Sriracha Mac & Cheese

Sriracha Mac & Cheese

Sriracha sauce in the states is mainly called Rooster Sauce due to the rooster on the bottle. In the states this is a clear plastic squeeze bottle, white text and a bright green cap. Here in Thailand however, we have another version, same sauce, glass bottle, but still Sriracha Sauce. Sriracha is a chili and garlic sauce, which I use in place of ketchup. This recipe is on my to cook list.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Sauce

  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoons salt

Pasta

  • 350 grams dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, room temp
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2-3 tablespoons Sriracha Chili Garlic sauce, plus more for garnish
  • 1 cup spring onions, chopped, green and white parts
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions
 

Sauce

  • Heat the milk in a pot over medium heat until it just starts to bubble, but is not boiling, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Heat the butter over medium heat in a separate, heavy bottomed pot. When the butter has just melted, add the flour and whisk constantly until the mixture turns light brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Slowly pour the warm milk, about 1 cup at a time, into the butter-flour mixture, whisking constantly. It will get thick when you first add the milk, and thinner as you slowly pour in the entire 3 cups. This is normal. Once all the milk has been added, set the pot back over medium-high heat, and continue to whisk constantly. In the next 2-3 minutes the sauce should come together and thicken. Use the spoon test to make sure it’s ready. Dip a metal spoon into the sauce, if the sauce coats the spoon and doesn’t slide off like milk, then it’s ready. Add the salt and stir to combine.

Mac & Cheese

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling water until tender, drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Then mash together the ginger and butter in a small bowl.
  • Add the sauce, cheese, and ginger butter to a large heavy-bottomed pot and cook over medium heat. Stir until the cheese is barely melted, about 3 minutes. Add the Sriracha and the cooked pasta and continue cooking while stirring continuously until the dish is nice and hot, another 5 minutes, then add the green onions and stir to fully combine.
  • Pour the mac into a 13x9 inch casserole pan and sprinkle with panko and some additional cheese, bake until hot and bubbly and the topping is golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with more sriracha. Spoon into bowls and serve.

Notes

The 2 cups of grated cheese may cost 160-180 Baht for a block. One block should easily cover the 2 cups needed. Everything else is minimal. Cost would be about $1.35 per serving, overall not bad.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Mississippi Pot Roast I

Mississippi Pot Roast I

Provided by a good friend, this is on my to cook list.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 boneless chuck roast, about 1 1/2 to 2 kilos
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 10 fresh pepperonico peppers, OR use fresh banana peppers
  • 2 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Dredge the chuck roast in flour, salt, and pepper to taste, and massage it into the meat.
  • In a skillet on a very high heat, brown the meat on all sides in the canola oil to create a crust.
  • Transfer the meat to a Crock-Pot and top with butter and pepperoncini. Cover the slow cooker and set it to Low setting.
  • In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill, and paprika until well combined, open the slow cooker and spread this over the meat, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Remove the roast and shred with two forks, then return the meat to the slow cooker, and stir to mix in the juices. Serve garnished with fresh parsley, and sides of your choice.

Notes

Beef will run about 150 Baht/kilo, large cities should be able to get a chuck roast, out of the way places, like where I am at, I will try this with just 1-2 large chunks of beef. 300 Baht for 2 kilos would be about $1.47 per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Al Easley.
United States.
Slow Cooker Ribs

Slow Cooker Ribs

This recipe was submitted by a good friend and he swears by these ribs. This is another rib recipe for me to try soon! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 kilos baby back pork ribs
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • salt and black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and chili powder in a small bowl.
  • Salt and pepper the ribs. Place ribs in slow cooker, and cover in sauce. Cook low and Low setting for 8 hours or High setting for 4 hours.
  • After the ribs are done, spoon the BBQ sauce in the slow cooker over the ribs before removing. Cut the ribs, serve with the BBQ sauce and sides of your choosing.

Notes

Pork ribs run 135 Baht/kilo, you would need about 200 Baht worth of ribs, all the rest is minimal. For 4 people this is about $1.50 per person, for 6 servings this is about $1 per person, overall, a good price.
Shortcut: BBQ Sauce.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Jerry Juliana.
United States.
Fred’s Crockpot Tri-Tip Roast

Fred's Crockpot Tri-Tip Roast

This comes from a good friend, and this recipe has been featured in "Louisiana Cookin" Magazine and it is that good. This recipe calls for a tri-tip roast, but Fred assures me, any cut of beef will work. I made this on 11 May 2016, excellent. My comments below. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2-2 kilo tri-tip roast, OR any cut of beef
  • 8 red potatoes, small to medium in size, diced
  • 2-4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1 3/4 cups beef stock, use fresh or from the powder
  • 1/2 cup red or white wine
  • 2 tablespoons Worcherstershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Cajun spice mix, OR make from a shortcut on this site, this is to rub the roast

Instructions
 

  • Rub the roast on all sides with Cajun spice mix, or herbs of your choice, and place the roast, covered, in the refrigerator for at least an hour or up to overnight to allow the beef to absorb the spices.
  • After the marinating time, placed the diced potatoes, onion, and half the garlic in the bottom of your slow cooker and mix together. Set the roast on top of the potato mixture.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the dry onion soup packet, bay leaves, beef stock, wine, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour the liquid mixture over the roast. Sprinkle on remaining minced garlic on the roast and potato mixture.
  • Cook on Low setting for 7 1/2 to 8 hours, serve with your choice of sides.

Notes

Beef will run about 150 Baht/kilo, a 2 kilo roast would be 300 Baht, everything else in minimal. This comes out to about $1.10 per serving for 8 servings, very reasonable.
Shortcuts: Dry Onion Soup Mix, Cajun Spice Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Fred Neeleman.
United States.
Baked Parmesan Fish Sticks

Baked Parmesan Fish Sticks

No, we're not talking about frozen fish sticks that come from a box, and quite frankly taste like a box, this recipe is fresh fish baked with cheese and panko. On my to cook list.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams Pangasius fish fillets, cut into large strips
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease using olive oil.
  • On a large plate, mix the panko with the cheese, then place the flour on another large plate and mix in the seasonings, and in a wide bowl, add the eggs and beat them.
  • Dip the fish pieces in flour to coat them on all sides, then dip in the beaten egg, then in the panko and cheese, patting this on as needed. Place each fish piece on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning once, or until the fish begins to flake apart with a fork. Serve.

Notes

Pangasius runs about 120 Baht a kilo, the cheese about 190 Baht. For 6 servings, this is about $1.45 per person per meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
 
Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Yep, this is a comfort food from years and years ago. This is a easy dish to prepare with everyday ingredients. Lots of possibilities. On my to cook list! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Lightly grease a glass pie pan with butter.
  • In a skillet, cook the ground beef and onion until beef is browned, season with salt and pepper while cooking. Drain the spread into the pie pan. Cover the beef with the cheese.
  • In a bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients with a fork or whisk, pour this into the pie pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until a butter knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 80 Baht for 500 grams. Ground pork will run about 70 Baht for 500 Grams. Cheese will run about 150 Baht. For 230 Baht, this comes out to about $1.70 per person for 4 servings, or $1.15 per person for 6 servings. Overall, not a bad cost. Serve this with a potato or macaroni salad, and you have a great meal.
Variants. Replace the Cheddar cheese with Swiss, then top the cheese with sliced mushrooms. Top each slice with a slice of tomato and pickle.
Shortcut: Bisquick Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Cream Cheese Ranch Chicken

Cream Cheese Ranch Chicken

Four ingredients and a slow cooker, this sounds very nice! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into large chunks
  • 500 grams Cream cheese, Caroline brand will save you money, this is 2 blocks of cheese, softened
  • 2 packets dry ranch dressing mix, OR use the shortcut listed on this site
  • 250 grams bacon, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Add the chicken, cream cheese, and dry ranch seasoning in to your slow cooker, mix it a bit, don't worry, the cheese will melt.
  • Cook on Low setting for 6-8 hours or on High setting for 4 hours, until the chicken shreds easily. Shred with 2 forks and mix everything to combine. Turn slow cooker off.
  • Pan fry the bacon until crispy then add to the slow cooker and mix to combine. Serve.

Notes

Chicken breasts cost about 80 Baht/kilo. Cream cheese will cost about 120 Baht. Bacon will run between 100 to 140 Baht. So for 300 Baht, this comes out to about $1.50 per serving for 6. That is a lean estimate, I think you will get a bit more from this.
Serve as sandwiches on a toasted bun, on nachos, use for enchilada or burrito filling, in a bowl of lettuce for a nice salad.
Options, when used on a toasted bun, top with some shredded Cheddar cheese and broil for a few seconds to melt the cheese.
Shortcut: Ranch Dressing.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sounds really good, I like meat and potatoes, a must try.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams ground beef, or minced pork or ground chicken, (1½ lb)
  • 5 medium potatoes, cut into 1½ inch cubes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed, Shortcut
  • 1 can whole tomatoes, diced, undrained
  • ¼ cup water
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Brown the ground beef (or pork, or chicken), drain the fat.
  • Place the potatoes in the bottom of your slow cooker pot along with the onion and garlic, add salt and pepper to your liking, add the ground beef. Top this with a layer of beans, then tomatoes, and add the water.
  • If you cook the beans yourself, use about 1½-2 cups of cooked beans, drained.
  • Cover and cook for 7-8 hours on Low setting. About 15 minutes before the cook time is up, add the cheese to the top, cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. If you like cheese, go with 1 cup of Cheddar but it adds to the cost.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 95 Baht/750 grams, if using minced pork, that will cost be less for pork and chicken. Cheese will run 75 Baht for ½ cup Cheddar. Everything else is minimal. For 4 servings this is about $1.25 per serving, less for 6 servings. Even less with pork or chicken. Over all, not a bad meal.
Shortcuts: Red Kidney Beans (Pressure Cooker), Chili Beans (Slow Cooker).
Variant: 1. Use chili beans in place of the kidney beans for added flavor.
Ground Beef Burrito Casserole

Ground Beef Burrito Casserole

This sounds really easy, and one should certainly make their own beans as well instead from a can. This can be beef, pork, or chicken. A must try. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves galic, smashed and minced
  • 1 packet taco season mix, OR make from a shorcut on this site
  • 1 can refried beans, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1 cup Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • For starters, use the shortcuts to make the taco seasoning, beans, and Bisquick, not only will this save you money, you know what is in each one. Beans, cook the day before in a slow cooker per the recipe on this site, you will will like these better.
  • If cooking your beans, use 1 1/2 cups of beans to equal a can of beans.
  • Brown the ground beef (or pork, or chicken) along with onion and garlic, then drain well, mix in taco seasoning to packet instructions, and let simmer.
  • Mix Bisquick, water and refried beans in a small bowl. Place bean mixture into a greased 9×13 pan. Spread meat mixture over the top, then add both cheeses on top. Bake for 30 minutes at 180 C. Serve with a salad and a vegetable, you have a great meal.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 75 Baht/500 grams, if using minced pork, that will cost about 60 Baht/500 grams, chicken even less. Cheese will run 200-300 Baht. Everything else is minimal. For 6 servings this is $1.85 per serving, for 8 servings this is $1.40 per serving. Even less with pork or chicken. Over all, not a bad meal.
Shortcuts: Taco Seasoning, Refried Beans, Bisquick Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Pan Fried Barramundi Fillets

Pan Fried Barramundi Fillets

Lee
Only my opinion, but I like pan fried fish the best. This is as basic as it gets with this recipe, just 1 fish, some flour, and a pan with hot oil. This recipe goes from whole fish to fillets, to pan fried, nothing easier. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole Barramundi, you can find these in Tesco called Giant Sea Perch
  • all purpose flour, as needed
  • cooking oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • tartar sauce, as needed, for serving, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • First you need to get a Barramundi, these are commonly sold at Tesco but labeled as Giant Sea Perch or you can buy in most open markets.
  • Next thing you need to do is scale the fish. Grab a large spoon, and best to head outside for this part as it is messy. Using your spoon, start at the tail end work towards the head end, scrape the scales off, only takes a few minutes, scale the whole fish.
  • One your fish is scaled, now you need to fillet it. Using a narrow knife, cut just behind the gill plate then turn the knife 90 degrees so the edge is headed towards the tail, then cut along the back bone to the tail and you have one fillet. Turn the fish over and repeat this. Now you have your two fillets but you have rib bones to remove, you can either scrape them out to leave just a tiny bit of meat or just cut the rib section out, easy! This photo is two fillets ready for cooking.
  • After filleting the fish, rinse it under the tap. Now feel the skin side and remove stray scales that did not come off with the spoon. This is important as biting into scale is a real appetizer killer.
  • Heat the oil of your choice in a large heavy pan, you do not need it smoking, just hot. If your oil is not hot, it goes right into the fish.
  • Place some flour on a plate, a couple of spoonfuls, coat the fillets in the flour. Place each fillet in the oil, season with salt and pepper to your liking. When the fillet starts to get golden brown around the edges (should only take 4-5 minutes) then carefully flip the fillet and cook the other side also until that is golden brown.
  • Remove from the pan and put on a plate, add a side or two of your choosing, and enjoy.

Notes

One Barramundi, in Tesco, costs 102 Baht, this is per fish, not per kilo, two servings is about $1.50 per meal, which is reasonable.
If you can find this fish in an open market, the vendor will be happy to fillet for you for free.
Shortcut: Tartar Sauce.