Bread Chicken Spring Rolls

Bread Chicken Spring Rolls

I have no idea what country this originated in, but it sounds good and I will have to give this a try.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 10 spring rolls

Ingredients
  

  • 10 slices bread, trim off the crust all sides
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • chicken stuffing
  • cooking oil, for frying

For the Chicken Stuffing

  • 1 cup chicken, boiled or steamed, shredded
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cabbage, shredded
  • 4 spring onions, thinly sliced, green and white separated
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 2 fresh green chilies, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons cooking oil

Instructions
 

For the Stuffing

  • Heat the oil in a wok or non stick pan and add the garlic and ginger, when fragrant, add the white spring onion and green chilies, stir fry until the onion and chili are softened, then add the chicken, black pepper, and salt and stir fry to mix together.
  • Add the carrot, bell pepper, cabbage, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and the green part of the spring onion, stir well on high heat for 30 seconds and remove to a bowl and set that aside until it cooled.

To Assemble

  • Take a slice of bread and lay it on a flat surface, with a rolling pin, roll the bread into a thin flat slice.
  • Spread some mayo on the slice, place about 2 teaspoons of the chicken stuffing on the edge of the slice nearest you, then tightly roll the bread slice away from you, you can use water to make the last edge stick together. Place on a plate, seam side down. Repeat for remaining slices.
  • Heat a non stick pan with a splash of cooking oil on medium heat, and fry the spring rolls, turning often until golden brown.
  • Serve.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Chinese Tea Eggs (Marbled Eggs)

Chinese Tea Eggs (Marbled Eggs)

China Sichuan Food, Elaine, China.
Tea eggs are a popular Chinese street snack. I have heard of these, never had one until today, 24 Oct 2017, and they are good! Wonderful flavor. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5-6 hard boiled eggs, or 15 to 20 hard boiled quail eggs, Shortcuts
  • 1 tablespoon loose tea leaves, or 2 tea bags
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rock sugar
  • 3 pieces whole star anise
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, or black peppercorns
  • 3 slices fresh ginger
  • 3 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Place the unpeeled hard boiled eggs in a pot and cover with about 1-2 inches of water, then remove the eggs and set aside. This step is just to get the right water level in the pot.
  • Main ingredients measured out. Star anise and cinnamon, black peppercorns, and the tea.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients, except the salt and eggs, to the water and bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
  • While waiting on the water to boil, use the back of a spoon and tap all over each egg, this makes the cracks needed for the marble effect.
  • When the water is turned down to a simmer, place the eggs into the water with a slotted spoon. Simmer for 1 hour, then add the salt and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and leave the eggs in the liquid for 1-2 hours. At this point they are ready, and for a stronger flavor, refrigerate in the liquid overnight.
  • Serve as a snack or with a noodle or porridge dish.
Soy Sauce Eggs

Soy Sauce Eggs

This is a Chinese recipe and these eggs are served with noodle and rice dishes. These are generally soft boiled eggs but I will make with hard boiled as personal preference. These are delicious, and on my Go-To List now. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 hard boiled eggs, or soft boiled, peeled, chicken or duck

For the Marinade

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese 5 Spice powder
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 3/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium if you prefer
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Add all the marinade ingredients to a medium sized pot, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
  • Once the marinade is cooled, add the peeled eggs and place in the fridge overnight. The next day, remove the eggs from the marinade and store, covered, in the fridge until use. Discard the marinade. This photo is from the second day and I sampled an egg.
  • To serve with noodles or rice, just cut an egg in half and place on the plate beside the rice or noodles, and for noodles in a soup, just add on top, yolk side up for presentation.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Perfect Hard Boiled Chicken Eggs, Perfect Hard Boiled Duck Eggs, Perfect Hard Boiled Quail Eggs.
Variant: 1. Make with hard boiled quail eggs.
This recipe for Soy Sauce Eggs is from China Sichuan Food.
Sauteed Mushrooms

Sauteed Mushrooms

This comes from a good friend and respected chef. Think button, Cremini, or small Shiitake mushrooms. No serving size is given as I am just winged this with what I had on hand for the first try at this. I made these on 26 Aug 2017 and they are excellent!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • fresh mushrooms, button, Cremini, or small Shiitake
  • garlic salt, to taste
  • lemon pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, or lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions
 

  • Cut off the stems of the mushrooms (button and Cremini) flush with the bottom of the mushroom. For Shiitake mushrooms, small size it would be ok to do the same, for larger Shiitake, remove the stem completely. Quickly rinse and dry the mushrooms with paper towels.
  • Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the butter and olive oil. Once oil is hot, add mushrooms in a single layer, stem side down. Sprinkle with garlic salt and lemon pepper. Cook until bottoms are browned about 5 minutes, then flip over, season again with garlic salt and lemon pepper and cook until browned on the second side, also about 5 minutes. Squeeze or dribble in the lemon or lime juice and sprinkle on the parsley and mix together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Adjust seasonings to taste.
  • Serve as an appetizer or side dish.

Notes

I will price this when I pick up mushrooms again, this is easily low cost per serving though.
Inspired by the recipe Sauteed Mushrooms from Natasha's Kitchen.
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels

Garland Davis, United States.
Common ingredients, easy to make, and are delicious! I made these on 7 Mar 2022 as a light dinner with another pinwheel version I wanted to test out and a nice fruit salad as well. These can be appetizers or a light main dish.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Passive Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams Cream cheese, softened, (8 oz)
  • ¼ cup Ranch dressing
  • ½ cup Cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 6-8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chives, minced, or spring onion tops
  • flour tortillas, (I used three 8 inch tortillas, which was perfect)

Instructions
 

  • Fry bacon until crisp, then drain on paper towels, then chop. I prepped the cheese and spring onion tops, then chopped the bacon.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and ranch dressing. Mix until smooth.
  • Stir in the Cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives.
  • Spread a generous layer of filling over a tortilla. (I used 8 inch tortillas.)
  • Roll tortilla tightly and stick a toothpick in it.
  • Repeat rolling more tortillas to use all the filling. I used three 8 inch, which was perfect. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours.
  • When ready to serve, remove the toothpicks and slice ¾ to 1 inch thick. Serve and enjoy as appetizers or as a light main dish.

Notes

Low cost.
Corn Chips from Scratch

Corn Chips from Scratch

This, I have to try, I love corn chips but have not seen them here, plus can be used in other recipes as well. On my to cook list, soon!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup yellow corn meal
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup boiling water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 205 C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, if using foil, oil it as well.
  • Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  • Turn dough out on to your prepared baking sheet. Spread dough out evenly and thinly across pan. You may scored the dough into chip shapes or leave it whole and break it up later.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, allow to cool to room temperature and then break apart. Have salsa ready and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzones

Chicken Bacon Ranch Calzones

Sounds delicious! Several shortcuts to use as well to tailor this and make it your own recipe. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams pizza dough, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 roasted chicken, shredded
  • 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup bacon, cooked crispy, crumbled
  • 4 slices Mozzarella Cheese, cut in half
  • Cheddar cheese, shredded, as needed for topping
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Ranch dressing, for dipping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C.
  • Roll out or use your hands, one piece of dough until flat and somewhat round in shape, does not have to be perfect.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the chicken, ranch packet, red onion, and bacon.
  • Place a 1/2 slice of Mozzarella on the rolled out dough. Top with 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture.
  • Fold one side of dough up and over ingredients, and seal calzone by crimping the edges together. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining calzones.
  • Mix together the egg and water to make egg wash, brush each calzone with the egg wash and sprinkle with Cheddar to your liking.

Notes

Low cost, easily under $1 per serving.
Shortcuts: Pizza Dough, Ranch Dressing Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Spinach & Cheese Calzones

Spinach & Cheese Calzones

Sounds delicious! Several shortcuts to use as well to tailor this and make it your own recipe. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams pizza dough, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squized dry
  • 1/2 cup Cottage cheese, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 slices Mozzarella Cheese, cut in half
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, smashed and minced
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • tomato sauce, for dipping, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C.
  • Cut the pizza dough into 8 pieces on a floured surface.
  • Roll out or use your hands, one piece of dough until flat and somewhat round in shape, does not have to be perfect.
  • Layer two tablespoons spinach, 1 tablespoon Cottage cheese, and a 1/2 slice mozzarella cheese.
  • Fold one side of dough up and over ingredients, and seal calzone by crimping the edges together. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining calzones.
  • In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, Parmesan, garlic, and parsley, brush each calzone with the mixture.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with tomato sauce for dipping.

Notes

Low cost but I will update when I make these.
Shortcuts: Pizza Dough, Cottage Cheese, Tomato Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Hawaiian Calzones

Hawaiian Calzones

Sounds delicious! Several shortcuts to use as well to tailor this and make it your own recipe. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams pizza dough, OR make from a shortcut
  • 8 slices ham
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese, cut in half
  • 8 slices fresh pineapple, about 2x4 inches each
  • 8 tablespoons Cottage cheese, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 tablespoons spring onions, chopped, green and white parts
  • black sesame seeds
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • tomato sauce, for serving, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C.
  • Cut the pizza dough into 8 pieces on a floured surface.
  • Roll out or use your hands, one piece of dough until flat and somewhat round in shape, does not have to be perfect.
  • Layer ham, Swiss cheese, pineapple, 1 tablespoon cottage cheese, and 1/2 tablespoon spring onion.
  • Fold one side of dough up and over ingredients, and seal calzone by crimping the edges together. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat for the remaining calzones.
  • Mix together the egg and water to make egg wash, brush each calzone with the egg wash and sprinkle with black sesame seeds.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with tomato sauce for dipping.

Notes

Low cost but I will update when I make these.
Shortcuts: Pizza Dough, Tomato Sauce, Cottage Cheese.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Party Size Italian Meatballs

 

Party Size Italian Meatballs

Sounds good! This recipe makes lot of meatballs. This is a make ahead recipe that you can freeze to keep on hand, just thaw, add to a slow cooker with pasta sauce (or sauce of choice) and heat up. You can make the party size as appetizers or larger ones for dinners. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 30 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 2 1/2 kilos ground beef, not lean
  • 2 cups bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 eggs
  • handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

To Serve

  • tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • I grind meat I purchase so I know the fat content and freshness of the meat. For this recipe I cut it nearly in half for a first test and used pork shoulder which is the perfect amount of fat.
  • In a very large bowl, mix all Meatball ingredients together by hand but don't over work it.
  • Form into ping pong size balls with your hands as evenly and smooth as possible, for dinner meatballs shape into larger ones. I made dinner size meatballs, this is 12 from just half the meat mixture. Place meatballs on rack of broiler pan or wire rack, evenly apart but not touching.
  • You may have as many as 60-70 party size meatballs if just making those.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F).
  • Bake for about 25 minutes or until well browned and fully cooked for the party size meatballs, large dinner size meatballs may take 30 minutes or more.
  • If freezing, allow meatballs to cool to room temp, bag in single layers then freeze.

For Serving as Appetizers

  • Place the meatballs, just cooked, thawed if frozen, amount is up to you, in your slow cooker, top that with the amount of pasta sauce to cover them and mixed in, and heat on Low setting until good and hot. Serve.

For Serving Dinner Meatballs

  • Use as needed for Spaghetti & Meatball type dishes. If using frozen, just thaw out first then use as needed.

Notes

Figure about 500 Baht/2 1/2 kilos of beef. Source it locally and you may get it for less. Figure about 150 Baht for the Parmesan cheese. For 30 servings of party size, this is about 63 cents per serving. Use pork and cost is much less.
Shortcuts: Bread Crumbs, Tomato Sauce, Italian Seasoning.
Variants: 1. Use pork instead of beef or a combination of the two. 2. Use a 4 cheese blend instead of the Parmesan.
Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
 
Adapted from an internet recipe.