Archive for the ‘# Buster Approved’ Category
Easy Pistachio Pie
I made this exactly as written and it is delicious, my family loved this! Easy to assemble and looks beautiful when served.
Equipment
- Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 226 grams cream cheese, softened, (8 oz)
- 1 box jello pistachio pudding mix, (96 g / 3.4 oz)
- 1 can crushed pineapple, undrained, (567 g / 20 oz / 1 lb 4 oz)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 container Cool Whip whipped topping, (8 oz / 226 g)
- graham cracker pie crust, store bought or homemade
Toppings - Optional
- whipped topping, can or fresh whipped
- maraschino cherries
- ΒΌ cup pistachio nuts, chopped
Instructions
- In large bowl, add the cream cheese and jello mix.
- Beat with an electric mixer until the cream cheese is light and fluffy.
- Add the undrained can of crushed pineapple and mix together with the cream cheese using the electric mixer.
- Stir in the marshmallows.
- Fold in the whipped topping. (I forgot to get a photo after this step.)
- Spoon mixture into the prepared pie crust. Place in the fridge for at least 3 hours to chill and set up.
For the Topping - Optional
- Before serving, use a can of whipped cream, or pipe if using fresh made whipped cream, and add a border around the top of the pie. Place cherries as desired on top of the whipped cream, and sprinkle with chopped pistachios as desired.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
High cost per serving just based on the limited availability of the whipped topping and pistachio jello. I will prepare this using fresh made whipped cream and will comment on how that goes.Β
Seattle Salmon Pie
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Casserole Cook Book, printed in 1961. This recipe turned out great, very easy to prepare. I and my parents were pleasantly surprised with how simple, and good tasting this is.Β Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Oven
- Pie Dish
Ingredients
- 1 can salmon, drained, (15 oz / 425 g),Β Shortcut
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Β½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- ΒΌ cup onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced, or 2 teaspoons dried
- ΒΎ teaspoon dried basil
- ΒΌ teaspoon salt
- 1 pie crust, store bought or homemade, Shortcut
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 220Β° C (425Β° F). Grease a 8 or 9 inch pie dish with butter.
- To a mixing bowl, add the salmon, eggs, milk, butter, onion, parsley, basil, and salt.
- Mix together with a spoon, the mixture will be quite thin compared to making a loaf.
- Pour mixture into the prepared pie dish, I used a 9 inch dish for this.
- Roll out your store bought crust or homemade crust, cut dough into a circle to a size that will fit the dish without going up the sides. Cut dough into 6 even pieces.
- Place each piece on the salmon mixture to cover without overlapping.
- Bake for 25 minutes then remove from oven.
- Cut pie into 6 pieces, cutting the seams between each piece of crust. Serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Fair cost per serving, may have to use the shortcut for the salmon in Thailand as I have only seen frozen salmon never canned.
Shortcuts: Steamed Salmon, Pie Crust.
Salmon & Noodle Skillet
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Campbell's Creative Cooking With Soup, printed in 1985. As you read this recipe, the ingredients list will haveΒ OptionsΒ and you can choose an option from the list below the ingredients. This recipe turned out great, very easy to prepare, and the noodles and patties have excellent flavor.Β Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Ingredients
- 1 can salmon, drained, flaked, (15 oz / 425 g), Shortcut
- 1 can Soup Option, (10Β½ oz / 298 g)
- Crumbs Option
- 2 tablespoons onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped or 2 teaspoons dried
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 egg, beaten
- Vegetable Option
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Β½ cup sour cream, Shortcut
- Β½ cup milk
- 2 cups dry egg noodles
- Seasoning Option
OPTIONS
Soup - Use 1 Item
- condensed cream of celery soup, Shortcut
- condensed cream of mushroom soup, Shortcut
- condensed cream of chicken soup, Shortcut
- condensed Cheddar cheese soup, Shortcut
Crumbs - Use 1 Item
- 1 cup soft bread crumbs
- Β½ cup saltines, finely crushed
- Β½ cup bread crumbs, dry, fine
- ΒΌ cup quick cooking rolled oats
Vegetable - Use 1 Item
- 2 cups cut asparagus, fresh or frozen, steamed
- 2 cups cut green beans, fresh or frozen, steamed
- 2 cups cut broccoli, fresh or frozen, steamed
- 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen, steamed
Seasoning - Use 1 Item
- Β½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- Β½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- ΒΌ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Heat a pot of salted water to boiling, add 1Β½ to 2 cups dry egg noodles. Cook until just tender, drain.
- While the noodles are cooking, to a mixing bowl, add the salmon, ΒΌ cup of Soup Option, Crumbs Option, onion, parsley, lemon juice, and egg. Mix together.
- Shape salmon mixture into 4 patties.
- Heat a large non stick pan and melt the butter. When the butter is hot, add the patties.
- Cook until browned on the bottom then turn patties over to brown the other side. Remove to a plate.
- To the same pan on medium heat, add remaining Soup Option, sour cream, and milk. Stir until sauce is smooth.
- Stir in the noodles, Vegetable and Seasoning Options. Reduce heat to low.
- Place the salmon patties on the noodles. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes to heat the patties through.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Fair cost per serving, may have to use the shortcut for the salmon in Thailand as I have only seen frozen salmon never canned.
Shortcuts: Steamed Salmon, Condensed Cream of Celery Soup, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup, Breadcrumbs.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
This recipe comes from a label on a package of Sunrise Fruit Products candied red cherries. The nice thing about this recipe is candied red cherries are available in Thailand, I have found them on Lazada.
Equipment
- Oven
- Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 2ΒΌ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened, (2 sticks / 1 block)
- ΒΎ cup sugar
- ΒΎ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, (12 oz / 340 g)
- 1 cup nuts, chopped
- 226 grams candied red cherries, (8 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190Β° C / (375Β° F). Get out at least 1 baking sheet, you can use the sheet ungreased or for easier cleanup, line sheet(s) with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the butter, sugars, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until creamy.
- Add the eggs and beat to incorporate.
- Add about half flour mixture and mix together with a large sturdy spoon, when combined, add the remaining flour and mix together.
- Add the walnuts, chocolate chips, and cherries. Stir to mix together.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons on to baking sheet(s).
- Bake for 9-12 or until the edges are starting to brown. Remove from oven and leave cookies on the sheet to cool for 10 minutes then remove them to a rack to completely.
- Enjoy.
Cheese Ball
This recipe is from a cookbook titled Campbell's Creative Cooking With Soup, printed in 1985. As you read this recipe, the ingredients list will haveΒ OptionsΒ and you can choose an option from the list below the ingredients. This is a delicious cheese ball that does not require cream cheese. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 1 can Soup Option, (11Β½ oz / 326 g)
- ΒΌ cup salsa, Shortcut
- 3 cups Cheese Option, shredded, (12 oz / 340 g)
- Seasoning Option
- Coating Option
- assorted crackers
OPTIONS
Soup - Use 1 Item
- condensed bean & bacon soup
- condensed split pea with ham & bacon soup
, no longer produced by Campbell's
Cheese - Use 1 Item
- Sharp Cheddar
- American
- Monterey Jack
Seasoning - Use 1 Item
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Β½ teaspoon dry mustard
- Β½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Coating - Use 1 Item
- fresh parsley, chopped
- walnuts, chopped
- corn chips, finely crushed
Instructions
- To a medium mixing bowl, add the Soup Option, salsa, Cheese Option, and Seasoning Option.
- Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until smooth as possible.
- Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap, place cheese mixture in the center. Pull the corners and sides of the plastic wrap up and over the top, covering the mixture completely, and shape into a ball. Place in a bowl and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, lay out a piece of parchment paper, add the Coating Option and spread out. Take cheese mixture out from fridge, remove plastic wrap and shape again into a ball. Roll the ball in the coating until well covered.
- Place ball on a serving tray, surround the ball with assorted crackers. Serve and enjoy. I made the cheese ball using the condensed bean with bacon soup.
- On 7 Mar 2021 I made another version of the Cheese Ball using option with the condensed split pea with ham and bacon soup. Equally good taste.
Notes
Not sure of the soup costs as I have not see those here in Thailand, will tailor this when I find those. For now I will say high cost based on the cheese alone.
Shortcut: Salsa.
Peanut Butter Cookies III
This recipe is from an extensive cookbook titled Favorite Recipes, compiled by the active and retired employees of Michigan Bell in 1981. These are excellent cookies, and moist. Very well liked by the entire family. Highly recommended.
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- Β½ cup butter, room temperature
- Β½ cup sugar
- Β½ cup brown sugar
- Β½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- Β½ cup peanut butter
- 1ΒΌ cup all-purpose flour
- Β½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190Β° C (375Β° F), line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- To a mixing bowl, add the flour and baking soda, whisk together and set aside.
- In another mixing bowl, add the butter, sugar, white sugar, egg, and salt, and mix together.
- Add the peanut butter and mix in.
- Add the flour and mix in.
- Roll dough into walnut sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add spoon or two of sugar to a small bowl, dip the tines of a fork into the sugar and press down the ball of dough slightly, dip the tines again into the sugar and press crosswise on the dough to make a crisscross pattern. Repeat with all the balls.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes or until set slightly browned on the edges and starting to crack on the top. Remove from the oven and let cool on the sheet for 10 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
- After the cookies are completely cooled, place on a serving tray. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost.
Baked Cod
This is an easy recipe for excellent cod, perfectly cooked, and delicious. This would work for any white fish and I look forward to preparing this with barramundi. Highly recommended for a simple yet flavorful dish.
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 500 grams cod fillets, boneless, skinless, (1 lb)
- lemon juice, as desired
- olive oil, as desired
- salt, as desired
- cayenne pepper, as desired
- fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200Β° C (400Β° F). You will need a glass baking dish or a baking sheet that you have lined with foil.
- If using frozen cod fillets, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Rinse each fillet and pat dry with paper towels. Place fillets in the baking dish or on a prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil on each piece, then drizzle lemon juice on each piece. Sprinkle each piece with salt then cayenne pepper.
- Place in the heated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, 1-2 minutes longer for very thick fillets. Fish will easily flake with a fork.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, serve, and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost if using a common whitefish such as pangasius or barramundi. Cod is probably available in the high end markets but is more than likely well above the $1 per serving range.
Variants: 1. Use pangasius or barramundi fillets instead of cod. 2. Use chili powder in place of cayenne pepper.
Oatmeal Mint Chocolate Cookies
I adapted several recipes and came up with this, and they are excellent cookies.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ΒΎ teaspoon salt
- ΒΎ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Β½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup butter, room temp, (2 sticks / 1 block)
- 1 ΒΎ cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups quick cooking rolled oats, (or old fashioned oats)
- 1 bag Andes Crème de Menthe candies, (8.5 oz / 241 g)
Instructions
- Place the Andes mint chocolate candies in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill. Remove from the fridge, remove each candy from its foil wrapper, break in half and put in a bowl. When all the candies are unwrapped and broke, place the bowl back in the fridge until needed. Don't worry about measuring, just use the entire 241 g / 8.5 oz bag of candies.
- Preheat your oven to 180Β° C (350Β° F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking sheet with butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk together then set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl add the butter and sugar and cream together. Add the eggs and vanilla, and mix together.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix together until well combined.
- Add the oats and broken candies and mix together until mixed throughout the cookie dough.
- Drop by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 3-5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Low cost.
Meatballs in Brown Gravy (Slow Cooker)
This is hands down the most flavorful gravy I have made with meatballs, the entire family loved this dish. Highly recommended! Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 packages frozen meatballs, such as Kroger or Great Value brand, about 26-32 oz each
- 2 packets brown gravy mix, Shortcut
- 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, Shortcut
- 1 can beef consommΓ©
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
- Place the meatballs in your slow cooker if using store bought or prepared meatballs you cooked and froze. If wanting to use fresh homemade meatballs, brown them in a pan or bake them first, then add them to the slow cooker. (I used two bags of Kroger brand Homestyle meatballs.)
- Prepare the gravy following the instructions on a packet.
- To the gravy, stir in the soup, consommΓ©, and onion powder.
- Pour the gravy mixture over the meatballs.
- Set the slow cooker to Low setting for 4 hours or High setting for 2 hours.
- Serve as is or over hot cooked noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice and sides of your choice. Enjoy.
Notes
Low cost per serving if using the shortcuts, and using homemade meatballs.
Shortcuts: Italian Meatballs, Chicken Meatballs, Gravy Mix, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Variants: 1. Add sliced mushrooms. 2. Use 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup and 1 can of condensed cream of celery.Β
Salmon Loaf III
This recipe is from an extensive cookbook titled Favorite Recipes, compiled by the active and retired employees of Michigan Bell in 1981. This is a basic recipe that uses only four ingredients, yet is a delicious salmon loaf for a simple dinner.Β Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Equipment
- Oven
- Bread Pan
Ingredients
- 1 can salmon, drained, (1 lb / 454 g), Shortcut
- 2 eggs
- Β½ cup breadcrumbs, Shortcut
- 1 cup peas, frozen thawed or canned
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180Β° C (350Β° F). Grease a bread pan with butter.
- Add the drained salmon to a mixing bowl and break up with spoon. Add the eggs and mix together.
- Mix in the breadcrumbs. Fold in the peas.
- Pack mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove to a rack and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Turn out onto a serving plate and slice, or simply leave in the pan and slice into serving pieces and use two forks to remove each slice. Serve with sides of your choice.
Notes
I will price this if I can locate canned salmon. An option would be to buy frozen salmon and steam that then use as directed in the recipe. For now I will state high cost per serving.
Shortcut: Steamed Salmon (Rice Cooker), Breadcrumbs.