Archive for the ‘* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving’ Category
Ground Beef Burrito Casserole
April 25, 2016 Lee
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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.
Print Recipe
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.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Pan Fried Barramundi Fillets
April 24, 2016 Lee
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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.
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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.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,FISH - ALL,Fish - Barramundi
Chili Cheese Chicken
April 22, 2016 Lee
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Chili Cheese Chicken

This sounds really good, and would be easy to make in a slow cooker as well with slight modifications. On my must cook list to try.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh cilantro, chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 100-200 grams Cheddar cheese, cut into slices, use real cheese, 1/2 block to a full block

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, mix the olive oil and all spices and cilantro until well mixed, season with salt and pepper to taste. This is your marinade.
  • On a chopping block, stab the chicken breasts with a fork in several places on each side, then arrange in shallow pan and pour the marinade over the top of the chicken and turn each piece of chicken several times to fully coat the chicken. Let stand for 15 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Arrange chicken breasts in a Pyrex baking dish, top with the onion and bell pepper.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the oven and top with the cheese slices and bake another 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
  • Remove from the oven and put on plates, drizzle some pan juices over the top of each piece. This would be very nice served on a bed of egg noodles, or with a scoop of pinto beans on the side.

Notes

Chicken breasts run about 80 Baht/kilo for boneless and skinless. The cheese will run about 180 Baht/200 grams. Going with 4 breasts to a kilo (although unlikely) and assuming you use an entire block of cheese, the cost would be about $1.90 per serving. Going with 60 Baht for the chicken and half a block of cheese (more reasonable), the cost would be $1.10 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Squid & Shrimp Stuffed Squid
April 20, 2016 Lee
6 Comments

Squid & Shrimp Stuffed Squid

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Yep, everyone calls squid "calamari" however I call it squid. This recipe is easy, and well worth it. I made this on 10 May 2016, and this is really good! Recipe updated and my comments are listed below. This is now added to the go to recipes. Lot of options here! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Pan

Ingredients
  

  • 6 squid, about 7-8 inches long is perfect, if you use smaller squid, you need more
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 10-15 raw medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
  • 2 plum tomatoes, finely diced
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped, OR use Thai celery
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups tomato sauce, Shortcut
  • hot cooked pasta, of your choice
  • Parmesan cheese, couple of teaspoons to sprinkle onthe top, optional

Instructions
 

  • Clean your squid, I will write a 101 topic on this if you are not sure. Remove the skin, pull out the clear bone, and turn inside out to thoroughly clean the inside, then turn right side out, place the squid on a plate and put in the fridge. Cut the tentacles off in front of the beak, discard the head. Photo shows the squid cleaned, I used 4 squid.
  • Heat your oven to 190° C (375° F), get out a 8x11 or 9x13 baking dish depending on number of squid you are using.
  • Dice the the tentacles and the shrimp (remember to remove the tails), place this in the bowl with the diced tomatoes, zest, ginger, parsley, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat, add the onions and salt and cook until the onions turn translucent, about 1 to 2 minutes, do not brown them, add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute. Remove from heat and put this into a medium mixing bowl and set aside to cool.
  • Once the onions and garlic are cool, add to the squid, shrimp mixture and mix well. Photo shows the stuffing mixed.
  • Using either a long ice tea spoon or a bag with a corner cut off, fill each squid with the mixture, do not over stuff them.
  • Place each filled squid in the baking dish.
  • Once all are filled, cover with tomato sauce of your choice (can be home made sauce or canned spaghetti sauce). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Photo shows foil removed after baking.
  • Serve over pasta of your choice.

Notes

I bought 6 squid (about 7-8 inches long) for 60 Baht. A can of tomato sauce will be about 55 Baht, a can of paste will cost 17 Baht and you can make the sauce. Everything else is minimal.
Using the cost for squid and canned sauce, the cost for 3 servings is $1.12 per meal. If using home made sauce, the cost for 3 servings is 75 cents per meal. Add a side dish and a salad, you can stretch this to 6 servings, which reduces the cost even more.
Now for the shrimp, do yourself a favor, buy a kilo for use in another recipe, take out 10-15 shrimp for this, cost is minimal, freeze the rest for another dish, problem solved.
Variants: For fillings, ground pork or pork sausage (home made will reduce cost), or ground chicken or chicken sausage (home made will reduce cost), chopped fresh fish, etc.
Shortcut: Tomato Sauce.
Updated on 10 May 2016.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,SEAFOOD - ALL,Seafood - Shrimp/Prawn,Seafood - Squid
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini
April 19, 2016 Lee
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Slow-Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini

This recipe was mainly processed ingredients, here is a rewrite that uses fresh ingredients for the most part. When I make, I will include step by step photos, the main photo is from the internet. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams Penne pasta
  • 1 cup heavy cream, OR make from a shorcut on this site
  • 500 grams chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 500 grams fresh mushrooms, sliced, mixed variety would work well
  • 1 cup 6 cheese Italian cheese blend, shredded, this might be a hard one, a blend of Mozzarella, Provolone, and Parmisan will work
  • salt, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Grease your slow cooker with butter. In a medium bowl, toss together the pasta and cream, set aside.
  • Add to the slow cooker the chicken, onion, Italian seasoning, and a dash of salt if you like. Mix together and pat this down, with some of the chicken going up along the sides.
  • Pour the pasta mixture into the center, keeping the pasta from touching the sides of the cooker.
  • Pile the mushrooms over the pasta, covering all of the pasta. Cover the mushroom with foil but not touching the sides of the cooker.
  • Cover the cooker and cook on Low Setting for 6 hours or High Setting for 3 hours. Turn off heat, stir in cheese, and serve.

Notes

The chicken would run about 63 Baht/kilo, get 1 1/2 kilos and debone and remove skin yourself. The cheese will be pricy if you can find the 6 cheese blend, but if you go with just Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Provolone, about 1/3 cup each, I will say this would cost no more than 150 Baht. This meal would come out to about $1.20 per serving, not bad. I will update pricing once I make this.
Shortcut: Heavy Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Amish Breakfast Casserole
April 12, 2016 Lee
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Amish Breakfast Casserole

This sounds really easy and really good, a must try. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams sliced bacon, diced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 6 eggs, slightly beaten
  • 4 cups hash brown potatoes, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/4 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups Cottage cheese, OR make this from a shortcut listed on this site

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a 13x9 baking dish with butter. If you use the shortcut to make the hash browns, follow the steps right up to before cooking.
  • Heat a pan and fry the bacon until crisp, drain, and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix all other ingredients, then add bacon and mix that in as well. Pour into the baking dish and spread out to flatten and evenly distribute the mixture.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes or until you can insert a knife near the center that comes out clean, remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with toast on the side for a great breakfast.

Notes

The bacon will cost about 310 Baht/500 grams. The Cheddar cheese will cost 180 Baht/250 gram block which is good for 2 cups. The Swiss will cost about 90 Baht as you should only have to use 1/2 block of 250 grams. Cottage cheese I cannot price in a store as it is not carried over here where I am at. Just for the bacon and two of the cheeses, this meal, for 12 servings, comes out to about $1.42 per serving.
Shortcuts: Hash Brown Potatoes, Cottage Cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Cheesy Chicken And Broccoli Pasta
March 12, 2016 Lee
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Cheesy Chicken And Broccoli Pasta

Simple and easy dish, inexpensive as well. A must try for me.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 2 cups chicken broth, fresh or from powder
  • 3 cups water
  • 500 grams pasta shells, OR sprial pasta
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli, about 1 or 2 heads of broccoli
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, this is one block of 250 grams of Cheddar
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil on medium heat in a large pot. Add chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper, and allow the chicken to brown on one side.
  • Flip chicken, then add onions and garlic as the second side browns. Once the chicken has browned on both sides, add chicken broth, water, and pasta to the pot.
  • Stir all ingredients, cover the pot with a lid, and bring to a boil. When it begins to boil, uncover and stir. Bring the heat to low, stir, then cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes has passed, uncover and add in the broccoli. Stir continually as the broccoli steams until the rest of the liquid evaporates. Add milk and cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese melts and you have a smooth cheese sauce. Add salt and pepper (to taste), cayenne, and nutmeg. Stir once more, then you’re ready to serve.

Notes

Two chicken breasts is reasonable price, 1 kilo is 88 Baht, 2 breast is well less than 88 baht, the cheese is the major factor, real cheddar is about 188 baht/kilo, puts this meal to about $1.50 to $1.70 per person for four meals. Reasonable.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,PASTA
Pirogi Lasagna
March 10, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Pirogi Lasagna

Looks easy and tasty, on my list of things to make.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 12 lasagna noodles, these are the cook before use type
  • 6 cups mashed potatoes
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, if you like cheese, you know what to do
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 190 C and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.
  • Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions, and set aside.
  • In a large skillet add onion, butter, salt, and pepper. Saute on medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Place 4 lasagna noodles in an even layer on bottom of baking dish. Layer 1/2 of total mashed potatoes on top of noodles, followed by 1/2 of the sauteed onions, and 1/2 cup of cheese.
  • Repeat with another layer of lasagna noodles, remaining mashed potatoes, sauteed onions and 1/2 cup cheese.
  • Top lasagna with remaining 4 noodles and 1 cup cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Cheese is the most costly item here, get 2 blocks of cheddar for 185 Baht/block, this comes out to about $1.35 for 8 servings. Not bad overall.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,PASTA
Slow Cooker Cola Chicken
February 18, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Slow Cooker Cola Chicken

Not a fan of coke or any soft drinks, but I will have to try this. Very easy recipe and can be adapted in many ways with the meat used. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 lemon, cut into quarters
  • 1 onion, peeled and cut into quarters
  • 1 bottle BBQ sauce, OR make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 can cola

Instructions
 

  • Wash the chicken inside and out, remove giblets if present inside. If the chicken if from a local market, remove the neck and feet, trim excess fat at the gut opening, place chicken in the slow cooker breast side up.
  • Toss in the onion and lemon quarters, pour in the entire bottle of BBQ sauce and the entire can of cola.
  • Cover and cook on Low setting for 6-8 hours or High setting for 3-4 hours.
  • Serve with boiled buttered potatoes and a salad for a meal.

Notes

A whole chicken will cost about 150 to 200 Baht. BBQ sauce if store bought will run about 90 Baht. For 6 people, this is about $1.50 per meal per person, very reasonable. Less for 8 people.
Shortcut: BBQ Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Chicken - Slow Cooker
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
February 18, 2016 Lee
3 Comments

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Simple and easy slow cooker recipe that is delicious! I have made this and it is excellent, and filling! Recipe is slightly revised to reflect my findings. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients
  

Cooked all day

  • 3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
  • 2 cups salsa, Tesco brand works great, two 300 gram jars, Shortcut

Added after 6-8 hours

  • 250 grams Cream cheese, this is a block, softened, (8 oz)
  • 500 grams tortillas, this is one package, corn or flour will work for this, (1 lb)
  • 250 grams Cheddar cheese, this is a block, shredded, (8 oz)
  • ½ can black olives, drained and sliced

Instructions
 

  • Add the chicken to the bottom of your slow cooker. I used 3 good sized chicken breasts.
  • Pour over the salsa. Cover and cook on Low setting for 6 to 7 hours, check at 6 hours and if tender and shreds with a fork at this point, continue with the next step, if not tender, continue to cook and check at 7 hours. I used the Fast and Simple Fresh Salsa II listed on this site, excellent salsa which makes just a tad over 2 cups, use all of it.
  • Plop the cream cheese on top of the chicken. Cover for about 10 minutes to let it get really soft. While the cheese is softening, shred the Cheddar cheese and cut up the tortillas into strips, and slice the olives.
  • With the cream cheese softened, shred the chicken with 2 forks right in the slow cooker and stir together.
  • Add the tortilla strips, 1 cup of Cheddar cheese, and half of the olives and stir this into the chicken mixture. Flatten this down and clean the sides of the pot.
  • Add to the top the remaining cheese then olives. Cover and cook on High setting for another 45 minutes until the casserole is heated through.

Notes

Three chicken breasts cost me about 80 Baht, this would be less if you use thighs or quarters. Cream cheese will run about 120 Baht for a block. Cheddar cheese will run about 185 Baht per block of 250 grams, you only need one, shred the whole block. This can easily make 10 servings at a cost of about $1.15 per serving, overall, very good price.
Shortcut: Salsa.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Casseroles - Slow Cooker