Grilled Cheese Croutons

Grilled Cheese Croutons

These sound easy and perfect for a nice bowl of tomato soup or tossed in a salad. On my to cook list.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 60 croutons, about

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, OR dried basil
  • 6 slices sandwich bread, wheat bread is also a good choice
  • 3 slices Cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large non stick skillet over medium low heat.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the butter and thyme, spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place the slices in the hot skillet buttered side down. Top each slice with cheese, top with remaining slices buttered side up.
  • Cook until toasted on the bottom, flip and cook the other side until toasted.
  • Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let cool slightly then cut them into 1 inch squares. Use in soups, top of salads, etc.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Blue Rice (Rice Cooker)

Blue Rice (Rice Cooker)

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a unique dish and is Malaysian in origin. The blue is from very specific flowers, the Butterfly-pea flower. This flower grows on a vine in Thailand, and is common throughout Thailand, Asia and even in Australia, a very edible flower that is made into tea and even deep fried. The seasoning for the rice comes from lemongrass, just a subtle taste but is perfect. Normally a dish made during festive periods or celebrations. The basic Cook and Warm rice cooker is ideal for this. I made this on 13 Sep 2017 and was a hit with the Thai family, recipe adjusted to 6 flowers instead of the previously stated 3-4. for a better blue version. Outstanding.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Malaysian
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Rice Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dry Jasmine rice, rinsed
  • cups water, 1 or 2 tablespoons less would be ok as well
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 Butterfly-pea flowers
  • ½ stalk lemongrass, beaten, knotted, or ½ teaspoon of lemongrass powder

Instructions
 

  • Put rinsed rice in your rice cooker along with the lemongrass and flowers.
  • Add the water, press cook on the rice cooker and let it cook until it switches to Warm. For this trial I used powdered lemongrass, that was spot on.
  • Once the rice cooker switches to Warm, just let it sit for about 10-20 minutes covered on the Warm setting. Mix with a spoon, you can just mix the flowers in, or you can remove them. We left the flowers in.
  • Spoon some rice into a small bowl, place a plate on the top and tip the plate and bowl over, perfect serving portion. I served this with fish.
Chicken Hearts & Livers

Chicken Hearts & Livers

Lee
This is a leftover meal, meaning leftover chicken hearts, livers, potatoes, and any sides from other meals. Low cost and cleans out the fridge or freezer. My wife makes several Thai dishes from chicken hearts and livers, she was kind enough to leave me a few to make a leftover dish, and I had the boiled potatoes and carrot on hand as well, leftover from a previous meal.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • chicken hearts
  • chicken livers
  • boiled potatoes
  • carrots, sliced
  • ½ can evaperated milk

Instructions
 

  • Heat the potato and carrots or vegetables of your choice (or leftovers) in a pot of simmering water or steam them.
  • While the vegetables are heating, in a large pan, heat a splash of olive oil, when hot, add the hearts and livers, mix them and make sure they are cooked through.
  • When just cooked through, add the evaporated milk and simmer until you get a slight thickening.
  • Spoon the gravy over boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even pasta,

Notes

Low cost as everything was bought for other dishes.
Variant: 1. Use any leftover vegetable for the side dish.
Bak Kuet Teh (Hokkien)

Bak Kuet Teh (Hokkien)

From a recipe on a Lobo brand spice packet.
This is a pork rib soup of Chinese origin, and this is the Hokkien (Malaysian) version. This soup is herb based and the broth is generally dark. I use a seasoning packet, Lobo brand (Thailand) to prepare this. I first made this on 27 June 2017, wonderful flavor, tender ribs, and your kitchen and house will smell wonderful. I make this at least once a month.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese, Malaysian
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet Bak Kuet Teh Soup mix, Lobo brand
  • 500 grams pork ribs, (1 lb)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 daikon, (white radish), sliced, optional

Instructions
 

  • This is the spice packet used, Lobo brand. Even the Thais know Lobo is the best brand for soup and spice mixes. Inside of the packet is a cloth bag, that contains the spices, the bag is simply placed in the water and removed before you serve.
  • Rinse and cut ribs into 1 bone sections.
  • Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a pot, when it is boiling, add the spice bag from the packet to the water and add the ribs. Boil for 5 minutes then reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes or until the meat is tender. If adding daikon, when the meat is tender, add the sliced daikon and simmer for 15 minutes more. Discard the spice bag.
  • Serve with rice on the side.
  • Or place rice in a bowl and spoon the soup over the rice, this is my preferred method.

Notes

The Lobo brand spice packet for this costs 17 Baht and the pork ribs is about 115 Baht/kilo. For 3 servings, this is about $1.30 per serving.
Variants: 1. Lamb, beef, and ox tail can be used instead of pork. Simply 1/2 cup more water and simmer for 2 hours. 2. Daikon can be replaced with carrot or used together. 3. Add hard boiled chicken, duck, or quail eggs.
Isaan Sausage (Sai Krok) I

Isaan Sausage (Sai Krok) I

This type of sausage originates in the northeastern area of Thailand, the Isaan region, and Laos and is very popular throughout the north as well. This is a mild sausage, good garlic and black pepper taste. I took lots of photos to show exactly what this is. This version uses a store bought seasoning packet complete with the casings and string.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Thai
Servings 5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet Northeastern Thai Sausage seasoning (Sai Krok), Lobo brand
  • 500 grams pork belly, (1 lb)

Instructions
 

  • This is the seasoning packet, kit, used for this sausage, it contains everything, you just have to supply the meat. Lobo brand, best brand I have used, instructions are in English as well on the back, including photos.
  • This is the contents of the kit, there is three packets, salt, rice, seasoning pack is mainly garlic and black pepper. There is also the collagen casings (5) and the strings needed to tie the sausages.
  • I like to grind meat for Thai sausages as it does need to be quite fatty. This is the 500 grams (1 lb) of pork belly with the skin removed and cut into strips for the grinder. Grinding plate used is the course one, commonly called a wagon wheel.
  • In a large bowl, add the pork and the contents of the three foil packets, using your hands, mix until sticky, this takes just a few minutes. Divide into approximately 5 equal size portions, I basically make 5 meatballs that are the same size, you can leave them in the same bowl. Wash and dry your hands, important that your hands are dry when handling the casings.
  • Open the casing packet and unfold the casings and separate them. One end is already tied.
  • I use a funnel to stuff sausages and the plunger for my meat grinder is what I use to push the meat through the funnel. You can use any method you are familiar with to stuff the casings. Place a casing on the end of the funnel and slide it on all the way to the knotted end. Pick up one portion of the meat and place in the funnel, use your fingers or a plunger from a meat grinder to fill a casing. (I jumped the gun here and stuffed all 5 casings, instead of tying it into the smaller ones before stuffing the next.)
  • Now with a casing stuffed, lay it on a plate and starting from the knotted end, use the string and tie into 5 smaller links, just wrap the string around and pull tight (do not twist the links). When you get to the open end, give that a twist and tie that off with the string.
  • Let the sausage sit on the counter for 1 hour (fermenting, then refrigerate until you want to cook them). Cook on a charcoal grill over low heat until cooked through, or bake at 140 C (280 F) for 30 to 40 minutes. Serve with fresh vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, carrot.

Notes

The seasoning packet for this is 37 Baht, and it includes the casing and string. The pork belly will cost about 70 Baht/500 grams. For 5 servings, this is about 63 cents per serving.
Variants: Beef, chicken, and shrimp can be used instead of pork.
From a recipe on a spice packet.
Green Eggs & Ham

Green Eggs & Ham

Just for fun, and to mark the milestone of reaching 1,000 recipes, Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs & Ham. When I reach 2,000 recipes I may make a recipe for One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. It is just Deviled Eggs and ham slices.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled
  • sliced ham, as needed
  • mayo, as needed
  • green food coloring, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Cut eggs in half lengthwise and scoop out yolk and place the eggs on a plate and the yolks in a bowl, mash yolks with a fork and add a spoon or two of mayo and a squirt of mustard and mix that up, you are looking for a creamy consistency just like deviled eggs. Eggs are in half, yolks removed and mashed, just before the mayo went in.
  • Add green food coloring to the yolk mixture a few drops at a time and mix until the desired color is achieved.
  • Mix a few drops of food coloring into 1/4 cup water in a small bowl. Roll up 1-2 slices and pierce with a toothpick. Dip into the water with food coloring, drain excess, place on plate. Serve.
  • The idea for this was inspired by this children's book.
Ham & Cheese Breakfast Pockets

Ham & Cheese Breakfast Pockets

Sounds like a great idea. Will try these out soon.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1 serving

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large flour tortilla
  • 2-3 slices ham
  • 1/3 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 egg
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Place a sheet of foil on a baking sheet, lightly butter the sheet to the size of the tortilla used. Place tortilla on the foil.
  • Place the ham slices, slightly overlapping one another, into the center of the tortilla. Place half of the cheese on top of the ham and create a small well in the center. Crack the egg into the cheese well. Season it with salt and pepper, and top the egg with the remaining cheese.
  • Fold the sides of the tortilla in toward the center to create a pocket. Wrap the folded tortilla pocket loosely with foil. Center the foil pouch on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, or until the egg feels firm to the touch. Remove the foil pouch from the oven, unwrap it, and allow it to cool slightly before eating.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Vietnamese Pickled Carrot & Daikon (Đồ Chua)

Vietnamese Pickled Carrot & Daikon (Đồ Chua)

Adapted from an internet recipe.
These are commonly used in banh mi sandwiches, and can be made with any vegetable, and carrot and daikon (white radish) are commonly used. You can use rice vinegar or white vinegar. Rice vinegar is more mild. The carrot and radish is pickled in as little as 30-45 minutes, and stored in the fridge for months. I have added a second method to make these, but takes 1-2 days before they are ready.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Vietnamese
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

First Method

  • 1 medium carrot, julienned
  • 1 medium white radish, julienned
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼-½ cup rice vinegar, or white vinegar

Second Method

  • 1 medium carrot, julienned
  • 1 medium white radish, julienned
  • 1 empty jar with lid
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh peppercorns

Instructions
 

First Method

  • The measurements are just a guideline, if you are cutting up a large carrot and radish, you may need a bit more sugar, salt, and vinegar.
  • Spread out the julienned veggys in a small glass baking dish, sprinkle enough sugar for just a light coating, sprinkle a pinch or two of salt over the veggys, and add the rice vinegar to submerge half of the veggys.
  • Every 15 minutes stir the veggys around so the vinegar is mixed in well. In 30 to 45 minutes, you can use, store excess in a jar with all the liquid from dish, and top up to cover them with either more rice vinegar or if you used white vinegar, top up with water to dilute the strength. Store unused in the fridge.

Second Method

  • Carrot and white radish (Daikon) julienned and ready for pickling.
  • Fill the jar about halfway with very hot water and dissolve the salt in the water. Add part of the peppercorns and vinegar to the hot saltwater and stir.
  • Add the julienned carrot and radish to the jar, pack in as much as you can. Add more water as needed to fill the jar and completely cover the carrot and radish.
  • Let the jar cool down to room temp, put the lid on and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days before use.

Notes

Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum)

Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum)

Stephen Connell, United States.
This sounds like an excellent sauce. There is many recipes on the internet for this and nearly all claim to be the best. The sauce comes highly recommended by a good friend and is the first recipe he sent me, I will try this one and post results. If you double the batch, don't double the salt, use just 1½ tablespoons.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine Lebanesee
Servings 2 cups sauce

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head garlic, cloves smashed and minced
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup oil, neutral tasting oil
  • 1 cup olive oil, NOT extra virgin

Instructions
 

  • There is 3 ways to prepare this.

Immersion Blender

  • Place everything in a quart-sized jar. Submerge an immersion blender in the mixture to the bottom of the jar. Mix with the blender resting on the bottom of the jar until the ingredients thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. Angle the mixer to pull ingredients from the sides of the jar and lift it toward the top to better combine. Continue blending until the mixture reaches a texture similar to mayonnaise.

Electric Mixer

  • Mix the garlic, salt, and lemon juice in a mixer to a creamy mix, 20-30 seconds, pour into a mixing bowl. Then use an electric mixer and slowly add in the oil and olive oil in a very narrow stream until the sauce thickens, 2 to 4 minutes.

Blender

  • Mix the garlic, salt, and lemon juice in a blender to a creamy mix, 20-30 seconds, then slowly add in the oil and olive oil in a very narrow stream until the sauce thickens, 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Serve with grilled meats as a dipping sauce, in a chicken salad sandwich, you get the idea.
Mexican Rice II

Mexican Rice II

Sounds good, I like Mexican Rice as a side with various Tex-Mex recipes. Only 3 ingredients as well unless you prepare the shortcut offered. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dry rice, white or Jasmine work fine
  • 2 cups chicken broth, fresh or from powder
  • 1 1/4 cups enchilada sauce, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • In a large saucepan add the rice, chicken broth and enchilada sauce. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stir well, cover the pot, then turn down the heat to medium.
  • Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is completely cooked, stirring occasionally.
  • Season with salt and pepper and top with sliced green onions and cilantro if you desire. Serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Enchilada Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.