You are on another level when it comes to cooking truly frugal, AND tasty food! I’m forever returning to your videos to approach budget shopping. Thank you!
Sweetheart she's in California and with the cost of living as crazy as it is it's paramount to be frugal! Sending love and prayers to you all in CA 💋❣️
In the 70s I had to cook for a blended family of eight. Now it’s only me. It’s very hard to know how to cut back, and when I can’t bear to have leftovers more than two or three times I put it out for the crows, who are very fat and happy and love me. I’m going to try to incorporate some of your ideas so there is not so much waste. Plus, your extreme budget recipes are so much better than most because they incorporate fresh vegetables and very appealing presentations. You are my favorite RUclips Cooking Channel.
15 bean soup works only because the faster cooking beans add thickness while the slow ones add texture. Once you add bouillon, a bay leaf, sausage, tomatoes with chiles, and an onion it is awesome.
I hollered when I saw the green beans but you made it work. ❤. As I continued watching I realized that this is very helpful for me as a gardener. I have a small personal garden and my harvest are small to minimal. Your idea gave me inspiration on how to prepare a tasty meal.
Yay! 😁I learn a lot from these $1 a day challenges. I've learned that even a few beans make a huge difference to a meal. That's so great that you have a garden. I would LOVE to have a garden! 💜 Maybe one day! Thanks for watching!
Wow! Brilliant. Everyone should eat like this. There would be more food to go around. I thought I was a frugal champion. I take my hat off to you. You are the frugal Queen.
There is plenty of food to go around. Food shortages come from the rich controlling the poor. Or food desserts in urban areas, etc. there is no lack of food on the planet or in this country, natural or manufactured!
Jack Monroe, a food blogger among many other respected things, did a budget week highlighting pearl barley, so you should definitely look her up if you don't know her and find that to see the types of meals she made during that week. There were definitely some interesting dishes that she created on a budget. :)
I love these extreme frugal challenges! Wonderfully imaginative recipes! I think your son's idea of using pearl barley in a vegetarian chili is terrific. I am trying to come up with a vegetarian meatloaf that I'd eat with brown gravy and mashed potatoes, and now you've got me thinking about one that would include mushrooms and barley.
I would love to see a pantry challenge, where you just shop your own pantry and freezer, to help us figure out what we should keep in our pantry for emergencies.
I absolutely love these videos. I love your "crazy amount of spices". It helps so much when cooking with frugal foods. I hope this turns into a full time gig for ya, cuz I'm loving it! Thanks for this video!
I felt it was a bit much but I didn't know a way around it with cooking Indian food. 😂 I hope so too....I would have so much fun working this channel full time.
Wow! Every time I watch one of your videos, I learn something new and not just about cooking and food. I think having a meal plan in mind for the food items you purchased is the key to your success with these challenges, and you explore other cultures cuisines!! Thank you
You could have made "1-Ingredient Red Lentil Tortillas". It's just the red lentils soaked in water and then blended and cooked like a pancake in a skillet. There are recipes using other types of beans but the ratio of water and soaking time changes so google by bean if you want to try them. I have made the red lentil type and liked them.
oh wow that sounds amazing! 👍 I can see how they would work for that. I'll save this idea for another video. Thanks for the tip. 😁I was also thinking when I was making the red lentils that they would be amazing as a thickener for soups and stews. Perfect to add a little more nutrition.
There's a RUclipsr called Aspiring Home Cook who made red lentil patties during a $40 challenge week that she did, so take a look at that. There's also another food blogger named Jules from from Stonesoup (her blog name) who made a recipe that is still a favourite of mine, Hearty Red Lentil Stew, super yummy and very budget friendly. She made this during a Live Below the Line challenge that I watched where you only spend $2 a day Australian/$1.25 per day US, and served it on rice, very tasty and filling! :)
I’ll bet you felt really healthy after eating that day, such yummy food! Thank you for these dairy free options. I am not able to eat dairy anymore and it has been hard for me to learn to cook without dairy. These ideas really help! Bonus points for the Tumeric which is supposed to be antiinflammatory.
I'm with you, sister. I've been lactose intolerant since the 90s but the issues never go away. I've amassed recipes that I love that are non-diary or use the new-fangled vegan and dairy-free products. Start with your easy favorites. Pancakes and french toast can be made from any basic recipe just use nut milk or mixed pineapple fruit juice (like Dole). Fried rice is great, low cost, and easy to make -- since many Asian must avoid dairy their cuisine is mostly dairy-free. Homemade pesto is incredibly easy just go for extra garlic, walnuts instead of expensive pinenuts, fresh basil mixed half-and-half with fresh spinach, and just use a little olive oil. Pesto freezes great in icecube trays! My heart goes out to anyone who has to stop dairy cold turkey, as it were. Keep it simple. Try to avoid obsessing over cheese. You can have foods that are creamy and complex without the evil white stuff. Pacific Foods, Trader Joe's, Google vegan, but far more important... www.godairyfree.org/ Be healthy!
@@susanjane4784 it has taken me almost 6 months, but I have been dairy, corn, gluten and egg free for about 6 weeks. I find that avocado or hummus to be a great substitute for cheese. Pesto too.
I am always amazed by what you are able to put together for $1.00. I cook with red lentils all the time I usually make a taco or sloppy joe filling. I just alter the spices based on what I feel like making that night. It makes for a much softer filling which I prefer over the green or brown lentils. Watching this video makes me think I need to add some barley to my next grocery order so that I can try to make something with it. I make soup with the multi-bean mixes quite often. I haven’t noticed an issue with one of the beans has been a different consistency over another. I am pretty sure you’ve mentioned being a vegetarian so this won’t work for you but I start with browning some ground beef, add some onion & celery and fresh carrot. Add some spices and some stock to the soaked beans and let it simmer. It’s a very tasty and filling soup.
Thank you so much! 😁 Thanks for the comment on the bean soup. I'm not a vegetarian...although I do eat a lot of vegetarian food. I'll try this multi bean soup in the future. 👍 I'll save this recipe.
Happy I could help!!! In that case I’ll let you know for the spices I tend to add several sprigs of fresh thyme and 2 or 3 bay leaves. I wrap them up in cheese cloth and put them in the simmering soup. That way when the soup is done I just need to fish out the tied up spices. I get all of the flavour and I’m not fishing out twigs of thyme and bay leaves before ladling up my soup!!! Oh and I add some garlic when I’m sautéing the veggies. I am in central Canada where it gets very very cold in the winter so it is a great soup to make when there’s a blizzard outside.
@@robinluger2884 coming to say this. Yes, some beans will actually just disintegrate and be the thickener of your soup. It's delicious. I have made multi-bean soup for years with and without a meat base. You can't really go wrong making it. The varying textures are part of what makes it hearty and if making a vegetarian variety, you really don't miss the meat.
You never fail to delight me with your seasoning skills. You are a flavor ninja! Love that you make non-traditional (in the average U.S.diet) foods more mainstream.💕💕
Glad you think so. 😁 I didn't have a lot of options in the bulk section. The consistency of my meals were all kind of the same...so that would have been the only thing that I would have changed, but they were tasty meals regardless.
Thank you Michelle! Wonderful use of bulk food, and vegetables as a sort of garnish to make it pretty and add variety of textures. It was helpful to see this.
I love red lentils. I love making soup and adding barley. So filling snd tasty. Toasted barley makes an excellent tea. Simply bake the barley then cook the barley and drink the barley cooking water. It’s yummy and healthful. Then add the cooked barley to a salad or other dish.
I bought some of those lights at Menards for $2.99 for 2 I love having them because sometimes you just need a little light rather than turning on the big overhead lights.
Hi Michelle, just wanted to let you know that I purchased those lights on Amazon. I have a really old house ((1890's) and although the electric is pretty up to date, I lack outlets especially in the kitchen and stairway and hallway. so I bought the lights and couldn't believe how great they were. Thanks for the tip...Pat Jensen
just for reference. ,chana ddl is actually split chickpeas. it's tasty for sure. I cook with red lentils all the time. love them. Especially with potato in a curry.
Yes I believe I mentioned the part about the chana dal being chickpeas/garbanzo beans in the video. This was my first time cooking them though. I love how fast the red lentils cook. I'll be using these as a thickening agent in many other soups. Thanks for watching 😁
I wish! These were from my latest grocery shop in New Zealand: One capsicum $4 😩 three small courgettes cost me $10. 4 kiwi fruit was $4.50. 3 onions $3. Celery $5. It’s absolutely crazy how much food costs here right now. I eat a lot of veggies so it’s rough… my average grocery bill is $200 per week 😳
I love your videos. They give so many ideas on how to get creative with food. Your voice is also super soothing. I wonder if you could do a budget using a bit more $ but meant for a family of 3-4. I’d love to see how you’d stretch ingredients and money with more mouths to feed
Hi Sabrina 😁 I've done a few for families. They take me longer to produce. I also work a full time job outside of RUclips, which is why I don't have more. I'll try to get another one out for families soon.
You really did well on just $1. At the first of the video I could see your store choice made it a bit harder. I, too, love WinCo and how you can get things in exact quantities from all their bulk bins now that pandemic restrictions are easing.
Oh, the chana dal and potato fry both are made pretty much same way here in my house. we eat the dal and fried potatoes with steamed rice, and its a great, filling meal. you can also fry other vegetables, like okra, eggplant, etc. It tastes great.
I was going back and forth between the okra and the green beans. I love okra! I was actually wishing I had some rice when I made this. I figured that would be a great combo! Plus I love rice! Thanks for watching!
We make pottage from lentils, or beans with a little bit of smoked, paprika spiced sasuage or smoked pork. I'm Hungarian, and we have so much low budget recipe, because we were always poor, just like the "pörkölt": you need some meat, onion, a little bit of pepper, and tomato, paprika for spice, salt & black pepper and a water when you make the base. Heat the oil, toast the onion, and then also the tomato and paprika, add some water to make everything cooked, and after that you can add the meat. When you adding a paprika, you need to move away from the heat, and cook until the meat ready. Little bit a salt & black pepper. You can eat with some potato, pasta, rice, or just bread. And if you like heat, add some spicy pepper, or other sauce.
Hi Szabina 😁 I would LOVE to make some Hungarian dishes on my channel. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I lOVE it when my viewers share their recipes with me 😊🥰 Have a great day!
@@ArdentMichelle thanks for the comment, I like watching your videos, because you have great ideas for everyone, and you make cheap, but healthy foods.
Overcooked red lentils make an amazing creamy soup!! I accidentally overcooked them one time and was like ...what do I do know...I just added a little extra water/broth and blended them with an immersion blender and it made the best soup!
It's the perfect base for a soup, even the yellow ones. That's what we use most times in the Caribbean instead of vegetable broth. Makes a filling soup& It's higher in protein too !
very delicious and satisfying as well as healthy and thrifty... lovely to watch :) makes me want to try $1 a day menus to see how many different ways this can be worked. I was thinking a fried bread made w a few tablespoons of flour would be a great filling addition, maybe in place of the potato, though the potato works just as good.
The potato adds potassium and other nutrients, most people do not get enough potassium in their diets, we need 4700 mgs daily, it regulates blood pressure among other things. I love breads and like your idea, would be great with the lentil soup.
A wonderful video. I absolutely love lentils but the red by far are my favorite. They cook so quickly and are creamy. Barley. My first time cooking it i added too much to my chicken stock. All turned okay as it made a nice side dish.
Great work, I would have jumped on the Daal lentils too, My fav foods are Mexican and Indian and share a similar spice pallet. I sniggered at the 3 green beans but you made it work. Pity a lot of the binned stuff was pre-packaged.
This is really good! Why don’t you take seven dollars to the store and see what you come up with for a week, or even thirty dollars for a month. That would be amazing for people on a pension. ❤️
@@obiwantzcanolisandmomgarde8490 yeah I’ve seen them, but I was just curious about a month’s worth. People who are on a fixed income usually get their money at the beginning of the month, and that’s it until next month. Shopping once and seeing if it can last a whole four weeks before you need to go to the store again.
I’ve been convinced for YEARS that I’d hate curry, and never tried it because I don’t like coconut. I like your method and will FINALLY get to try curry! Thank you for the education!❤️
Well ur recipes certainly have seen my fam thru few tough scrapes (our doodle really ill & temp job shut down during pandemic) but honestly my kids barely noticed. They did however notice quickly when we adjusted our cable budget & downgraded but made it! Hope u continue to post cuz it does make diff more ppl than u prolly know. Thx again!
@@ArdentMichelle I usually just cook mine with some ham or smoked meat, garlic, onions, bulion and just a little bit of brown sugar or maple syrup. But in a pinch the little packet of ham flavor usually included is actually not bad.
One of my favorite soups growing up was a beef and barley. I believe Campbell's offered it in the can, but often my mother would make it and add carrots and onions, I believe.
Yes I remember seeing that soup. Sounds like a good match! Maybe I'll make a beef with barley soup on my channel in the Fall! Sounds so hearty and a perfect meal for my crockpot.
Great cooking ideas on an extreme budget! This looked so yummy too. I have to ask though the wonderful spices adds so much to any dish. If someone is on an extreme budget I’m not sure they will have some of those more expensive spices on hand. Spices can be costly. Can you create a video or two with more of the very basic spices for an extreme cooking budget ? I do love your videos and your cooking ideas. Your voiceover on these are also so calming and relaxing! Thank you for what you do
Hello 😁 Thank you so much! This was the first video I've done that I used spices that I didn't think a lot of my viewers would have...but the beans are so delicious on their own, that it would have been a good meal with just the natural lentil broth. I usually try to keep it to basic spices, and will do so again in my next video. Thanks for taking the time to comment and I'm glad you find my videos relaxing!
I have several sets of those Walmart utensils. My mom didn't like metal utensils. Just be aware that they cannot withstand high temperatures. If you use a dishwasher, do not put them downward. And do not use them to stir something hot, like coffee. :)
Wow that was great Michelle! Just wondering do you have a small place to grow a few green onions? if so are you familiar with Egyptian walking onions? I have lots of bulbs and I would be happy to send you some. You’ll never be without onions again. Look them up and see if you’re interested.
Unfortunately I have NO space! ☹️ it's terrible. I have only one window that gets subpar light. Not even a patio. That is so thoughtful of you! Hoping I can take you up on your offer in the future when I move to a better place. I've never heard of Egyptian walking onions. I just googled them and they look so interesting! 🤔
I know we have some great deals. 😁 I'm fortunate. I need to explore the other ethnic markets too. I'm trying to plan to get over to El Super this weekend, which is a Mexican market that looks to have some good pricing. I went back and purchased some of those grapefruits. They are sooooo sweet and delicious!
So, I usually "water sauté) which takes a little longer than using oil but further saves on money on your dish as well as calories! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :) GOOD JOB OUT THERE!
Campbell Soup had a soup that I really was fond of, I don’t know if they still have it. It had pearl barley in it. I think it was called Scotch Broth. I think it was basically a beef/vegetable soup.
Oh my gosh...yes...you are right. 👍 I remember that soup. I had totally forgotten about that. I'm excited to try more recipes with the barley. I love the texture.
Thank you for the new video! I love all of your ideas. You can make Bean and Barley Burgers by mixing cooked beans and cooked barley together and mashing it up a bit and then frying them like hamburgers. I usually add some chopped green onion to mine and top it with a slice of cheese if I have some. You could add chopped mushrooms to the mix or other veggies if you want. Some people also add a egg or flour to the mix to give it a different texture.
In the Southwest of the US, they need to STOP growing cotton and soy (high water crops) and switch to lentils (low water crop)--that would make SO much more sense...get smart...dts/usa
Thanks Camelia. Oh my gosh...I meant to give you a shout out in my video, but I was in such a hurry to get my dang video out.....editing FOREVER! Can you paste me the link to your dollar video here and I can post it in my description. I'll try to mention you in my next video!
I realize how fortunate I am to be able to shop at such great stores 👩🍳 Do you have any international stores near you? Most cities do. Sometimes you can find bulk items for purchase there.
@@ArdentMichelle a new small Asian market/ restaurant just opened where I live. I'm going to go check it out this week and see what they have. It won't be anything like where you shop because it's very small
Hello 😁 I'm not familiar with that store. I googled Harbor Freight and came up with an automotive store. I would love to pick some more up for $1 each.
Yeah I was thinking that it needed more tomato sauce. I feel like the tomato sauce would temper the spices a little also....plus I'm a huge fan of tomatoes.
That's amazing - I had no idea it was remotely possible to get so much food out of $1. Nobody should ever have to eat on such a ridiculous budget, of course.
I think you will really love the barley. You can also make a barely casserole. With veggies. Its wonderful for vegan dishes. Red lentils are awesome as well. As for the 12 Bean 13 Bean whatever soup. Lol. I've made it before with a bunch of different veggies. It actually comes out really good. The smaller beans like lentils especially the red ones cook so much in it they contribute to the broth tasting awesome and thickening it a little bit they just kind of dissolve. But it is good. I bought bags of it that come with that bag of horrible seasoning with fake crap in it. I throw away the seasoning, and just make a soup. I love that story you're going to I wish I had one like that here in Vermont. Best to you. Thank you for the insightful videos
I'm excited to try this bean soup. I couldn't remember if it was 12 or 13 bean either so I googled it and discovered there are 15 and 16 bean soups too! 😂 That's crazy. I'm definitely wanting to try this in the fall though...since so many of you have left positive reviews of it. Thanks for taking the time to comment 😁🥰
OK, I’ve got pearl barley, split peas, lentils, all kinds of beans, so I think I will try a combination of several of these staples. I’m not at this time in trouble financially but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the future. Besides, at my age of 82, nothing sounds good anymore and I am probably starving myself. Depression????
Couldn't agree more about preparing for the future. 👍That's a shame that nothing is sounding good anymore. Loss of taste and smell are common with age. That could be making everything taste kind of bland. I hope you feel better 😊
Love you!! Michelle, you are the best frugal chef, I'm not in California so I don't have the same Great deals!! Please do 2 videos using Walmart and Dollar Tree. I love veggie foods and make the best Asian Chinese foods.
Awe...thanks so much 😁🥰 I was just thinking it's about time for another Dollar Tree challenge. I haven't been there in awhile. My last family budget challenge was at Walmart, but I'm sure I'll do some more soon. Thanks for watching!
You are on another level when it comes to cooking truly frugal, AND tasty food! I’m forever returning to your videos to approach budget shopping. Thank you!
Awe..this makes me so happy! 😁🥰 so glad you liked this one.
Sweetheart she's in California and with the cost of living as crazy as it is it's paramount to be frugal! Sending love and prayers to you all in CA 💋❣️
In the 70s I had to cook for a blended family of eight. Now it’s only me. It’s very hard to know how to cut back, and when I can’t bear to have leftovers more than two or three times I put it out for the crows, who are very fat and happy and love me. I’m going to try to incorporate some of your ideas so there is not so much waste. Plus, your extreme budget recipes are so much better than most because they incorporate fresh vegetables and very appealing presentations. You are my favorite RUclips Cooking Channel.
Awe...Thanks so much 😁🥰 I appreciate the complement. I'm glad you like my videos.
You have a soothing voice. it’s like you are the Bob Ross of cooking.
awe... I love that. 😁 🥰 Thank you so much!
Yes!!!! I feel the same way about her voice! Lol I also liked Bob Ross
@@luckypenny4263 I've watched many of his videos! 😂 I also like to paint. So peaceful.
Dollar a day budget challenges are easier by the month, or even year, to get bulk bargains. But for just one day, you nailed it!
Thank you 😁
When I think about the people you are helping, I get goosebumps and tear up. You are a beautiful person. ❤️
Awe...thank you 🥰 You are so sweet.
15 bean soup works only because the faster cooking beans add thickness while the slow ones add texture. Once you add bouillon, a bay leaf, sausage, tomatoes with chiles, and an onion it is awesome.
I'm going to have to give this a try! Is that your official recipe? 😂😂 Sounds lovely to me!
@@ArdentMichelle that's pretty much it. You can use any meat, or no meat. Don't forget the lemon (acid) before serving.
@@yvonnepalmquist8676 acidity is so important to balance!
Yes! I love getting bags of 15 bean soup for fall
@paranoiavandroid yes we do this in the Caribbean.
I hollered when I saw the green beans but you made it work. ❤. As I continued watching I realized that this is very helpful for me as a gardener. I have a small personal garden and my harvest are small to minimal. Your idea gave me inspiration on how to prepare a tasty meal.
Yay! 😁I learn a lot from these $1 a day challenges. I've learned that even a few beans make a huge difference to a meal. That's so great that you have a garden. I would LOVE to have a garden! 💜 Maybe one day! Thanks for watching!
Wow! Brilliant. Everyone should eat like this. There would be more food to go around. I thought I was a frugal champion. I take my hat off to you. You are the frugal Queen.
Thank you so much 😁🥰
There is plenty of food to go around. Food shortages come from the rich controlling the poor. Or food desserts in urban areas, etc. there is no lack of food on the planet or in this country, natural or manufactured!
Great video. I love your choices. So frugal, tasty and vegan. You are helping everyone who might be struggling.
Glad you like my video 😁🥰 Thank you so much for the complement.
A friend of mine thought she was making steel cut oatmeal, but she made it with Pearl barley by mistake. It was delicious!
That's so funny! I REALLY love the texture of this. I'm excited to try this in other recipes! 👩🍳
Jack Monroe, a food blogger among many other respected things, did a budget week highlighting pearl barley, so you should definitely look her up if you don't know her and find that to see the types of meals she made during that week. There were definitely some interesting dishes that she created on a budget. :)
@@alwayslearning9272 I'll check her out 👍
You are a wizard, I love that you are teaching all of us how to eat simply and for less...but still eat well!! Thank you for sharing!!
I'm so happy that you find my videos helpful! 🥰 Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I love these extreme frugal challenges! Wonderfully imaginative recipes! I think your son's idea of using pearl barley in a vegetarian chili is terrific. I am trying to come up with a vegetarian meatloaf that I'd eat with brown gravy and mashed potatoes, and now you've got me thinking about one that would include mushrooms and barley.
Wow. I think that would be a perfect application for the barley 👍 If you nail that down....please share the recipe!
Try lentils. They’re super cheap and crazy nutritious.
Terrific ideas - thanks for showing us you can still create flavorful healthy dishes frugally with some effort and creativity! ❤
You're welcome 😁 Glad you liked my video!
You never cease to amaze me.
Awe....thank YOU! 😁🥰 I appreciate the complement!
I would love to see a pantry challenge, where you just shop your own pantry and freezer, to help us figure out what we should keep in our pantry for emergencies.
I can definitely do this! I'll add this to the schedule 😁👩🍳
Came for the recipes...stayed for the music. That was lovely!
Glad you liked both my recipes and the music! 😁
I absolutely love these videos. I love your "crazy amount of spices". It helps so much when cooking with frugal foods. I hope this turns into a full time gig for ya, cuz I'm loving it! Thanks for this video!
I felt it was a bit much but I didn't know a way around it with cooking
Indian food. 😂 I hope so too....I would have so much fun working this channel full time.
Wow! Every time I watch one of your videos, I learn something new and not just about cooking and food. I think having a meal plan in mind for the food items you purchased is the key to your success with these challenges, and you explore other cultures cuisines!! Thank you
I'm so so glad you find my videos informative! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
You could have made "1-Ingredient Red Lentil Tortillas". It's just the red lentils soaked in water and then blended and cooked like a pancake in a skillet. There are recipes using other types of beans but the ratio of water and soaking time changes so google by bean if you want to try them. I have made the red lentil type and liked them.
oh wow that sounds amazing! 👍 I can see how they would work for that. I'll save this idea for another video. Thanks for the tip. 😁I was also thinking when I was making the red lentils that they would be amazing as a thickener for soups and stews. Perfect to add a little more nutrition.
There's a RUclipsr called Aspiring Home Cook who made red lentil patties during a $40 challenge week that she did, so take a look at that.
There's also another food blogger named Jules from from Stonesoup (her blog name) who made a recipe that is still a favourite of mine, Hearty Red Lentil Stew, super yummy and very budget friendly.
She made this during a Live Below the Line challenge that I watched where you only spend $2 a day Australian/$1.25 per day US, and served it on rice, very tasty and filling! :)
It is delicious, I make it with a mixture of lentils and rice or other grain. I like when it ferments a little, like a dosa.
@@alwayslearning9272 I love watching these. Thank you 👍
@@ArdentMichelle They are great for thickening!
I’ll bet you felt really healthy after eating that day, such yummy food! Thank you for these dairy free options. I am not able to eat dairy anymore and it has been hard for me to learn to cook without dairy. These ideas really help! Bonus points for the Tumeric which is supposed to be antiinflammatory.
Thanks Becky. 🥰 Glad you liked my choices for this video!
I'm with you, sister. I've been lactose intolerant since the 90s but the issues never go away. I've amassed recipes that I love that are non-diary or use the new-fangled vegan and dairy-free products. Start with your easy favorites. Pancakes and french toast can be made from any basic recipe just use nut milk or mixed pineapple fruit juice (like Dole). Fried rice is great, low cost, and easy to make -- since many Asian must avoid dairy their cuisine is mostly dairy-free. Homemade pesto is incredibly easy just go for extra garlic, walnuts instead of expensive pinenuts, fresh basil mixed half-and-half with fresh spinach, and just use a little olive oil. Pesto freezes great in icecube trays! My heart goes out to anyone who has to stop dairy cold turkey, as it were. Keep it simple. Try to avoid obsessing over cheese. You can have foods that are creamy and complex without the evil white stuff. Pacific Foods, Trader Joe's, Google vegan, but far more important... www.godairyfree.org/ Be healthy!
@@susanjane4784 it has taken me almost 6 months, but I have been dairy, corn, gluten and egg free for about 6 weeks. I find that avocado or hummus to be a great substitute for cheese. Pesto too.
@@susanjane4784 Yum pesto. 😋 There are lots of great dairy free options now.
Yay another video from my favorite SoCal gal 🤩🥳🥰 Lots of yummy ideas! Thanks! 💕
Thanks Cathie 😁🥰 Glad you liked this video!
Yayyyy!! Thank you! I have lentils, potato, toms and long green beans right now… I’m totally making this! Xo
Awesome 👍 Hope you enjoy!
Your creativity and frugality with food is an art form! I love these videos.
Thanks so much! 😁🥰 I appreciate the nice complement!
You are an absolute star. I love that you do healthy food, low-cost protein, that you show how you cook the food, and plate it beautifully.
Awe...💜 Thanks so much Jeanne. I appreciate the complement. 😁
Dollar Tree has stick p lights too!
I am always amazed by what you are able to put together for $1.00. I cook with red lentils all the time I usually make a taco or sloppy joe filling. I just alter the spices based on what I feel like making that night. It makes for a much softer filling which I prefer over the green or brown lentils.
Watching this video makes me think I need to add some barley to my next grocery order so that I can try to make something with it.
I make soup with the multi-bean mixes quite often. I haven’t noticed an issue with one of the beans has been a different consistency over another. I am pretty sure you’ve mentioned being a vegetarian so this won’t work for you but I start with browning some ground beef, add some onion & celery and fresh carrot. Add some spices and some stock to the soaked beans and let it simmer. It’s a very tasty and filling soup.
Thank you so much! 😁 Thanks for the comment on the bean soup. I'm not a vegetarian...although I do eat a lot of vegetarian food. I'll try this multi bean soup in the future. 👍 I'll save this recipe.
Happy I could help!!! In that case I’ll let you know for the spices I tend to add several sprigs of fresh thyme and 2 or 3 bay leaves. I wrap them up in cheese cloth and put them in the simmering soup. That way when the soup is done I just need to fish out the tied up spices. I get all of the flavour and I’m not fishing out twigs of thyme and bay leaves before ladling up my soup!!! Oh and I add some garlic when I’m sautéing the veggies. I am in central Canada where it gets very very cold in the winter so it is a great soup to make when there’s a blizzard outside.
Mixed bean soup let’s different beans become the brothy element, while others add varying textures-excellent!!!
@@robinluger2884 coming to say this. Yes, some beans will actually just disintegrate and be the thickener of your soup. It's delicious. I have made multi-bean soup for years with and without a meat base. You can't really go wrong making it. The varying textures are part of what makes it hearty and if making a vegetarian variety, you really don't miss the meat.
@@BrowneyedGirlmjd This will be perfect in my dutch oven when fall hits! Thanks for adding your recipe 😁
You never fail to delight me with your seasoning skills. You are a flavor ninja! Love that you make non-traditional (in the average U.S.diet) foods more mainstream.💕💕
Thank you so much 😁🥰 This video did have a crazy amount of spices 😂 Glad you are enjoying my content. Thank you for watching!
@@ArdentMichelle the spices are normal to me, in the Caribbeam where I'm from we use even more.
You are always so clever! I need to rewatch it & take some notes! 😀
Glad you think so. 😁 I didn't have a lot of options in the bulk section. The consistency of my meals were all kind of the same...so that would have been the only thing that I would have changed, but they were tasty meals regardless.
Thank you Michelle! Wonderful use of bulk food, and vegetables as a sort of garnish to make it pretty and add variety of textures. It was helpful to see this.
Glad you liked it. 😁🥰
Thank you for the shopping haul, the creative tasty meal planning for a dollar a day, and the relaxed music selections 😊
Glad you liked it! 😁 Thanks for watching
I still don't understand why you don't have a million subscribers! Such a fantastic channel!
Thanks Robin 😁🥰
Love love the music in the background during the third meal, love your channel michelle
Thank you 😁
I love red lentils. I love making soup and adding barley. So filling snd tasty. Toasted barley makes an excellent tea. Simply bake the barley then cook the barley and drink the barley cooking water. It’s yummy and healthful. Then add the cooked barley to a salad or other dish.
That is a fantastic store. I find that the ethnic origin stores have so much choice at reasonable prices. Their spice aisles are usually incredible.
Agreed...I love to peruse the spice aisle in ethnic markets. Plus I find new spices that I haven't seen before.
The care you have for each ingredient is inspiring
Thank you so much 😁
You can also use the pearl barely as you would oats, just boil them for longer & add milk, cinnamon, sugar...great for breakfast.
Thanks for the tip 👍 I'll try this.
I bought some of those lights at Menards for $2.99 for 2 I love having them because sometimes you just need a little light rather than turning on the big overhead lights.
Love these types of videos!!! Thank you!!
Glad you like them! 😁
Me, too!🙋🏻♀️
Hi Michelle, just wanted to let you know that I purchased those lights on Amazon. I have a really old house ((1890's) and although the electric is pretty up to date, I lack outlets especially in the kitchen and stairway and hallway. so I bought the lights and couldn't believe how great they were. Thanks for the tip...Pat Jensen
Glad you liked them 👍 Thanks for letting me know.
working my way through all your great videos. Enjoying your recipes
Glad you like them! 😁
just for reference. ,chana ddl is actually split chickpeas. it's tasty for sure. I cook with red lentils all the time.
love them. Especially with potato in a curry.
Yes I believe I mentioned the part about the chana dal being chickpeas/garbanzo beans in the video. This was my first time cooking them though. I love how fast the red lentils cook. I'll be using these as a thickening agent in many other soups. Thanks for watching 😁
@@ArdentMichelle red lentils are my favorite
I wish! These were from my latest grocery shop in New Zealand: One capsicum $4 😩 three small courgettes cost me $10. 4 kiwi fruit was $4.50. 3 onions $3. Celery $5. It’s absolutely crazy how much food costs here right now. I eat a lot of veggies so it’s rough… my average grocery bill is $200 per week 😳
Wow. Sorry to hear that. ☹️
I love your videos. They give so many ideas on how to get creative with food. Your voice is also super soothing. I wonder if you could do a budget using a bit more $ but meant for a family of 3-4. I’d love to see how you’d stretch ingredients and money with more mouths to feed
Hi Sabrina 😁 I've done a few for families. They take me longer to produce. I also work a full time job outside of RUclips, which is why I don't have more. I'll try to get another one out for families soon.
Love these, thanks for the ideas🦘
Glad you like them! 😁 Thank YOU for watching!
You really did well on just $1. At the first of the video I could see your store choice made it a bit harder. I, too, love WinCo and how you can get things in exact quantities from all their bulk bins now that pandemic restrictions are easing.
Yeah.....I did not have much to choose from 😂 Winco is my favorite.
Michelle, another time try this daal over rice. its tastes great and it is the quintessential budget meal with complete protein.
Yes that would be so good! I also would have liked more tomato.
Oh, the chana dal and potato fry both are made pretty much same way here in my house. we eat the dal and fried potatoes with steamed rice, and its a great, filling meal. you can also fry other vegetables, like okra, eggplant, etc. It tastes great.
I was going back and forth between the okra and the green beans. I love okra! I was actually wishing I had some rice when I made this. I figured that would be a great combo! Plus I love rice! Thanks for watching!
We make pottage from lentils, or beans with a little bit of smoked, paprika spiced sasuage or smoked pork. I'm Hungarian, and we have so much low budget recipe, because we were always poor, just like the "pörkölt": you need some meat, onion, a little bit of pepper, and tomato, paprika for spice, salt & black pepper and a water when you make the base. Heat the oil, toast the onion, and then also the tomato and paprika, add some water to make everything cooked, and after that you can add the meat. When you adding a paprika, you need to move away from the heat, and cook until the meat ready. Little bit a salt & black pepper. You can eat with some potato, pasta, rice, or just bread. And if you like heat, add some spicy pepper, or other sauce.
Hi Szabina 😁 I would LOVE to make some Hungarian dishes on my channel. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I lOVE it when my viewers share their recipes with me 😊🥰 Have a great day!
@@ArdentMichelle thanks for the comment, I like watching your videos, because you have great ideas for everyone, and you make cheap, but healthy foods.
@@KeminaKelvin Thank you 😁
Overcooked red lentils make an amazing creamy soup!! I accidentally overcooked them one time and was like ...what do I do know...I just added a little extra water/broth and blended them with an immersion blender and it made the best soup!
It's funny how sometimes you discover these gems from what you think is a mishap but was really a blessing! Love this! 😁
It's the perfect base for a soup, even the yellow ones. That's what we use most times in the Caribbean instead of vegetable broth. Makes a filling soup& It's higher in protein too !
very delicious and satisfying as well as healthy and thrifty... lovely to watch :) makes me want to try $1 a day menus to see how many different ways this can be worked. I was thinking a fried bread made w a few tablespoons of flour would be a great filling addition, maybe in place of the potato, though the potato works just as good.
Yes you should do a $1 a day challenge. 👍 I like your idea about the bread....so cheap too!
The potato adds potassium and other nutrients, most people do not get enough potassium in their diets, we need 4700 mgs daily, it regulates blood pressure among other things. I love breads and like your idea, would be great with the lentil soup.
I always enjoy your challenges. $1.00/day is almost impossible these days. Thank you for showing us how it can be done. Willette
Thanks Willette. Glad you liked this video 😁
I agree in Australia , I can’t even 2 pieces of fruit for $1
Amazing job as always!!!
Thanks I appreciate your complement so much 😁
A wonderful video. I absolutely love lentils but the red by far are my favorite. They cook so quickly and are creamy. Barley. My first time cooking it i added too much to my chicken stock. All turned okay as it made a nice side dish.
You did great for 1 dollar! Those Indian spices were so tasty!
Thanks Justin 😁
I just love the way you two interact. Keep up the great work, both of you and I look forward to your videos.
@@courtneywhitt9971 Thanks for the kind words. I hope I don't displease ❤️
@@courtneywhitt9971 awe...thanks Courtney. 🥰 I appreciate you!
Great work, I would have jumped on the Daal lentils too, My fav foods are Mexican and Indian and share a similar spice pallet. I sniggered at the 3 green beans but you made it work. Pity a lot of the binned stuff was pre-packaged.
Thank you so much 😁 I know...I could have had some fun with a little rice. Although...I'm glad to have tried the pearl barley.
Wow, I grew up in Southern Caand greatly miss Persian markets. However, never saw one that beautiful and huge in my life! Omg, I'm totally jealous.
I feel blessed to have so many different markets to choose from. A lot of the food is so foreign to me, but I love to explore and am open to learning!
This is really good! Why don’t you take seven dollars to the store and see what you come up with for a week, or even thirty dollars for a month. That would be amazing for people on a pension. ❤️
I sometimes do those videos. Have you seen my $5 or $10 a week videos?
And thanks for the complement 😁
Look thru her video
So many to choose for budget friendly ideas
@@obiwantzcanolisandmomgarde8490 yeah I’ve seen them, but I was just curious about a month’s worth. People who are on a fixed income usually get their money at the beginning of the month, and that’s it until next month. Shopping once and seeing if it can last a whole four weeks before you need to go to the store again.
@@maryegerton6848 check out Rain dove's vid on utube re eating 2 months on 1 month of food stamps
I’ve been convinced for YEARS that I’d hate curry, and never tried it because I don’t like coconut. I like your method and will FINALLY get to try curry! Thank you for the education!❤️
Of course 😁 Glad this video is inspiring you to try curry
Amazing! Your posts always inspire me and so helpful to motivate my stay on budget goals. Can’t wait to see next food vid 💥
Awe...thank you so much! 😁
Well ur recipes certainly have seen my fam thru few tough scrapes (our doodle really ill & temp job shut down during pandemic) but honestly my kids barely noticed. They did however notice quickly when we adjusted our cable budget & downgraded but made it! Hope u continue to post cuz it does make diff more ppl than u prolly know. Thx again!
This is one of my fav channels. 🙋🏻♀️
Awe...thank you Dani 😁🥰 This makes me so happy!
I like 13 bean soup but the smaller brans basically do end up as gravy by the time the big beans are done.
I'm going to try this....but I might wait til Fall. Sounds like a great crock pot meal. I'm going with Kim's recipe below. 😂
@@ArdentMichelle I usually just cook mine with some ham or smoked meat, garlic, onions, bulion and just a little bit of brown sugar or maple syrup. But in a pinch the little packet of ham flavor usually included is actually not bad.
One of my favorite soups growing up was a beef and barley. I believe Campbell's offered it in the can, but often my mother would make it and add carrots and onions, I believe.
Yes I remember seeing that soup. Sounds like a good match! Maybe I'll make a beef with barley soup on my channel in the Fall! Sounds so hearty and a perfect meal for my crockpot.
Great cooking ideas on an extreme budget! This looked so yummy too. I have to ask though the wonderful spices adds so much to any dish. If someone is on an extreme budget I’m not sure they will have some of those more expensive spices on hand. Spices can be costly. Can you create a video or two with more of the very basic spices for an extreme cooking budget ? I do love your videos and your cooking ideas. Your voiceover on these are also so calming and relaxing! Thank you for what you do
Hello 😁 Thank you so much! This was the first video I've done that I used spices that I didn't think a lot of my viewers would have...but the beans are so delicious on their own, that it would have been a good meal with just the natural lentil broth. I usually try to keep it to basic spices, and will do so again in my next video. Thanks for taking the time to comment and I'm glad you find my videos relaxing!
I have several sets of those Walmart utensils. My mom didn't like metal utensils. Just be aware that they cannot withstand high temperatures. If you use a dishwasher, do not put them downward. And do not use them to stir something hot, like coffee. :)
I hand wash mine. Thanks for the input!
Wow that was great Michelle!
Just wondering do you have a small place to grow a few green onions? if so are you familiar with Egyptian walking onions? I have lots of bulbs and I would be happy to send you some. You’ll never be without onions again. Look them up and see if you’re interested.
Unfortunately I have NO space! ☹️ it's terrible. I have only one window that gets subpar light. Not even a patio. That is so thoughtful of you! Hoping I can take you up on your offer in the future when I move to a better place. I've never heard of Egyptian walking onions. I just googled them and they look so interesting! 🤔
You are so creative 😍 ty for sharing.
You're welcome 😁 I'm so glad you liked this!
.59 a pound for grapefruit is excellent!! I wish we had Wincoe and the other grocery store here.
I know we have some great deals. 😁 I'm fortunate. I need to explore the other ethnic markets too. I'm trying to plan to get over to El Super this weekend, which is a Mexican market that looks to have some good pricing. I went back and purchased some of those grapefruits. They are sooooo sweet and delicious!
We have El Super in El Paso, Tx. They do have good deals. My favorite will still be H-Mart.
Thank you for the video 😄
What a great idea if pearl barley would be used in a chili next 👍
I use it in stews 😊
yeah...I just want to try this in my recipes now. I think pearl barley will feature prominently on my channel in Fall!
@@ArdentMichelle great, can't wait to see more 😊
I always put barley in my vegetable soup. It adds a lot of nutrition to a meatless meal.
love the texture too 👍
So, I usually "water sauté) which takes a little longer than using oil but further saves on money on your dish as well as calories! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :) GOOD JOB OUT THERE!
Interesting 🤔 Great option for cutting out calories.
I had to do that today because I didn’t have any oil. I had no idea it was possible!
You are really amazing! Everything you make looks good.
Hi Joanna 😁 Thank you so much! 🥰
i have used the 13 bean mix in grah would reccomend that
Gonna be trying that soup mix in the fall!
Campbell Soup had a soup that I really was fond of, I don’t know if they still have it. It had pearl barley in it. I think it was called Scotch Broth. I think it was basically a beef/vegetable soup.
Oh my gosh...yes...you are right. 👍 I remember that soup. I had totally forgotten about that. I'm excited to try more recipes with the barley. I love the texture.
GREAT ADVICE !!
LOVE YOUR VOICE !!
Thank you 😁🥰
I like mushroom & farro soup but barley would work too. I also really like barley in my stuffed peppers.
yes, it's about time to bring out the barley 😁
Thank you for the new video! I love all of your ideas. You can make Bean and Barley Burgers by mixing cooked beans and cooked barley together and mashing it up a bit and then frying them like hamburgers. I usually add some chopped green onion to mine and top it with a slice of cheese if I have some. You could add chopped mushrooms to the mix or other veggies if you want. Some people also add a egg or flour to the mix to give it a different texture.
Wow great ideas 👍 It makes sense making burgers out of it because of the great texture! Yum!
Love these videos. Great job!
Thanks so much! 😁🥰
In the Southwest of the US, they need to STOP growing cotton and soy (high water crops) and switch to lentils (low water crop)--that would make SO much more sense...get smart...dts/usa
I Love your videos 💕 So creative 😀
Thanks Camelia. Oh my gosh...I meant to give you a shout out in my video, but I was in such a hurry to get my dang video out.....editing FOREVER! Can you paste me the link to your dollar video here and I can post it in my description. I'll try to mention you in my next video!
I love how "gourmet" your meals are with such such tiny amounts!
It was all so filling though because lentils and pearl barley are very satiating! Thanks for watching 😁
Red lentils are very good mixed into tomato sauce. They kind of disappear into the sauce and give it volume and protein
Thanks for the tip Layla 👍 I like anything with tomato sauce so I'm sure I would like this.
Wow! This was amazing!
Thank you so much! 😁🥰
Well done Michelle, with your usual flair and creativity. The meals looked delicious. I wonder if they left you satisfied or not?
Thank you so much! 😁 Yes I was satisfied because they were very filling. 😁
I wish we has a grocery store that had those bins of beans & other foods. I would love to be able to buy them like you do.
I realize how fortunate I am to be able to shop at such great stores 👩🍳
Do you have any international stores near you? Most cities do. Sometimes you can find bulk items for purchase there.
@@ArdentMichelle a new small Asian market/ restaurant just opened where I live. I'm going to go check it out this week and see what they have. It won't be anything like where you shop because it's very small
The pushed lights are available ar Harbor Freight for $1.00 each.
Hello 😁 I'm not familiar with that store. I googled Harbor Freight and came up with an automotive store. I would love to pick some more up for $1 each.
My mother in law introduced me to prepackaged mixed bean soup. I just use a much cheaper brand. I just look at the prices. Tina, Al's wife
Thanks for sharing!! 😁 I definitely want to try this.
To get maximum flavour into your curry, roast your spices in a dry frypan on medium heat frist, then add your oil, onion and tomato.
Peruano beans are great. They get insanely creamy. I just make them with a little kosher salt and a bay leaf.
yum...I need to try them. 👍
You always do amazing!!! Please do more “$5,$10,$25” vidoes!
Thank you 😁 🥰 I'll do my best.
Michelle the 13 bean soup mix is delicious in chilli!
Thanks for the heads up on that. 👍 I never thought of using the 13 bean soup in chili. Great idea.
We eat red lentils over rice. Spice them up like curry and a can of tomato sauce. Before serving, stir in fried onions. yummy
I cook red lentils and rice together, love it topped with broccoli 🥦
Yeah I was thinking that it needed more tomato sauce. I feel like the tomato sauce would temper the spices a little also....plus I'm a huge fan of tomatoes.
Penny, it seems like the red lentils would cook faster than the rice. Am I wrong?
@@ArdentMichelle they take the same amount of time. I always cook both in both, together or separately
@@pennynickels5216 Interesting.. 🤔 I would like to try cooking these together next time. Thanks for sharing the info!
looks like you got to enjoy 3 good dishes that were fairly hearty. brilliant on $1.
Thank you 😁 I was satisfied.
That's amazing - I had no idea it was remotely possible to get so much food out of $1. Nobody should ever have to eat on such a ridiculous budget, of course.
Thank you so much 😁 And yes...I agree I wish nobody ever had to eat on such a limited budget ☹️
Hi, AM! I seem to recall your saying several months ago that you planned to move this summer. Is that still a go?
You are correct Linda! Good memory. I'm staying put for another year! The housing market is just too crazy right now.
@@ArdentMichelle I agree, and I don't blame you one bit! Thanks for your quick response.
I think you will really love the barley. You can also make a barely casserole. With veggies. Its wonderful for vegan dishes. Red lentils are awesome as well. As for the 12 Bean 13 Bean whatever soup. Lol. I've made it before with a bunch of different veggies. It actually comes out really good. The smaller beans like lentils especially the red ones cook so much in it they contribute to the broth tasting awesome and thickening it a little bit they just kind of dissolve. But it is good. I bought bags of it that come with that bag of horrible seasoning with fake crap in it. I throw away the seasoning, and just make a soup. I love that story you're going to I wish I had one like that here in Vermont. Best to you. Thank you for the insightful videos
I meant Store. 🤣
I'm excited to try this bean soup. I couldn't remember if it was 12 or 13 bean either so I googled it and discovered there are 15 and 16 bean soups too! 😂 That's crazy. I'm definitely wanting to try this in the fall though...since so many of you have left positive reviews of it. Thanks for taking the time to comment 😁🥰
Great video!!! I am inspired to try lentils and barley 😃
YAY!!!! That is the best complement of all! 😁
Excellent job.
Thank you very much! 🥰
The Woden spoon is a hit for soups! Nice dishes
Thank you so much!
OK, I’ve got pearl barley, split peas, lentils, all kinds of beans, so I think I will try a combination of several of these staples. I’m not at this time in trouble financially but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the future. Besides, at my age of 82, nothing sounds good anymore and I am probably starving myself. Depression????
Couldn't agree more about preparing for the future. 👍That's a shame that nothing is sounding good anymore. Loss of taste and smell are common with age. That could be making everything taste kind of bland. I hope you feel better 😊
I may even try that Bean burger mix from Aguston Farms in some chilli, I'll let you know how it's goes in crockpot chilli 😉
Yes please let me know 😁
Love you!! Michelle, you are the best frugal chef, I'm not in California so I don't have the same Great deals!! Please do 2 videos using Walmart and Dollar Tree. I love veggie foods and make the best Asian Chinese foods.
Awe...thanks so much 😁🥰 I was just thinking it's about time for another Dollar Tree challenge. I haven't been there in awhile. My last family budget challenge was at Walmart, but I'm sure I'll do some more soon. Thanks for watching!