Archive for the ‘SIDES’ Category
Asparagus with Honey Garlic Sauce
July 15, 2020 Lee
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Asparagus with Honey Garlic Sauce

Adapted from a recipe card in "Cooking with Beer".
For Christmas 2019 my Mom gave me a cookbook, specifically 'Cooking With Beer' recipe card set and that is where this recipe comes from. This sounds very good, on my to make and taste list.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams fresh asparagus, tough root ends trimmed off, (1 lb)
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup beer, or dark ale, your favorite brand
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the asparagus and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Drain, and place on a serving tray with all spears pointed the same direction.
  • While the asparagus is cooking, in a small mixing bowl add the rest of the ingredients, mix until blended.
  • Pour sauce over the asparagus.
  • Serve as a side dish with any main dish. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES
Fried Red Tomatoes
June 28, 2020 Lee
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Fried Red Tomatoes

Fried red tomatoes are common with Full English Breakfasts and are a great addition. These make an excellent side dish with any meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 ripe red tomatoes
  • dried basil, as desired
  • dried thyme, as desired
  • extra light olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Cut out the stem core on the tomatoes, then slice thick, between 1/4 and 1/2 inch.
  • Heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil in a non stick pan, when the pan is hot, add the tomato slices in a single layer, work in batches if needed. Sprinkle with basil and thyme as desired.
  • Cook for about 4-5 minutes, turn slices over when the tomato is softened and cook the other side.
  • Place cooked slices on a plate.
  • Serve as side dish, enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Common way to cook red tomatoes.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,SIDES
Jalapeno Honey Butter Bath Corn
June 25, 2020 Lee
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Jalapeno Honey Butter Bath Corn

This sounds very good! On my to make list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 ears or so

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened, (1/2 block / 1 stick)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, sliced, seeds removed
  • 6-8 cobs fresh corn, shucked

Instructions
 

  • The amount of corn is really up to how much you want to cook and how much your pot can hold.
  • Add water to a large pot about half way, and bring to a boil.
  • Add the butter, milk, and honey, stir until the butter is melted and the honey mixed in.
  • Carefully add the corn and jalapenos, and turn the heat down to low. Let cook for 5-8 minutes or until the corn is tender.
  • Remove corn to a serving tray for serving, or if at like a potluck, just turn off the heat and cover the pot, letting people just serve themselves.
  • Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving but I will need to source the fresh jalapeno peppers in Thailand to determine their cost.
Recipe provided by Love my Lab.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES
Salmon Salad
June 9, 2020 Lee
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Salmon Salad

Adapted from a recipe in a food magazine from 1998.
This sounds really good. In the US, just used canned salmon, for those in Thailand, prepare the salmon from frozen with the shortcut listed. On my to make and taste list. Links to the Shortcuts are listed in the Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 170 grams canned salmon, drained, (6 oz), Shortcut
  • 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup red onion, diced
  • ¼ cup vinaigrette dressing, and as needed, Shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste, as desired
  • lettuce, as needed
  • fresh dill stems, for garnish, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the lettuce with cold water and tear off the leaves. Set aside.
  • To a mixing bowl, add the salmon and flake apart into large pieces.
  • Add the celery, onion, capers, dill, and gently toss together.
  • Add the dressing and toss, adding as needed. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste as desired.
  • Arrange lettuce leaves on serving plates, scoop the salad onto the leaves, garnish with dill weed stems as desired. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Fair cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Steamed Salmon, Basic Vinaigrette Dressing.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,FISH - ALL,Fish - Salmon,SIDES,Sides - Salads
Ranch Mashed Potatoes
June 8, 2020 Lee
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Ranch Mashed Potatoes

From a magazine article dated 1998.
This recipe comes from a food magazine in 1998, and it sounds good to me. This can be as easy as using instant mashed potatoes and a store bought packet or you can make homemade mashed potatoes and a homemade Ranch dressing packet. On my to make and taste list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups hot mashed potatoes, Shortcut
  • 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the mashed potatoes your favorite way, I will use my pressure cooker.
  • Sprinkle on the Ranch dressing mix and mix well into the potatoes, stir in butter as desired.
  • Serve as a side dish and enjoy.

Notes

Shortcuts: Mashed Potatoes (Pressure Cooker), Ranch Dressing Mix.
5 Ingredients or Less,POTATOES,Potatoes - Pressure Cooker,SIDES
Basic Macaroni Salad
June 7, 2020 Lee
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Basic Macaroni Salad

This is my go to guide for a macaroni salad, I make them different each time, and for this I finally documented what I would call a basic macaroni salad. Add or subtract anything you like, have a favorite way, let us know in the comments.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups dry macaroni
  • 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 jar green olives with pimento, drained, sliced, (5 3/4 oz / 163 g)
  • 250 grams cheese, your choice, cubed (8 oz / 1/2 lb)
  • mayo, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pot of salted water to a boil, then add the macaroni and cook until tender. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, drain well again, add to a mixing bowl. Add the onion, olives, and eggs to the mixing bowl.
  • Give everything a mix.
  • Add the cheese to the mixing bowl. I used a Colby/Monterey Jack blend.
  • Give the salad another mix. I find it easier to mix the ingredients a few at a time instead of all at once.
  • Add a heaping spoon or two of mayo and mix that into the salad. Add more mayo as needed. Goal is well coated but not dripping with mayo.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Been making this type of salad for many years, Lee Thayer.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PASTA,SIDES,Sides - Salads
Baked Jalapeno Poppers
May 30, 2020 Lee
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Baked Jalapeno Poppers

These are really good, I made these on 31 May 2020 to test these out, excellent poppers. Now I need to grow some of these peppers in Thailand! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 12 fresh Jalapeno peppers
  • 250 grams Cream cheese, softened, (8 oz)
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix, Shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs

Instructions
 

  • Slice each pepper in half lengthwise, leaving the stem on one of the halves, remove the seeds.
  • Preheat your oven to 190 C (375 F). Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning. Mix together.
  • Spread the cheese mixture into the pepper halves and place on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese filling in the peppers. I used two teaspoons to add the filling to the peppers, worked great.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the peppers are just tender, so start checking on them at 15 minutes. Serve as appetizers or as a side dish, enjoy.

Notes

In the US, this is low cost per serving, in Thailand I have not seen Jalapenos in any grocery stores but I am going to try and grow them again soon.
Shortcut: Taco Seasoning.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,SIDES
Anastasia’s Best-ever Baked Beans
March 3, 2020 Lee
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Anastasia's Best-ever Baked Beans

This sounds really good, on my to make and taste list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cans pork and beans, (15 oz / 425 g cans), Shortcut
  • 2 medium onions, diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed, use less for less sweetness
  • 6-8 slices bacon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 160 C (325 F). Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  • Heat the butter in a non stick pan on medium heat, when hot, add the onion and saute until soft and translucent.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the beans, cooked onion, ketchup, mustard, molasses, and brown sugar. Stir to mix everything together.
  • Pour beans into the prepared baking pan.
  • Take the bacon slices and cut them in half or thirds, place the bacon pieces in a single layer on top of the beans.
  • Bake for 2 hours. If the top is caramelized the beans are ready, if not, continue baking and check at 2 1/2 hours or 3 hours.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving in Thailand if using canned baked beans and even lower cost if making your baked beans, this would be fair to high cost per serving if using pork and beans (imported).
Shortcut: Slow Cooker Baked Beans.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES
Pasta Piselli
January 31, 2020 Lee
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Pasta Piselli

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is an easy and tasty side dish. Keep in mind for these photos I made half of this recipe.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • pinch cayenne pepper, as desired, or red pepper flakes
  • 454 grams frozen peas, (1 lb)
  • 4 cups water, and as needed
  • ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped or 2 tablespoons dried
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 454 grams ditalini pasta, (1 lb)
  • salt and pepper, as desired
  • Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large sauce pan, 3-4 quart size, heat the olive oil on low heat then add the onion and saute until translucent and soft. Add the cayenne pepper and saute for another minute.
  • Add the frozen peas and cook for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir in the water, salt, and parsley, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cook the peas for about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the pasta and increase heat to medium high. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring often, until tender and the water is absorbed. If all the water is absorbed and the pasta is not tender, stir in ¼ cup of water and continue cooking until tender.
  • When the pasta is tender, taste and season with salt and black pepper as desired.
  • Serve with grated Parmesan cheese for a topping if desired. Enjoy.

Notes

Variant: 1. Added heated meatballs for a meal.
#1 Go-To Recipes,: ITALIAN,PASTA,SIDES
Creamed Corn Cornbread
January 11, 2020 Lee
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Creamed Corn Cornbread

Best cornbread I have ever had, nothing short of perfect. Highly recommended. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 9 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter, (1/2 block / 1 stick)
  • 1 can creamed corn, (15 oz / 425 g)
  • 1 can whole kernal corn, drained, (15 oz / 425 g)
  • 2 boxes Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, Shortcut
  • 1 cup sour cream, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F), grease with butter a 9x9 baking dish.
  • Melt the butter and place in a mixing bowl, add the drained kernel corn and the creamed corn. Mix together.
  • Add the muffin mix and mix together well.
  • Add the sour cream and mix together well.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.
  • Serve with any dish, and enjoy. Keep in mind the center will be a bit moist, this is perfectly fine.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, Sour Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES