Creamy Beef Stroganoff

Creamy Beef Stroganoff

This sounds really good, an easy skillet dinner that is on my to cook list. Link to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 1/2 cups egg noodles, cooked
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot of water and when boiling, cook the noodles until tender. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick skillet and brown the ground beef and season with salt and pepper to your liking, just before beef is done, add in the onion and bell pepper and cook until tender. Stir in the soup and milk and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sour cream then add the noodles or pasta, mix well and serve.

Notes

The beef will cost about 200-250 Baht/kilo. Figuring 200 Baht, for 4 servings, this is about $1.47 per serving, less for 6 servings. Using minced pork at about 80/kilo, this is about 60 cents per serving, less for 6 servings. Good value overall.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Sour Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Stuffed Bell Peppers II

Stuffed Bell Peppers II

I was inspired to write this recipe from two good friends. There is no quantities listed, this is make what you have from leftovers, and the possibilities are endless. I made a version of this on 24 Sep 2016 using leftover Creamed Beef SOS and some shredded Cheddar cheese. The photo is what I made and topped with a fried egg on top (unwritten rule for SOS). The ingredients are simple, bell peppers of your choice, red, yellow, or green, shredded cheese if you like, or ketchup if you prefer that, and of course leftovers. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • bell peppers, red, yellow, or green, up to you
  • shredded cheese, Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarell would be good choices
  • leftovers, see Step 1
  • tomato ketchup, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • First thing you need to do is determine how many peppers you based on your leftovers available. You can use anything, for some ideas, leftover SOS, Chili, Chili Mac, Chili and Rice, Stew, Sausage gravy, any casserole, you get the idea.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Get out a 9x13 baking dish or my favorite to use is bread pans, 2 peppers each.
  • Cut the tops off the peppers, discard the stem section and dice the tops. You can do two things with the diced pepper tops, 1. you can add to your leftovers and they go in the peppers, or 2. save for an omelette for another day. Once the tops are cut off, remove the seeds and membranes inside. Don't worry if the pepper will not sit upright.
  • Now stuffing the pepper, you have some choices, if you like cheese, you can fill each pepper with leftovers half full, add some shredded cheese of your choice, fill the pepper to the top and add more cheese on the top. If you prefer just ketchup which is equally as good, just fill each pepper and spread some ketchup on the top.
  • Now for the peppers that do not want to stand up, and some leftovers to the bottom of the baking dish or bread pans and put the peppers in that, now you have the peppers and some baked leftovers to go on the side with the peppers.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, you want the peppers to be tender and the top to be browned up a bit. Serve as is or as I prefer, cut a pepper in half and top with a fried egg.
  • This is a yellow bell pepper that was stuffed with Creamed Beef SOS and topped with a fried egg.

Notes

No pricing for this, just the cost of the peppers and cheese, this is a Leftover meal since you have paid for the main meal already. If you went with ketchup instead of cheese, easily done, this is a very low cost way to use up leftovers.
Shortcut: Tomato Ketchup.
Provided courtesy of good friends, Lynn Batterman and Charles Knowlton.
United States.
Cheesy Taco Pasta

Cheesy Taco Pasta

Sounds yummy indeed! Pasta, cheese, ground beef (or pork), and taco seasoning, always a good meal. On my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 400 grams dry pasta, any bite size pasta works here
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 fresh green chili peppers, chopped
  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 can whole peeled tomatoes, drained, juice reserved, and diced
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, or a mix of Edam and Cheddar
  • olive oil, as needed
  • salt, to taste
  • fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta of your choice in boiling water until just tender, reserve 1/4 cup of the water then drain the rest. Add back to the pot and set aside.
  • While the water is heating and cooking pasta, in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, heat a splash of olive oil, add the onion and cook until it is tender, then add the green chillis and cook for a few more minutes, then add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Add the taco seasoning mix and cumin, and salt to your liking, mix well and cook for a few minutes, then drain off the fat and add to the pot with the pasta.
  • Add the tomatoes and the 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water and stir, then add the cheese and let melt, stirring occasionally, cooking this for about 2-3 minutes until everything is combined. Top with the cilantro and serve.

Notes

Figure about 150 Baht for the 500 grams of beef. For 4 servings this is about $1.10 per serving, even less for 6 servings, and even less if using pork or chicken.
Shortcut: Taco Seasoning Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Mike Early.
United States.
Country Style Steak & Gravy

Country Style Steak & Gravy

Sounds really good, but may be a bit of a challenge for my location. People in larger cities should have no problem with the beef, as explained in Step 1. On my to cook list so I can experiment with the beef. Servings is approximate, ingredients are minimal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • beef cube steak, see Step 1
  • 1 cup all purpose flour, more as needed
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • cooking oil, type is up to you but not olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, sliced and rings seperated
  • 2 cups cold water

Instructions
 

  • For the beef, recipe states Cube Steak, which means it has been tenderized either by pounding or mechanically. Cube steak is normally made from the Round or Top Round cut. The larger Tesco stores in the larger cities more than likely carry Round cuts of beef. The Tesco website (Bangkok) shows Beef Round cut for 135 Baht/220 gram piece. I would start with 2 pieces of that and pound it yourself with a meat tenderizer.
  • You will want to get everything prepped and ready first before you begin cooking. Start by cutting the tenderized round cut into large pieces, maybe 3 pieces per 220 gram cut, set aside. Next cut the onion into slices and separate into rings, set aside.
  • In a large cast iron pan, or large non-stick skillet, add your cooking oil, between 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, turn on heat to medium low and let it get hot but not smoking.
  • While the oil is heating, mix the flour on a plate along with salt and pepper to your liking. Flour the beef pieces and set aside. Add more flour to the pan as needed. Do not discard the flour.
  • Fry the beef pieces until brown on each side, do not over crowd the pan, so may 3 pieces at a time. Watch them closely so they do not stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove the first batch from the pan and set aside on a plate. While frying the last pan of steak throw in the onions and let them cook with the steak. Remove the onions along with the steak to the plate after frying.
  • Once all the pieces are fried and removed, pour out oil leaving about 1/8" inch the pan, enough to cover the bottom. Then add three heaping tablespoons of the flour mixture left over from the meat into the hot oil. Stir constantly until the flour & oil turn a deep brown color. Then add 2 cups of cold water all at once. Continue to stir as mixture thickens then reduce heat to low. Add back in the meat & onions and let it all cook on very low heat for about 30 minutes. If the gravy starts to get too thick add a little water to it. Last add salt and pepper liberally. Serve with mashed potatoes and the gravy spooned over the beef and potatoes. Our Fried Corn recipe would be a perfect side for this dish.

Notes

The beef, for two 220 gram pieces of Round cut would be 270 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $1.98 per serving, for 6 servings, this is about $1.32 per serving. If you can get 6 servings from this, that would be a fair cost since beef is used. Ground beef or even ground pork could be used for this, just make patties and follow the same steps. Both would be less, and ground pork would be less than $1 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Minced Beef SOS

Minced Beef SOS

This is a old school classic than many US Armed Forces will remember. Served over toast traditionally, but may be served over biscuits, hash browns, or even pasta. Add a couple of fried eggs on top for a hearty breakfast or dinner. I have not had this since 2005, I made this last night on 22 Sep 2016 and was pleasantly surprised, excellent taste, easy to put together. My photo of it plated, no need to really take step by step photos for this, and my comments below.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, see Step 1
  • 1 teaspon powdered chicken stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • ground mace, OR ground nutmeg

Instructions
 

  • The fat from the ground beef adds flavor to this, do not drain that off. However, if you use minced pork, drain the fat or this will not work out well.
  • Heat a large non stick pan over medium high heat, add the ground beef, chicken bouillon, garlic powder, black pepper, and onion powder. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes.
  • Stir in the flour and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes, add the milk and continue stirring and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and add a little bit of mace or nutmeg, the flavor will be correct when you just start to taste the mace or nutmeg. Then simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken, it will thicken fast. Serve over toast, biscuits, hash browns, or even pasta. Top with a few fried eggs for a complete and filling meal.

Notes

Ground beef would cost about 150 Baht/500 grams, minced pork runs about 70 Baht/500 grams. For beef, this is about $1.10 per serving for 4 servings, if using pork, this is about 52 cents per serving.
Variants. Add a can of stewed whole tomatoes and break them up with the spatula, this makes Red SOS (in US Armed Forces, this would be called Train Wreck). Replace the minced beef (or pork) with chipped beef for Creamed Beef. Another option is to omit the beef and make the white sauce and then use a can or two of drained tuna.
For leftovers, stuff some bell peppers, top with cheese, and bake in a 180 C oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Basic Goulash

Basic Goulash

Simple and easy meal, I like this, on my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams dry elbow macaroni, (I would go with 500 grams, but that is just me)
  • 750 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cans whole peeled tomatoes, chopped plus juice, see Step 1
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup, OR use Chili and Garlic Sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • tomato juice, as needed
  • salt, pepper, chili powder, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Instead of using canned tomatoes, certainly use fresh plum tomatoes, about 8 of them, chop, but you will need to add tomato juice.
  • Cook the macaroni to package directions, just before it is done.
  • Meanwhile, cook the onion and ground meat in a pot until done, drain the fat and return to the pot. Add seasoning to your taste, the tomatoes, and the ketchup, mix then add the macaroni. Simmer for about 10-20 minutes until heated through. Add tomato juice as needed. Serve with a salad and you have a meal.

Notes

Ground beef would cost about 150-200 Baht/750 grams, pork would be about 90 Baht, chicken even less. Going on 200 Baht for beef, the cost per serving, for 6 servings is 98 cents per serving, less for minced pork or ground chicken.
Shortcut: Ketchup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Meatloaf With Butter Herb Gravy

Meatloaf With Butter Herb Gravy

No ketchup or BBQ sauce used in this recipe as well as no breadcrumbs or oats, instead butter crackers, topped with a buttery herb gravy. Sounds great! On my to cook list for sure.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground veal, See note 2
  • 500 grams ground beef, See note 2
  • 500 grams minced pork, See note 2
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped, plus 1 teaspoon for the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped, plus 1 teaspoon for the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, plus 1 teaspoon for the sauce
  • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/3 cup butter crackers, crushed, think Magic or Rosy brand for savings
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 stalks celery, import, finely minced, if using Thai celery, you will need more
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
  • 8-10 cloves roasted garlic
  • 3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • splash olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • For the meat, you need 1 1/2 kilos, this can be any combination of meat you want to use, such as veal, beef, pork; veal and beef; beef and pork; or just beef or just pork. Using veal is going to increase the price as well. If you can find only veal in bulk (same with beef), it takes just a few minutes with a wood chopping block and cleaver to make mince.
  • Place the meat of your choice in a large bowl, add the chives, thyme, parsley, eggs, crackers, milk, salt and pepper, set aside.
  • In a pan over medium heat and a splash of olive oil, cook the onion and celery until tender, Remove the onion and celery and allow to cool. Once cooled, add to the meat mixture. Mix to combine the meat mixture, you can use hands or just a large spoon.
  • For the loaf, you can do this several ways, and I do not think any particular way will impact the results. 1. place parchment paper on a baking sheet and form the meat mixture into a loaf, make sure the sheet has edges to catch the excess oil. 2. use 2 loaf pans (this would be my preferred method. 3. use a 9x13 baking dish. What ever you do, either make a loaf or pack into the dishes.
  • Bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes or until a thermometer inserted shows min temp of 63 C for veal and or beef, and 71 C for anything with pork in it. Do yourself a favor, get the thermometer that has the temps and animal images. Once the meatloaf is cooked, remove from the oven and let it rest.
  • While the meatloaf is resting, make the sauce. Combine the broth, roasted garlic, and butter over medium-high heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until lightly thickened. Add 1 teaspoon of each of the chopped thyme, chives, and parsley. Slice the meatloaf into serving portions and spoon the hot sauce over the meatloaf and serve. Mashed potatoes or just boiled potatoes would work nice, and a vegetable of your choosing.

Notes

The veal I cannot price, beef will be about 125 Baht/500 grams, pork will be about 60 Baht/500 grams. Everything else minimal. For all beef, 8 servings, about 1.40 per serving, not bad really. For all pork, 8 servings, about 70 cents per serving. Using beef and pork, the cost would be somewhere in the middle of these two prices listed.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Mike Early.
United States.
Tamale Pie

Tamale Pie

Sounds really good! On my to cook list for sure! Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup creamed corn
  • 1/3 cup enchilada sauce, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • olive oil
  • fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together corn muffin mix, sour cream and egg. Spread this into a large cast iron skillet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Remove pan from the oven.
  • In another pan, cook onions over medium heat in a spalsh of olive oil, season with salt, pepper and spices and cook until soft. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the ground beef and stir to break up meat. Season to taste and cooked until cooked through. Drain excess fat and set aside.
  • Poke entire surface of cornbread with a fork. Spread enchilada sauce over the cornbread. Add the meat mixture and top with shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake until the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and broil until cheese begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Top with cilantro, serve.

Notes

Ground beef would cost about 150 Baht/500 grams, minced pork runs about 70 Baht/500 grams. Figure in another 100 Baht for each of the cheeses. If using beef, the cost is about $1.30 per serving, if using pork, the cost is about $1 per serving. Make sure you use the shortcuts as well.
Shortcuts: Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, Enchilada Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Cottage Cheese Meatloaf

Cottage Cheese Meatloaf

This is a more traditional meatloaf but with Cottage cheese added. You can make this from beef or pork. This sounds really good and is on my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork
  • 1 cup Cottage cheese, OR you can make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons onion, minced, or just go with 1 small onion minced
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C and get out a shallow baking dish, like an 8x8 square pan. You can use a loaf pan but will need to increase the time due to the increased thickness.
  • Combine all ingredients except the cheese in a bowl until well mixed. Press this into the baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle cheese over the top and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes then cut into squares and serve with sides of your choice.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 100 Baht for 500 grams, minced pork will run about 70 Baht for 500 grams. To minimize the beef cost, buy a large piece of beef and mince it yourself. This comes out to about (figuring 100 Baht for the beef) 50 cents per serving for 6 servings.
Shortcut: Cottage Cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Bell Peppers

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Bell Peppers

This one sounds very good, but may be a bit of a challenge to locate the cheese or "deli sliced roast beef" if outside of a major city. This is one to add to my cook list.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 green bell peppers, large, tops cut off, insides removed
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced, optional
  • 1-2 tablespoons steak sauce, your favorite steak sauce
  • 750 grams roast beef, cut into thin strips
  • 12 slices Provolone cheese, OR Mozzerella cheese, OR Swiss cheese
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C.
  • Roast beef, this is supposed to be deli sliced roast beef, now unless you have you have a big budget, there is no need to go Villa Market or Rimping in Chiang Mai, make a nice roast beef dinner the day before, use some beef the next day for this recipe. I will not figure roast beef into this recipe.
  • In a non stick pan heat some olive oil and saute the onions, garlic, and mushrooms (if using) and the diced the tops of the peppers and cook for 5 to 10 minutes on medium heat or until lightly browned & tender, then add the sliced roast beef strips & steak seasoning and stir and cook until heated through.
  • Place the bell peppers in a baking dish, add a slice of Provolone cheese to the bottom of each pepper. Then add the beef mix to about halfway up each pepper, add another slice of cheese, then more beef mixture, then top with another slice of cheese, tucking the edges of the cheese into the pepper.
  • If you have more beef filling than peppers, you can do one of two things, cut the top off another pepper, or two, and fill those, or just pack the meat around the peppers in the baking dish.
  • Bake for 15 to 30 minutes or until the peppers are cooked through. Serve with some pasta or boiled potatoes on the side.

Notes

I cannot price this as I do not know what Provolone cheese costs. The roast beef, if you choose to get deli meat, that is up to you, if you make this after you cook some roast beef, that is already covered. Safe to say with Provolone cheese, this could be a pricey meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.