Archive for the ‘* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving’ Category
Beer Shrimp
April 16, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Beer Shrimp

Beer and shrimp, sounds good to me! This sounds really good and is on my to do list to make this. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams large shrimp, peeled, tail removed, deveined if you choose
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/3 cup tomato ketchup, OR make from a shorcut
  • 1 tablespoon Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup beer, lager preferred
  • 1/4 cup spring onions, chopped, white and green parts
  • juice from one lime
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large non-stick pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter, add garlic and shrimp and cook until the shrimp is pink and cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes, transfer to a plate and set aside.
  • Using the same pan, add the remaining butter and melt, then add the remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste and mix. Bring to a simmer and add the shrimp back to the pan until heated through.
  • Serve with toasted french bread or as is for a great appetizer.

Notes

When I buy shrimp (prawn), they are large, ocean caught using a cast net, very eco friendly but also cost about 220 to 240 Baht per kilo. So at 240 Baht, and for 4 servings, this is about $1.75 per serving, not bad considering large shrimp. If you used small shrimp, the price would be less.
Shortcut: Ketchup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,SEAFOOD - ALL,Seafood - Shrimp/Prawn
Basic Lasagna
March 28, 2016 Lee
4 Comments

Basic Lasagna

I have made this recipe many times now and it is delicious. Lasagna can be intimidating, but following a few shortcuts and you can make a tasty and delicious meal, that serves a lot! Many recipes call for the meat sauce as ground beef and Italian sausage, I am going to make the Italian sausage as I cook ground pork. Cottage cheese can be expensive if store bought, I am going to use the shortcut listed on this site. The most expensive part will be the Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Not a $1 meal but you can feed a crowd. I made this on 10 April 2016 and took the photos. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce

  • 1 kilo ground pork, or ground beef, or half and half, (2 lbs)
  • 1 can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped, keep the juice
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds

To Assemble

  • 1 package lasagna noodles, the oven ready type, you will not use all of them
  • 400 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, (14 oz)
  • 150 grams Parmesan cheese, shredded, (5 oz)
  • 4 cups Cottage cheese, (Shortcut)
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

Instructions
 

Meat Sauce

  • Add a splash of olive oil to a large pot and heat, add onion and garlic, when translucent, add the meat and spices and mix well with the spatula (you are making a cheater Italian sausage. When cooked through and no longer pink, drain the fat, I use a colander for this, then return to the pot.
  • Add the tomato paste and the chopped tomatoes, and about half of the tomato juice. On a light simmer, cook for about 20-30 minutes covered. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of tomato juice retained from the can of tomatoes, not too much though. Adjust the sauce for salt and sugar during the cooking.

to Assemble

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C (390 F). Get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Now, take out a small handful of Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese and set aside, this is for the final layer. OR, as I do, I just use shred another 200 gram block of Mozzarella and add additional grated Parmesan cheese for use on the top.
  • Mix the cottage cheese, remaining Mozzerella and Parmesan together with the beaten eggs and spices. If making the cottage cheese from the shortcut on my site, make 4 cups, meaning 4 liters of milk, vinegar stays the say in the recipe.
  • Spoon just enough sauce into the bottom of the baking dish to cover the bottom. Then place the following layers:
  • Noodles, you can overlap slightly, 1/3 of the cheese mixture. 1/3 of the meat sauce. Repeat with noodles, 1/3 the cheese, and 1/3 the meat sauce, repeat again with noodles, 1/3 cheese, and 1/3 meat sauce. Now sprinkle on the retained Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses that you set aside. Photo shows the first layer added.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, if getting dark, remove, if still light colored, continue for 40 minutes. Photo shows the completed dish before going into the oven.
  • Here is a lasagna I made for friends in Dec 2018, topped with 12 slices of Provolone, before baking.
  • IMPORTANT, after removing from the oven, this needs to rest and cool a bit, as right out of the oven you have 200 degree C cheese lava! Let it rest and it will firm up a bit as well.
  • Cut into squares, serve with a salad or garlic bread to extend this meal. Enjoy.

Notes

Minced pork is about 112 Baht/kilo. Mozzarella cheese will run about 145 Baht/200 grams. Will need at least 2 blocks for 290 Baht. Parmesan will run about about 180 Baht/125 grams, will need 2 packs for 360 Baht. For the Cottage cheese, I cannot stress this enough, make it yourself from the shortcut listed on the site, this will work out to about 220 Baht.
This works out to about $1.70 per meal per person, over all, not bad! This is well below what you would find in any restaurant! The beauty of this dish, is that you made it yourself, it takes an effort and time spent in the kitchen, but the taste is well worth it, and you know exactly what is in it.
Shortcut: Cottage Cheese.
Variant: 1. Top the entire lasagna with a layer of sliced Provolone, Gouda, or Edam, yummy!
Family recipe I have been using for years.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,PASTA
Cheesy Sloppy Joe Burgers II
February 9, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Cheesy Sloppy Joe Burgers II

This a variant of Cheesy Sloppy Joe Burgers I and is worthy of a new recipe. I made this last night and it is delicious. Add mustard to a bun, add a scoop of this mix and top with a few pickle slices, and it tastes just like a cheese burger. The major departure from the first recipe is that you make the sausage as you cook the meat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken, (1 lb)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 300 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, (10 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot heat a bit of olive oil then add the onion, when it starts to soften.
  • Add the meat and all the spices, mix with a spatula to break up the meat and mix in the spices and onion. (I tripled the recipe, and used 2 lbs beef and 1 lb pork.)
  • Cook the meat well until no longer pink. Drain well. Add the meat back to the pot. (I missed taking a photo of this and went right to adding the cheese.)
  • Reduce the heat to a low simmer and add the cheese and mix well, mix often to prevent burning. When the cheese is melted and heated through, remove from heat.
  • Serve on buns. some pickles and a squirt or two of mustard, and these are delicious!

Notes

The cheese alone is pricey at about 130 Baht/250 grams, ground beef will run about 75 Baht/500 grams, if using minced pork, that will cost about 60 Baht/500 grams, chicken even less. This is about $1.80 per person for 4 meals.
Adapted from a recipe courtesy of good friend, Mike Early.
United States.
# Buster Approved,#1 Go-To Recipes,* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
February 3, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Now this looks good! This is a slow cooker recipe where one needs to cook the meat first. I will be trying this.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken stock, make this from the powder
  • 4 cups potatoes, cubed, skin on or off is up to you
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, grated, count on two, 250 gram blocks if you like cheese
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup carrot, chopped
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, optional
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled, optional, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Place ground beef, tomatoes, potatoes, carrot, bell pepper, onion, celery and garlic in your slow cooker and pour chicken stock over the top.
  • Season with chili powder, salt and pepper, then stir everything together. Cover slow cooker, turn on HIGH and cook for 3-4 hours, or until vegetables are softened.
  • Stir flour into heavy cream until no chunks remain, then pour mixture, along with cheddar cheese, into slow cooker.
  • Stir to combine, then cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes, then ladle into soup bowls, top with cheese and crumbled bacon, if using, and serve hot!

Notes

500 grams of beef would be about 100 Baht. Cheese will run about 180 Baht per 250 grams and you will need almost 2 for this. Total cost is about $1.70 per person for 8 servings, not bad really. Use minced pork or chicken and lower the cost a lot.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Soups, Stews, Chili - Slow Cooker
Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes in Garlic Cream Sauce
February 3, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes in Garlic Cream Sauce

This one has potential, looks really good!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 500 grams chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 5 medium tomatoes, chopped into large cubes
  • 1 cup spinach, cooked
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
  • 6 bacon strips, cooked, fat drained, and chopped
  • 1 1/3 cups half and half
  • 1 1/3 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 1/4 cups Penne pasta, dry
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, to serve with

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, on high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until hot. Add chicken and cook on one side on high heat for 1 minute. While it cooks, sprinkle the uncooked sides of the chicken with paprika and Italian seasoning. Flip the chicken over, and cook on the other side for 1 minute on high heat. Reduce heat to medium, flip chicken over again and cook, covered, for several minutes until no longer pink in the center. Remove chicken from the pan and keep chicken warm.
  • To the same pan (but without chicken), add chopped tomatoes, spinach, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1/3 of the chicken (sliced into small strips) and half the bacon. Mix everything.
  • Add half and half and bring to boil. Only after half and half starts boiling, add grated Parmesan cheese - immediately reduce to simmer and stir, while simmering, until the cheese melts and makes the sauce creamy, only about 1 minute (at most 2 minutes). Then, immediately remove from heat. Season with more red pepper flakes and salt, if needed.
  • In the mean time bring a large pot of water to boil, add pasta and cook it according to instructions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water and drain again.
  • Add pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Add remaining half of bacon. Season with more salt if necessary. Slice the remaining 2/3 of chicken into thin strips. To serve, top the pasta with chicken strips and grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Chicken breast will cost about 50 Baht for 500 grams, cheese however, that is nearly 200 Baht for 125 grams (would need at least 125 grams, probably 200 to be on the safe side), shop around so you can find a better price. Based on these two prices, the total is 320 Baht, about $2.35 per person, but a good meal for a special occasion.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,PASTA
Macaroni And Cheese Ham Pie
February 1, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Macaroni And Cheese Ham Pie

This sounds really good, a must try for me. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded (this 1 1/2, 250 gram blocks)
  • 1 cup cooked ham, cubed
  • 2 1/4 cups milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • fresh parsley, chopped, optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat your oven to 200 C. Lightly grease a glass deep dish pie pan or 9x13 baking dish with butter. In large bowl, mix 2 cups of the cheese, the ham and uncooked macaroni. Spread in the baking dish.
  • Mix milk and eggs until smooth. Add Bisquick mix and salt if desired; mix until smooth (you can use a blender for this if you want. Pour over mixture in baking dish.
  • Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with a green vegetable for a complete meal.

Notes

Cheese is the major cost here at 185 Baht/250 gram block, this will take 1 1/2 blocks, about 278 Baht for cheese. The ham would be another cost factor. If using leftover ham, that would be perfect. Store bought ham, Makro is between 150 to 200 Baht for 500 grams, about 140 grams would be needed here so we'll call that, 80 Baht. About 360 for cheese and ham or about $1.75 per person for six meals.
For variants, add a chopped onion, broccoli, or even try with cooked and chopped chicken.
Shortcut: Bisquick Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,LEFTOVERS,Pasta - Mac & Cheese
Cheesy Sloppy Joe Burgers I
January 23, 2016 Lee
Leave a comment

Cheesy Sloppy Joe Burgers I

I am not a fan of "sliders", you know the tiny hamburgers on the tiny buns. I like normal size burgers. The original recipe I seen was for slider sized buns. This is like a cross between a cheese burger and a Sloppy Joe sandwich, which are equally good. The original recipe I seen called for onion powder (I will use real onion in the recipe), and Velveeta cheese, which is one of the most horrendous things you can actually put into your body, I will use real cheese and regular size buns. This is a must try for me! This is not a $1 meal mainly because of the real cheese you use.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, OR minced pork, OR ground chicken
  • 500 grams bulk sausage, OR you can make from a shortcut listed on this site
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 500 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
  • salt, to taste
  • buns, split and toasted, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Add onion, ground beef, and bulk sausage to a a large, heavy, non-stick pan and season with black pepper and salt to taste and cook until cooked through, drain all fat completely.
  • In a large sauce pan or preferred is a slow cooker (Low setting), combine the cooked meat with the shredded cheese and allow the cheese to melt into the meat and heated through.
  • Serve on toasted buns.

Notes

This is not a inexpensive meal! The cheese alone is pricey at about 130 Baht/250 grams, ground beef will run about 75 Baht/500 grams, and sausage at least that much. You can make the sausage from a shortcut on this site for about 60 Baht/500 grams. This is about $3.30 per person for 4 meals and about $1.70 for 8 meals, this can be reduced by using minced pork instead of beef, and using chicken instead of pork or chicken.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Mike Early.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,BURGERS & SANDWICHES
Pizzadillas
January 7, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Pizzadillas

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Quesadillas are an easy dish to make, and cheesy, which is always a bonus. Tortillas and filling is all that is needed, and a pan to cook them. This is an adapted version of quesadilla using pizza toppings. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 250 grams Mozzarella Cheese, shredded, or more as desired, (8 oz)
  • 150 grams Pepperoni, sliced, SEE STEP 1, (5 oz), Shortcut
  • 1 jar pizza sauce, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • This DOES NOT have not have to be Pepperoni, this can be Italian sausage, chicken sausage, grilled chicken, totally up to you, but you have to cook the meat first.
  • Heat a cast iron pan over medium heat. No oil is needed, fry the pepperoni until crisp. Transfer on a paper towel to drain.
  • Brush each tortilla with a thin layer of pizza sauce, thin so that it does not run off if held up.
  • Lay a tortilla in the hot pan, sauce side up, sprinkle with cheese then add Pepperoni slices or meat of your choice, cover with more cheese, place another tortilla on top, sauce side down, cook for 3-5 minutes, then using a wide spatula, carefully flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes until cheese is nice and gooey and tortillas are crispy on the edges. NOTE: Cheese is what holds the quesadilla together, too little cheese and it will fall apart when flipping or even holding to eat.
  • Remove from pan and slice into quarters, serve with pizza sauce as a dipping sauce.

Notes

Pepperoni I cannot state a price for although it is available here. Pork and chicken sausage is very inexpensive to make yourself, just crumble in a pan and fry until done. If you use store bought sausage, price will be higher. I will say 100 Baht for the meat.
Cheese is the expensive part, Mozerella cheese, Thai made is 140 Baht per block of 250 grams. So using 100 Baht for meat and 280 Baht for cheese, for 4 quesadillas, 380 Baht total, comes to about $2 per person if serving 4 people. Not all that unreasonable when you look at what restaurants are charging.
Shortcut: Pepperoni, Pizza Sauce.
Variant: 1. Feel free to add sliced mushrooms, sliced black olives, or even chopped ham.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,TEX-MEX, sort of
Roasted Chicken & Cauliflower
December 29, 2015 Lee
Leave a comment

Roasted Chicken & Cauliflower

Simple 5 ingredient dish that sounds really good.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken quarters
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups cauliflower, fresh, florets and stems
  • 12 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400 C.
  • Pat chicken dry and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • In a oven proof pan (cast iron would be ideal) heat the olive oil on med high, add chicken skin side down and cook until browned, about 8 minutes, turn over and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  • Add cauliflower and garlic to the pan, cook until cauliflower begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken back to the pan on top of the cauliflower, put the pan in the oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes.

Notes

Chicken quarters run about 64 Baht/kilo, 4 would be about 100 Baht or so. Import cauliflower is about 58 Baht/kilo, will probably need 2-3 heads depending on the size you can find. I'll say 150 Baht for cauliflower. At 250 Baht, this is about $1.85 per person for 4 people. More accurate pricing when I make this.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Mac & Cheese, Slow Cooker Style I
December 28, 2015 Lee
2 Comments

Mac & Cheese, Slow Cooker Style I

Denise Georgiades, South Africa.
I like Mac & Cheese, it was a staple when I was growing up, very cheap, easy to prepare, and often had a can of diced spam or hot dogs in it. This was made from a box, a very regular meal for a quick inexpensive meal. This meal however is not boxed and not inexpensive but has a lot of potential. Think of adding cubed ham, sliced grilled Kielbasa sausage or even Italian sausage, or even cooked cubed chicken. Or serving as a side with those dishes and a side of green beans, yummy!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams elbow macaroni, uncooked, (1 lb)
  • 1 can evaporated milk, standard can, (about 12 oz / 354 g)
  • 2½ cups milk
  • 226 grams Cream cheese, cut into large cubes and softened, (8 oz)
  • 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, (1½, 250 gram blocks / 12 oz)
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add everything to a slow cooker, stir to mix, season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cover and turn on the slow cooker to Low setting for 2½ hours, do not open the lid, this is very important.
  • At the 2 hour mark, open the lid and give a quick stir. If the sauce seems took thick, add a bit of milk and another stir to get the right consistency, then cover and cook for the remaining 30 minutes.

Notes

Pasta will run about 55 Baht/500 grams. Cream cheese is about 120 Baht/250 gram block. Cheddar cheese is about 185 Baht/250 gram block, you will need about 1½ of these. For this meal the cost of the pasta and cheese alone (the milk is minimal) is 545 Baht. For a dish for 6 people, this would be about 91 Baht per person, or about $2.68 per person, not a cheap meal.
Now to extend this meal, serve as a side dish with a meat, like sausage or chicken, you will get more servings from this and lower the cost.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,Pasta - Mac & Cheese - Slow Cooker