Your videos are always such a launching point for me. I live in Canada, and our food prices are higher. In addition, I have numerous food allergies--it's a real challenge to economize and still eat nutrious and enjoyable foods. But you always inspire me. ❤
@@reallifefairytale $6.95 US = $9.73 CND but that’s just dollar for dollar - no way we could get these same items for under ten dollars - half a dozen eggs were $3.69 so I started getting a dozen $5.75 range - that large apple could be $2.00 - well you get the price difference 🤦♀️🤷♀️
Someone may have mentioned this already but if you make the chickpeas first then you can use the aquafaba for your French Toast and save your egg (or replace it all together). 😊
Suggestion to stretch the eggs: make pancakes with one egg, the flour, and baking powder. It could stretch one egg for 2 days. And, you can make an apple cinnamon syrup with the core and skin of the apple, water, sugar, and cinnamon.
Another egg stretcher that my grandmother who lived through the Great Depression taught me, separate the egg white from the yolk, beat the white until frothy and soft peaks have formed. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolk with a couple of teaspoons of milk (or water) and a tablespoon of flour (soy flour if you have it). Combine the two and mix them into the other ingredients to make a pancake or cake batter.
Suggestion for the parsley stems. Chop them small and freeze them then add them to broth soups. Gives the soup added vitamins and color. 😋 Freezing veggies that are starting to go bad is a great way to extend their life. I have bought coleslaw mix that was reduced and blanched it then froze it for use later in soups and stir frys.
Parsley is really high in iron as well! The stems have huge amounts of flavour - I save them and use them in my broth. But in your case, I would probably puree them with some oil to make a herb oil that I can use to both garnish my food and add extra flavour. Just drizzle it over at the end. The parsley oil would also be good in your salad dressing. The reason your bread rose unevenly is probably due to uneven heat distribution in your oven - one part was hotter than the other, and the bread set & formed a crust so it could only rise on the other side. It is no biggie, it will taste the same, it just might not be quite as pretty And thankyou for talking about Koshari - I am going to make that this week for some dinners because it sounds wonderful. I have found a recipe and printed it out.
You're giving me more great ideas! 😁 I originally followed the Kosher recipe from the Mediterranean Dish. It was very good! Next time, I'm going to fry the macaroni to give the dish an added chewy texture. It's a very filling dish. Just make sure you love the sauce that you drizzle over the top and make lots of the fried onions.
@@ArdentMichelle The herb oils are fancy "cheffy" stuff, but really there is no reason we can't make them too... And really, it saves food waste - they don't keep very long in the fridge - about a week, maybe two, but they taste so good that you want to use them anyway, so they get used up fast. Try it with cilantro if you have any - it is the best way to make cilantro last a week! That stuff goes wilty and bad before you look at it, but the oil lasts longer.
Off topic but would love to see you make a series of how to videos. Such as different ways to make beans, rice, lentils etc. I love to meal prep in bulk and freeze for later meals and you always have such great ideas. Could even take the videos you have and compile them into longer videos of all black, pinto etc beans, then red lentils, chickpeas, etc. So that those of us that know a basic ingredient we need to make can go to find different recipes for it. As we all know they can get repeative quickly but love your spins on them as they are different than my go tos but have always been a hit with my family. Currently making black beans for the week we will have enchiladas, tostadas, and nachos then at least 2 bags go into the freezer for quick meals. This allows me to have easy meals when I dont have time to cook a full meal. Can throw anything in the instant pot fully cooked but frozen for 5-10 min and it will defrost and heat up.
You are probably one of the most creative cooks when doing a very limited budget. It amazes me to see what you come up with with so little money invested. Thanks for your videos.
Red beans and rice salad: 2 cans red beans, drained. About 4 cups cooked rice. 3 stalks celery, 1 small onion, 1C chopped pepper (orange, red or yellow look best, green looks like Xmas😅), dressing of vinegar/oil/garlic, etc. Makes 8 v large servings
It's so helpful to see the prices! Everything adds up so fast!! Remember when Dollar Tree became almost Dolla Tree Fiddy? That extra 35 cents adds up and when buying multiple items you think it's wrong at first, but now you have to budget for every three items it's like they stole an extra item added in but you don't get anything for it
Hi Michelle, You did great! That bread looks yummy! I was recently told tah if you add garlic powder, onion powder, and chicken bouillon to your water before you add the pasta (and turmeric for color) that the flavors are absorbed by the pasta and bring it to the next level. I haven't tried this yet, but I want to. I eagerly await next week's edition.
This is the winning formula. Rule games. You have no idea how many people out there have to live like this. No wonder it's gotten so many views! My favorite channel who does it is Atomic shrimp. He has a similar filming style except you get to see never his full face but glimpses of him eating. I like this better actually.
The brown skins from the onion are high in quercetin and make an excellent broth. I think emergency meal plans are my favorite in your channel. Our emergency meals always include onions, potatoes, carrots, beans, rice, apples, cabbage, eggs and garlic. It's a great way to stretch our budget and still get good nutrition.
That's a lot of baking powder! I've used this Irish Soda Bread recipe: 2 C. white flour, 1 3/4 C. whole meal flour, 2-3 Tbsp. extra flour, 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 C. buttermilk (or milk with lemon added). Preheat oven to 430 degrees F, line loaf pan with parchment paper, knead on floured surface no more than 8 times, bake 20 minutes, then turn temperature down to 390 degrees F and bake for 20 more minutes.
You and your channel have a calming effect on me. Your content is amazing. You are a true "creator." I find myself humming your theme song at various times throughout the day. And if I were to learn that you were doing the vocals on the track, it would be the icing on the cake! I have learned and continue to learn many things from you. Thank You!
awe....thanks so much for this very sweet message 💜 I'm grateful that my video is a calming space for you. 😁 I love that song too! It's so uplifing to me.
Great video, as always! You really know how to stretch a dollar, Michelle! I’m in the process of making a huge pot of vegetable soup! I love bringing soup and something small like half sandwich or a small salad for lunch at work!! Blessings, my friend! 😊
thank you thank you thank you 💜 that's so nice of you! 🤗 I appreciate the support! Me too on the soup... It's one of my favorite things to take to work.
I’ve not tried this, but in your bread, using water instead of milk, what about adding a few packets of coffee creamer? Seems most of us have those lying around or can pick them up here and there. I think it would really help replace the flavor and mouthfeel of milk. Your addition of extra fat was great, but creamer is “free” and would add more depth, I think.
Nice, Micheele! The pasta, flour, rice or corn with the chickpeas or lentils, will be a complete protein, with all the amino acids of meat or eggs. Check the price of quinoa and buckwheat in bulk, both of which are complete protein. I like cooked chickpeas fried or baked with herbs. If you bake them dry enough, you can use them as a gluten-free or protein-packed substitute for breadcrumbs. If someone had dry milk at a staple, a tablespoonful would add to the bread batter. You bagged the bread when it was still hot. I saw trouble coming right away.
I don't have an affordable Wal-Mart, Kmart, Family Dollar, Dollar General or Aldi near me My Dollar Tree has no produce, breads, frozen or refrigerated foods, plus it's $1.25 per item now Apple muffin, apple bread, apple compote, baked apple dumpling, apple fritter, apple in soup is my favorite! ❤
I thought for sure that you were going to discover that recipe was for two loaves of bread. I was wrong! I don't usually eat white flour, but I'm considering making this because it did indeed look like it toasted up so nicely, even on the first day when you thought it didn't
I have been caught out with different cup sizes! British cup sizes are, I am told, also different. That is why I favour using weights. We can all immediately see the difference between KG/MLs and oz/pints! Thank you for the video!
I had a flashback recently about a broken egg incident. I was minding my own business and checking egg cartons because he had marked down the ones with broken contents. I was making sure to check that they just had one broken and was looking at the other ones for possible close to breaking ones from any impact that they could have taken. The worker offended that I was looking questioned my motives and said out loud as if to humiliate me that they all have broken ones. When I told him that he quieted and backed down. It's interesting that you put that in because we all go through that and it feels triggering even more now since they're trying to prove us out of healthy natural whole foods
ive noticed no one buys bones to make broth. butchers sell them for really cheap or in some cases gives them. the stems can be frozen to use when you make broth.
I was so excited when the notification popped up for this video! I enjoy all of your content, but budget videos are my favorite. Is this your first budget challenge without a tomato! Also, I have found using an electric knife to slice homemade bread seems to work better when you want thinner slices. Less friction, slices stay together better. Kinda crazy to think you could almost gotten another small onion with your 5c. Already excited for next week. You make budget food beautiful. Have a great week!
I think it is my first without a tomato 😂 I like these budget videos too. I'm glad you enjoy them also! Great tip on the electric knife. I do feel like I should have gone back in the store to spend the other .05. I'm sure I could've gotten something else. Thanks so much for the kind words. 💜 See you Sunday!
I recently was advised by my doctor to avoid eggs (digestive issues). I've found that chickpea flour, also called besan, from the Indian grocery, makes a good binder in baked goods like banana bread. 1T besan plus 2T water = 1 egg. Soy flour also works, or if I don't have either, then I just leave out the egg and add water and fat to equal one egg, and the banana bread holds together just fine.
Great video on stretching your food budget! I was thinking that the tumeric pasta water might have been great to use to make the gravy- it would have the a bit of mineral and vitamins in it. we have a food pantry and I will be sending others here for ideas on how to use their beans and staples! Great ideas!
When I am flush with extra in my grocery budget I plan a hard stock up on sales for my dry pantry. Oats, all types of beans, pasta, basic spices and a few favorite blends, salt, rice barley and dry soup mixes (preferably Bear Creek so I can scoop out enough for one serving and jar the rest), tuna, and occasionally packages of noodle or rice sides. Your meal ideas help me round out the rest for any months with lean budgets.
I do the same. I've been realizing lately, that I only need to stock a small amount of items. Some of the items I've stocked I'm quite slow to use. Glad you are enjoying my videos!
Check out the recipe from The Mediterranean Dish. That was where I got the original recipe from. I think it was a couple years ago that I first made it. Next time, I'll make more onions, and fry the macaroni until it's chewy to add more texture to the dish.
You can make banana bread with no eggs, bananas make good egg replacers in some recipes. Mayo actually makes a great egg substitute in banana bread and zucchini bread. I have a banana bread recipe, I use mayo, and it works well. All mayo really is eggs and oil. My mom used to make a cake she just called mayonnaise cake. This was a cake made during the great depression. With flour, sugar, mayo, water, cocoa powder, salt, and I think baking powder? You don't taste the mayo in any of these recipes. Moms mayonnaise cake was a nice treat when you grew up as poor as we were. It didn't have frosting, but it didn't need it. You'll be surprised at how moist the mayonnaise cake, banana bread, and zucchini breads are using mayo instead of eggs. Pinterest has a lot of these recipes. 😊
I bet a lot of people would actually be better off eating like this because you make everything from scratch, meaning less processed foods - i.e. less calories, less chemicals, less salt, etc. Smaller portions, too. Obviously there is a lack of fruits and veggies but a lot people do not eat enough veggies even when they are not on a tight budget - instead, they spend their money on take out, frozen premade foods, fried foods, pizza, etc. What a lot of people consider to be normal-sized portions are actually too big, too - we just got used to eating too much.
I think with the flour, you could theoretically make some sourdough starter, from the 'wild yeast' that is in the surrounding environment - that is - if you have no yeast, or just want something more exotic, by mixing some of it in water and letting it sit and develop a little while.
Seems prices are really good for fresh Fall produce :) Back when I was a child, growing up in Istanbul, my parents used to buy new crop onions and potatoes in the Fall for a whole year's supply. Because, shortly after that prices would start going up. Of course, they have to be stored right or they go bad. I love your market visits, and love your market bag too :) another great inspirational video, I can't wait to see part two. One suggestion, I read somewhere that enriched rice should not be washed as the added vitamin and minerals wash off. Cast iron pan adds iron to the cooked food :) A big thank you once again.
Hello 😁 yes, it's true that rice has added vitamins sprayed on, but rinsing helps to make sure it's clean (rice is highly susceptible to little critters 🤮) also it provides a superior texture. Otherwise it is quite gooey and not something I enjoy eating. Glad you enjoyed my video! 😁
It’s very interesting when you brainstorm meal ideas w the ingredients. Or tell us your thoughts while shopping and cooking. Your commentary is where I learn a lot about cooking and shopping. Thank you for the helpful details! (PS- I often add a little apple to stir frys, makes them unusual and yummy.)
I'm looking forward to trying that bread. I do have a bread machine and have had excellent results from the Bread Dad site. I slice the bread (when cool) and keep out 3 slices in a plastic bag on the counter for up to 3 days. The rest I freeze (double bagged in store bread bags) and take out a slice or two when needed: it keeps well and toasts up nicely.
Another great, creative, colorful, interesting video! I don’t know if everyone knows that lentils & rice make a complete protein! I look forward to seeing these on Sunday! Have a fun week!!
If you peel the potatoes raw, make skin chips. I add oil and season with black pepper and garlic powder or garlic salt. Better than store bought chips.
Thank you for sharing!! Have you ever used chia eggs for baking purposes? I usually grind up the seeds in a coffee grinder first for a smoother texture. I really like how they are a great source of protein too!
I love adding an apple or even only part of one to pancakes. I like my apple to still have a good bite to them so they only cook while I'm making the pancake.
Have contests with myself to see how cheaply I can eat. I don't buy eggs I actually make applesauce homemade and keep it in the freezer and use it instead of eggs when I need something that calls for eggs to hold it together. The other thing I was wondering how about oatmeal? Oatmeal goes a long way and can last all month
Wow! In USD dollars? Thoughful for taking the unloved egg carton!😆 Apples? I'd try tuna can instead! Or beets. Something more nutritious.💁♀️ Also, potato skins can be fried and eaten! Have you ever done pita or tortilla bread? To lower the glycemic index of bread, put in freezer with a hand paper and take out air from bag and let freeze. I cried when you threw away the pasta water! You can make soup or sauces with that! You can try and cook something else in too to extend water if water was scarce!
Hello 😊 yes, it's US dollars. Yes, I've made pita bread, chapati, tortillas, naan bread, and many many others on my channel. I also frequently use the pasta water in my sauces. 😁
Oh dear, Michelle. I recently learned what oxalates are and how they slowly but steadily wreck our health. Most of those foods except the eggs are just loaded with oxalates. I am 60. Young people do not notice the damage because the body can compensate to a point and the buildup of oxalate crystals in tissues usually takes decades. And then suddenly your joints hurt and all sorts of aches and little issues appear. Doctors blame age but it’s not that, it oxalate overload. Three days of no oxalates and my back pain started to resolve like magic. Anyhow, just tossing this out there because you seem like a nice person and I would hate for you to suffer when you get older. Sally K Norton is a super resource on this topic and how to detox safely (slow is better than fast).
Such an interesting thing to do! Thank you for making this. I'm going to try that bread. Do you know what it would be per day if you included the "staples" such as the amount of flour, oils, etc used? Also I appreciate the little warning at the beginning but honestly this is probably much more nutritious than when we rely on 50¢ ramen packets and Kraft Dinner and hot dogs when we're poor. There's lentils vegetables eggs and so on in this. Well done.
I included the cost of the flour in the budget (but accidentally listed it as a staple). I would say, probably an extra $3-$4 for the cost of the oil and baking soda. That being said, there are a ton of ways to make these items without oil and just make a flat bread without baking soda.
Mujadara was a dish a friend brought over when we had a baby. It was sooo good with a spicy yogurt topping. I make it every winter. I should try your dish.
It's rare I watch a video from a creator for the first time and immediately subscribe, but the comments tell me this is a group I will appreciate looking into from time to time. I'm the sort who started brewing wines, but feel guilty throwing away the lees. Use up every scrap. Waste not, want not.
Save eggs for eating. Add 1/2 shell of water or water w powdered milk with 1 egg, whisked well, add any spices u wish, plus SALT. The whisked up egg WILL make 2 breakfasts each. For recipes calling for an egg...substitute 2tsp oil and 4tsp of water for each large egg called for.
That bread looks delicious! And that’s interesting about it having no yeast and a large amount of baking powder, I love to make homemade bread and I love it toasted with jam! Also…are Wholesome Choice grocery stores similar to Trader Joe’s? We don’t have either Wholesome Choice or Trader Joe’s in my area. (the nearest TJ is 100 miles away)
Hello 😁 No, Wholesome Choice is a local store. It's actually a Persian store. I've found that a lot of ethnic stores have great prices on produce for some reason. Other things in the store are more expensive though. One of my requirements if I ever move, is that I live within a reasonable driving distance to a Trader Joes. 😂 That's how much I love that store.
that's hard to say, especially since I love tofu and beans, legumes and rice...but for me I can eat an exciting fresh menu for about $30 a week with some good planning!
Did i miss what you did with that delicious gravy you made?? I love these simple nutritional n healthy meals n cheap i make all the time! Thanks for sharing!
I think you did miss it. I poured the onion gravy over rice with the sautéed onions and some lentils. I also poured some of the gravy over a piece of toast and ate along with it. Glad you enjoyed my video 😁
Would you ever consider incorporating foraged wild greens into one of these extreme budget challenges? You may be surprised just how many there are available in virtually every location. I wouldn't recommend eating anything foraged from an inner city street, but for those of us living outside of the concrete jungles, there are countless delicious and nutritious options available to us, free for the taking.
@ArdentMichelle Wow! They still spray pesticides in urban areas in the US? That's been illegal here for ages. We can't even buy Roundup anymore. To be honest, I wasn't sure it was a good idea at first, but it really didn't change the weed situation as far as I can tell. Perhaps a few more dandelions here and there.
I know your budget was super tight - but I would have made room for a little can of tomato paste. You could mix it with water to thin out and then add some vinegar, garlic powder, cumin, and sugar from the pantry to make the tomato sauce topping. I’ve also seen recipes making it with a fresh tomato cooked down - which might be an option depending on sales.
Hi Michelle! I’m still watching the video but wanted to ask a question. When you drained the pasta water the thought went through my mind that it would be nice to come up with a way to use it. Then you made the gravy. I thought hmmmm, I wonder if using the turmeric pasta water in the gravy would work? Ok, back to the video!
It's truly amazing what you can come up with for a dollar! Since Dollar Tree has gone to $1.25, maybe you should work off of that. I also feel like wholesome choice should sponsor you!
I’m so proud of you for making bread! At first I thought you were going to make tortillas, when I saw all that flour. Loved this video! There are always people around who are willing to share sourdough starter (for free), but it seems more intimidating to many than yeast bread does. My sourdough starter lives in the fridge until the day before I make bread 🥰♥️
yes, some of the items I purchased at Walmart in Irvine, California. Our Walmart prices are higher than prices at Walmart in the Midwest but much less than Alaska or Hawaii. That being said, I got the produce from a different market, and I would bet that California prices there would be hard to beat since they grow a lot of the produce.
Mujadara is usually cooking the lentils, then adding more water and rice and cooking it wild separately frying onions until they're brown. Then when the usually you don't want to overcook the lentils because you're going to put the rice in there and then you're going to the rice cook and sit and then you're going to pour over the oil and the onions add salt to taste and Mujadara is served salad or heated pita bread
Your videos are always such a launching point for me. I live in Canada, and our food prices are higher. In addition, I have numerous food allergies--it's a real challenge to economize and still eat nutrious and enjoyable foods. But you always inspire me. ❤
I'm so glad 😁 Thanks for letting me know 💜
Agree, @tmdavidson1478 I'm always inspired by Michelle's videos. I also live in Canada (Vancouver BC). Heidi
How much would this cost in Canada?
@@reallifefairytale $6.95 US = $9.73 CND but that’s just dollar for dollar - no way we could get these same items for under ten dollars - half a dozen eggs were $3.69 so I started getting a dozen $5.75 range - that large apple could be $2.00 - well you get the price difference 🤦♀️🤷♀️
Indeed, here in Canada we would pay so much more for this menu!! I am astonished how cheap you are able to buy food in the US.
Someone may have mentioned this already but if you make the chickpeas first then you can use the aquafaba for your French Toast and save your egg (or replace it all together). 😊
Suggestion to stretch the eggs: make pancakes with one egg, the flour, and baking powder. It could stretch one egg for 2 days. And, you can make an apple cinnamon syrup with the core and skin of the apple, water, sugar, and cinnamon.
I just finished doing that for part 2. 😂 We are thinking alike. It was the only way I could figure to make that egg stretch. Either that or waffles.
and they were delicious! I love Granny Smith apples like this!
Another egg stretcher that my grandmother who lived through the Great Depression taught me, separate the egg white from the yolk, beat the white until frothy and soft peaks have formed. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolk with a couple of teaspoons of milk (or water) and a tablespoon of flour (soy flour if you have it). Combine the two and mix them into the other ingredients to make a pancake or cake batter.
Great ideas!
These frugal videos are my favorite..you can really stretch a dollar!
Thanks so much! 💜
When you had 6 cents leftover I thought of the time you went into a store and bought two string beans!
I thought of that too! 😂 I probably could have gotten something with the extra .05
Me too
I had the same thought!🥰
My favorite episode 😊
Lol! I remember that. I admired her for that so very much
Suggestion for the parsley stems. Chop them small and freeze them then add them to broth soups. Gives the soup added vitamins and color. 😋 Freezing veggies that are starting to go bad is a great way to extend their life. I have bought coleslaw mix that was reduced and blanched it then froze it for use later in soups and stir frys.
I'm going to do that in just a few minutes. 😂 Filming now!
I also love using celery leaves for freshness. And they're lovely as a garnish
You can use the peels of carrot, onions, veggies to make vegetable broth! @@ArdentMichelle
I am a big fan of your channel, also of Dollar Tree Dinners and Frugal Fit Mom!
Thanks so much!
Me too!!!!
same!
southern frugal mama too. Plus Mexican cooing on a Budget
@@amandarich-hf3hz love Southern Frugal Momma
You are amazing Michelle! I honestly cant believe what you were able to create with $7.
Thanks so much 😁
The key to budget cooking is building up a pantry a little bit over time. That’s where economy of scale and, ultimately, food diversity comes from.
true. 👍
Michelle: "I am not willing to give up an egg!"
If I'm ever in a pickle, I want YOU to be my negotiator! LOL
Thanks for another great video.
Thanks for the complement and also for watching my video! 💜
Parsley is really high in iron as well! The stems have huge amounts of flavour - I save them and use them in my broth. But in your case, I would probably puree them with some oil to make a herb oil that I can use to both garnish my food and add extra flavour. Just drizzle it over at the end. The parsley oil would also be good in your salad dressing.
The reason your bread rose unevenly is probably due to uneven heat distribution in your oven - one part was hotter than the other, and the bread set & formed a crust so it could only rise on the other side. It is no biggie, it will taste the same, it just might not be quite as pretty
And thankyou for talking about Koshari - I am going to make that this week for some dinners because it sounds wonderful. I have found a recipe and printed it out.
You're giving me more great ideas! 😁 I originally followed the Kosher recipe from the Mediterranean Dish. It was very good! Next time, I'm going to fry the macaroni to give the dish an added chewy texture. It's a very filling dish. Just make sure you love the sauce that you drizzle over the top and make lots of the fried onions.
@@ArdentMichelle The herb oils are fancy "cheffy" stuff, but really there is no reason we can't make them too... And really, it saves food waste - they don't keep very long in the fridge - about a week, maybe two, but they taste so good that you want to use them anyway, so they get used up fast. Try it with cilantro if you have any - it is the best way to make cilantro last a week! That stuff goes wilty and bad before you look at it, but the oil lasts longer.
high in pesticides, too. Cut the other expenses and buy organic - unless you want cancer later
Off topic but would love to see you make a series of how to videos. Such as different ways to make beans, rice, lentils etc. I love to meal prep in bulk and freeze for later meals and you always have such great ideas.
Could even take the videos you have and compile them into longer videos of all black, pinto etc beans, then red lentils, chickpeas, etc. So that those of us that know a basic ingredient we need to make can go to find different recipes for it. As we all know they can get repeative quickly but love your spins on them as they are different than my go tos but have always been a hit with my family.
Currently making black beans for the week we will have enchiladas, tostadas, and nachos then at least 2 bags go into the freezer for quick meals. This allows me to have easy meals when I dont have time to cook a full meal. Can throw anything in the instant pot fully cooked but frozen for 5-10 min and it will defrost and heat up.
Love this idea! 😁
I do the same thing you do, bulk cook. I take Michelle’s ideas and expand them. When I am at the end of my money I enjoy making her recipes.
My comfort channel every Sunday! You start a new week off great with your sweet voice and brilliant ideas. ❤
I'm so glad I can help you get your week started off right! 💜
You are probably one of the most creative cooks when doing a very limited budget. It amazes me to see what you come up with with so little money invested. Thanks for your videos.
welcome 😁
Red beans and rice salad: 2 cans red beans, drained. About 4 cups cooked rice. 3 stalks celery, 1 small onion, 1C chopped pepper (orange, red or yellow look best, green looks like Xmas😅), dressing of vinegar/oil/garlic, etc. Makes 8 v large servings
sounds delicious! I actually have a French recipe for a salad that I've been wanting to try.
It's so helpful to see the prices! Everything adds up so fast!! Remember when Dollar Tree became almost Dolla Tree Fiddy? That extra 35 cents adds up and when buying multiple items you think it's wrong at first, but now you have to budget for every three items it's like they stole an extra item added in but you don't get anything for it
it really does add up!
I enjoy how you add a teensy bit of something to enhance the dish.
You realize how important just a touch of something is when you are on a super tight budget!
Hi Michelle, You did great! That bread looks yummy! I was recently told tah if you add garlic powder, onion powder, and chicken bouillon to your water before you add the pasta (and turmeric for color) that the flavors are absorbed by the pasta and bring it to the next level. I haven't tried this yet, but I want to.
I eagerly await next week's edition.
oh yes, great tips for the pasta water 👍
This is the winning formula. Rule games. You have no idea how many people out there have to live like this. No wonder it's gotten so many views! My favorite channel who does it is Atomic shrimp. He has a similar filming style except you get to see never his full face but glimpses of him eating. I like this better actually.
Because it should be about the food and not the content provider
The brown skins from the onion are high in quercetin and make an excellent broth. I think emergency meal plans are my favorite in your channel. Our emergency meals always include onions, potatoes, carrots, beans, rice, apples, cabbage, eggs and garlic. It's a great way to stretch our budget and still get good nutrition.
Oh yes good point! 👍...I think I'll use the onions to help make a broth for my soup!
I’m inspired to roast some peelings tomorrow and make vegetable broth😊
You are so inspiring! Thank you for all that beautiful energy!!!
awe... 💜 I appreciate that and thank YOU for watching!
I ❤ your videos! I can't budget grocery shop or cook to save my life but I just love watching you do it 🤩
this made me laugh 😂 Glad you enjoy my video! and thank you for watching!💜
That's a lot of baking powder! I've used this Irish Soda Bread recipe: 2 C. white flour, 1 3/4 C. whole meal flour, 2-3 Tbsp. extra flour, 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 C. buttermilk (or milk with lemon added). Preheat oven to 430 degrees F, line loaf pan with parchment paper, knead on floured surface no more than 8 times, bake 20 minutes, then turn temperature down to 390 degrees F and bake for 20 more minutes.
I used this recipe with only white flour and it was good.
Thanks for sharing!
You and your channel have a calming effect on me. Your content is amazing. You are a true "creator." I find myself humming your theme song at various times throughout the day. And if I were to learn that you were doing the vocals on the track, it would be the icing on the cake! I have learned and continue to learn many things from you. Thank You!
awe....thanks so much for this very sweet message 💜 I'm grateful that my video is a calming space for you. 😁 I love that song too! It's so uplifing to me.
Great video, as always! You really know how to stretch a dollar, Michelle! I’m in the process of making a huge pot of vegetable soup! I love bringing soup and something small like half sandwich or a small salad for lunch at work!! Blessings, my friend! 😊
thank you thank you thank you 💜 that's so nice of you! 🤗 I appreciate the support!
Me too on the soup... It's one of my favorite things to take to work.
Have a great week.
Slice bread and then put it in the freezer. the fridge just dries it out. it thaws out really fast and is still moist.
that's true 👍 I do freeze a lot of my bread.
I was going to say this, glad you did. :)
you never cease to suprise and amaze me with your great ideas !!
Thanks so much! 😁
WOW! As always, great tasty ideas for a super tight budget. Thanks 👍🏻
Welcome! 😁 Thanks for watching!
I’ve not tried this, but in your bread, using water instead of milk, what about adding a few packets of coffee creamer? Seems most of us have those lying around or can pick them up here and there. I think it would really help replace the flavor and mouthfeel of milk. Your addition of extra fat was great, but creamer is “free” and would add more depth, I think.
love this idea 👍
You made that bread look really yummy! ❤
Glad you think so. I was surprised I liked it that much. I've been avoiding baking white bread for years. 😂
Nice, Micheele! The pasta, flour, rice or corn with the chickpeas or lentils, will be a complete protein, with all the amino acids of meat or eggs. Check the price of quinoa and buckwheat in bulk, both of which are complete protein.
I like cooked chickpeas fried or baked with herbs. If you bake them dry enough, you can use them as a gluten-free or protein-packed substitute for breadcrumbs.
If someone had dry milk at a staple, a tablespoonful would add to the bread batter. You bagged the bread when it was still hot. I saw trouble coming right away.
oh interesting! 🤔 I hadn't thought of using chickpeas for breadcrumbs. Great idea! 👍
Oh my, that bread and the French toast looks tasty. 😋🍞 I am going to have to try them.
Glad it looks good to you!
I love how healthy these dishes are.
thank you 😁
I don't have an affordable Wal-Mart, Kmart, Family Dollar, Dollar General or Aldi near me
My Dollar Tree has no produce, breads, frozen or refrigerated foods, plus it's $1.25 per item now
Apple muffin, apple bread, apple compote, baked apple dumpling, apple fritter, apple in soup is my favorite! ❤
I thought for sure that you were going to discover that recipe was for two loaves of bread. I was wrong! I don't usually eat white flour, but I'm considering making this because it did indeed look like it toasted up so nicely, even on the first day when you thought it didn't
Maybe I could have gotten 2 smaller loaves out of it. I think it turned out really good though.
@@ArdentMichelle it looked amazing! I might try it with 1/2 whole wheat!
Love these videos!!! ❤
Glad you like them! 😁
This was great. I subscribed and now want to try these recipes you did. Thank you for sharing this
Yay! 🥳🎉 Welcome to my channel! Thanks for watching!
Such great ideas!! As always, I was so excited to see a new video this morning!!! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Thanks so much! 😁💜
Your ingenuity never ceases to AMAZE me. Thank you!
Thank YOU for watching! 💜
Your creativity is inspiring. Thank you for this.
It's my pleasure 😁 Thanks for watching!
I have been caught out with different cup sizes! British cup sizes are, I am told, also different. That is why I favour using weights. We can all immediately see the difference between KG/MLs and oz/pints! Thank you for the video!
oh my gosh! 😂 ANOTHER cup size? Weights do solve that problem. I just need to replace the battery in my little scale. 😂
I had a flashback recently about a broken egg incident. I was minding my own business and checking egg cartons because he had marked down the ones with broken contents. I was making sure to check that they just had one broken and was looking at the other ones for possible close to breaking ones from any impact that they could have taken. The worker offended that I was looking questioned my motives and said out loud as if to humiliate me that they all have broken ones. When I told him that he quieted and backed down. It's interesting that you put that in because we all go through that and it feels triggering even more now since they're trying to prove us out of healthy natural whole foods
@@LAactor I always check. I got lucky on this one. They were almost sold out of the mini cartons.
ive noticed no one buys bones to make broth. butchers sell them for really cheap or in some cases gives them. the stems can be frozen to use when you make broth.
great tip 👍 Thanks for sharing!
Also, you are a genius who should teach high school students life skills
💜 thanks so much!
I agree !
I was so excited when the notification popped up for this video! I enjoy all of your content, but budget videos are my favorite. Is this your first budget challenge without a tomato! Also, I have found using an electric knife to slice homemade bread seems to work better when you want thinner slices. Less friction, slices stay together better. Kinda crazy to think you could almost gotten another small onion with your 5c. Already excited for next week. You make budget food beautiful. Have a great week!
I think it is my first without a tomato 😂
I like these budget videos too. I'm glad you enjoy them also! Great tip on the electric knife. I do feel like I should have gone back in the store to spend the other .05. I'm sure I could've gotten something else. Thanks so much for the kind words. 💜 See you Sunday!
I recently was advised by my doctor to avoid eggs (digestive issues). I've found that chickpea flour, also called besan, from the Indian grocery, makes a good binder in baked goods like banana bread. 1T besan plus 2T water = 1 egg. Soy flour also works, or if I don't have either, then I just leave out the egg and add water and fat to equal one egg, and the banana bread holds together just fine.
thanks for sharing this. I've been eyeing the chickpea flour at my local market.
The bread is one huge biscuit. I think that is a wonderful idea ! You always do such a great job on these challenges. 🥰👻🎃🍃🍂🍁
Thanks so much! 😁
Great video on stretching your food budget! I was thinking that the tumeric pasta water might have been great to use to make the gravy- it would have the a bit of mineral and vitamins in it. we have a food pantry and I will be sending others here for ideas on how to use their beans and staples! Great ideas!
When I am flush with extra in my grocery budget I plan a hard stock up on sales for my dry pantry. Oats, all types of beans, pasta, basic spices and a few favorite blends, salt, rice barley and dry soup mixes (preferably Bear Creek so I can scoop out enough for one serving and jar the rest), tuna, and occasionally packages of noodle or rice sides. Your meal ideas help me round out the rest for any months with lean budgets.
I do the same. I've been realizing lately, that I only need to stock a small amount of items. Some of the items I've stocked I'm quite slow to use. Glad you are enjoying my videos!
I love your ideas. Thanks a million for your suggestions.
I'm so glad you enjoyed my video! 😁
Great video! Never heard of Egyptian Koshari before but it looks like comfort food of all types mixed together so I can only imagine it's delicious!
Check out the recipe from The Mediterranean Dish. That was where I got the original recipe from. I think it was a couple years ago that I first made it. Next time, I'll make more onions, and fry the macaroni until it's chewy to add more texture to the dish.
Michelle! I love how you do all of this and make it look so appetizing! YOU are to be my favorite food channel
@@reniedavisson8532 thanks so much 💜
Fantastic video 🌟 You are a great teacher showing people with very little you can do so much❤
I appreciate that 💜
She has always inspired me to be frugal in everything I do. 😊
Love your videos always. I love recipetin eats as well! Great job as always
I appreciate you watching! 😊
So much creativity in one video. Thank you!
Thanks so much! 😁
You can make banana bread with no eggs, bananas make good egg replacers in some recipes. Mayo actually makes a great egg substitute in banana bread and zucchini bread. I have a banana bread recipe, I use mayo, and it works well. All mayo really is eggs and oil. My mom used to make a cake she just called mayonnaise cake. This was a cake made during the great depression. With flour, sugar, mayo, water, cocoa powder, salt, and I think baking powder? You don't taste the mayo in any of these recipes. Moms mayonnaise cake was a nice treat when you grew up as poor as we were. It didn't have frosting, but it didn't need it. You'll be surprised at how moist the mayonnaise cake, banana bread, and zucchini breads are using mayo instead of eggs. Pinterest has a lot of these recipes. 😊
@@seaotter1975 thanks for sharing this info
I bet a lot of people would actually be better off eating like this because you make everything from scratch, meaning less processed foods - i.e. less calories, less chemicals, less salt, etc. Smaller portions, too. Obviously there is a lack of fruits and veggies but a lot people do not eat enough veggies even when they are not on a tight budget - instead, they spend their money on take out, frozen premade foods, fried foods, pizza, etc. What a lot of people consider to be normal-sized portions are actually too big, too - we just got used to eating too much.
@@MollyCutie definitely miss the fruits and vegetables
I think with the flour, you could theoretically make some sourdough starter, from the 'wild yeast' that is in the surrounding environment - that is - if you have no yeast, or just want something more exotic, by mixing some of it in water and letting it sit and develop a little while.
🤔 wonder if that would work...
Yay. Been waiting for another of these.
They are very time consuming so unfortunately this will have to be a 2 part video. Glad you like these!
@ArdentMichelle yep I get that. Plus I know with new job it's been harder to make vids. Dw I'll still watch.
Seems prices are really good for fresh Fall produce :) Back when I was a child, growing up in Istanbul, my parents used to buy new crop onions and potatoes in the Fall for a whole year's supply. Because, shortly after that prices would start going up. Of course, they have to be stored right or they go bad. I love your market visits, and love your market bag too :) another great inspirational video, I can't wait to see part two. One suggestion, I read somewhere that enriched rice should not be washed as the added vitamin and minerals wash off. Cast iron pan adds iron to the cooked food :) A big thank you once again.
Hello 😁 yes, it's true that rice has added vitamins sprayed on, but rinsing helps to make sure it's clean (rice is highly susceptible to little critters 🤮) also it provides a superior texture. Otherwise it is quite gooey and not something I enjoy eating. Glad you enjoyed my video! 😁
Everything you make turns out sooo good. You're very creative and a natural chef. Hubby and I love you. Thankyou so much.
awe...thanks so much! I've become a better cook, just cooking for you guys! 😁
It’s very interesting when you brainstorm meal ideas w the ingredients. Or tell us your thoughts while shopping and cooking. Your commentary is where I learn a lot about cooking and shopping. Thank you for the helpful details!
(PS- I often add a little apple to stir frys, makes them unusual and yummy.)
Thanks for the feedback. It's helpful for me 💜
and yes, it's so surprising what you can discover.
I'm looking forward to trying that bread. I do have a bread machine and have had excellent results from the Bread Dad site. I slice the bread (when cool) and keep out 3 slices in a plastic bag on the counter for up to 3 days. The rest I freeze (double bagged in store bread bags) and take out a slice or two when needed: it keeps well and toasts up nicely.
Great tip. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the bread turned out. It was dense, but superior for certain uses, like grilled sandwiches.
Another great, creative, colorful, interesting video! I don’t know if everyone knows that lentils & rice make a complete protein! I look forward to seeing these on Sunday! Have a fun week!!
Thanks for watching! 😁 See you next week!
Turmeric for color but also antiseptic, anti inflammatory and detoxification
I appreciate all of your research and prep and creativity. You do such a great job!
@@rutananivadekar7696 thanks so much
If you peel the potatoes raw, make skin chips. I add oil and season with black pepper and garlic powder or garlic salt. Better than store bought chips.
I've made those on the channel! They're delicious!
❤❤❤@@ArdentMichelle
Thank you for sharing!! Have you ever used chia eggs for baking purposes? I usually grind up the seeds in a coffee grinder first for a smoother texture. I really like how they are a great source of protein too!
I haven't but I like chia seed pudding.
great ideas thanks michelle
You're welcome! 😊 Thanks for watching!
I love adding an apple or even only part of one to pancakes. I like my apple to still have a good bite to them so they only cook while I'm making the pancake.
I think having a little bite to them might be best too!
For .05 you might get a jalapeno for seasoning.
true 👍
Excellent as always ❤
Glad you liked it! 💜
Have contests with myself to see how cheaply I can eat. I don't buy eggs I actually make applesauce homemade and keep it in the freezer and use it instead of eggs when I need something that calls for eggs to hold it together. The other thing I was wondering how about oatmeal? Oatmeal goes a long way and can last all month
@@intuitivegina sadly I wouldn’t have been able to purchase oatmeal with this budget
@@ArdentMichelle that is true it is definitely an item to purchase when you have the money and keep it in the pantry. Get the big big size
@@intuitivegina I agree
Wow! In USD dollars? Thoughful for taking the unloved egg carton!😆 Apples? I'd try tuna can instead! Or beets. Something more nutritious.💁♀️ Also, potato skins can be fried and eaten! Have you ever done pita or tortilla bread? To lower the glycemic index of bread, put in freezer with a hand paper and take out air from bag and let freeze. I cried when you threw away the pasta water! You can make soup or sauces with that! You can try and cook something else in too to extend water if water was scarce!
Hello 😊 yes, it's US dollars. Yes, I've made pita bread, chapati, tortillas, naan bread, and many many others on my channel. I also frequently use the pasta water in my sauces. 😁
I saw online yogurt and self rising makes a good moist bread
Oh dear, Michelle. I recently learned what oxalates are and how they slowly but steadily wreck our health. Most of those foods except the eggs are just loaded with oxalates. I am 60. Young people do not notice the damage because the body can compensate to a point and the buildup of oxalate crystals in tissues usually takes decades. And then suddenly your joints hurt and all sorts of aches and little issues appear. Doctors blame age but it’s not that, it oxalate overload. Three days of no oxalates and my back pain started to resolve like magic. Anyhow, just tossing this out there because you seem like a nice person and I would hate for you to suffer when you get older. Sally K Norton is a super resource on this topic and how to detox safely (slow is better than fast).
And your videos are inspiring, trying to send love but probably com8ng off as sanctimonious, sorry,
I'm aware of oxalates in food but don't eat a low oxalate diet....obviously! 😂 I'm glad the diet you're on is making you feel so much better!
Such an interesting thing to do! Thank you for making this. I'm going to try that bread. Do you know what it would be per day if you included the "staples" such as the amount of flour, oils, etc used?
Also I appreciate the little warning at the beginning but honestly this is probably much more nutritious than when we rely on 50¢ ramen packets and Kraft Dinner and hot dogs when we're poor. There's lentils vegetables eggs and so on in this. Well done.
I included the cost of the flour in the budget (but accidentally listed it as a staple). I would say, probably an extra $3-$4 for the cost of the oil and baking soda. That being said, there are a ton of ways to make these items without oil and just make a flat bread without baking soda.
Great video Michelle you came up with so many amazing ideas on a dollar budget and I cannot get over the onion you got for a few cents great big hug 🖤
@@thegigiollieshow8768 thank you for watching!
Mom would make white rice and once cooked she would add 1 can tuna with some Tapatio sauce over it for some spicy dinner. CHEAP AND HEALTHY.
I love the idea of adding the Tapatio!
When you were at Walmart and the guy standing at the door that is what I do for work. I also check receipts..
I guess Walmart is a place that a lot of people steal from. It's getting bad because almost all of our local cosmetics area is under lock and key now.
Mujadara was a dish a friend brought over when we had a baby. It was sooo good with a spicy yogurt topping. I make it every winter. I should try your dish.
That bread looks delicious!
It was 👍
Such great ideas!
Thanks so much 😁
It's rare I watch a video from a creator for the first time and immediately subscribe, but the comments tell me this is a group I will appreciate looking into from time to time.
I'm the sort who started brewing wines, but feel guilty throwing away the lees. Use up every scrap. Waste not, want not.
We do have a great community here! 💜 And we all help each other with the cooking tips! Thanks for joining us! Welcome 😁
Save eggs for eating. Add 1/2 shell of water or water w powdered milk with 1 egg, whisked well, add any spices u wish, plus SALT. The whisked up egg WILL make 2 breakfasts each.
For recipes calling for an egg...substitute 2tsp oil and 4tsp of water for each large egg called for.
great idea for someone that has powdered milk.
That bread looks delicious! And that’s interesting about it having no yeast and a large amount of baking powder, I love to make homemade bread and I love it toasted with jam! Also…are Wholesome Choice grocery stores similar to Trader Joe’s? We don’t have either Wholesome Choice or Trader Joe’s in my area. (the nearest TJ is 100 miles away)
Hello 😁 No, Wholesome Choice is a local store. It's actually a Persian store. I've found that a lot of ethnic stores have great prices on produce for some reason. Other things in the store are more expensive though. One of my requirements if I ever move, is that I live within a reasonable driving distance to a Trader Joes. 😂 That's how much I love that store.
What do you think would be the lowest per day cost for someone to eat and be nutrition adequate and feel full would you say?
And not have it be like all beans legumes tofu and rice. I know Lisa Dawn does mostly beans and rice and I just cannot.
that's hard to say, especially since I love tofu and beans, legumes and rice...but for me I can eat an exciting fresh menu for about $30 a week with some good planning!
The difference between the Australian cup and a U.S. cup is slightly more than 2 teaspoons the Australian cup being greater.
I made the bread! Wow! So good. Had some leftover soup so heated it up and had the bread with butter
Glad you like it! 😁
@ it’s so yummy. I made a half recipe to start. I’m def going to have to make it again.
Did i miss what you did with that delicious gravy you made?? I love these simple nutritional n healthy meals n cheap i make all the time! Thanks for sharing!
I think you did miss it. I poured the onion gravy over rice with the sautéed onions and some lentils. I also poured some of the gravy over a piece of toast and ate along with it. Glad you enjoyed my video 😁
Would you ever consider incorporating foraged wild greens into one of these extreme budget challenges? You may be surprised just how many there are available in virtually every location. I wouldn't recommend eating anything foraged from an inner city street, but for those of us living outside of the concrete jungles, there are countless delicious and nutritious options available to us, free for the taking.
@@mustwereallydothis not in my area due to all the pesticides. 😞
@ArdentMichelle Wow! They still spray pesticides in urban areas in the US? That's been illegal here for ages. We can't even buy Roundup anymore. To be honest, I wasn't sure it was a good idea at first, but it really didn't change the weed situation as far as I can tell. Perhaps a few more dandelions here and there.
I know your budget was super tight - but I would have made room for a little can of tomato paste. You could mix it with water to thin out and then add some vinegar, garlic powder, cumin, and sugar from the pantry to make the tomato sauce topping. I’ve also seen recipes making it with a fresh tomato cooked down - which might be an option depending on sales.
You could also use the tomato paste later in a soup or as a tomato sauce for pasta.
@@arthrodea sadly, tomato paste is a dollar now… but I agree there would be a lot you could do with that
Hi Michelle! I’m still watching the video but wanted to ask a question. When you drained the pasta water the thought went through my mind that it would be nice to come up with a way to use it. Then you made the gravy. I thought hmmmm, I wonder if using the turmeric pasta water in the gravy would work? Ok, back to the video!
@@janapinson8665 I think your onto something there.
Love how the bread turned out!😋
Thanks for tip about the apples now I have several recipes and I have 6 lbs of banana pudding to use up in 4 days.
welcome 😁
It's truly amazing what you can come up with for a dollar! Since Dollar Tree has gone to $1.25, maybe you should work off of that. I also feel like wholesome choice should sponsor you!
Thanks so much 😁
I have to be gluten free so it makes it tougher to be this frugal. Id love to see videos that are extreme budget friendly that are gluten free.
unfortunately those videos don't do well on my channel...but I always mix in gluten free recipes in my videos.
some are posted on my recipes channel under gluten free. Link to channel in description area.
I’m so proud of you for making bread! At first I thought you were going to make tortillas, when I saw all that flour. Loved this video!
There are always people around who are willing to share sourdough starter (for free), but it seems more intimidating to many than yeast bread does. My sourdough starter lives in the fridge until the day before I make bread 🥰♥️
It was definitely a step outside my comfort zone 😂 Perhaps it will give me the courage to tackle sourdough. 😂
Are these current prices and which state? That’s great! I can’t buy any of this at Walmart for these prices.
yes, some of the items I purchased at Walmart in Irvine, California. Our Walmart prices are higher than prices at Walmart in the Midwest but much less than Alaska or Hawaii. That being said, I got the produce from a different market, and I would bet that California prices there would be hard to beat since they grow a lot of the produce.
Mujadara is usually cooking the lentils, then adding more water and rice and cooking it wild separately frying onions until they're brown. Then when the usually you don't want to overcook the lentils because you're going to put the rice in there and then you're going to the rice cook and sit and then you're going to pour over the oil and the onions add salt to taste and Mujadara is served salad or heated pita bread
Thanks for the Mujadara recipe tips! 😊
@@ArdentMichelle thank you for your hard work in finding recipes we appreciate you