German-Style Fried Potatoes

German-Style Fried Potatoes

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I cannot vouch for these being German style, sounds like fried potatoes with bacon, but it does sound good, and I do like the part of boiling the potatoes first. On my to cook list. This would be a good side with grilled brats, chicken, or about any dish.
Prep Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day
Course Side
Cuisine German
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 750 grams small potatoes, skin on, boiled, then place in the fridge overnight, (1½ lb)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 slices bacon, cut into cubes
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Slice the cold potatoes into thin ⅛ inch thick slices, then set aside.
  • Add about 1 tablespoon of the oil to a large frying pan and heat gently. Fry the onions until soft then add the bacon pieces. Continue frying till the bacon and onions are lightly browned then remove from the pan with a slotted spoon. Set aside.
  • Add the remaining oil and butter to the pan and fry the potato slices over a low/medium heat, turning them occasionally. Allow them to brown lightly on one side before turning, repeating the process till most of the potatoes are golden brown.
  • Once the potatoes are almost done, return the onion and bacon mix to the pan, season with salt and plenty of black pepper, then continue frying over a medium heat till everything is nicely browned. Serve as a side dish.
Sour Cream & Onion Potatoes

Sour Cream & Onion Potatoes

I got this from a good friend, a mix between fried potatoes and scalloped. No serving size or times are given, this is a make as you need recipe. Measurements are approximate. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • potatotoes, sliced, go with 1 large potato per serving
  • onion, sliced, go with 1 small onion per potato
  • sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Slice your potato or potatoes and fry in a nonstick pan with a splash of olive oil. You are looking for nice and golden brown and tender. Once cooked, drain off any oil.
  • Add the sour cream, the amount is up to you for your preference. Add the sliced onions, mix up a bit then cook on a low simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes or until the onion is tender. Serve as a side with a rib eye steak as my friend did.

Notes

Shortcut: Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Miguel Morris.
United States.
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a shortcut to make the popular Jiffy Corn Muffins, some recipes use this as a base or you can just make muffins. This makes 1 box of mix, which makes 6 muffins. I made the muffins on 30 Mar 2017 and they are very good.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 6 muffins

Ingredients
  

Corn Muffin Mix

  • 2/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup yellow corn meal
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted, OR vegetable oil

To make just muffins, add this

  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup milk

Optional Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chilis, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Whisk in melted butter and mix until dry mixture is smooth and lumps are gone.
  • If another recipe is calling for a box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, add the above mixed ingredients to that recipe.
  • To make Corn Muffins, preheat your oven to 200 C (390 F), lightly butter a muffin pan. OPTIONAL: add any combination of optional ingredients you prefer. Combine mix with egg and milk, mixing well. Let mixture rest for 5 minutes, then give it a quick stir, fill muffin pan cells half full, bake for 15-20 minutes.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Mozzarella Stick Onion Rings

Mozzarella Stick Onion Rings

I like fried Mozzarella sticks, and I like onion rings, this is both in the same package of an onion ring! Lot of variants to try as well. On my to make list for sure! Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large onions, sliced into 3/8 to 1/2 in thick pieces
  • 3-4 slices Mozzarella Cheese, sliced into 3/8 to 1/2 in strips
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 5 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • oil, for frying
  • marinara sauce, for dipping, Ranch dressing, OR make from shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Peel and cut onions into 3/8 to 1/2 inch slices, then separate the rings. Slice the mozzarella into 3/8 to 1/2 inch strips, and place a smaller onion ring in the center of a larger ring. Fill the gap between the rings with strips of mozzarella. Repeat with remaining onion rings and freeze them for 1 hour.
  • Place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into three separate bowls. Dip each prepared ring into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs, then back into the egg, and one last time into the bread crumbs. Repeat with the remaining onion rings.
  • Heat the oil in a pot over high heat. Fry the rings in batches until golden brown, being careful not to fry them for too long as the cheese may ooze out completely. Drain on paper towels and serve with marinara sauce or Ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Notes

The cheese would cost about 140 Baht/200 grams, slice it thin and you could probably double the recipe. If you use the entire block of cheese, this would cost about $1.03 per serving.
Shortcuts: Marinara Sauce (tomato sauce), Ranch Dressing, Breadcrumbs.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Easy Homemade Biscuits

Easy Homemade Biscuits

These sound really good, I have it on good faith that the ingredients listed, do in fact work. This is a must try for me. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 10 biscuits

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup all purpose flour, and more as needed
  • 1 cup Bisquick Mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, room temp, this is 1/4 of a regular block of butter
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 C.
  • Add the flour, Bisquick, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl. Stir with a fork well to combine the dry ingredients thoroughly, stir for at least 30 seconds continuous.
  • Add two tablespoons of the butter to the flour mix and use a spoon to press it in. Once the first two tablespoons are completely combined, add in the last two tablespoons and repeat the process.
  • Pour in the milk and stir with a spoon until just combined. The dough will likely be too wet. Add in more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is just dry enough to handle. Dough should come away clean from your fingers when you touch it, but stick to your fingers if you pinch it.
  • Dump dough onto a well floured work surface. Sprinkle lightly with flour. Fold dough over on itself three times. Use your hands to pat the dough to 3/4 inch thick. Cut dough out with biscuit cutter or the open end of a can and place on baking sheet. Let sit 5 minutes before baking. Note about the cutter or can, do not twist, just push straight down. Twisting will seal the edges and the biscuit will not rise. If you run out of area to cut biscuits, form the scraps into a ball, spread out and cut more.
  • Bake for 10 minutes and then keep watching, when the tops turn golden brown, remove from the oven, this can be 10-15 minutes so you need to keep an eye on them. Serve.

Notes

Minimal cost for 10 biscuits. Use these with Sausage Gravy and Biscuits as a start. Enjoy with just butter, butter and jam, etc.
Shortcut: Bisquick.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Tomato Soup

Tomato Soup

I had to do some research as I have a recipe that states tomato soup, but that is not available where I live, so I found a shortcut. It is healthier than canned tomato soup, but is just as easy as opening a can of soup and heating it up. This is NOT a condensed soup. I made this on 28 Apr 2017, it is good, not fine dining but it is good soup.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

Soup

  • 1 can tomato paste, this would be a 170 gram can, the really small one
  • 4 cans milk, use the tomato paste can
  • pinch salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar, OR honey

Optional Additions

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, OR Mozzerella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed

Instructions
 

  • Put tomato paste in saucepan, add milk using empty tomato paste can and rinsing can thoroughly. Add salt and sugar and optional additions if using, whisk and heat this on medium heat and serve as a side dish with a sandwich. I topped my bowl of soup with grated Parmesan cheese.
  • If this is just needed for a recipe, whisk all ingredients together and use as the recipe states, however, you will need to measure the amount needed for the recipe.

Notes

campbells-tomato-soup2A can of tomato paste costs 17 Baht, a can of name brand soup would cost 52 Baht. And just for example, here is what is in Campbell's Tomato Soup.
A Thai brand of tomato paste consists of concentrated tomatoes to make a paste with skin and seeds strained out, and a pinch of salt, a lot healthier than what you see in the ingredients for Campbell's!
Drop Biscuits

Drop Biscuits

This is the easy way to make biscuits. I have made these and they are good.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 C. Lightly grease a baking sheet with butter.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, cream of tartar and salt. Stir in butter and milk just until moistened. Drop batter on a lightly greased cookie sheet by the heaping tablespoon. Bake until golden on the edges, about 8 to 12 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

Minimal cost for this.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Twice Cooked Potatoes with Wasabi

Twice Cooked Potatoes with Wasabi

This sounds really good, unless you can find Russet potatoes, just go with regular large potatoes. I will try this for when I grill steaks again.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Russet potatoes, OR just go with regular potatoes
  • vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, OR just go with Cheddar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Wasabi paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Get your grill going and coals arranged for direct and indirect heat, medium temp is fine.
  • Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and coat each half with vegetable oil and place on the grill when it is ready over the coals. Keep the cover on as much as possible, and cook for 30-40 minutes, turning the potatoes 3-4 times, when a fork inserted easily goes in and out, they are done. If the potatoes are getting too dark, move away from the coals. When done, remove from the grill and let cool.
  • Using a spoon, scrape out the potato but leave about 1/4 of an inch on the skin, make a potato boat. Set the skins aside. Add the scraped out potato to a large bowl, mash the potatoes and add the sour cream and mix in well with a spoon, then stir in half of the cheese and the rest of the ingredients. Taste and season with more Wasabi, salt, and pepper as needed.
  • Spoon the potato mix back into the skins and sprinkle the remaining cheese on the top of each potato. Grill the stuffed potatoes over indirect heat until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are heated through, about 10-15 minutes, serve.

Notes

Provided courtesy of good friend, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

This looks like a really good appetizer or side dish, a must try for me.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams zucchini or summer squash
  • 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese, heaping, shredded
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, heaping
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 200 C. Line two baking sheets with foil and lightly coat with butter.
  • Slice zucchini or squash into 1/4 inch thick rounds and toss with olive oil to coat.
  • In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Place rounds in breadcrumb mix, coating both sides of each round, pressing to adhere. The mixture will not completely cover each round, but provides a light coating on each side. Place rounds in a single layer on baking sheets. Sprinkle any remaining breadcrumb mixture over the rounds.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown, no need to flip them, they will cook up on the other side as well. Serve.

Notes

Nothing really high cost here, this is well under $1 per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Denise Georgiades.
South Africa.
Garlic Buttered Pasta

Garlic Buttered Pasta

I like pasta as a side dish most of my meals, a nice light sauce makes this better.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups pasta shells, OR sprial pasta, OR even 2 round bunches of fettuccine
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions.
  • Meanwhile, in a large non-stick saucepan, cook garlic in heated butter. Remove from heat, drain pasta and add to the garlic butter, then stir in the cheese, parsley, salt and pepper, toss to coat, serve as a a side dish with chicken, beef, pork or fish.

Notes

Adapted from an internet recipe.