КОМЕНТАРІ •

  • @meaghan929
    @meaghan929 Місяць тому +376

    You have inspired me to cook for a low-income senior housing community near me! There are 60 apartments and my goal is to deliver a meal to each resident once a month. I have already made one delivery and I am working on my menu for next month. I'm aiming for three to four options for the residents to choose from, which will include one breakfast choice. I'm taking notes from your videos and adapting some ideas and recipes to work on a larger scale! THANK YOU for this content. One thing I miss from your other videos is the cost breakdown per serving. I know your goal for these special-donated meals isn't "Dollar Tree" dinners, but others may be curious what to budget for meals like these. 💞

    • @goldkats
      @goldkats Місяць тому +11

      Thats amazing! ❤

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +53

      I’m so glad to hear that!! I’ll try to include the cost next time, it was more challenging to break it down sometimes because I’m not always shopping for them alone sometimes I buy other things I need. On average I’d say all of the food has been $100-120 a week

    • @bluedragon1979
      @bluedragon1979 Місяць тому +8

      Ambitious! ❤

    • @susielisle922
      @susielisle922 Місяць тому

      Worth every single penny! Warms the soul!​@@DollarTreeDinners

    • @noleenmcbrearty6513
      @noleenmcbrearty6513 Місяць тому +17

      My god that's Amazing 👏🏻 I'm sure everyone appreciate that Amazing gesture I'm a community RN and see the difference of what a gesture like this can do for a person it really is Amazing!! ❤❤

  • @Donotevengotherewithme
    @Donotevengotherewithme Місяць тому +74

    I leave non perishables beside our mailbox. Our mail lady picks the box up and delivers it to people on her route in our community that have food insecurities. ❤

  • @gwenvann7279
    @gwenvann7279 Місяць тому +58

    Things we ate growing up:
    Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans
    Spaghetti with meat sauce
    Tuna casserole
    White Navy beans with ham and cornbread
    Beef vegetable soup with Italian bread with butter

    • @meloshea7895
      @meloshea7895 Місяць тому +6

      Those meals was what they called 'stick to your ribs' meals. ❤

    • @lorna865
      @lorna865 Місяць тому +4

      We also ate, being in WV, pinto beans, fried taters, bell pepper & onion with cornbread. We had Mater sandwiches, chili with beans, prune cake (actually was tasty, Mom's fav.) Spaghetti with meat sauce. Denver biscuits. Out of this world delish.

    • @dryellowkate
      @dryellowkate Місяць тому +2

      These were my childhood meals too! Along with pork chops.

    • @idkwtf2makemyusername104
      @idkwtf2makemyusername104 Місяць тому +4

      I loved meatloaf as a kid. I'm 47 now and everytime I make it, I do the same as my mom did but make it in muffin tins cuz they freeze so good for a quick lunch or dinner for 1 or 2. I just use a packet of Mccormick meatloaf mix, some tomato sauce, lil breadcrumbs, 1 egg and top it with tomato sauce. My boys r picky teens and they smash the meatloaf. One other meal I bet they would like is "girl scout pouches"...u just make burger patties, top them w a lil onion, par boil (or used canned,if that's ur thing) potatoes sliced n topped w a pat of butter and a some veggies into a foil pouch and bake em for @35-45 min depending on how big u make the patty and the size of the tater slices. We always do corn and peas. Could bake em in the foil to get the seasoning of all things 2gether then transfer em to them containers. ❤

    • @danielafurlan322
      @danielafurlan322 12 годин тому

      I suggest ask if she has a recipe book or a box with recipes from when she was young.

  • @lucyburdine5337
    @lucyburdine5337 Місяць тому +109

    As a child (now 71), I remember Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners always included celery stuffed with pimento cheese. My mother knew how much we 5 children loved celery with pimento cheese, so she made lots of it whether we were eating at home or one of our grandparents' homes. Still love it, but don't make it often because I'm the last of my family and I live alone.
    Holiday dinners usually included roast turkey, cornbread dressing (also had to make extra), sweet potato casserole with apples and pecans topped with marshmallows, green bean casserole or my mother's mother asparagus and sweet pea casserole,

    • @EmmaJ716
      @EmmaJ716 Місяць тому +23

      Was it Kraft pimento cheese in the tiny jars? My mom used it often and washed the tiny jars for me to use as a drinking glass. I’m 58. There were no sippy cups back then. 😂

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +25

      I’m definitely going to make them a thanksgiving in July dinner, I think they’ll love it!

    • @roch2772
      @roch2772 Місяць тому +15

      Our favorite celery stuffing was Kraft cream cheese with pineapple. Any of the spreadable cream cheese makes a nice stuffing and you can customize it to coincide with your meal, sweet vs savory. It was also an easy dish for us kids to make and “help” make dinner. I still make it once in a while when I am light on vegetables or need to use up some celery. Great snacks too. I think a traditional lasagna would be a good option for a meal for a comfort food with some nice roasted vegetables as a side, and garlic bread. For a dessert treat, chocolate chip cookies are something we grew up with. I’m 75 and I love to cook. I have made several of your recipes or been inspired to try some of your ideas. I am enjoying seeing your passion for cooking and helping others, including all of your followers. So thank you Rebecca, I look forward to seeing what you do next.❤

    • @proudmammaof6148
      @proudmammaof6148 Місяць тому +4

      ​@@EmmaJ716 I'm 57 and remember my mom doing the same thing along with the jelly jars that I want to say had Flintstones characters on them we used as drinking glasses. ❤

    • @debbiegnagey2095
      @debbiegnagey2095 Місяць тому

      We always make pimento cheese with mayonnaise, jarred pimentos, grated Real American cheese made by Kraft with blue label., salt , pepper ! We make it every holiday. My Mom was from North Carolina.

  • @patrickjones4813
    @patrickjones4813 Місяць тому +52

    A dish I remember from my childhood that I haven't come across in many years is "porcupines." They were basically meatballs with rice in the mix, simmered in a tomato sauce.

    • @boyinblue.
      @boyinblue. Місяць тому +6

      Yes! My mom called them porcupine balls. She stopped making those and did stuffed bell papers, same concept but the meatball is inside of a pepper. Very good.

    • @rachelecentofante6158
      @rachelecentofante6158 Місяць тому +2

      😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

    • @idkwtf2makemyusername104
      @idkwtf2makemyusername104 Місяць тому +2

      ​@boyinblue. Same with my mom. My gram made the porcupine balls n mom started doing the stuffed peppers. Have u had stuffed pepper soup ? Sounds weird but it's soooo good. I make stuffed cabbages alot too n make everyone in the family a pan.

    • @Hamstersarecute-bb2eb
      @Hamstersarecute-bb2eb Місяць тому

      Kind of like a Boudin ball.

    • @LisFayte
      @LisFayte Місяць тому +2

      I make these all the time, I also add chopped bell pepper and call it unstuffed peppers 😂

  • @marcialane8235
    @marcialane8235 Місяць тому +39

    My mom is 89 and lives in an upscale assisted living facility that has actually very good food. She loves taco night especially if they have guacamole! If your lady loves soup you may want to ask her if she likes split pea with ham, lentil soup or potato soup with ham…those are my mom’s favorites.

    • @stephaniepapaleo9001
      @stephaniepapaleo9001 Місяць тому +4

      So glad you have your Mom and you get a kick out of what she enjoys! My mom (now passed) would eat the dinners I made for her, only to find out later, she didn’t enjoy certain casseroles or meat that I liked and years later I laugh at what I’m thinking she loved was something she couldn’t stand and she finally confided in me that she hated candy mixed in her ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s type combos, and she picked out all of the chocolate chips in her ice cream. 😂 and rice pudding grossed her out bc as a kid she had a bad hospital experience 😬 anyway, I’m glad you appreciate your mom’s food preferences!!

    • @LaLaLauraJ10
      @LaLaLauraJ10 Місяць тому +2

      Great soup suggestions.
      I also commented about a taco night idea. Ha.
      Great minds 😂

    • @seaside_sheilaoceanfront2815
      @seaside_sheilaoceanfront2815 5 днів тому

      Yes, I agree these are winners !!

  • @sammivd4763
    @sammivd4763 Місяць тому +92

    I work as a cook at an assisted living facility. My residents love meatloaf, clam chower and fish. A tip with the fish just season with lemon pepper and top with lemon juice and some butter and bake. Italian salad dressing also works great if that's easier/more budget friendly. My mom used to do that on salmon and it was always a hit in our house. My residents also love seafood salad, I just use imitation crab and shrimp. Use the same stuff you do for the chicken salad and season with some lemon pepper and old bay. We usually serve it on a croissant and my residents love it every time.

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +25

      Seafood salad is a great suggestion! and I'll definitely try lemon pepper for her fish

    • @Fiery154
      @Fiery154 Місяць тому +1

      Do you have any tips or recipes for purée for dysphagia?

    • @sammivd4763
      @sammivd4763 Місяць тому +3

      @@Fiery154 Use gravy! Add gravy in with whatever meat you make for them. Braising the meat, especially if it's a tough cut of beef in the gravy is always good too so the meat is soft enough to puree. Make sure you have a really good blender or food processor as well. For veggies just make sure they're cooked enough and don't forget to season them.
      You can't give a puree diet anything that's a grain, it won't break down so no rice, corn, etc.
      Instant mashed potatoes(with a smooth gravy of course) or pureed sweet potatoes are great for them. If you're going to do fresh mashed potatoes just use a ricer or a hand mixer(not too much!) because potatoes get Gummy in the blender.
      Pasta with tomato sauce can also be pureed and tastes really good.
      As for dessert obviously pudding, apple sauce, yogurt, ice cream are all great. You can also puree cake with some milk.
      Eggs are also great in the blender, add a little water to scrambled eggs and it should be perfect for them. If I remember correctly cream of wheat is also OK for them even though it's a grain because it's so small but grits are not.
      Good luck!

    • @Fiery154
      @Fiery154 Місяць тому +1

      @@sammivd4763 I’m trying to make it low carb, so I have not mastered the meat, and that is going to be important. The SNF I worked for did a really pretty good fish purée. I’m an SLP, so this is where my interest comes into play here. Good to know about the poor performance of grains in purée. Level of purée tolerated is going to vary patient to patient depending on what their issue is. Grits could work for someone, or it might work thinned out a bit, but then again I don’t really know grits very well in the first place.

  • @JessicaLahti
    @JessicaLahti Місяць тому +53

    God bless you, Rebecca! If you wanted any help paying for these meals, I and I’m sure others would be happy to help.

    • @ladybeeluv9233
      @ladybeeluv9233 Місяць тому +2

      Just tap the $ button below to help her help others.

  • @chriswithers8835
    @chriswithers8835 Місяць тому +18

    Meal suggestions: scalloped potatoes with ham, berry cobblers, lasagna, baked ziti, boiled ham dinner with cabbage+carrots+potatoes, etc.

  • @Tbird1549
    @Tbird1549 Місяць тому +141

    You are such an amazing person to do this for someone else! I am surprised no one is knocking down on your door because word has gotten around about all of your delicious meals.

  • @marshal8981
    @marshal8981 Місяць тому +12

    I used to make tuna corn chowder with canned corn and canned tuna. My children loved "tuna broccoli casserole", canned tuna, frozen broccoli, and cream of mushroom soup, topped with biscuits. Meringue will weep like that if it's underbaked and will get droplets of moisture on top if overbaked.

    • @lourdessanchez796
      @lourdessanchez796 Місяць тому +2

      My first thought on the watery pudding was the meringue.

  • @barbaranytes-baron7377
    @barbaranytes-baron7377 Місяць тому +33

    Meatloaf, baked potatoes and baked acorn squash. The aromas bring back memories of coming in from ice skating! At 76 those smells still bring those memories back.

  • @JornSales
    @JornSales Місяць тому +15

    As an elderly person myself.. I know she wants an apple pie and some ice cream. For banana pudding use the box mix and add some cool whip to the box mix and on top, easy and delicious. Cinnamon rolls are also a hit and very easy.

  • @bettygossell3408
    @bettygossell3408 Місяць тому +21

    One of my favorites growing up on a farm was fresh green beans and new potatoes cooked together. I make a big batch about once a month and enjoy every bite.

  • @tinakloepfer1581
    @tinakloepfer1581 Місяць тому +41

    Such a lovely and thoughtful thing you’re doing for them. Old time recipes are fun! Jello salads, Salisbury steak, anything apple, chicken and dumplings, cobblers, pies, salmon patties. Your library probably has depression era or WWII recipe books.

    • @hannakinn
      @hannakinn Місяць тому +6

      My mom, now 91 years old made salmon patties, tuna patties and chicken croquettes. I like all of them. Mom still makes salmon patties, I make them too but use a crab cake recipe for mine. My grandmother made the best chicken and dumplings ever. RIP Granny

  • @tinashort9098
    @tinashort9098 Місяць тому +33

    You are, without a doubt, one of the most amazing young people on the planet!!! The heart you possess for community is absolutely beautiful!!! ❤❤❤. I saw Frugal Fit Mom put mustard and apples in chicken salad once. I’m not sure I’d care for the mustard but I do love fruit in it. And fresh garlic or garlic salt. I use garlic in everything!!

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +7

      You are always so kind Tina, I appreciate you!

  • @kathrynyeager9470
    @kathrynyeager9470 Місяць тому +46

    I love what you are doing. I know the satisfaction is brings when cooking for other. I volunteered for Lasagna Love and it was so satisfying to hear people say how much they appreciated my cooking for them. Just a tip, red potatoes work best in soup because they are waxier and hold up to the cooking and freezing. You asked for suggestions for future meals, how about sloppy joes, chicken and noodles casserole, beef stew, salmon, stuffed peppers or cabbage….

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +13

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad you were able to work with lasagna love and had a great experience with it!

    • @ellefirebrand
      @ellefirebrand Місяць тому +8

      Hello fellow Lasagna Love volunteer!

    • @lauriea.8718
      @lauriea.8718 Місяць тому

      Let’s make it three Lasagna Love volunteers! 😊 I think I get just as much, or more, out of volunteering as the recipients do from the meals.

    • @rohese925
      @rohese925 Місяць тому

      thank you for doing what you do! my family was helped by lasagna love a while back! it meant so much to us & the food was delicious

  • @ladykyra13
    @ladykyra13 Місяць тому +36

    This is my favorite series on youtube and you're one of the creators i look forward to seeing a notification from the most. Thank you so very much for all you're doing and staying humble

  • @anntoureilles6389
    @anntoureilles6389 Місяць тому +12

    Stuffed cabbage rolls baked in tomato sauce, salisbury steak & mashed potatoes, or shrimp etouffee would all be awesome and are classics

  • @maryolsen3190
    @maryolsen3190 Місяць тому +27

    My favorite classic menu from my late Grandma: German fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans with bacon, and Waldorf apple salad. Also a wilted spinach skillet salad dressed with a sweet and sour sauce, bacon and boiled eggs.

    • @WatercoloredWords
      @WatercoloredWords Місяць тому +4

      We had Waldorf salad every Thanksgiving when I was a wee sprog!

    • @aHavenForTheLost
      @aHavenForTheLost Місяць тому +1

      Yes the Waldorf apple salad. Yuuum!!!😊

  • @brookebond007
    @brookebond007 Місяць тому +45

    Great video, I love that you're continuing to help people in your community with food! In terms of chicken salad, my family always added green grapes and toasted sliced pecans to our chicken salad. We always ate them on croissants.
    One of my favorite things my nana made for us was hamburger steak with homemade gravy. We had it with creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and peas. It was always one of my favorite Sunday dinners!

  • @777herald
    @777herald Місяць тому +12

    Meatloaf, mashed potato and green beans.
    Pineapple Upside-down Cake.
    Date Loaf cake.
    You're such a blessing Rebecca! 💎

  • @Terrelli9
    @Terrelli9 Місяць тому +51

    Thanks for making these meals for this family. I have Spina Bifida too and I know firsthand how much help this is.

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +15

      It's my pleasure, I really do enjoy cooking for them

    • @psychedelichippie9759
      @psychedelichippie9759 Місяць тому +4

      All excellent meals Rebecca. I bet your house smelled wonderful. That was a LOT of work!

    • @leannahicks412
      @leannahicks412 Місяць тому +5

      Grapes or dried cranberries,pecans,or almonds are all good additions to chicken salad!

  • @evem4876
    @evem4876 Місяць тому +28

    🌞 On my comment down below the reason I asked was my neighbor n I are helping out making food casseroles for a neighbor who cannot cook for himself n were helping out with cooked warm meals we take to him he enjoys small casseroles .N his daughter found out n was so happy n thanked us both n she said I want to buy u some grocery items u need to cook for my Dad in which we refused n said that's ok but no ty n ,she still came by n gave us gift cards for the food to buy what we needed to prepare hot meals for him ... His daughter ask us pls to use the cards because she cannot always cook for him cause she's a full time RN n works long hrs . She appreciates what we're doing for her Dad ...

  • @michellevietor
    @michellevietor Місяць тому +14

    I cooked for a woman and her grown family in the late 2010s. It was SO fun compared to restaurant jobs. More rewarding, less stress, and a feeling at the end of the day that I helped someone.
    That feeling turned into a career cooking at a shelter for women with children. I LOVE it.
    I am so happy to see you take a similar path! 🖤

    • @kayla206
      @kayla206 Місяць тому +1

      I've always wanted to do something like this. When I was a kid I really wanted to work in a hospital cafeteria for some reason.

    • @michellevietor
      @michellevietor Місяць тому +1

      @@kayla206 I bet that's not a bad job these days! The food in hospitals has improved drastically in the last 20 years. Don't ask how I know, lol. 🤕

  • @AngelaGary-lg3xq
    @AngelaGary-lg3xq Місяць тому +3

    To be honest I am more excited seeing you excited about the Senior enjoying your food. I will continue to tell you thk u for all ur efforts to help this lady and I know God is smiling down on u😊

  • @warriorcherylann3801
    @warriorcherylann3801 Місяць тому +13

    I dice red seedless grapes & add to my chicken salad -- it's yummy!!!! It's so very kind of you to do this for her & the grandson! We need more people like you in this world! : )

  • @judyf6220
    @judyf6220 Місяць тому +11

    I love that you said we’re all at different parts of our journey that’s gonna be my new mantra because physically I’m not the same as I used to be but it’s still OK. Things are just a little different. I love what you’re doing, it’s great!

  • @KarenBowers4
    @KarenBowers4 Місяць тому +7

    Another great video, this family is very lucky to have someone who cares making their meals with love.

  • @user-gz1gv2xb6w
    @user-gz1gv2xb6w Місяць тому +7

    I applaud you for what you're doing for these people. Cooking for strangers can be challenging. Such a self sacrificing spirit. Good for you.

  • @celestecolton1638
    @celestecolton1638 Місяць тому +15

    When it comes to chicken salad, I love the crunch of sunflower seeds, they are delicious

  • @Michelle-ud4we
    @Michelle-ud4we Місяць тому +10

    Since she likes fish, tuna noodle casserole might be good. Also, as a southerner, she might like shrimp and grits or collards with ham and beans. These are all pretty inexpensive as well.

  • @ericafyre
    @ericafyre Місяць тому +7

    Old-fashioned banana pudding always does that when you put it in the fridge, honey my grandmas used to do that and hers was a blue ribbon winner recipe

    • @kathleencole9546
      @kathleencole9546 Місяць тому

      I recall that now too after the pudding was refrigerated

  • @Adisa9685
    @Adisa9685 Місяць тому +15

    My mom used to make a breakfast casserole every Christmas day. Bacon onions cheddar cheese milk eggs garlic powder melted butter and bisquick. It was so good.

  • @margaretholm7662
    @margaretholm7662 Місяць тому +9

    Add some curry powder( be light handed, you can add to taste) and some sliced green grapes...very yummy

  • @AceyLady
    @AceyLady 6 днів тому +1

    My grandmother made stuffed celery for every holiday. I was a pretty picky eater growing up, and I fondly remember that being one of the only things I would eat! lol Hers was a mixture of cream cheese, miracle whip, and walnuts, then sprinkled with paprika. :)

  • @CyndieAmala
    @CyndieAmala Місяць тому +19

    You're making a few meals that are nostalgic to me! I grew up with beef stroganoff, banana pudding and fruit salad. Now I want all of those rn lol

  • @maryreddell6529
    @maryreddell6529 Місяць тому +4

    A favorite meal for me: "goulash "
    Ground beef, onions, diced tomatoes, elbow noodles & cheese.
    It is wonderful what you are doin!

  • @laurencrazypiglady8439
    @laurencrazypiglady8439 Місяць тому +7

    One of my favorite memories as a kid was every Sunday getting paper and going thru the grocery store circulars w my parents to come up w a menu for the week based on who had what on sale. It’s truly the little things. It doesn’t have to be fancy. We would make a list and plan out a weeks worth of meals and me and my dad would take turns cooking for the family. (My mom and brother would burn water but me and dad loved cooking). They’re all passed now just these past couple years and it’s hard for me to cook now being just for one between working crazy hours and with the prices of groceries but I love to watch your videos. They inspire me and always give me great ideas for when I get the motivation and want to cook for myself. Thank you always for sharing. ❤

  • @vickytribble3259
    @vickytribble3259 Місяць тому +29

    Speaking as a senior… I don’t want anything without black pepper! Your meals look perfect❣️

  • @alisonh768
    @alisonh768 Місяць тому +13

    Since she loves mashed potatoes, I bet she would like Shepherds pie! Another classic my family used to like is American chop suey. I love these videos so much, especially like hearing the reviews of what you cooked! Even with meal repetition, I would continue watching these weekly!

    • @josiegee2478
      @josiegee2478 Місяць тому +4

      I was going to say if she likes meatloaf my dad used to “frost” the meatloaf with mashed potatoes toward the middle if the cooking.

    • @mj3825
      @mj3825 Місяць тому +4

      I used to put in a loaf pan and put two hard boiled eggs in the meatloaf 🥚 my Grampa loved that with potatoes and green beans. He also loved cooked puddings, chocolate and tapioca....easy to prep for desserts.

  • @Nick-wn7yy
    @Nick-wn7yy Місяць тому +6

    I really love how passionate you are about cooking for someone in need in your community. Keep up the amazing videos! These will never get boring to watch. 😊

  • @charliedavis8894
    @charliedavis8894 Місяць тому +2

    Suggestion for the beef stroganoff, serve the noodles separately. When you mixed them into the hot beef mixture, the noodles kept cooking then after being microwaved they were likely overcooked.
    As a senior myself, dont listen to these comments about adding all this other stuff to chicken salads. It's fine for most people but many seniors have problems eating or digesting crunchy or chewy foods like walnuts, almonds, dried cranberries, etc. Simpler is better.
    As a recipient of my county's meals on wheels program, my favorite meals are:
    1. Meat Loaf with Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and a Vegetable,
    2. Breaded or Baked Fish, Tartar Sauce, Bun, Tater Tots and Coleslaw (I dry fry the fish and tots to reheat)
    3. Country Meatballs with Country Gravy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
    4. Egg Salad Sandwich (bread separate), Pickled Beets, Cucumber Salad
    5. Sliced Turkey or Chicken Breast on Stuffing with Poultry Gravy, Roasted or Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Carrots
    6. Kielbasa, Sauerkraut, Baked Beans, Broccoli
    7. Baked Pork Loin in a Raisin Sauce, Seasoned Rice (Rice-a-Roni type), Applesauce, Italian style Vegetables
    The meals I dislike (they're either served too often or just aren't good):
    1. Beef Rigatoni Bake, no cheese
    2. Spanish Rice
    3. Spaghetti
    4. Bavarian Stew (watery and tasteless mix of chicken, potatoes and canned vegetables)
    5. Chili (nasty mix of watery black & pinto beans not fully cooked with either too much spice or tasteless).
    6. Curry Chicken Salad (would be fine without the curry which I can't stand)
    My biggest complaint is too many tomato based meals that fire up my inflammation. Oh, and I'd like more than 5 Tots, lol. Otherwise, I'm grateful for these meals since I can't stand very long and it's hard to cook on crutches. They do all come with a roll and some kind of cookie, dessert bar or fruit. I only eat the fruit or jello, the rest goes to the neighbors kids, I don't care for sugary baked goods.
    Other meals I cook myself when I can or would love to see on the meals on wheels menu (some of mine are 2 days in the making because I wear out sometimes after the prep):
    1. Beef Barley or Split Pea with Ham Soup
    2. Chicken or Beef Tacos with Flour Tortillas (no tomatoes)
    3. Shrimp Cocktail
    4. Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta
    5. Chicken or Pork Fried Rice
    6. Tuna Casserole (scratch, no canned soup) or Sandwich
    7. Green Chicken Enchiladas (3-5 days to make but I freeze them in twos.)
    8. Pico de Gallo and Chips
    9. Macaroni Salad using Ditalini pasta, Celery, Hard Boiled Eggs, Mayo.
    10. Jello with or without fruit
    11. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
    12. BBQ Pork Sandwich
    13. Coleslaw with Pineapple
    14. Sweet & Sour Pork or Chicken over White Rice
    Well, I hope there's an idea or two here for you and I hope your "customers" realize how absolutely blessed they are to have you cooking for them! I really miss cooking!

  • @heatherangel9700
    @heatherangel9700 Місяць тому +16

    Oooh, posted two minutes ago? I feel so privileged to catch this vid hot and fresh. Comment three, woo hoo! 🙂

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +7

      I love that you get to catch it Hot and fresh 😂😂❤️

  • @laurenbowen8707
    @laurenbowen8707 Місяць тому +5

    This is very kind and generous of you. I’m a hospice social worker and this makes me so happy.

    • @user-mt1rx3sd7n
      @user-mt1rx3sd7n Місяць тому +2

      Hospice workers are truely Gods angels. And ours thank you❤

  • @user-mz8qd5rd9q
    @user-mz8qd5rd9q Місяць тому +11

    You're an inspiration to help seniors! Thank you for what you're doing.

  • @user-lz5fi1um7s
    @user-lz5fi1um7s Місяць тому +2

    last night I made peas and tuna on toast..is a poor mans meal alot of people still love

  • @sharibasse6130
    @sharibasse6130 Місяць тому +2

    She's blessed to have you 🙏

  • @ardnasacila
    @ardnasacila Місяць тому +7

    I love this series and the work you do.
    I'm from Central America, but my 81-year-old neighbor, born and raised in Louisiana, says that the food she misses most from her childhood is Hoppin'John.

  • @EGSimon-ds1vf
    @EGSimon-ds1vf Місяць тому +12

    One of my favorite comfort foods from childhood is macaroni and cheese. I still make it the way my mom did. Simple, boring to some maybe, but we all loved it. You make a roux from butter and cornstarch or flour, add milk until thickened, then chunks or shredded, Velveeta (no substitute) cheese. No exact measurements (sorry), but you want a thick but easily pourable sauce. You then cook up elbow macaroni until it's just al dente. Place in casserole dish, pour cheese sauce over it, stir to mix thoroughly and put in 375 degree oven until top starts to brown. We ate it with store bought frozen fish filets and green beans on the side. Yum! The leftovers were the best. Reheat the mac and cheese either in the oven or on the stove top with a little bit of oil if you want to brown them and get them a little more crispy. So happy your Senior is enjoying your meals, you must feel so thrilled.

    • @aHavenForTheLost
      @aHavenForTheLost Місяць тому +1

      I loved the Kraft Spiral Macaroni. My mom would make a couple boxes a week and I loved it hot or cold lol. I love those memories. ❤

  • @KSGomez88
    @KSGomez88 Місяць тому +15

    I adore this series ❤ it makes me want to do this for people in need in my community ❤ You are an inspiration!!

  • @idkwtf2makemyusername104
    @idkwtf2makemyusername104 Місяць тому +5

    Veggies soup would be good. Can just use a pack of stewing beef chunks,few boxes of beef broth, few bouillon cubes, nag of frozen mixed veggies, cut up some taters,and maybe add some barley or dumplings to bulk it up. My dad always made a huge pot and they would share w all of us. It's one of my favorite soups.

  • @deadeyedave444
    @deadeyedave444 Місяць тому +9

    Good on you for your continued efforts to feed your community! One of my favorite things to eat back in the day that I very rarely see anymore was Jell-o poke cake.

  • @vonneblazier814
    @vonneblazier814 Місяць тому +2

    She comes from a time when you were thankful someone prepared a meal for you. I'd be surprised if she ever complained.

  • @dorgan96
    @dorgan96 Місяць тому +4

    Porcupine balls, made with white rice ground beef and diced seasoned tomatoes and seasoning. Mix together and cook for 36-45 minutes till cooked well. Recipe is in taste of home, I ate these back in the early 50’s so she most likely ate it too. Very delicious and flavorful. We also ate a lot of jello salad with fruit in it or lime jello with grated carrots and crushed pineapple. We drank lots of homemade lemonade, and something called coco cola cake which is baked with a Coke. It will be easy to find the recipe for it. For a vegetable we ate streamed zucchini and tomatoes and macaroni combined. Yummy, and season well. Cabbage rolls were big back then too!

  • @susansmallacombe3098
    @susansmallacombe3098 Місяць тому +4

    I love cranberries and walnuts in my chicken salad. I also use them in my turkey salad sandwiches too!

  • @donnatravis2483
    @donnatravis2483 Місяць тому +9

    I usually add dried cranberries to my chicken or turkey salad. Celery is a must for the crunch! :)

  • @spoonergirl75
    @spoonergirl75 Місяць тому +1

    My son sat down and watched this video with me today, and commented that he would have liked having someone like you as a culinary arts teacher. The library in the town I grew up in used to host a free community course for young adults/low income parents/elderly people on how to buy or use inexpensive pantry staples by turning them into healthy meals. I feel like you would be an amazing teacher for something like that. No pressure, lol. I think what you're doing is wonderful! I'd also like to say that I love dried cranberries and slivered almonds in my chicken salad. I also take a note out of my g-grandmother's depression-era cooking tutorials and add hard boiled egg and diced onion to my tuna salad. The egg not only helps make more so that it goes further, it tastes great!

  • @DarleneWhyte-yj3po
    @DarleneWhyte-yj3po Місяць тому +8

    Hi! I have been watching your channel for quite a while and really enjoy it! What a loving act of mercy you are doing in cooking for others! I always liked tuna casserole, johnny marzetti, and stuffed peppers (or made as stuffed pepper soup w/o actually stuffing peppers!) My mother was a sweet woman but not much of a cook, so I have taught myself to cook by watching cooks on TV! At 75 I am still enjoying watching cooks ... only now mostly on UA-cam! God bless you!

  • @diannthomas7849
    @diannthomas7849 Місяць тому +6

    Great job with the menu and the video. I bet these meals are such a blessing to this family. A traditional meal idea might be a good old fashioned beef stew with potatoes and carrots. Im old and its one of my favorite comfort meals.

  • @graciem241
    @graciem241 Місяць тому +5

    Salisbury steak was and still is one of my favorite classic meals!

  • @cherylmclaverty2182
    @cherylmclaverty2182 Місяць тому +11

    Omg I look so forward to your videos ty❤

  • @mrs.higgins3055
    @mrs.higgins3055 Місяць тому +6

    Paula Dean's Not Yo Mama's banana pudding is the BEST banana pudding recipe I've ever tried. I have to make it for every holiday or family function for fear that my family will turn on me if I don't. 🤣
    It's AMAZING!

  • @brynda3811
    @brynda3811 Місяць тому +3

    Girl, homemade pudding is so much better than instant, the richness is just killer

  • @denisepruitt7796
    @denisepruitt7796 Місяць тому +6

    retired from a nursing home and they enjoy fresh tomotoe sandwiches, bologna sandwiches, meatloaf etc. fresh greens, fried okra, peas, anything fresh or fried as the nh serves most canned food, rare for them to get fried foods. they all love sweets of any kind. We use to eat pimento cheese on celery, maybe this was your Mothers version? If she has dentures make sure she can chew what you serve.

  • @donna-keithsmith3925
    @donna-keithsmith3925 6 днів тому

    I can not tell you how glad I am to have found your channel. What a wonderful thing you are doing! I have two seniors (in their 80's) who need help that I have prepared a few meals for and boy did I need ideas. I drove them to a food bank the first time so they could see how simple it was to drive thru as one has mobility issues, as they are struggling financially as well. I've used Flashfood to get more veggies and fruits in their home too. Your channel hit the nail on the head. I've already started planning using some of your meal ideas. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish we could help everyone, pets and people!!!

  • @jeanienelson6524
    @jeanienelson6524 Місяць тому +5

    Pinto beans and cornbread and fried potatoes usually makes older people very happy. Also they need sliced tomatoes and onion. Lots of older southern folks also eat cornbread and milk 😊

    • @donnagent6046
      @donnagent6046 Місяць тому +3

      My mom loved her cornbread and buttermilk.

  • @lindadobson7102
    @lindadobson7102 Місяць тому +5

    Banana pudding from scratch always has a watery layer when you heat the bananas. The longer the time from baking, the waterier the bananas get.

  • @noleenmcbrearty6513
    @noleenmcbrearty6513 Місяць тому +2

    This is my favourite series on UA-cam I'm so enjoying it ❤❤ such a lovely idea xx

  • @db5960
    @db5960 День тому +1

    Love your channel!❤🎉

  • @maddiemaccheese8170
    @maddiemaccheese8170 Місяць тому +6

    You are my absolute favorite channel on youtube!! Your videos are so inspiring, soothing, and educational, and I can't thank you enough for everything you're doing for your community ❤️

  • @charlottetaylor6681
    @charlottetaylor6681 Місяць тому +3

    Hey, Rebecca. When I was a kid in the 50s and 60s (comìng up on 73rd b'day), we often had stuffed celery for an appetizer for Thanksgiving, etc., or for a snack. In those days they were often stuffed with jarred cheese, such as Kraft pineapple cheese or Roquefort. It sounds like your mother's stuffed celery was a variation on stuffing the celery with (homemade) pimento cheese, wĥich is delicious. I make my grandmother's version, which is Velveeta style cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise. She made it in a double boiler, but I found a version on Pinterest to melt the cheese in the microwave in 30 second increments, then add pimento and mayo. I have found that jarred roasted peppers are, oddly, less expensive than pimentos. You can look up the recipe, but really all you have to is start with cheese that's about 3/4 of the amount you want finished and after it's melted in the microwave, add diced pimentos or roasted peppers to taste, and enough mayo to get the texture/flavor you prefer. Really very simple and sooo tasty.
    Edit: Also, I like green grapes, celery and green onions in chicken salad, and when my daughters were young they didn't like onion in tuna salad, so I put in unpeeled diced apple instead. Now I use either or both, depending. Also, add diced regular cheese or Velveeta to traditional tuna salad, put it in hamburger buns, wrap in foil, and bake at around 350 until warmed through and the cheese is gooey. That was a family favorite when I was a kid.

  • @susansmallacombe3098
    @susansmallacombe3098 Місяць тому +2

    I add chocolate chips to my banana muffins. I also add Peanut butter chips to my chocolate muffins. My husband and son love them!

  • @annie1671
    @annie1671 Місяць тому +1

    My grandmother used to serve stuffed celery with cream cheese and pimento olives with a little paprika on top. My sister and I loved them!! We have never heard of anyone else doing this. I am definitely going to try your family's recipe!

  • @soniajohnson8896
    @soniajohnson8896 Місяць тому +4

    My mother stuffed celery with pimento cheese. Yum.

  • @keschneider
    @keschneider Місяць тому +3

    Tuna noodle casserole with a bread crumb or cracker crumb topping comes to mind when I think of a nostalgic meal. :)

  • @821patty2
    @821patty2 Місяць тому +2

    Suggestion for what to use under your cutting board: I use a couple of small leftover strips from a rubber “mesh” mat put under a rug.

  • @rivermoon4825
    @rivermoon4825 Місяць тому +3

    Southern comfort food
    Chicken n dumplings.
    Ham salad sandwich.
    Pea salad
    My grandma knew how to cook i miss her.

    • @RJanke65
      @RJanke65 Місяць тому

      Pimento cheese!!!!

  • @teresab3198
    @teresab3198 Місяць тому +8

    I think the best part of all of this is that even if you didn't use this as content for your channel, you would do it anyway. There is a lot of respect in that!

  • @jadebluea8514
    @jadebluea8514 Місяць тому +2

    Tuna Noodle Casserole was one of my favorites growing up. Also. Grilled cheese and tomato soup.

  • @donnagent6046
    @donnagent6046 Місяць тому +2

    My southern mom made a vegetable beef soup with ground beef that I always loved.

  • @KelseytheLetteredDandy
    @KelseytheLetteredDandy Місяць тому +5

    I have never heard of stuffed celery, but sounds like something my mom would love or would have eaten as a kid here in North Carolina with a ripe summer tomato fresh out of someone's garden. I'll have to make it for her sometime!

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners Місяць тому +4

      I’ll share the recipe with you to try! I have no idea where it came from but it’s delicious.
      Finely dice and drain a handful of tomatoes, add shredded cheddar (I like mild cheddar, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. All of this is to taste, no measurements. Wash celery and cut into 3 inch long pieces and stuff with the tomato mixture. Or sometimes I just scoop the tomato salad with the celery on the side

    • @KelseytheLetteredDandy
      @KelseytheLetteredDandy Місяць тому +4

      @DollarTreeDinners it also totally reminds me of pimento cheese, so that would probably go great with the celery too! 💜

    • @sharonhall2277
      @sharonhall2277 Місяць тому +1

      Also can stuff with peanut butter or cream cheese

  • @Kat175
    @Kat175 Місяць тому +3

    This series is just amazing and is so inspiring. I wish it was easier to find elderly in need near where i live.

  • @tanyarender2003
    @tanyarender2003 Місяць тому

    I am so invested in this series. I hope it continues!

  • @codydoll7655
    @codydoll7655 Місяць тому +1

    Sending this to my hubby. We struggle so much with meals during the week. These seems easy to make in one or two days and last long enough.

  • @stephanieinglett8569
    @stephanieinglett8569 Місяць тому +3

    I am loving these videos. Thank you.

  • @ursularowe3353
    @ursularowe3353 Місяць тому +3

    I'm loving this series. You're doing so much for your community.

  • @shariwuebben7280
    @shariwuebben7280 Місяць тому +1

    I love something sweet, in chicken salad. Grapes, raisins, or my personal favorite, craisins. Some sort of nut, slivered alonds, pecans, or sunflower seeds. I remember from my teen years, there was a "fancy" bakery/cafe at the local mall, that made a chucken salad with green grapes and cashews, served on a croissant. I felt so "adult" and "sophisticated " eating that!

  • @jillybeans70
    @jillybeans70 Місяць тому +1

    I am anxiously awaiting the next installment! ❤

  • @jillybeans70
    @jillybeans70 Місяць тому +6

    So glad you posted!!! Can’t wait for the next installment. It all looked so good!

  • @Lurvification
    @Lurvification Місяць тому +3

    For the chicken salad question!
    I do mayo, salt & pepper, yellow mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, relish, smoked paprika, minced onion, diced celery and a little agave for a touch of sweetness. And ofc chicken!
    However, when I eat it, I add salad toppers to it for the extra crunch!! I really like the Mediterranean style & maple glazed pecan pieces w/ dates & apples both from Walmart! But any salad topper is great. :)

    • @cynthiaburton1971
      @cynthiaburton1971 Місяць тому

      I do precisely as Rebecca did and add a bit of shredded carrot & celery salt (I love savory)

  • @ritascott7901
    @ritascott7901 Місяць тому +1

    While in grade school a favorite meal was hamburger gravy on mashed potatoes. Now even in our 70's we make this go to meal. The burger gravy can be made with a little onion, garlic & a cream soup. But I would rather make the gravy myself. You have a gift for gravy so it should be a snap. Also, apple crisp for dessert. Simple & delish.

  • @debbiegnagey2095
    @debbiegnagey2095 Місяць тому +1

    I live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Here they toast almonds and add with mayonnaise and celery and only a teaspoon or so of onion to chicken salad. Red or green grapes halved are also added. I also love it replacing the almonds with chopped toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and small chunks of apple with the skin on.

  • @jenniferwilson3436
    @jenniferwilson3436 Місяць тому +3

    Love that you do this! I spent the morning prepping a bunch of freezer meals for my best friend who is about to give birth to her first!

  • @NannyTam
    @NannyTam Місяць тому +6

    Rebecca, you are truly talented! Thanks for all you do for both your UA-cam community, but your home community as well. I think you're awesome! Can I offer a tip? Not sure if you've ever tried this, but when peeling potatoes with a vegetable peeler, if you pull the peeler towards you (like you would a paring knife) instead of pushing it away you will be amazed how much easier it is. My MIL taught me that years ago and it truly was a game changer. It all looks so delicious. I know that Family appreciates you beyond measure! 🥰❤️🙏

    • @jenniferbanks2241
      @jenniferbanks2241 Місяць тому

      I move mine back and forth and it Oreos either way. I find it faster as well.

  • @maryellensola5379
    @maryellensola5379 Місяць тому +2

    You are such a blessing to your community! I’ve made it a point to regularly stock a neighborhood free food pantry. I also try to do a lasagna for Lasagna Love every month. Keep up the good work!

  • @courtneybashamfranklin9193
    @courtneybashamfranklin9193 Місяць тому

    All the food looked delicious! Thank you for this kind gesture & for sharing it with all of us. You are awesome!❤

  • @tinakloepfer1581
    @tinakloepfer1581 Місяць тому +20

    My hubby’s lemon meringue pies sometimes turn out runny too. Here’s some info I found online:
    Meringue can cause runniness in pudding for a number of reasons, including:
    Undercooked: Meringue that's undercooked can cause a watery layer between the meringue and the filling
    Overcooked: Meringue that's overcooked can cause small droplets of moisture on top of the meringue
    Undissolved sugar: Undissolved sugar in the egg whites can cause weeping
    Egg whites haven't been whipped enough: Egg whites should be whipped with a wire whisk to create a frothy foam
    Sugar syrup wasn't boiled to the correct temperature: Sugar syrup should be cooked to soft ball stage (120c or 248F) before it's added to the egg whites
    Egg whites are over-beaten: Over-beaten egg whites can cause weeping
    Egg whites are from old eggs: Egg whites from old eggs can cause weeping

  • @anniekuecher7300
    @anniekuecher7300 Місяць тому +2

    Absolutely loving your new videos. You are amazing! Keep shining❤

  • @donnabradshaw5200
    @donnabradshaw5200 Місяць тому +1

    My mom was born in Joplin Missouri. She always liked cornbread crumbled in a glass with butter milk. I thought it did not look too tasty, but she loved it.