Archive for the ‘* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving’ Category
French Onion Dip Sandwiches III
February 19, 2017 Lee
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French Onion Dip Sandwiches III

This is another way to make French Dip sandwiches preparing the meat in a slow cooker with condensed soup. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 kilos beef, any cut
  • olive oil, as needed
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 cans condensed French onion soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 8 slices Provolone cheese
  • 8 sandwich rolls, split
  • 8 salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Season the beef with salt and black pepper. Heat a splash of olive oil large non stick skillet over high heat. Add the beef and brown on all sides. Place the beef in your slow cooker slow cooker.
  • Add the onion, garlic, thyme sprigs and soup to the cooker. Cover and cook on High setting for 4 1/2 hours or until the beef is tender. NOTE about the beef, if using local raised beef from a village, you may want to cook for longer, check it at 4 1/2 hours then keep cooking and checking every hour after that.
  • When the beef is almost done, heat the oven to 180 C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the rolls, cut-side up, onto the baking sheet. Divide the cheese among the rolls. Bake for 1 minute or until the rolls are toasted and the cheese is melted.
  • Remove the beef to a cutting board. Cut the beef into thin slices. Divide the beef among the rolls. Serve with the soup mixture from the slow cooker on the side for dipping.

Notes

Beef will run about 200 Baht for local raised beef, figure 300 Baht for the beef. For 8 servings, this is about $1.10 per serving, actually not that bad at all. I cannot price this with the cheese yet.
Shortcut: Condensed French Onion Soup.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Baked Garlic Chicken & Potatoes
February 19, 2017 Lee
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Baked Garlic Chicken & Potatoes

Stephen Connell, United States.
This is a traditional Lebanese dish and comes highly recommended. On my to cook list for sure. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Lebanese
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Pan (9x13 inch)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 kilos chicken, legs, thighs, breasts, up to you, (4 lb)
  • 5 medium potatoes, sliced in ½ thick slices
  • 20 cloves garlic, about 1½ heads
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt, to taste
  • pinch Lebanese 7-spices, Shortcut
  • vinegar, optional, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Optional, if the chicken has a strong "chickeny" smell to it, soak in vinegar for 2 minutes, rinse well with cold water, pat dry with paper towels.
  • Preheat your oven to 200° C (400° F). Get out a large baking pan.
  • Remove skin from the chicken and discard, then make cuts in chicken in order to allow for garlic sauce to seep deep inside. Rub chicken with a tablespoon or two of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of Lebanese 7-spices. Place chicken in a large baking dish.
  • Place sliced potatoes on top of the chicken. and bake for 40-50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
  • While the chicken is baking, place the garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon of salt and 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a blender/food processor and mix for 4-5 minutes, add the lemon juice and mix for another 4-5 minutes until you have a nice lemony-garlicky sauce. OR Traditionally the sauce is made by crushing garlic with a pestle in a mortar while slowly adding the salt and olive oil thus turning it into a paste. And finally once you start adding the lemon juice all while continuing to stir and crush with the pestle, the paste turns into a beautiful sauce with a balanced garlic and lemon flavoring.
  • Once the chicken has baked, take the tray out of the oven and very carefully drain any excess liquids that you see on the bottom.
  • Pour the garlic sauce all over it while mixing it well with the potatoes and chicken, put back in the oven and broil for another 5-10 minutes until the potatoes start to brown up.
  • Serve with a salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Chicken will cost 60 to 70 Baht/kilo depending if you are using breasts or legs and thighs. Going with quarters (separate the thighs from the legs) at 70 Baht/kilo, 2 kilos at 140 Baht, for 4 servings this is about $1.03 per serving.
Shortcut: Lebanese 7-Spices.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,: LEBANESE,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Easy Crab Bombs
February 18, 2017 Lee
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Easy Crab Bombs

Stephen Connell, United States.
Sounds delicious! On my to cook list. I would use fresh crab cooked yourself and picked, prep time does not reflect this step. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams crab meat, (1 lb)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup butter crackers, crushed, like Magic or Ritz
  • 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, Shortcut
  • 1 tablespoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • butter, melted, for drizzling

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), get out a baking sheet and line with parchment paper.
  • Place crab meat in a mixing bowl, remove any stray shell fragments. Add crushed crackers, Old Bay seasoning, and parsley, gently toss together.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, mustard, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Pour mixture over the crab meat and gently mix, careful not to break up large lumps of crab meat.
  • Shape into golf ball sized balls and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Drizzle with melted butter and allow to cool before serving.

Notes

I cannot price this until I make it in order to get the amount of crab needed. For now I will say fair value.
Shortcut: Old Bay Seasoning.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,SEAFOOD - ALL,Seafood - Crab
Bacon Cheese Biscuits
February 18, 2017 Lee
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Bacon Cheese Biscuits

Sounds tasty! On my to cook list. I have never seen crescent rolls in a tube anywhere in Thailand (maybe Villa Market carries them) so there is a bread maker recipe for crescent rolls listed as a shortcut. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tubes crescent rolls, OR make from a shortcut
  • cheese, what ever you like
  • 300-500 grams bacon, fried crisp
  • all purpose flour, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a baking sheet with butter.
  • Lightly flour your work surface. Unroll one can of crescent rolls on your work surface (if using the shortcut, roll out one half). Using your hands, press the seams together and lightly press and stretch a little into a nice rectangle.
  • Add a layer of cheese, can be sliced or shredded, then then add your layer of cooked bacon. Unroll the remaining can of crescent rolls on top & press all the seems together both on top and all around the edges.
  • Using a pizza cutter or a knife slice into squares. Place the entire thing on your baking sheet using a large spatula, working in batches. Lay all the squares right beside each other, just as they were before you sliced it. You want all the cut seams to be touching so that your cheese doesn’t leak out.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the top of the crescent rolls are lightly browned. Remove from the oven ans cool on a wire rack for 3-5 minutes before digging in. The crescent squares will pull right apart. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

I cannot price this until I find out how many servings this will make, for now I will say this is a fair value dish based on just the cheese and bacon used.
Variants: Use cooked crumbled sausage or even just ground beef.
Shortcut: Crescent Rolls (Bread Machine).
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,BREAD & PASTRY
Cheeseburger Soup
February 14, 2017 Lee
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Cheeseburger Soup

Sounds really good. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams ground beef
  • 3/4 cup onion, diced
  • 3/4 cup carrot, shredded
  • 3/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 4 cups potatoes, diced
  • 3 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 500 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook and crumble the ground beef until no longer pink, then drain and set aside. In same saucepan, melt heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat then cook the onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley until tender, about 10 minutes. Then add the potatoes, beef and broth; bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer, cover, cook until potatoes are tender, 10-12 minutes.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, using a non stick skillet, heat the butter and and whisk in the flour and stir until bubbly, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add this to the soup when the potatoes are tender and bring to a boil and stir, cook for 2 minutes then reduce heat to a simmer and stir in the cheese, milk, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the cheese is fully melted into the soup.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream. Serve.

Notes

The cheese is the most expensive item at 360 Baht for 500 grams (two 250 gram blocks). For 8 servings, this is about $1.33 per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Scalloped Potatoes & Brats
February 9, 2017 Lee
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Scalloped Potatoes & Brats

Sounds like a good hearty meal, potatoes and brats, can be made with any good quality hot dogs or even smoked sausage.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5 medium potatoes, washed, thinly sliced
  • 8 brats, halved lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley, OR 2 tablespoons fresh minced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a large baking dish with butter.
  • In a saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add parsley.
  • Place half of the potatoes in the baking dish; top with half of the sauce. Arrange brat pieces over the sauce. Top with remaining potatoes and sauce.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until bubbly, uncover and bake for 10 minutes or until the top is lightly browned, let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

I cannot price this accurately until I get brats again, but I will guess no more that 150 Baht for 8 brats. For 4 servings, this is about $1.10 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Pork - Sausage,POTATOES
Kapusta – Polish Sausage and Cabbage Soup
February 7, 2017 Lee
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Kapusta - Polish Sausage and Cabbage Soup

Sounds great! Common ingredients as well. This is a slow cooker recipe but the sausage will be browned a little before going into the slow cooker. Servings is an estimate until I make this.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Polish
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups potatoes, cubed, peeled or unpeeled
  • 4 cups cabbage, shredded fine
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons caraway seeds, crushed
  • 600 grams Polish sausage, or smoked sausage
  • 4 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a hot skillet cook the sausage to brown it up a little, no need to cook it through. Then slice in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 1/2 to 1 inch pieces, drain any fat and add to the slow cooker.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and give it a quick mix. Cook on Low setting for 10-12 hours or High setting for 5-6 hours. Serve.

Notes

Only thing pricey is the sausage, for 600 grams, I will estimate 150 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $1.10 per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Soups, Stews, Chili - Slow Cooker
Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars
February 6, 2017 Lee
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Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

Sounds delicious, on my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup butter, softened, this is 1 standard block
  • 500 grams Cream cheese, this is 2 blocks, 250 grams each
  • 1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping

  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened, this is 1/2 standard block

Garnish

  • caramel sauce, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  • Mix together the streusel ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or large sturdy fork until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13x9 inch baking pan lined with aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
  • While the crust is baking, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm crust.
  • Spoon apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese mixture, then sprinkle evenly with Streusel Topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, drizzle with caramel sauce, serve.

Notes

The cream cheese is the only expensive item here, 240 Baht for 500 grams, and since a lot of butter is used, this is 123 Baht for 1 and a half blocks. For 10 servings, this is about $1.07 per serving.
Shortcut: Caramel Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,DESSERTS
Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup
February 2, 2017 Lee
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Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

Sounds like a very good soup made from common ingredients on hand. I am guessing with the servings until I make this as that was not stated on the recipe I tailored this from. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter, this is 1/4 of a standard block
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 cups half and half cream
  • 2 cup chicken stock, fresh or made from powder
  • 250 grams fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces including the stems
  • 1 cup carrot, cut into thin strips, or chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 250 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Melt the 1/4 cup of butter in a large pot over medium heat then whisk in the flour and stir constantly for 3-5 minutes, then whisk in the cream, whisk until mixed well then whisk in the stock. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
  • While that is cooking, melt the 1 tablespoon of butter in a non stick pan and cook the chopped onion until tender and soft. Set aside.
  • Add the broccoli, carrot and onion to the stock and cream mixture. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, the broccoli should be tender and carrot cooked through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the nutmeg and stir that in. Add the cheese and stir that in until melted. Serve.

Notes

The cheese would cost about 180 Baht for a 250 gram block and you would shred this yourself. For 4 servings, this would be about $1.33 per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Swiss Steak
January 20, 2017 Lee
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Swiss Steak

My Mom can make a great Swiss Steak so this recipe interested me, and it is a slow cooker recipe which is a bonus, let the appliance do the work for you. I made this on 22 Jan 2017 and it is good! I modified the recipe slightly with my findings. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef round steak, OR any beef just cut into large chunks
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped and drained but retain juice
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Tenderize the steak with either a mallet type tenderizer or a needle tenderizer. Season the steak pieces with salt and pepper on both sides, arrange the pieces in your slow cooker. If using local sourced beef where you just get large chunks, slice into 3/4 inch to 1 inch steaks first.
  • Place the onion and bell pepper on top of the meat, pour the tomato sauce and chopped tomatoes over the onions and bell pepper. Cover and cook on Low setting for 8 hours.
  • At 8 hours on Low the beef should be fork tender, serve with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

Notes

Local beef, not beef from Tesco will run between 150 to 260 Baht/kilo. Using the highest figure, for 4 servings, this is about $1.43 per serving.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker