Chinese Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggs I

Chinese Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggs I

Sounds really good! On my to cook list very soon! This is a very economical meal.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine, optional
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 500 grams fresh tomatoes, OR 1 can of whole tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 spring onions, sliced white and green parts
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
  • salt, as needed
  • cooked rice, to serve

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs well with 1 teaspoon salt, sesame oil and rice wine. In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until well combined, then stir in the sugar and ketchup.
  • If using fresh tomatoes, cut them into 1/2-inch wide wedges. If using canned, Brook brand has a can that is 565 grams, whole peeled tomatoes in juice that would work great, just chop up the tomatoes and use the juice as well.
  • Heat a wide nonstick skillet over high heat with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. When the oil shimmers, add most of the scallions, saving some to garnish. Cook, stirring, until very aromatic, about 20 seconds. Add the eggs, and cook, stirring well with a spatula until just set but still runny, about 45 seconds. Pour the eggs back into the mixing bowl, and wipe out the pan.
  • Reheat the pan over high heat with the remaining tablespoon of oil. When it is hot, add the ginger and cook until aromatic, about 15 seconds. Add the tomatoes and salt to taste; cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have softened but still has some shape and the juices have begun to form a sauce, 2-3 minutes. (If using canned tomatoes, add the juice as well and cook about 4 minutes, to reduce it to a sauce like consistency.)
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Give the cornstarch-ketchup mixture a stir in its bowl, then stir it into the pan. Cook, stirring, until the sauce returns to a boil and thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, sugar or more ketchup, you want a savory, tart-sweet sauce. Stir the eggs in the bowl to break them up a bit, then return them to the pan. Cook, stirring, for a few seconds to finish cooking the eggs and to combine. Top with the reserved scallions, and serve with steamed rice.

Notes

Low cost.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Daniela Dalaa Payerl.
Thailand.
Pork Chop Supreme

Pork Chop Supreme

Sounds great and I will use sliced pork loin for this as true pork chops are not available in my location. Several shortcuts good savings as well. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pork chops, boneless
  • 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • Brown the pork chops in a hot skillet with a splash of olive oil, drain and set aside.
  • Slice potatoes into a medium casserole dish in even layer. Place the pork chops on the potatoes.
  • Combine onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and milk, pour over top of pork chops. Bake for 1 hour. Serve.

Notes

I cannot price this for pork chops, however for pork loin, this is about 115 Baht/kilo. Buy a kilo and cut 4 good slices from that and use the rest for another recipe. For 4 servings, this is about 85 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Dry Onion Soup Mix, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Cream Cheese Potato Soup

Cream Cheese Potato Soup

Sounds really good and common ingredients. On my to cook list. The number of servings are an estimate until I make this.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups chicken stock, fresh or from powder
  • 4 cups potatoes, cubed, peeled or unpeeled
  • 1/4 cup onion, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 250 grams Cream cheese, cubed, softened, this is 1 standard block

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, add the broth, potatoes, onion, seasoning salt, and white pepper. Boil on medium heat until potatoes are tender. Smash a few of the potatoes to thicken the soup.
  • Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese, stirring often until the cheese is melted and blended in. Serve as a main dish or a side.

Notes

Cream cheese will run about 120 Baht, for 4 servings, this is about 88 cents per serving. Excellent value.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak III

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak III

Sounds great, and plenty of shortcuts to reduce the cost as well. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo ground beef
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 packet au jus mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, and milk using your hands. Shape into 8 patties.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Dredge the patties in flour just to coat, and quickly brown on both sides in the hot skillet. Place browned patties into the slow cooker stacking alternately like a pyramid.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, au jus mix, and water. Pour over the meat. Cook on the Low setting for 4 to 5 hours, until ground beef is well done. Serve with mashed potatoes and the sauce from the slow cooker.

Notes

Figure about 200 Baht for the ground beef. For 8 servings this is about 75 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Dry Onion Soup Mix, Italian Bread Crumbs, Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Au Jus Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
French Onion Dip Sandwiches II

French Onion Dip Sandwiches II

This is a Leftover recipe and is quick and easy. Think left over roast beef, toasted rolls, and au jus for dipping. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • beef roast, leftover
  • sandwich rolls, toasted
  • 1 packet au jus mix, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the au jus either from the packet instructions OR by using the shortcut on this site.
  • While that is heating up, heat the left over roast beef up in a microwave then slice thinly. Toast the sandwich rolls to your liking.
  • Pour the hot au jus in a bowl for dipping, load up a roll with roast beef and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost as the roast beef is already paid for from a previous meal.
Shortcut: Au Jus Substitute.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Grilled Pork on a Stick

Grilled Pork on a Stick

This is a Filipino recipe for the familiar grilled meat on a stick for anyone who has visited the Philippines. I look forward to making this. No servings or times given, this is a make what you want, think large crowd like family visiting, or when having friends visit, would be a good meal in itself while sitting around and chatting.
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine Filipino
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • pork butt, OR pork shoulder
  • 1 1/2 cups soy sauce
  • 2 cups brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon banana ketchup, OR, sweet chili sauce
  • 10 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • wooden skewers, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Take the pork and cut into thin strips.
  • Mix the marinade ingredients together and add the pork. Refrigerate over night, or if pushed for time, marinate for at least 2 hours prior to grilling.
  • Soak the skewers in water to prevent burning. Light your grill, charcoal would be preferred, when the coals are ready, no more flames, skewer the pork strips and grill until done, turning as needed. Serve as an appetizer or main meal with sides of your choice.

Notes

For pricing I will use pork shoulder at 103 Baht/kilo, A kilo would make a lot of sticks of meat! For an estimate of say 8 people (an average Thai family get together), this is about 38 cents per person. Great value.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Edward Coleman.
Philippines.
Homemade Yellow Cake

Homemade Yellow Cake

To cut costs, this uses the Homemade Yellow Cake Mix recipe on this site. This will make two 8 inch rounds, one 9x13 pan, or 24 cupcakes. Link to the Shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Equipment

  • Electric Mixer
  • Oven
  • Baking Pan(s)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cake mix recipe, Shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs, chicken or duck
  • ½ cup butter, softened, (½ block / 1 stick)
  • 1¼ cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • frosting, of your choice

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease and flour a 9x13 baking dish or two 8 inch rounds.
  • Add the butter to a mixing bowl, cream with an electric mixer for 1-2 minutes. Add the cake mix to mixing bowl, mix for 30 seconds. Add the eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla mix, mix on medium high for 1-2 minutes. Do not over work the batter or the result will not be a light and fluffy cake.
  • Pour the batter into your prepared pan(s) and bake for 20-25 minutes for two 8 inch pans, 30-38 minutes for a 9x13 inch pan, 15 minutes for cupcakes. Let cool completely before turning out to a platter before frosting.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Homemade Yellow Cake Mix.
Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Made it, GO-TO recipe.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I remember my Mom making these when I was little. Very happy to have this recipe now. I made this on 31 Mar 2017 and these are exactly as I remember them, fantastic and easy!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 6 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter, this is 1/2 of a standard block
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups quick cooking rolled oats

Instructions
 

  • Add the butter, sugars, milk, cocoa, and salt to a large sauce pan or pot.
  • Bring to a rolling boil and hold for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  • Add peanut butter and stir until melted, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  • Now mix in 2 1/2 cups of oats until completely coated, if it looks wet enough, add 1/4 cup at a time from the remaining 1/2 cup and mix in until coated.
  • Drop the cookies by tablespoons onto wax paper or foil and let cool until set.

Notes

All readily available ingredients, low cost.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Gouda Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers

Gouda Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers

Don't let the name fool you, even though Jalapeno peppers are not common except in the larger cities, just use the large green chilies available in all markets. And you can make the Chorizo yourself as well. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 24 poppers

Ingredients
  

  • 12 big green chilies, Jalapenos if you can find them
  • 24 slices smoked bacon
  • 2 links Chorizo sausage, OR make from a shortcut
  • 250 grams Gouda cheese, OR Edam cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup Cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove stems and seeds.
  • Remove the casings from chorizo links and crumble up a bit, if using patties, just crumble those up a bit. Brown chorizo in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and place into a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the rest of the except the peppers and bacon, mix together and press mixture into the pepper halves, mounded as well. Wrap each pepper half with a strip of bacon.
  • Fire up your grill, gas or charcoal (charcoal preferred) and grill, covered until the bacon is cooked, about 10 minutes or so, I will update this when I prepare these.

Notes

I cannot buy chorizo premade so I have to make myself, figure about 50 Baht for two links or patties. For the cheese, figure about 180 Baht for the Gouda or Edam, and for Cream cheese figure 60 Baht for half a standard package. The total cost for 24 poppers would be about $8.53 or about 36 cents per popper. This would be a good item for a get together with family and friends.
Shortcut: Chorizo.
Provided courtesy of good friends, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
Caramelized Baked Chicken Legs

Caramelized Baked Chicken Legs

Sounds great, minimum ingredients and straight forward recipe. On my to cook list.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 kilos chicken legs, OR wings
  • 1 2/3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1 2/3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Place chicken in a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Mix together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the chicken. Bake for 1 hour or until the sauce is caramelized and the chicken cooked through. Serve.

Notes

Chicken legs run about 66 Baht/kilo, 1 1/4 kilos would cost about 83 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about 61 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.