made will reduce cost), chopped fresh fish, etc.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Updated on 10 May 2016.
Egg Salad I
Basic Egg Salad, enjoy as is or make a sandwich from this. I have been making this for years. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 6 eggs, hard boiled, chopped
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 3-4 slices pickle, diced, optional, (Shortcut)
- mayo, as needed
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add eggs, onion, pickle to a bowl and mix to combine, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add mayo a large spoonful at a time and mix, you are looking for well mixed but not dripping in mayo.
- Serve as is on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, on crackers, etc. This will make 4 thick sandwiches.
Notes
Less than $1 for the whole thing.
Shortcut: Dill Pickles.
Family recipe I have been using for many years.
