A little tip on the noodles is to only cook them about half way and take them off the fire and cover. Leave them set about 10 minutes and they will be done. You will have to try this to get a better idea of how done you want them and it may not be 10 minutes for you, it may only be 7 or something like that. This just works fine for me and usually prevents me from overcooking.
@@melanieroberts2221 This is similar to my nonna's beans and pasta dish. My nonna would simmer the all the ingredients except the pasta for 45 minutes. She would the pasta after it simmered for 45 minutes. Her beans and pasta dish, as well most of her other dishes were very tasty.
I was going to comment this. Cook the noodles al dente and then remove them from the pot, make the rest of the soup and add the noodles to each bowl as being served then they don’t get soggy. I have to use gluten free noodles and they are notoriously soggy instantly so I have had to learn tricks because they are also expensive.
Awe... I wasn't sure I would see you today. Yay! 😁 I figured I should whip myself into high gear if I want to make a living at this. 😂 I need to find the best day for a second upload. My data shows me that my viewers are not on RUclips on Wednesdays. I guess I'll see how well today does. I probably won't be able to do it every week, but I'll do it as often as I can manage. Thank you so much for the support 🥰 I appreciate you!
I've been making lentils with rice for dinner for many years. I found some bouillon in the cabinet, and there were a few carrots in the fridge. I buy dry beans and cook them myself because they're so cheap. Tina, Al's wife
Hi Tina 👍 Sounds yummy! You'll like the video I'm working on now. It'll be released next week sometime (not Sunday). It's a lentil dish from another country that's been on my bucket list since most of us probably have ingredients on hand.
I put pasta in last. I even cook it separately so it doesn’t absorb too much broth. You could cook it in a little broth if you wanted. Then drain it and add to the soup at the end keeps it from getting flabby.😊
This was an excellent video for me today. I had those ingredients, those same spices from Trader Joe's and even the same frozen vegetables and canned chicken. It was like you went through my cupboards and freezer and made a video just for me, I loved it. And of course the price is always right.
Hello 😁 Yay! I'm so glad this video works for you. Don't you just love those spices? I've been having so much fun with spices from Trader Joes lately. This Sundays video features one that I just sampled and have been using daily. 😂
@@ArdentMichelle I don't know if you have tried this one but it is also fantastic. It's Trader Joe's Italian style Soffritto seasoning blend in a big jar
@@ArdentMichelle I don't know if you have tried this one but it is also fantastic. It's Trader Joe's Italian style Soffritto seasoning blend in a big jar
Terrific ideas as always! I appreciate that you take the time to choose readily available protein, vegetable, and starch combinations and seasonings so your meals taste good, and you give thought to how they look when plated up. That is what makes your channel unique among all the other thrifty meals channels: some people just put the equivalent of rice and beans together in a kind of unappetizing mush, and literally eat the same meal for a week. You show how a little forethought goes a long way!
To reduce the chance of squishy squash I cut them up and salt them, wait about ten minutes, rinse, and blot dry with a clean towel before adding to my recipes.
Thanks Empty Nester 😁 I figure if I'm going to make a living at this, I better try to start getting more videos out. 😂 I'm so glad you look forward to my videos 🥰
Michelle, your contributions are so healthy and so helpful. I watch many channels on budget meals looking for inspiration healthy options. You win for me. Thank you.
Michelle, I have to say your budget meals always look so delicious and healthy! Always a must try, that turn into keepers. I appreciate so much your sharing new ingredients and seasonings; also must tries! Tfs
there are times when you just want to eat a whole lot of something. my weirdest so far was when I ate a whole kilogramm bucket of mixed pickled veggies. my fiancée was sure I lied. Then as a surgeon she decided I must have some problem. she got me signed for a bloodtest a few days later, turns out I had a few vitamins in the red. lesson learned, if you want to eat something, it is for a reason.
Yeah I totally agree with that. 👍 I think that most of us (self included) don't listen to our bodies enough. I've been trying to do more of it, not just with eating but with working out and when to rest, etc.
Woohoo bonus video this week! Everything looks delicious as usual. Those bags of pasta from Walmart are awesome! I buy them a lot too. I like them because for about the same price as a box of one kind of pasta, you can get a few instead.
I enjoy those pastas also! They have such fun shapes and the smaller shapes are excellent for soups. We also like the small packages as we are a smaller family now. The small price is also a plus. 😊
I made the best air fryer zucchini sticks (not coins)--toss sticks (quarters) with olive oil and italian spices and garlic powder; air fry for 10 minutes--still crunchy and sooooooo good...ate an entire small zucchini in one meal...could not stop eating it...as an appetizer or tapas--great taste and very cheap...dts/usa
Even though we're are heading into warmer weather, a pantry staples soup is wonderful on a rainy day. It's what my family always asks for. Your examples are so easy on the budget.
Thank you for all these meals that you always do for us. It just goes to show as I mentioned before that even on a very tight budget or even may be a social security budget that individuals can eat very good meals and healthy nutritious meals with not a lot of money, and they would be able to afford these meals! I absolutely love all the creativity and inspiration and the ideas that you put into your meals they help out a lot and even though I’ve got a pretty healthy income we still like to eat cheaper meals 6:296:336:36 taste so much better.
Thanks for letting me know they have zucchini with sauce in a can. I just found it online at Walmart. I've never noticed that in the store before. That would be a great addition to the pantry. 😁
Hi! I’m new to your videos, and haven’t read through all the comments, but if nobody has mentioned it: you can make your own veggie broth from scraps. I save the trimmed off parts of carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, herbs, etc. in a gallon freezer bag in my freezer. Once the bag is full, I dump it in a stock pot and simmer it for a few hours. Let it cool, strain, freeze in jars, and thaw as needed!
Great soup, simple & healthy and inexpensive! What I do a lot of times is cook my pasta separately, stop the cooking, and add pasta to the other ingredients at the last few minutes, then serve or put pasta in the bottom of your bowl, then add everything else and stir. Just sayin'. :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Minestrone: You may consider cooking other ingredients first then adding pasta and removing covered pot from the burner. The pasta will absorb the moisture
Hi Michelle, Id saute onions, garlic and shredded carrots. Use dry beans and price would be the same! However get that simple pred is important! Love your show and meditative attention to prep and serving, display!!
One of my family favourites in this category is ramen (or 2 minute noodles as they're known here). We use 3 packets of Indonesian spicey ramen for the 3 of us, cooked. In a frying pan cook fresh or frozen vegetables. Add some diced leftover cooked meat, you do not need much. Add ramen spice packets and warm vegetables and meat. Add ramen, mix evenly and serve.
Looks delish 😌, try toasting the noodles in a little oil til light brown, then add the broth. This is how most latin kitchens prepare their soup and it's awesome.
Yes! 👍 Great tip. I did that with my fideo and it turned out great. I should have done that with this elbow macaroni too. Such a great cooking technique.
The lid comment😂 totally! Also… I made a similar minestrone and next day blended it slightly to make it more a cream soup with the soggy pasta. Even better!
Ardent Michelle on my boring Tuesday...yes, please! 😊 Great video and the Italian soup looks great. I will also have to stop by TJ for that Red & Green Hatch Chili Seasoning. Thanks for all the great tips.
Yay! Glad you like this one. 😁 and you're welcome. I'm going to try to start releasing twice a week. l'll see how it goes. I think maybe either Tuesdays or Thursdays will work. I found another spice at TJ's that will be featured in Sundays video. I love that place. Thanks for watching!
Hello, AM, and thanks again for another wonderful video. I am so glad you're able to post more regularly. ~ I've never paid attention to the frozen veggies at Dollar Tree. I'll definitely HAVE TO check out the Santa Fe blend. ~ Looking forward to another video soon!
AM, would you please give us the make, model and capacity of your rice cooker? Also, I'd love it if you shot a video showing us three or four ways to use the Santa Fe Blend, since you said we should have several packages in our freezer. Many thanks, and have a great week!
@@lindawilson290 Hello 😁 I use an Aroma rice cooker. You can find the exact model in my Amazon Storefront. www.amazon.com/shop/ardentmichelle As far as the Santa Fe Blend- I already showed you to use it in bowls, burritos, and soups. I bet it would be good in a casserole or pasta salad too. 🤔 I'll see about getting this into another video.
Great video, I love all your ideas. So many times we become blind to things because we get too used to cooking and buying a certain way. This video like your others keeps our eyes open to many possibilities.
other ideas for protein (if you have a bit more in the budget--$6-7 for 4 people, instead of $3): pork loin or pork chop in place of chicken; or a rotisserie chicken; or scrambled eggs, chopped up...dts/usa
You are my favorite. 💜 i just started commenting recently as to help your algorithms/YT revenue. I use those easy liner grip rolls you can buy at $ tree to help me open up jars etc. I just cut it to suit me. I live alone and it takes me a few days to eat through soup so I add my pasta to each bowl to keep it from getting soggy.
Hi Stace 😁 Thank you so much and I appreciate your commenting to help my channel. Plus I like talking to you 🥰 Great idea about those liner rolls from Dollar Tree. I never thought about using those that way. Thanks for the tip. Going to try this!
Really enjoy all your videos! You make a point to use herbs and spices which do make a big difference... but they are expensive. Could you do an episode on recommended herbs and spices, especially useful mixes such as Old Bay, etc? Storage tips, drying, and freezing your own would be fun and useful as well. McCormick recently had a sale on their whole line which means the others will do the same at some point during the year -- something I never noticed before. Thank you.
Hello 😁 I plan on doing an episode on spices in the future. Most of my spices are generic brand but I love occasionally purchasing new and trendy spice blends to mix things up a bit. I haven't tried Old Bay, but I see that celery salt is the first ingredient and I love celery salt so I'm sure I would love it. That's a good point about the spices. Wondering if the price is still more expensive than store brand though 🤔
Do you have a dollar tree or Aldi near you? They usually have little jars of spices for about a dollar. Walmart also. If you have an Asian or Latin grocery store -they frequently have cheap spices (eg Goya brand) for about a dollar.
I buy spices in the Asian section of the grocery store as the are so much cheaper there or an Asian supermarket.Or bulk is my favorite 6 cents ,24 cents for what I need vs a big bag . Depends on how you cook We have a small grocery bill,use spices all the time and they aren't expensive if you don't buy the fancy jars and brands
Thank you so much for being a long-time viewer 😁 I appreciate the support. 🥰 Glad you are enjoying my content. I'm going to try to get more videos out 😂
I accidentally spilled bean juice on my floor while cooking, both of my cats went crazy for it. Now I regularly add all of my bean juice ( black, Lima , pinto etc haven’t tried green beans. )to their dry food, they LOVE it.
Horray! You added another video! I live a ways from California and whenever I buy avocados it's a disaster. I waited for 2 to get semi-soft and when I cut into them they were black from the inside out. I give up. Love your videos.
Hi Momma M 😁 Hoping to start releasing more than one per week. 🤞 That's terrible about the avocados, but I understand that because I've gotten some bad batches before but usually they are very good here. 🥑
Love your spiced up style of budget cooking! I found it easier to keep my heavier nested glass mixing bowls on a lower shelf rather than the top one when the aging thing...um, I mean convenience factor...came into play. LOL
Looks great! When I get to a Trader Joe’s again Im going to look for those spices!!! I also wonder if maybe you could have removed the pasta just al dente and then just add it back to your bowls as you eat it. I know it’s extra work but then you wouldn’t have soggy pasta. I’ve been using a guacamole blend on everything lately. I just love the spices.
Hi Penny 😁 yeah I think you are right about the pasta. I'll be showing a new spice from Trader Joes in next Sundays video. Where did you get the guacamole blend?
Michelle, unfortunately I got my guacamole seasoning at “Home goods” so I-might not be able to find it again. But, I did notice you can find some online. I hate when I find something I love and realize it is no lo get available.😊
@@pennyrasnake1401 All my life. I was a vegetarian as a little girl - growing up in Alaska in a family that couldn't afford food and hunted. This was before being a vegetarian was cool 😎 I was the black sheep. Later in adulthood I started eating a little bit of meat, but it's honestly just never been my thing. 😂
Just solve your mushy noodle problem you could cook the noodles ahead of time put them in the refrigerator and once they cool down completely they stopped cooking and so even if you put them in boiled water, they will not continue to cook and they will stay al dente
I can’t have any of the bouillons due to food allergies but I often find broths and stocks at Grocery Outlet. Yesterday mine had Pacific which is a great but expensive brand of mushroom and beef for $1.99 for 32 oz. I stocked up 👀🤭 because we make our own ramen with (expensive) rice noodles and broth makes it taste waaay better. Just wanted to share that info for those who can’t have bouillon either.
I had a dollar general manager tell me that that their store head guys had planned to have a dollar general within 5 miles of each other store. Dollar General plans on taking over the world. Lol.. But you are right DG's prices seem to be going up to ridiculously high .😢
Hi Ann 😁 I was watching a program the other night about a community in Ohio that was trying to stop the influx of those types of stores because it was impacting grocery stores and therefore limiting peoples access to fresh food. It's sad to think that lots of people only have these stores to shop at. 😞
Love your videos! I recently did a soup that had pasta in it and the recipe said cook your noodle separate from the rest of the soup, drain it and then add it in last couple minutes so the noodles don't get soggy. It worked! Gonna make this soup recipe for sure!
@@elainemagee516 I just used it in a meal for next week and was able to get it to al dente, but you have to watch it closely and it is a much fatter noodle. 😂 I like the La Moderna better.
Thanks Teresa 😁 Technically, this is the second video of the week 😂 but that's ok because I knew that not many people would watch an Easter Day video release. Hopefully I can start getting them out twice a week almost every week.
So good as always . Could you make some low cost meals with chorizo? I haven't made anything with it and noticed how inexpensive it is. Appreciate recipes if that is something you ever thought about using. 😊
Hi Rebekah 😁 Thank you so much. Let me think about this. 🤔 I don't eat chorizo but maybe I could sub in a veggie one. I'm a little spooked by the ingredients on the cheapest tubes of chorizo. 😂 I've made it once before on my channel.
@@ArdentMichelle Me too! I used to have it in some Mexican dishes when dining out, but I just can’t do the ingredients anymore. I find it very greasy too. I just use pepper or chili based seasonings and veggies, beans, or rice.
I wish I could get that Trader Joe's Spicy Italian Style Sprinkle with fennel! They told me that blend isn't a stock item and that it was just available in some holiday gift sets. If you find another source for it, please let us know!
Oh my gosh that's true. I forgot that that's where I purchased it, in a holiday set. Bummer 😞 I guess you'll have to be on the lookout for it during the Christmas season.
Yes you heard right. I show making it in this video, if you want to check it out. ruclips.net/video/5mgQfsP75z8/видео.html Some of my viewers told me about it. This is a popular method in the hispanic culture and it works beautifully to help your pasta maintain a firmer texture.
@@brandicharles435 that's probably because it was a super old tortilla that I found in my pantry. 😂 I should have frozen them so they wouldn't go stale. It was a last minute idea. 😂
I wish I could but instead I'll have some tips in my videos. You can do some swap outs in the recipes - for example use a low sodium bouillon instead of the regular. I've also been eating low sodium and I feel so much better eating this way.
You might try putting the jerk seasoning can in the freezer for awhile. The metal should contract and it might easier to open. Then you could transfer it to an empty spice bottle or put a bit of vaseline on the inside of the top so it opens easier next time. 🙂
A little tip on the noodles is to only cook them about half way and take them off the fire and cover. Leave them set about 10 minutes and they will be done. You will have to try this to get a better idea of how done you want them and it may not be 10 minutes for you, it may only be 7 or something like that. This just works fine for me and usually prevents me from overcooking.
Thanks for the tip 👍
Lydia's Italy adds her pasta sometimes after
@@melanieroberts2221 This is similar to my nonna's beans and pasta dish. My nonna would simmer the all the ingredients except the pasta for 45 minutes. She would the pasta after it simmered for 45 minutes. Her beans and pasta dish, as well most of her other dishes were very tasty.
I was going to comment this. Cook the noodles al dente and then remove them from the pot, make the rest of the soup and add the noodles to each bowl as being served then they don’t get soggy. I have to use gluten free noodles and they are notoriously soggy instantly so I have had to learn tricks because they are also expensive.
This would be so awesome in #vanlife.Less cooking time
Still watching the ads that precede your video, Farmers Dog and Range Rover Evoque this time. Feel so lucky to be getting an extra video!❤️
Awe... I wasn't sure I would see you today. Yay! 😁 I figured I should whip myself into high gear if I want to make a living at this. 😂 I need to find the best day for a second upload. My data shows me that my viewers are not on RUclips on Wednesdays. I guess I'll see how well today does. I probably won't be able to do it every week, but I'll do it as often as I can manage.
Thank you so much for the support 🥰 I appreciate you!
I've been making lentils with rice for dinner for many years. I found some bouillon in the cabinet, and there were a few carrots in the fridge. I buy dry beans and cook
them myself because they're so cheap. Tina, Al's wife
Hi Tina 👍 Sounds yummy! You'll like the video I'm working on now. It'll be released next week sometime (not Sunday). It's a lentil dish from another country that's been on my bucket list since most of us probably have ingredients on hand.
I put pasta in last. I even cook it separately so it doesn’t absorb too much broth. You could cook it in a little broth if you wanted. Then drain it and add to the soup at the end keeps it from getting flabby.😊
that's probably the best way to do it. 👍
Also~ Thank you sooo much for including vegetarian, and vegan options, and suggestions!💚
Of course!! 🥰
This was an excellent video for me today. I had those ingredients, those same spices from Trader Joe's and even the same frozen vegetables and canned chicken. It was like you went through my cupboards and freezer and made a video just for me, I loved it. And of course the price is always right.
Hello 😁 Yay! I'm so glad this video works for you. Don't you just love those spices? I've been having so much fun with spices from Trader Joes lately. This Sundays video features one that I just sampled and have been using daily. 😂
@@ArdentMichelle I don't know if you have tried this one but it is also fantastic. It's Trader Joe's Italian style Soffritto seasoning blend in a big jar
@@ArdentMichelle I don't know if you have tried this one but it is also fantastic. It's Trader Joe's Italian style Soffritto seasoning blend in a big jar
@charlotte That’s fun!
@@charlottekearn5185 I've been eyeing that one 😂 I knew it would be good. Thanks for the feedback. I'll pick it up next time I'm there.
Terrific ideas as always! I appreciate that you take the time to choose readily available protein, vegetable, and starch combinations and seasonings so your meals taste good, and you give thought to how they look when plated up. That is what makes your channel unique among all the other thrifty meals channels: some people just put the equivalent of rice and beans together in a kind of unappetizing mush, and literally eat the same meal for a week. You show how a little forethought goes a long way!
Thanks Gail 😁 I'm so glad my meals look good to you! Thanks for the positive feedback 🥰
To reduce the chance of squishy squash I cut them up and salt them, wait about ten minutes, rinse, and blot dry with a clean towel before adding to my recipes.
great technique 👍 Thanks for sharing.
Great recipe. Personally, that zucchini is begging for a saute in olive oil before adding to the soup at the end.
That would work for some people. Sometimes I like to eat my zucchini in my soups with a little texture to it - so about halfway to soft and not mushy.
It's so nice seeing more than one video from you in a week ❤ thanks for sharing your budget friendly meals with us
Thanks Empty Nester 😁 I figure if I'm going to make a living at this, I better try to start getting more videos out. 😂 I'm so glad you look forward to my videos 🥰
I think my favourite one is the first soup recipe. It’s stuff I always have. Well done, Michelle ❤
Thank you 😁 I love that soup too. Not sure why I don't eat it more often 🤔
I love your channel because you create struggle meals that don't seem like struggle meals. We just have to be creative!
Thank you 😁 I'm glad you like my meals. I enjoy creating them 👩🍳
Michelle, your contributions are so healthy and so helpful. I watch many channels on budget meals looking for inspiration healthy options. You win for me. Thank you.
awe...thanks so much 🥰 I appreciate the complement. Glad you enjoy my content 😁 and you're welcome!
Michelle, I have to say your budget meals always look so delicious and healthy! Always a must try, that turn into keepers. I appreciate so much your sharing new ingredients and seasonings; also must tries! Tfs
You're welcome 😁 Thanks for watching and letting me know you like this 🥰
I sometimes bulk up my soup by throwing in a little leftover rice while re-heating it.
great idea 👍
there are times when you just want to eat a whole lot of something.
my weirdest so far was when I ate a whole kilogramm bucket of mixed pickled veggies.
my fiancée was sure I lied. Then as a surgeon she decided I must have some problem. she got me signed for a bloodtest a few days later, turns out I had a few vitamins in the red.
lesson learned, if you want to eat something, it is for a reason.
Yeah I totally agree with that. 👍 I think that most of us (self included) don't listen to our bodies enough. I've been trying to do more of it, not just with eating but with working out and when to rest, etc.
I like that you mentioned vehicle dwellers . Good inexpensive food options.
Thank you so much 😁 My viewer just sent me an item that works for those viewers (van life) that I can't wait to share in an upcoming video.
Put a rubber band around the lid. Provides traction and works almost every time.
Thanks for the tip 👍 I haven't seen a rubber band in awhile but I have a hair band that might work.
Woohoo bonus video this week!
Everything looks delicious as usual. Those bags of pasta from Walmart are awesome! I buy them a lot too. I like them because for about the same price as a box of one kind of pasta, you can get a few instead.
Hi Victoria 😁 Good point. I should have mentioned that. I'll try to remember to next time. Your comments are always so helpful!
I enjoy those pastas also! They have such fun shapes and the smaller shapes are excellent for soups. We also like the small packages as we are a smaller family now. The small price is also a plus. 😊
I made the best air fryer zucchini sticks (not coins)--toss sticks (quarters) with olive oil and italian spices and garlic powder; air fry for 10 minutes--still crunchy and sooooooo good...ate an entire small zucchini in one meal...could not stop eating it...as an appetizer or tapas--great taste and very cheap...dts/usa
I still don't have an air fryer 😞 wonder how they would turn out in my toaster oven.
Even though we're are heading into warmer weather, a pantry staples soup is wonderful on a rainy day. It's what my family always asks for. Your examples are so easy on the budget.
Thanks Sara 😁
Great ideas Michelle! 🤩🥳 And yes, you’re absolutely right: one day u wake up and it’s very difficult to open jars 😭😩😔
Thanks Cathie 😁 and I'm sorry you can relate 😂
Thank you for all these meals that you always do for us. It just goes to show as I mentioned before that even on a very tight budget or even may be a social security budget that individuals can eat very good meals and healthy nutritious meals with not a lot of money, and they would be able to afford these meals! I absolutely love all the creativity and inspiration and the ideas that you put into your meals they help out a lot and even though I’ve got a pretty healthy income we still like to eat cheaper meals 6:29 6:33 6:36 taste so much better.
Thanks so much 😁Glad you like these.
Thanks for all the creative ideas ❤
Awe...thanks so much for the support Amy 🥰 I appreciate it so much! Yay! 😁 I'm glad you like this video!
pearled barley11 oz for $2.30. 1cup water to 1/2 cup barley. chewey delicious. can use for main meal with whatever. versatile.
For people going shelf-stable foods, might still have zucchini and sauce in a can, just add chickpeas.
Thanks for letting me know they have zucchini with sauce in a can. I just found it online at Walmart. I've never noticed that in the store before. That would be a great addition to the pantry. 😁
Hi! I’m new to your videos, and haven’t read through all the comments, but if nobody has mentioned it: you can make your own veggie broth from scraps. I save the trimmed off parts of carrots, celery, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, herbs, etc. in a gallon freezer bag in my freezer. Once the bag is full, I dump it in a stock pot and simmer it for a few hours. Let it cool, strain, freeze in jars, and thaw as needed!
true 👍 making your own is easy to do. Thanks for pointing this out.
Just made veggie stock today from my veggie scraps… I’m trying to become a no waste kitchen
The weather where I live is turning colder as winter approaches. You’ve inspired me for “soup season”
Yay! Glad to be a source of inspiration! 😁 May I ask where you are?
Great soup, simple & healthy and inexpensive! What I do a lot of times is cook my pasta separately, stop the cooking, and add pasta to the other ingredients at the last few minutes, then serve or put pasta in the bottom of your bowl, then add everything else and stir. Just sayin'. :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Hi Dawn 😁 That's great advice. Easier to control it that way!
and thank you 🥰
Minestrone: You may consider cooking other ingredients first then adding pasta and removing covered pot from the burner. The pasta will absorb the moisture
good idea 👍
I keep the pasta separate, then combine when heating up
I love elbow macaroni in soups
The "bonus bean"...I wish I had your optimism. You are a peach😊
Thanks 😂
Hi Michelle, Id saute onions, garlic and shredded carrots. Use dry beans and price would be the same! However get that simple pred is important! Love your show and meditative attention to prep and serving, display!!
Hi Kathy 😁 Great point about how much can be saved by using dry beans.
One of my family favourites in this category is ramen (or 2 minute noodles as they're known here). We use 3 packets of Indonesian spicey ramen for the 3 of us, cooked. In a frying pan cook fresh or frozen vegetables. Add some diced leftover cooked meat, you do not need much. Add ramen spice packets and warm vegetables and meat. Add ramen, mix evenly and serve.
Hi Lee 😁 I love ramen too. That sounds delicious!
Your grandma would be proud!
awe.... I hope so 💜
Yes ! ! ! I love Zucchini Parmesan too ! ❤️
so dang good 😋
Looks delish 😌, try toasting the noodles in a little oil til light brown, then add the broth. This is how most latin kitchens prepare their soup and it's awesome.
Yes! 👍 Great tip. I did that with my fideo and it turned out great. I should have done that with this elbow macaroni too. Such a great cooking technique.
@@ArdentMichelle thanks for your videos ☺️!!!
I ❤ soup! Tomato paste is cheap alternative to sauce, imo. It can be frozen if you don't use the whole can.
Agreed 👍 I freeze my left over tomato paste too.
The lid comment😂 totally! Also… I made a similar minestrone and next day blended it slightly to make it more a cream soup with the soggy pasta. Even better!
Hello 😁 I haven't tried that. Sounds good though 👍
Ardent Michelle on my boring Tuesday...yes, please! 😊
Great video and the Italian soup looks great. I will also have to stop by TJ for that Red & Green Hatch Chili Seasoning. Thanks for all the great tips.
Yay! Glad you like this one. 😁 and you're welcome. I'm going to try to start releasing twice a week. l'll see how it goes. I think maybe either Tuesdays or Thursdays will work. I found another spice at TJ's that will be featured in Sundays video. I love that place. Thanks for watching!
Hello, AM, and thanks again for another wonderful video. I am so glad you're able to post more regularly. ~ I've never paid attention to the frozen veggies at Dollar Tree. I'll definitely HAVE TO check out the Santa Fe blend. ~ Looking forward to another video soon!
Hi Linda 😁 You're welcome. Doing my best to be more productive 😂
@@ArdentMichelle 😏
AM, would you please give us the make, model and capacity of your rice cooker? Also, I'd love it if you shot a video showing us three or four ways to use the Santa Fe Blend, since you said we should have several packages in our freezer. Many thanks, and have a great week!
@@lindawilson290 Hello 😁 I use an Aroma rice cooker. You can find the exact model in my Amazon Storefront.
www.amazon.com/shop/ardentmichelle
As far as the Santa Fe Blend- I already showed you to use it in bowls, burritos, and soups. I bet it would be good in a casserole or pasta salad too. 🤔 I'll see about getting this into another video.
@@ArdentMichelle Thanks so much, AM!
Great video, I love all your ideas. So many times we become blind to things because we get too used to cooking and buying a certain way. This video like your others keeps our eyes open to many possibilities.
Thanks Cheryl 😁 Glad you like this.
I think I would use a can of diced tomatoes, I like the small chunks of tomatoes.
Hi Kenyon 😁 I think that would be very good. I love tomatoes.
Iv told my adult children always have some pasta and rice in the pantry and you never go hungry 😺 you can make many things! ❤️🇦🇺
so true 👍
I love these videos. Cheap and nutritious. Cannot best that.
Thanks Danette 😁
other ideas for protein (if you have a bit more in the budget--$6-7 for 4 people, instead of $3): pork loin or pork chop in place of chicken; or a rotisserie chicken; or scrambled eggs, chopped up...dts/usa
You are my favorite. 💜 i just started commenting recently as to help your algorithms/YT revenue. I use those easy liner grip rolls you can buy at $ tree to help me open up jars etc. I just cut it to suit me. I live alone and it takes me a few days to eat through soup so I add my pasta to each bowl to keep it from getting soggy.
Hi Stace 😁 Thank you so much and I appreciate your commenting to help my channel. Plus I like talking to you 🥰 Great idea about those liner rolls from Dollar Tree. I never thought about using those that way. Thanks for the tip. Going to try this!
A can of diced tomatoes would work in the soup too. :) I'm a fan of kidney beans in minestrone.
I was thinking the same thing about the tomatoes. I LOVE tomatoes 😋 I agree, kidney beans would be great in this 👍
Really enjoy all your videos! You make a point to use herbs and spices which do make a big difference... but they are expensive. Could you do an episode on recommended herbs and spices, especially useful mixes such as Old Bay, etc? Storage tips, drying, and freezing your own would be fun and useful as well. McCormick recently had a sale on their whole line which means the others will do the same at some point during the year -- something I never noticed before. Thank you.
Hello 😁 I plan on doing an episode on spices in the future. Most of my spices are generic brand but I love occasionally purchasing new and trendy spice blends to mix things up a bit. I haven't tried Old Bay, but I see that celery salt is the first ingredient and I love celery salt so I'm sure I would love it. That's a good point about the spices. Wondering if the price is still more expensive than store brand though 🤔
Do you have a dollar tree or Aldi near you? They usually have little jars of spices for about a dollar. Walmart also. If you have an Asian or Latin grocery store -they frequently have cheap spices (eg Goya brand) for about a dollar.
yeah I think I talked a little about spices in the HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON GROCERIES video.
I buy spices in the Asian section of the grocery store as the are so much cheaper there or an Asian supermarket.Or bulk is my favorite 6 cents ,24 cents for what I need vs a big bag . Depends on how you cook We have a small grocery bill,use spices all the time and they aren't expensive if you don't buy the fancy jars and brands
Absolutely love your channel! I don't comment often but watch diligently! What an awesome surprise an extra for this week! Loved the soups!!
Thank you so much for being a long-time viewer 😁 I appreciate the support. 🥰 Glad you are enjoying my content. I'm going to try to get more videos out 😂
My mouth is watering...as usual, watching you cook !
Yay! 😁 Glad my food looks appetizing to you!
Save the bean juice for use in other recipes it has lots of nutrients
good tip 👍
I accidentally spilled bean juice on my floor while cooking, both of my cats went crazy for it. Now I regularly add all of my bean juice ( black, Lima , pinto etc haven’t tried green beans. )to their dry food, they LOVE it.
@@KM-nq7ez it's good nutrition but like anything be sure to check to make sure what you feed them is safe to eat 😊
Cook past separate then add too soup 🍲 stops going mushy xx love your recipe
Thanks for the tip!
Horray! You added another video! I live a ways from California and whenever I buy avocados it's a disaster. I waited for 2 to get semi-soft and when I cut into them they were black from the inside out. I give up. Love your videos.
Hi Momma M 😁 Hoping to start releasing more than one per week. 🤞 That's terrible about the avocados, but I understand that because I've gotten some bad batches before but usually they are very good here. 🥑
Love your spiced up style of budget cooking!
I found it easier to keep my heavier nested glass mixing bowls on a lower shelf rather than the top one when the aging thing...um, I mean convenience factor...came into play. LOL
Hi Paula 😁 Glad you are enjoying my content. Yes! All these changes one must make. 😂😂
Very well done, good cheap recipes and easy to modifying for your own taste❤
Glad you like them! 😁
Your videos are my safe space. Thank you so much for all the great ideas❤
Yay! 😁 I can't express how joyful this comment makes me. I'm happy to be your safe space 🥰 Thank YOU for your support of my channel!
Hi appreciate your videos. I'm from Australia and food prices are crazy here so appreciate your help. Xo 😃💕
Happy to help! 😁 Thanks for watching! 🥰
you could also add a can of salsa verde to the soup...dts/usa
another great idea. 👍 I recently purchased a can of salsa verde to experiment with.
So true about the lids😫😫
When I can afford to buy more jars I will get the plastic lids that a viewer told me about. Would be great since I use my jars every day.
Hi Michelle, great recipe ideas. I love all of the recipes. I will probably make the minestrone soup first. Yum. ❤😊
Hi Jeanne 😁 Yay! Glad you like these recipes. 🥰
Looks great! When I get to a Trader Joe’s again Im going to look for those spices!!! I also wonder if maybe you could have removed the pasta just al dente and then just add it back to your bowls as you eat it. I know it’s extra work but then you wouldn’t have soggy pasta.
I’ve been using a guacamole blend on everything lately. I just love the spices.
Hi Penny 😁 yeah I think you are right about the pasta. I'll be showing a new spice from Trader Joes in next Sundays video. Where did you get the guacamole blend?
Michelle, unfortunately I got my guacamole seasoning at “Home goods” so I-might not be able to find it again. But, I did notice you can find some online. I hate when I find something I love and realize it is no lo get available.😊
How long have you been mostly plant based? You make it look so easy and yummy.
@@pennyrasnake1401 Been there done that 😂 I feel your pain
@@pennyrasnake1401 All my life. I was a vegetarian as a little girl - growing up in Alaska in a family that couldn't afford food and hunted. This was before being a vegetarian was cool 😎 I was the black sheep. Later in adulthood I started eating a little bit of meat, but it's honestly just never been my thing. 😂
The Santa Fe mix actually has black soy beans not black beans, I found them not as soft after cooking. Great video
Thank you 😁
I love these $3 meal videos!
Yay! 😁 I'm so glad you like these videos! I think they are the easiest for me to make.
I really appreciate these videos. They give me a lot of ideas❤
Glad you like them! 😁
Beautiful music ! Thanks for the recipes, Michelle.
You're welcome 😁 Glad you like it!
Very colorful dishes… 🎶
Thank you 😊 Glad you like my meals!
Thank you! These are yummy meals at any price!
Glad you like them 😁
Just solve your mushy noodle problem you could cook the noodles ahead of time put them in the refrigerator and once they cool down completely they stopped cooking and so even if you put them in boiled water, they will not continue to cook and they will stay al dente
yep I think that's the ticket 👍
This technique also makes them insulin resistant. Same with potatoes and rice.
If you like your soup to be spicy instead of tomato sauce put in the yellow can of salsa de Pato 🦆 (duck) which is a spicy tomato sauce
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't tried that. I'll look for it.
A mid week video, yay! Everything looks so simple to make and yummy! Thanks for another great video. 😉❤
You are so welcome! 😁
I have every once of that stuff in the soup! It's a must do!
Yay! 😁 Happy Eating!
I agree with you the Sante Blend is delicious and very versatile when you're cooking.
It's always great when you can get several ingredients in one bag, especially for people like me that prepare meals for one person.
These look like great affordable recipes! Thanks 😊
Glad you like them! 😁
Great video as usual- your content is always so creative.. thanks for all the ideas..
Thank you 😁
I can’t have any of the bouillons due to food allergies but I often find broths and stocks at Grocery Outlet. Yesterday mine had Pacific which is a great but expensive brand of mushroom and beef for $1.99 for 32 oz. I stocked up 👀🤭 because we make our own ramen with (expensive) rice noodles and broth makes it taste waaay better.
Just wanted to share that info for those who can’t have bouillon either.
Thanks for sharing this info 😁 I LOVE ramen!
Great recipe ideas! Thanks so much.
Glad you like them! 😁 Thanks for letting me know 🥰
Great ideas!!!! Avocados all year long!!! I also live in California, northern. 😊
Hello neighbor 😁 LOVE avocados! 🥑
Do you have any good avo recipes? Guacamole, avo toast and in salads is all I do!!!🤣
@@sallyapplegate4591 You will probably see some this summer. I eat a lot of avocados too. 😁
Temu has some great jar openers!
Thanks for letting me know. 😁 I didn't realize they have those. I'll have to check them out.
Why is it called Minestrone?...the Vegetables and the pasta?
Yep 👍 That's exactly why.
I had a dollar general manager tell me that that their store head guys had planned to have a dollar general within 5 miles of each other store. Dollar General plans on taking over the world. Lol.. But you are right DG's prices seem to be going up to ridiculously high .😢
Hi Ann 😁 I was watching a program the other night about a community in Ohio that was trying to stop the influx of those types of stores because it was impacting grocery stores and therefore limiting peoples access to fresh food. It's sad to think that lots of people only have these stores to shop at. 😞
Love your videos! I recently did a soup that had pasta in it and the recipe said cook your noodle separate from the rest of the soup, drain it and then add it in last couple minutes so the noodles don't get soggy. It worked! Gonna make this soup recipe for sure!
Thanks so much 😁 I think that strategy for the noodles is best.
@@ArdentMichelle i read that the Pagasa pasta falls apart very easily 😢
@@elainemagee516 I just used it in a meal for next week and was able to get it to al dente, but you have to watch it closely and it is a much fatter noodle. 😂 I like the La Moderna better.
Excellent ideas!
Glad you like them 😁
I love your videos
Wish it was more then once a week !
Thanks Teresa 😁 Technically, this is the second video of the week 😂 but that's ok because I knew that not many people would watch an Easter Day video release. Hopefully I can start getting them out twice a week almost every week.
So good as always . Could you make some low cost meals with chorizo? I haven't made anything with it and noticed how inexpensive it is. Appreciate recipes if that is something you ever thought about using. 😊
Hi Rebekah 😁 Thank you so much. Let me think about this. 🤔 I don't eat chorizo but maybe I could sub in a veggie one. I'm a little spooked by the ingredients on the cheapest tubes of chorizo. 😂 I've made it once before on my channel.
@@ArdentMichelle I used half chorizo and half ground beef in my chili, it gave it a nice flavor. 🙂
@@ArdentMichelle Me too! I used to have it in some Mexican dishes when dining out, but I just can’t do the ingredients anymore. I find it very greasy too. I just use pepper or chili based seasonings and veggies, beans, or rice.
@@ArdentMichelle thanks for the info . I'll have to look at the ingredients.
Rebekah this minestrone soup would be perfect to add cooked chorizo to. 😊
Thank you for the video!
My pleasure! 😁 Thank YOU for watching!
I just made this for lunch. ❤
Yay! 😁 Glad you like this!
Good recipes
Glad you like them! 😁
I wish I could get that Trader Joe's Spicy Italian Style Sprinkle with fennel! They told me that blend isn't a stock item and that it was just available in some holiday gift sets. If you find another source for it, please let us know!
Oh my gosh that's true. I forgot that that's where I purchased it, in a holiday set. Bummer 😞 I guess you'll have to be on the lookout for it during the Christmas season.
Another excellent video. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! 😁
Another great vid 😊
Yay! 😁 Glad you like it. Thanks for letting me know 🥰
Looks great
Thank you so much 😁
I agree with the not being able to open things👿
It's a real bummer. However, there are some pluses that come with aging too, so I guess it balances out 😂
I saw a couple trying to get money for dippers for they baby.l wish l had thought of writing down the name of your channel to give them.
awe that's nice of you. 😁 My channel could have probably been helpful.
Did I hear right? Fry the macaroni? I have never heard of that before. What's the process and thinking behind it? I'm intrigued
Yes you heard right. I show making it in this video, if you want to check it out.
ruclips.net/video/5mgQfsP75z8/видео.html
Some of my viewers told me about it. This is a popular method in the hispanic culture and it works beautifully to help your pasta maintain a firmer texture.
why don't you warm up the tortilla?
Hi Brandi 😁 I did warm the tortilla. I just didn't show it.
@@ArdentMichelle OH it just looked stiff when you rolled it.
@@brandicharles435 that's probably because it was a super old tortilla that I found in my pantry. 😂 I should have frozen them so they wouldn't go stale. It was a last minute idea. 😂
Would it be possible to do a low sodium day im on a low sodium diet and need ideas 800 mg or less a day no limit on price
I wish I could but instead I'll have some tips in my videos. You can do some swap outs in the recipes - for example use a low sodium bouillon instead of the regular. I've also been eating low sodium and I feel so much better eating this way.
If you saw how rice is processed, you would never cook it without washing it at least three times.
Why would you think I didn't wash it at least three times?
You might try putting the jerk seasoning can in the freezer for awhile. The metal should contract and it might easier to open. Then you could transfer it to an empty spice bottle or put a bit of vaseline on the inside of the top so it opens easier next time. 🙂
Hi Pat 😁 great ideas. I need all these tips for survival 😂 My sons aren't always around.
ar eyou going to make mayo biscuits?
I'm not sure. I don't usually have mayo on hand and it would be expensive to add into a budget video.