Archive for the ‘5 Ingredients or Less’ Category
Eggs in a Basket
January 11, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Eggs in a Basket

This is certainly nothing new, but this is a creative way to make eggs, and toast, at the same time. I thought this was a notable post just to post something a bit different. A number of years ago, my wife, I, and our daughter were in Pattaya on holiday from Japan (I worked in Japan). One morning when we got up, I asked my daughter if she wanted to go have breakfast with me, she said yes and away we went. We stopped at my favorite place opposite the beach and we were given menus. My daughter was about 6 years old at this point. I ordered my breakfast, and my daughter said she wanted Eggs in a Basket, they of course were not on the menu, the waitress was very nice and helpful and asked if something special was needed, I described Eggs in a Basket and away she went, big smile on my daughter's face. About 10 minutes later, Eggs in a Basket was placed in front of my daughter, she was happy to say the least!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1 serving

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices bread, any kind you want, thick sliced is best
  • 2 eggs
  • butter
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large frying pan to medium low or medium heat. Add a bit of butter.
  • Take the bread and using the open end of a drinking glass, cut a hole in the center of each slice of bread. When the butter is melted and hot, add each slice, and crack an egg into the hole in the bread, place the round bread pieces in the pan as well.
  • When the bottom is golden brown, like a slice of toast, flip and cook for a few more minutes until golden brown as well.
  • Serve with bacon or sausage.

Notes

No math needed here, under $1 per meal of two eggs, even with bacon or sausage. A simple breakfast does not have to be hard.
Variant: 1. Use an egg and milk mix like making French Toast, cut the circles out first, use the egg wash, and put into the pan then add the egg in the center, egg wash the circle and cook that as well.
Recipe I learned from my Mom and that I have been making for 25+ years.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,BREAKFAST (for dinner!),EGGS - ALL,Eggs - Chicken,Eggs - Duck
Pizzadillas
January 7, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Pizzadillas

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Quesadillas are an easy dish to make, and cheesy, which is always a bonus. Tortillas and filling is all that is needed, and a pan to cook them. This is an adapted version of quesadilla using pizza toppings. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 250 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, or more as desired, (8 oz)
  • 150 grams Pepperoni, sliced, SEE STEP 1, (5 oz), Shortcut
  • 1 jar pizza sauce, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • This DOES NOT have not have to be Pepperoni, this can be Italian sausage, chicken sausage, grilled chicken, totally up to you, but you have to cook the meat first.
  • Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat. No oil is needed, fry the pepperoni until crisp. Transfer on a paper towel to drain.
  • Brush each tortilla with a thin layer of pizza sauce, thin so that it does not run off if held up.
  • Lay a tortilla in the hot pan, sauce side up, sprinkle with cheese then add Pepperoni slices or meat of your choice, cover with more cheese, place another tortilla on top, sauce side down, cook for 3-5 minutes, then using a wide spatula, carefully flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes until cheese is nice and gooey and tortillas are crispy on the edges. NOTE: Cheese is what holds the quesadilla together, too little cheese and it will fall apart when flipping or even holding to eat.
  • Remove from pan and slice into quarters, serve with pizza sauce as a dipping sauce.

Notes

Pepperoni I cannot state a price for although it is available here. Pork and chicken sausage is very inexpensive to make yourself, just crumble in a pan and fry until done. If you use store bought sausage, price will be higher. I will say 100 Baht for the meat.
Cheese is the expensive part, Mozerella cheese, Thai made is 140 Baht per block of 250 grams. So using 100 Baht for meat and 280 Baht for cheese, for 4 quesadillas, 380 Baht total, comes to about $2 per person if serving 4 people. Not all that unreasonable when you look at what restaurants are charging.
Shortcut: Pepperoni, Pizza Sauce.
Variant: 1. Feel free to add sliced mushrooms, sliced black olives, or even chopped ham.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,TEX-MEX, sort of
Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff I
December 23, 2015 Lee
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Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff I

Cubed chicken breast cooked in your slow cooker with a easy creamy sauce. I am going to have to try this, this sounds good! Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cubed
  • 1/8 cup butter
  • 1 packet dry Italian salad dressing mix, OR use the shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 package Cream cheese, 250 gram package, standard size
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Put chicken, butter and dressing mix in your slow cooker, mix together and cook on Low setting for 5 to 6 hours.
  • When chicken is tender and browned, add cream cheese and soup, mix together and cook on high for another 1/2 hour or until heated through and hot. Server over rice or egg noodles.

Notes

Chicken breast would be about 87 Baht/kilo, get 4 breasts and work with that, the cost will be close to 80-90 Baht. Caroline brand cream cheese is about 110 Baht/package. Cost per person would be around $1.50, not bad for a good meal.
Shortcuts: Italian Dressing, Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Easy Scalloped Potatoes
December 20, 2015 Lee
1 Comment

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

I love cheese, and I love potatoes, perfect combination! And since I have not had scalloped potatoes in ages, and the fact that I have a 4 pound block of Cheddar cheese in my fridge, I decided to post this. My report is in the comments. And the recipe is modified on my findings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 large potatoes, thinly sliced, skin on is ok or peel if you wish
  • 4-5 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C, grease a 9x13 baking dish. Or use a non-stick baking pan.
  • Heat a pot of water, once it is boiling, put in the sliced potatoes, boil for about 5-8 minutes, drain thoroughly. This step is done to ensure your potatoes are fully cooked while baking, this is a head start for them. When you slice the potatoes, keep them uniform in thickness, a mandolin would be a great help in this process.
  • Mix the corn starch into the milk and set aside.
  • Layer the bottom the baking dish with potatoes. Cover the potatoes with a layer of cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Repeat the layering process until all of the ingredients are used up. Cheese should be your last layer. Photo shows 3 layers of potatoes and 3 layers of cheese.
  • Pour the milk mixture over all the potatoes, cover with foil and bake for about 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender, this may take longer than 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. Completed, and yes, my portion has already been removed, and it was tasty.

Notes

Potatoes cost about 35 Baht/kilo, making this a very reasonable side dish for up to 8 servings.
Now this is listed as a side dish, but if you add a couple of diced boiled chicken breasts or diced ham to each layer, and pair it with a green vegetable for a side dish, you can turn this into a inexpensive meal.
Adapted from and internet recipe.
5 Ingredients or Less,SIDES
Salsa Chicken
December 20, 2015 Lee
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Salsa Chicken

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I found this recipe on the internet in 2015, just got around to making 10 years later, and it is delicious! Very easy to put together. The result is flavorful, tender and juicy chicken that easily cuts with a fork. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Baking Pan (9x13 inch)
  • Oven

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix, store bought or make from a Shortcut
  • 1 jar salsa, (16 oz /454 g), store bought or make from a Shortcut
  • 1-2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • sour cream, optional, for topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 180° C (350° F). Get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Pour ½ cup of salsa in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish and spread around to coat the bottom.
  • Place the taco seasoning on a plate and coat chicken breasts on all sides. Place the chicken in the baking pan on top of the salsa in an even layer. Pour remaining salsa over the top of the chicken. Photo was before adding the remaining salsa.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until tender and juices run clear. Remove from the oven.
  • Sprinkle cheese over the top of the chicken.
  • Return baking dish to the oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Top servings with sour cream if desired, serve with sides of your choice, enjoy.

Notes

Fair cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Taco Seasoning Mix, Salsa.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,CHICKEN & TURKEY
2 Ingredient Salsa Chicken
December 19, 2015 Lee
1 Comment

2 Ingredient Salsa Chicken

This could not be any easier, and only 2 ingredients, cooked in a slow cooker! Use in flour tortillas to make chicken tacos, quesadillas, salads, burritos, enchiladas, etc. I have made this and it really is easy and very tasty! My review listed below. Recipe modified by my findings. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 1 minute
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 6 cups shredded chicken

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, OR 6-8 thighs
  • 2 cups salsa, OR make from a shortcut
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Place chicken breasts or thighs in a slow cooker and cover with salsa. Toss until the chicken is covered.
  • Cover and cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 6-8 hours), or until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. Remove the chicken from the the slow cooker to a plate, and shred with 2 forks, add back to the slow cooker and mix well with the remaining salsa and juices. Serve immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. This also freezes well for use at a later time.

Notes

Chicken breasts run about 87 Baht/kilo, thighs about 65 Baht/kilo, and quarters 58 Baht a kilo.
About a kilo of breast, so that would be about 87 Baht, the salsa, even though Tesco brand, small jars, is probably 60 Baht each, would need 2 jars. Total costs would be 207 Baht or about $1.05 per person for 6 meals.
If using thighs or quarters, the cost is less than $1 per person.
Shortcut: Salsa.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Grilled Tilapia
December 2, 2015 Lee
1 Comment

Grilled Tilapia

Rrayada Thayer, Thailand.
Tilapia is a very common freshwater food fish, it grows rapidly, lots of meat, and only a backbone and rib bones, no Y bones in the meat. This is inexpensive, we normally grill 1 fish per 2 people and have a side of just raw cut cabbage, cucumbers and spring onions and fresh cooked rice. We have made this at the house many many times. This recipe is for 1 whole fish for 2 people, more people, just add more fish, if you are a big fish eater, grill two for 2 people.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Thai
Servings 2 people

Equipment

  • Grill, Charcoal or Gas

Ingredients
  

  • 1 fish large tilapia, whole
  • lemon grass, fresh, several 3 inch pieces, smashed, see Step 2
  • ginger, fresh, and 1 inch piece, sliced thin, see Step 2
  • Kafir lime leaves, fresh, tear into several pieces, see Step 2
  • salt, lot of salt, like a bag of salt, see Step 3

Instructions
 

  • First thing you need to do is clean the fish, NO NEED to scale the fish, the salt will take care of that, just make a slit on the belly of the fish, or side, and remove entrails and wash out with clean water, remove the gills if leaving head on, if you wish to remove the head, no problem, do that now.
  • For the lemon grass, lime leaves, and ginger; if you buy the fish from an open fresh market, many times these will be included with the price of the fish, they are tied together and simply added to the bag with your fish. If you are buying the fish in say, Tesco, then you need these items on hand.
  • Stuff the cavity with the lemon grass, lime leaves, and ginger. Place in a large bowl.
  • Now for the salt, regular table salt is fine, if you can locate sea salt, that is fine, the salt is not for a flavoring of the meat, it is to remove the skin, salt is cheap, let the salt do the work, hence the reason not to scale the fish.
  • With the bag of salt, generously pour that over the fish in the bowl, you want to cover the fish in salt, spread it around with your hands as well, turn the fish over and repeat on the other side, you cannot have too much, you want the fish to be white.
  • With a hot grill, place the fish on the grill and cook about 8-10 minutes or so, then flip the fish over and cook the other side. It will get charred, that is the salt charring.
  • Take fish off from grill and place on a plate, at the table, using 2 forks, simply peel off the skin off and enjoy.

Notes

Tilapia runs about 60 Baht per fish, this is Blue Nile Tilapi. This would be $1 per meal per person for 1 fish, if you like fish and eat a whole one, then $2 per person, either way, a very economical meal. 
A note about the lemon grass, use several short pieces or one long, piece, either way smash it up good to let the flavor come out, if using a long piece, as in the photos, tie in a over hand knot after smashing.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,: THAI,FISH - ALL,Fish - Tilapia,GRILLED / BBQ / SMOKER
Skillet Ziti
November 27, 2015 Lee
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Skillet Ziti

Quick meal when served with a salad would be an excellent dinner. I adjusted the measurements I found on the internet to easier amounts, I increased the amounts. If you like cheese, go heavy with the cheese, that is the beauty of these recipes. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams minced pork
  • 250 grams Penne pasta, uncooked, about 3 cups
  • 3 cups tomato pasta sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup Cottage cheese, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in pot with unsalted water until tender, drain well.
  • Meanwhile, cook ground pork over medium-high heat in large, nonstick skillet about 3 minutes or until pork is no longer pink, breaking pork in to 3/4-inch crumbles. Drain off fat.
  • Add hot pasta to ground pork in skillet. Stir in pasta sauce and Cottage cheese. Cover and cook over low heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve.

Notes

Minced pork runs about 120 Baht per kilo, recipe calls for 1/2 kilo so the cost is 60 Baht. The Ricotta cheese, if purchased will put this meal well over $1 per person, use the shortcuts on this site to make Cottage Cheese (a very good substitute) or Ricotta Cheese, then the cost is some milk, still not a show stopper. With the milk in a shortcut and the minced pork, this is still $1 or less per serving.
Shortcuts: Tomato Sauce, Cottage Cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,PASTA
Hash Browns
November 13, 2015 Lee
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Hash Browns

Been making this for many years.
This is an easy side dish to prepare, I do not state servings on this recipe, 2-3 medium potatoes works fine for my wife and I.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 medium potatoes, washed, skin on or off, shredded
  • 2-3 tablespoons butter, or bacon fat
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • After shredding the potatoes, place in cold water and swish around for a bit, then pick up the potatoes and squeeze all the water, and I mean squeeze! Change the water and repeat this, do this 3-5 times or until the water you are squeezing out is clear and the water is clear. What you are doing is removing the starch. Once the water is clear and the potatoes are well squeezed, place on a plate. If using in another recipe where the hash browns will be cooked, use them now and disregard the rest of the recipe.
  • Heat a large heavy pan, cast iron is a good choice, to medium low heat and add the butter or bacon fat. When the butter is melted, swish it around in the pan a bit to coat the bottom. Add the shredded potatoes and pat out flat with a spatula. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Now let it cook, you are not making a stir fry, no mixing, just let it cook, flatted out. Watch the edges and you will seem them start to brown up, using the spatula, lift up an edge and check the bottom, should be golden brown, when golden brown, try and flip the whole thing, think of it like a potato pancake.
  • If it falls apart, no harm, just keep cooking, you will just have to turn more often. If the hash browns stayed together, when the other side is golden brown, using the spatula, cut in half or quarters and plate up with eggs for a hearty breakfast.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
#1 Go-To Recipes,5 Ingredients or Less,POTATOES,SIDES
Simmered Black Beans
November 12, 2015 Lee
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Simmered Black Beans

Easy to make recipe for a side dish or a quick lunch.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Lunch, Side
Cuisine Mixed
Servings 1 large pot

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams dried black beans, rinsed and picked over to remove bad beans and debri
  • 8 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 1 onion, peeled but leave root end on and cut in half, so it does not fall apart
  • 1 orange, rinsed and cut in half
  • salt, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Place beans in a large pot and add water until beans are submerged by 3 to 4 inches. Add the garlic and onion, squeeze in orange juice, then add the squeezed orange halves. Cover and place over high heat until water comes to a boil, then uncover pot and reduce heat to a bare simmer. Cook until beans are completely tender and creamy, 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, and adding water if tops of beans become exposed.
  • Remove orange and onion halves. Increase heat to medium and simmer, stirring frequently, until reduced to a thick, creamy sauce that clings to the beans, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Serve as a side dish with fresh cilantro and a dash or two of hot sauce if desired.

Notes

This makes a pot of simmered beans, can use this for many sides or lunches, most expensive item is the beans, about 50 Baht for 500 grams (1 pound) and that is a lot of beans!
Adapted from an internet recipe.
5 Ingredients or Less,SIDES