Archive for the ‘* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving’ Category
Fisherman’s Quick Fish
May 23, 2016 Lee
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Fisherman's Quick Fish

Easy sounding recipe, minimal ingredients as well. On my list to prepare.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Pangasius fillets
  • 1 cup Italian dressing
  • 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed, use Magic brand, cost less, tastes same

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 degrees C. Grease the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
  • In a medium bowl, marinate the fish fillets in the salad dressing for a few minutes.
  • Toss the shredded cheese and crushed crackers together. Place the marinated fish fillets in the baking dish and top with the cheese/cracker mixture. Discard the leftover marinade.
  • Bake uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes or until the fish can be flaked with a fork. Serve with rice or buttered egg noodles.

Notes

Pangasius fillets cost about 120 Baht/kilo, 4 fillets is about 60 Baht. Everything is minimal in cost. I will say 100 Baht for everything, this comes out to about 75 cents per serving, Excellent value.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,FISH - ALL,Fish - White Fish
Hash Brown Potato Pie
May 23, 2016 Lee
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Hash Brown Potato Pie

This sounds like a very easy recipe, and minimal cost as well, one of my must tries!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups potatoes, shredded, see Step 2
  • 5 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup spring onions, chopped, green and white parts
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
  • 4 slices bacon, diced and cooked

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a 9 inch glass pie dish with butter.
  • For your hash browns, wash, peel if you desire, then shred the potatoes. Take the shredded potatoes and rinse them in cold water, and really squeeze them to get the water out, do this 3-4 times until the water is clear, this removes the starch, then your potatoes are ready. You need 3 cups of shredded potatoes.
  • Beat together eggs and milk in a large bowl, stir in potatoes, green onions, salt and pepper, and hot sauce. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese and half of bacon. Pour into the pie dish.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set (butter knife inserted in the center comes out clean). Sprinkle remaining bacon and cheese over top of pie, continue baking 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

Most expensive item is the cheese, about 180 Baht for a 200 gram block, this will provide 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese with some cheese left over, just use the whole block. This would cost about 90 cents per serving, excellent value.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,POTATOES
Baked Ziti Casserole
May 22, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Baked Ziti Casserole

This sounds really good and is on my to cook list. Do not get tied up in the type of pasta, Penne pasta is tubular with the ends cut at an angle, Ziti pasta is tubular with the ends cut squarely. When I make this, I am using Penne for sure because it is more common than Ziti. There is a chance to use 3 shortcuts in this recipe to reduce the cost considerably. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams Italian sausage, this can be pork or chicken, OR use the shortcut on this site
  • 2 cups Ziti pasta, OR just use Penne, it is the same
  • 1 can tomato soup, 18 oz/510 grams, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1 cup Ricotta cheese, OR make Cottage Cheese from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

  • Heat your oven to 190 C.
  • Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. In 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain. Add soup (if making the soup from the shortcut on the site, use 2 1/3 cups of soup), pepper, and cooked pasta, stir well.
  • In a bowl mix the Ricotta (or Cottage cheese), Parmesan cheese, and egg.
  • Pour the pasta mixture into a 9x13 glass baking dish (or a 7x11 dish if you have that), spoon the cheese mixture over the top, sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese over the top, cover with foil and bake 25-30 minutes, remove foil for the last 10 minutes to brown the cheese. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

Notes

The pork for the sausage would cost about 65 Baht for 500 grams, even less if using chicken. The cheese is minimal as not complete packages are used, for the Ricotta, do your self a favor and make the Cottage cheese yourself as you would save a lot there. For the soup, that would cost minimum 52 Baht if purchased canned, if you make yourself, the cost is 17 Baht.
Going with store bought prices, the cost is about $1 per person for 6 people. If you make the shortcuts, you can get this down to probably 60 cents per person.
Shortcuts: Italian Sausage, Tomato Soup, Cottage Cheese.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Tomato Soup
May 22, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

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.
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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!
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,SIDES,SOUPS, STEWS, CHILI
Beef & Noodles II
May 21, 2016 Lee
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Beef & Noodles II

I have not tried this but it sounds good and easy for a basic Beef & Noodles dish. Lots of possibilities here to tailor this. The Beef & Noodles I recipe is in the Beef - All Other category. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo beef roast, OR any cut of beef
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix, OR make from a shorcut
  • 250-500 grams egg noodles, OR go with Fettuccine
  • salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Put roast in slow cooker, mix the soup mix in a cup of warm water first then pour on top of roast, then add water to cover roast plus 2 inches. Cook 6 to 7 hours on Low setting or 4 hours on High setting. When roast is cooked, shred it in the slow cooker. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add noodles, stir to combine and make sure all noodles get wet with water, add more warm water if needed. Cover and cook on High setting for 1 more hour. Check and stir occasionally so noodles don't stick. Serve with a side of your choice.

Notes

Beef will run about 150 to 200 Baht/kilo. Going with 200 Baht, this comes to about $1 per serving for 6 servings, for 8 servings, this is about 75 cents per serving. Excellent value.
Variations would be add sliced mushroom during the last 2 hours or so.
Shortcut: Dry Onion Soup Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,Beef - Slow Cooker
Banana Bread I
May 20, 2016 Lee
3 Comments

Banana Bread I

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This is a simple recipe and it is excellent. I have made this several times, it is fool proof and I get great reviews from my Thai family and friends. I use the small bananas grown right here in our yard for this.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened, (1 stick or 1/2 block)
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups banana, mashed, small bananas if you have them
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Lightly grease with butter the bread pan.
  • Cream together the sugars and butter. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
  • Add the mashed bananas and mix in. Mix in the flour, then mix in the baking soda. (This looks like a lot as I doubled the recipe to make two loaves.)
  • Pour batter into the prepared bread pan.
  • Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place the pan(s) on a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, roll out onto the rack and let rest until cooled.
  • Slice and enjoy!

Notes

Minimal cost and a great tasting bread.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,APPETIZERS / SNACKS,BREAD & PASTRY,BREAKFAST (for dinner!)
Easy Baked Chicken
May 20, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Easy Baked Chicken

This is quick and excellent dish. I made this on 11 June 2016, my comments below.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, OR legs and thighs skin on bone in
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, if you like cheese, feel free to use more
  • 1 container plain yougurt, this is the regular small container
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • milk, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. Add the chicken to the dish.
  • Mix the cheese, yogurt, and salt and pepper in a bowl. The mixture will be very thick, add a tablespoon of milk or so at a time to get a thinner consistency.
  • Spread mixture over chicken, bake for 45 minutes. Serve with a side of your choice. This would be excellent with buttered pasta, mixed vegetables, etc.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp, target temp is 82 C / 180 F.

Notes

Last time I bought chicken breasts, just a few days before posting this, that cost me 74 Baht. Everything else is minimal. This comes out to about 55 cents per serving for 4 people.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CHICKEN & TURKEY
Spicy Pizza Mac & Cheese
May 9, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Spicy Pizza Mac & Cheese

It is like pizza without the crust. Your favorite pizza toppings in a creamy mac & cheese, win win! On my to cook list!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta

  • 350 grams dry pasta, spiral pasta would be great in this
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 plum tomatoes, diced
  • sliced ham, diced, optional
  • bacon, cooked, diced, optional
  • 1/4 black olives, sliced

For the Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 teaspoons garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 3/4 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, OR regular yogurt
  • 2/3 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in boiling water until tender, drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180 C and lightly grease with butter, a state of Kansas baking dish (9x13 inches).
  • In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Cook onion, all the bell pepper for 2 minutes, add tomatoes and continue to cook until onion and peppers are crisp and tender and liquid from the tomatoes has thickened and mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove vegetables from pan and set aside, drain out the oil.
  • In same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in garlic and flour and cook, whisking often until flour is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Gradually pour in milk, whisking constantly. Cook until sauce thickens, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in red pepper flakes, salt and oregano. Stir in Greek yogurt, mozzarella, add drained pasta and vegetables, stir to coat.
  • Roughly chop 2/3 of the ham, and or bacon, stir into pasta mixture, reserving remaining ham/bacon. Spoon pasta into prepared baking dish, then scatter olives and remaining ham/bacon over top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let rest a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Minimal amounts really for all ingredients, I will put this at $1 per serving for 8 servings. When I make this, then I will give a better price range.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,PASTA
White Fish Bake
May 1, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

White Fish Bake

This is really good! It is economical and healthy. Any white fish can be used, but think Pangasius, Barramundi, or even Tilapia, but boneless and skinless, Pangasius would be a great option as it can be bought that way. I made this on 24 May 2016 and used Pangasius, excellent! My comments below, recipe adjusted slightly to reflect my findings and step by step photos taken as well. Added to my go-to recipe list!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams white fish fillets, boneless and skinnless, think Pangasius
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon mayo, heaping tablespoon
  • 1 carrot, medium size, shredded
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 3-4 lemon slices
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • paprika, to taste
  • olive oil, for pan frying

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Rinse the fish fillets and dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper to taste on each side.
  • Heat a large non stick pan with a splash of olive oil, cook the fish fillets on both sides, about 2-3 minutes each side, remove fish as they are cooked and place in a single layer in the baking dish, pack them in tightly. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Use the same pan, bit more olive oil and add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown, then add the carrot and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, add the yogurt, mayo, dill, cooked onion and carrot, season with salt and pepper as desired, and mix to combine.
  • Place 3-4 lemon slices on top of the fish, then spread the yogurt mixture over the fish evenly. Sprinkle with paprika and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes or until fish flakes. Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes before cutting, sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Serve with rice or pasta and a vegetable for a filling and nutritious meal.
  • Plated on egg noodles mixed with vegetables. Delicious!

Notes

Pangasius will run about 60 Baht/500 grams. Barramundi will run 102 Baht/fish, would take 2-3 fish however. Go with Pangasius. 60 Baht for 4 servings would be about 80 cents per serving to include the cost of the cheese. Excellent value!
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,FISH - ALL,Fish - White Fish
Baked Melt in Your Mouth Chicken Breasts
April 30, 2016 Lee
1 Comment

Baked Melt in Your Mouth Chicken Breasts

This is easy and delicious! Would work well for thighs, which I think would be tastier. Just five ingredients and while it is baking, you can make your side dish.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, or large thighs
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mayo
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C (375 F). Place chicken in a 7x11 baking dish.
  • Mix the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Spread mixture over the chicken.
  • Bake for 45 minutes. I did remove one and cut it half to check doneness, perfect at 45 minutes.
  • Serve with a side of your choice.

Notes

Minimal costs, well under $1 per person per meal.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,5 Ingredients or Less,CHICKEN & TURKEY