Archive for the ‘5 Ingredients or Less’ Category
4 Bean Chili Mix
January 21, 2020 Lee
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4 Bean Chili Mix

Lee
This is a straight forward bean mix using common beans. This makes 1 bean mix of 452 grams (1 pound). Measurements are in grams as that is more accurate. This is a make ahead recipe, and you can make several types of bean mixes at one time and the beans are then all prepped for use in another recipe. The recipe that uses this mix is in the Recipe Notes section at the end.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 bean mix

Ingredients
  

  • 113 grams dry Pinto beans
  • 113 grams dry red beans
  • 113 grams dry red kidney beans
  • 113 grams dry black beans

Instructions
 

  • Weigh each bean type, place in a zip lock bag, label, use as directed to make bean soup.

Notes

These are common beans in Thailand and this is low cost per mix.
Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
 
My creation from researching a bag of chili bean mix, Lee Thayer, United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,INGREDIENTS
Ambrosia Salad
January 18, 2020 Lee
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Ambrosia Salad

I remember this salad from when I was growing up, this is an excellent fruit salad. On my list to make this.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

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.
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Haystacks
January 18, 2020 Lee
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Haystacks

This is an old time recipe and is easy and tasty, only 4 ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 candies

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.
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“Canned” Mashed Potatoes
January 10, 2020 Lee
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"Canned" Mashed Potatoes

Canned potatoes are a common low income / senior citizen commodity, and here is an easy way to make delicious mashed potatoes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can canned potatoes, (15 oz / 425 g cans)
  • butter, as desired
  • milk, as desired

Instructions
 

  • The key to using canned potatoes is to drain and rinse them. Open, drain, then rinse and drain the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a saucepan, add water to cover and place on high heat. I use sliced potatoes.
  • When the water just starts to boil, remove from heat, and drain the water.
  • Mash with a potato masher for a few seconds, I like mine chunky. Add a tablespoon or so of butter, or as desired, and a splash of milk, mash for a few more seconds to just mix the butter and milk into the potatoes.
  • Place in a serving bowl, serve as a side with gravy of your choice, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Variant: 1. Use whipping cream in place of milk.
Adapted from a 'prepper' recipe. 
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Mandarin Orange Cottage Cheese Salad
January 6, 2020 Lee
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Mandarin Orange Cottage Cheese Salad

I made this on a whim and it turned out better than expected. Highly recommended if you like mandarin oranges. The cottage cheese salads I have made always used crushed pineapple, so I decided to change it up. This recipe uses canned mandarin oranges, when I return to Thailand I will use fresh mandarin oranges and report on that. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can Mandarin oranges, segments in water, (15 oz / 425 g can)
  • 1 box orange gelatin, small box, 3 oz if using Jello brand
  • 1 tub Cool Whip whipped topping, (8 oz / 250 g)
  • 1 containter Cottage cheese, (1 lb / 500 g), Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Open and drain the oranges, I used a can of Walmart brand packed in water. Drain the oranges well. Place on a cutting board and cut each segment into about 4-5 pieces, then drain them again.
  • Place the orange pieces, cottage cheese, and gelatin powder in a mixing bowl. No water is used, trust me on this.
  • Stir together until the color is uniform.
  • Fold in the whipped topping but do not over mix.
  • You can leave the salad in the mixing bowl, or do as I did and spoon into a serving dish, I used a 1 1/2 quart glass serving dish. Cover and place in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Cottage Cheese.
My spin on a classic cottage cheese salad, Lee Thayer.
United States.
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Frosted Flake Clusters
January 3, 2020 Lee
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Frosted Flake Clusters

Just three ingredients, and they are tasty. Easy to make but you will need to chill them just a bit before serving as they are quite soft.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 candies

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 3 cups frosted flakes cereal

Instructions
 

  • Setup a double boiler and add the butterscotch chips and peanut butter.
  • Melt, stirring often, until the chips are completely melted and mixed into the peanut butter.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the frosted flakes.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper, drop the candies onto the paper by teaspoons, allow to cool, then place in the fridge to chill before serving to make sure they are firmed up.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
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Cottage Cheese Jello Salad II
December 25, 2019 Lee
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Cottage Cheese Jello Salad II

This is variant I found of a common cottage cheese jello salad. Just 4 ingredients and no water for this version. I state one of the ingredients as gelatin, in the US, you will know this as Jello, in Thailand, you will know this as Imperial or Lobo brand. This is also called "... Stuff" so if you make this with orange jello and oranges, then it would be "Orange Stuff."Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box any flavor gelatin, small box, 3 oz, if using Jello brand
  • 2 cans crushed pineapple, drained well, (8 oz / 250 g cans)
  • 1 tub Cool Whip whipped topping, (8 oz / 250 g)
  • 1 container Cottage cheese, (1 lb / 500 g), Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, add the cottage cheese, drained pineapple, and the gelatin powder from the box. I used a box of strawberry jello.
  • Stir together until the color is uniform. No water is used.
  • Fold in the cool whip until combined but do not over mix.
  • You can leave the salad in the mixing bowl, or do as I did and spoon into a serving dish, I used a 1 1/2 quart glass serving dish. Cover and place in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour.
  • Serve and enjoy.
  • Flavors I have tested (and they are great):
    Strawberry Jello & Strawberries.
    Orange Jello & Mandarin Oranges.
    Pineapple Jello & Pineapple Tidbits.
    Lime Jello & Fruit Cocktail.
    Cherry Jello & Tart Cherries.
    Orange Jello & Fruit Cocktail.
    Peach Jello & Fruit Cocktail.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Cottage Cheese.
Variant: 1. Mix in 2 cups of mini marshmallows.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
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Cottage Cheese Jello Salad I
December 25, 2019 Lee
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Cottage Cheese Jello Salad I

This is a favorite from when I was growing up. Just 4 ingredients. I state one of the ingredients as gelatin, in the US, you will know this as Jello, in Thailand, you will know this as Imperial or Lobo brand. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boxes lime gelatin, small boxes, 3 oz each, if using Jello
  • water, as directed on the gelatin boxes
  • 1 tub Cool Whip whipped topping, (8 oz)
  • 1 container Cottage cheese, (1 lb), Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the gelatin as directed on the boxes.
  • When the gelatin starts to set up, mix in the cottage cheese.
  • Fold in the whipped topping.
  • Place in the fridge to set for at least 3 hours.
  • Serve as a side dish with any meal. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Cottage Cheese.
Seen my Mom make this many times.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,Sides - Salads
Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
December 18, 2019 Lee
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Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Only 3 ingredients and these are tasty. For the chocolate, feel free to use chocolate compound, almond bark, or chocolate chips.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 macaroons

Ingredients
  

  • 285 grams shredded coconut, (10 oz)
  • 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 chocolate, melted, type and method of your choice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment paper is highly recommended, if you are out, foil greased with butter will work but expect a little sticking as well.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the coconut and the condensed milk.
  • Scoop out 2 tablespoons of coconut mixture and place on the prepared baking sheet, shape into a rounded mound. These do not spread so you can place them fairly close.
  • Bake for 15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
  • Remove from the sheet and place on a rack to cool.
  • Melt the chocolate of your choice, I used chocolate almond bark melted in a double boiler. When the chocolate is melted. Drop a macaroon onto the chocolate and lift out with a fork to a sheet of foil and allow to cool.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
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Oreo Pie
December 13, 2019 Lee
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Oreo Pie

This recipe comes from the label on a Oreo pie crust, and uses Oreo Cookies N' Cream pudding mix, and I will be taking a few boxes of that with me when I return to Thailand. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Oreo pie crust, store bought or homemade, Shortcut
  • 2 boxes Oreo Cookies N' Cream pudding, (4 servings per box)
  • 2 1/2 cups cold milk
  • 1 tub Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed, (8 oz)
  • 3-4 Oreo cookies, cut in half, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add the pudding mix and milk in a large mixing bowl. Whisk for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in half of the whipped topping.
  • Pour mixture into the pie crust. Cover and place in the fridge in the fridge for at least 4 hours or until the pie is fully set and firm.
  • When ready to serve, top with remaining whipped topping. Top with the cookie halves, evenly spaced. Use 6 pieces for 6 slices or 8 pieces for 8 slices.
  • Slice evenly between the cookies, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Cookie Crusts.
Adapted from the recipe on a Oreo crust label.
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