I recently became a single mom. I'm now on an extremely low income. Your videos have helped me and my kids so much. You have so many great ideas! I had never even seen the Festive ground turkey until I saw you mention it. It's so much cheaper than ground beef. My kids can't tell a difference. I tell everyone in my situation about your channel lol. I am grateful for you and your helpful videos.
For ground beef many on a tight budget also make their “ground beef” half hamburger and cooked half brown lentils. But do the math, lentils and festive ground turkey might be the same price as just ground turkey. That being the case, ground turkey would be better because it is higher protein, essential for growing and less expensive source of protein. From my 30s of counting not just pennies but partial pennies, lol, I can’t break the habit when grocery shopping. If you have a Dollar General nearby and can shop on a Saturday, they have better prices on can tomatoes 🍅 and pinto beans. By using the $5/$25 with the regular price pinto beans it becomes $0.80lb vs $1 and the can of regular diced tomatoes 🍅 and the Rotel equivalent for &0.80 vs $1. These prices beat my Walmart. If you are ever looking for a fast food equivalent, I mean cooks in 5 minutes and is inexpensive, try this. Combine a can of (sale priced) ready to eat Beef & Vegetable soup (18-19oz) with a package of beef ramen, cooked. Tasty and cheap. Works great when you are sick or exhausted. This recipe feeds 2 adults hearty or 1 adult and 2-3 children if you add sliced buttered bread. I’ve seen Dollar Tree sale soup for $1.67 + ramen $0.33 + bread makes this about $2-$2.50. Buy soups on Saturday with the $5/$25 and it’s even less. Since the pintos and tomatoes are at regular price getting sale soup on sale gets you closer to that $25 need and eventual $20 out of pocket.
I have been vegan for several years but can modify your creative, low cost and healthy meals. You are a true blessing to RUclips. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I have been watching your channel for years. I have had good years and bad years but this year has been the worst. Your videos have helped more then you know. Keep up the great work and remember you really are helping people who need someone to inspire them when times are tough.
I can’t believe a dish at a Mexican restaurant is $20!! The Mexican places near me always used to be some of the least expensive places to go for amazing food. The savings to eat at home, especially in this day and age, are so huge!!! Thanks for this content, your channel is so inspiring and has taught me so much. 💜
I went to Culver's & ordered 5 sandwiches (1 of which was a single patty burger) & 1 large fry & it came to $43! Totally overpriced & not very tasty. Overcooked dry meat. Eating at home is the way to go. If I want to go out to eat, then I will go to a fine dining restaurant occasionally. Better to have good quality pricier meals over poor quality over priced meals IMO.
Fast food realized how important they felt they were during lockdowns. Unfortunately they raised prices then and continued still nobody complained & continued to buy. They have to cover food, wages, advertising, Doordash, etc costs.
I really enjoy your channel. I have 8 children, 7 still at home and you have given me some really good ideas for when we have gotten burnt out on some of the staple dinners we have gotten used to. Glad to find a channel that is straight forward doesnt take too long to describe and you do it so well. I love to cook so to grab some extra recipes is a real treat for me. Hope you and yours have happy holidays. Look forward to see what you do with leftovers...Thank you so much for sharing... ;) Awesome that you're doin a giveaway. Good luck everyone!
Thanks so much for this comment. 🥰 I'm passionate about trying to help families so I appreciate this post very much. Hoping one of my regulars wins the giveaway. Happy Holidays! 🎄🧑🎄
I am going through cancer treatment and have benefit for a few years now. And I love watching. Especially since as you probably can imagine I am spending a lot of money on my care with lots of medical stuff and medication. So I appreciate your budget content. I don't have a lot of energy but when I'm feeling up to it I do really appreciate your videos.
I love your recipes…Being 74 years old and single…SS doesn’t stretch very far any more…so your budget meals are awesome…for me…I have shared some of your videos with some of my friends…thank you…keep up the good work…Merry Christmas…!
Yes! You try so many styles of cooking that I haven't tried, like the Kenyan dish. Also, your portions are perfect for singles and families! I struggle with portioning since the divorce. I always make way too much food and leftovers are sometimes overwhelming.
I love how varied your dishes are on such a modest budget. I think having a chicken and extra tortillas would help stretch things. We are a family of five, so I would add the rice. Fantastic. Ty!
That fried spicy rice idea is right up my alley, give me rice over pasta any day. My stove should be working again soon and I'm excited to get back in there and actually cook again, and I've put this recipe on my "make this!" list. So many ways to alter it too. I miss fried tortillas so much. I heard myself saying "mmmm" when you bit into the little fried tortilla melted cheese foldover thingie. Thanks for the new ideas, and good luck to all!
Hi Neighbor 😁 Re: Tomatoes - It's more like a raging passion ❤️ 😂 yes, so easy to grow tomatoes here in California if you have a sunny area for a plant.
I love diy red sauce. Also, quick rice hack: if you have salsa, one c of salsa for every c of liquid (more or less salsa for taste). Cook your rice in that. Works with taco sauce, too, but it won't be a full cup per cup of liquid. It's just to taste.
Another great example of how to do a lot with very little! All of the meals look delicious and filling. I have always used the cilantro stems but I mainly save them for cooking with the meal, and reserve the pretty leaves for garnish or toppings. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
With the economy the way it is I started looking for this type of content in case it continues to get worse. I'm glad I found your channel. You have so many good ideas!
In my country we eat beans soup , we chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic , and tomatoes and make a sofrito you can use a bit of oil or butter for it . You can choose whatever beans you want and boil them with enough water to make a soup once beana are very soft you get some of that water and beans and blender and add back to the pot and the add the sofrito and eggs ( whole eggs and let them cook ) and then you sever with white rice and cilantro and ovacado for garnish
I love these long-form videos! And this video especially was the topic I needed! I was going to make some flour tortillas and bagels today using the 2-ingrediet recipe (yogurt & self rising flour) for breakfast this week since I'm between paydays. Plus I'm going to make some shrimp fried rice to last us for a few days. One of my girls isn't fond of Mexican dishes, but my other one is, so I'm taking notes on the ones you featured today. 👍🏿👍🏿
I prefer long form too.....I've only been doing shorts because I think the RUclips algorithm has been punishing me for NOT doing them. So, I'm just filming things I eat during the week so that it's not any extra work or detracting from my long form content. Sounds like you have some creative dishes ahead. Love this. Enjoy! 😁
I know some people soak for that reason but it's highly debatable. The research dept. from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture states that there is no evidence of reduced flatulence from soaked beans 😂 The Epicurious article I was talking about only looked at soaking beans in order to reduce cooking time, and they also looked at flavor. Universally, everyone says they have better flavor if not soaked.
Recently found your channel and thankful for all your great ideas! We are farmers and second year in a row, we have lost our crops due to floods and fungus and drought and smoke choking out the blossoms. So we have needed to literally go to bare bones and find ways to stretch the budget without feeling like it’s budget. Your flavorful meals and tips have been very helpful!
All of these meals look so delicious and I love the fact that they can be made vegan and if you have familly members that need their meat it can be added without all the extra work of making them a separate meal. Thank you so much for this video and helping us with meal ideas when prices are going up every day ❤️
Your videos are always so inspiring for those of us on a budget whether feeding a crowd or just one. I always find something yummy to cook after watching your Sunday vids.
I am viewing from Australia 🇦🇺 and it is wonderful that I can easily obtain all of the ingredients for the recipes.😊 Very good video full of wonderful ideas 👍
I abide by a tight budget on my groceries. I'm an empty nester, single mom. my daughter moved out a year and a half ago she is 21. So basically I cook for myself. But even as I was raising her I was always mindful of our food budget. I don't mind eating the same thing for days. You are one of my top three favorite budget meal RUclips channels! I am a vegetarian and I like how you make the meals to be either vegetarian or meat based. I absolutely love your creativity 🙂♥️
I was just getting ready to make homemade enchilada sauce for the first time, and it was so nice to see you make it before I got started....very helpful. Always enjoy your budget friendly, fresh, HEALTHY food recipes. Keep up the great work!
I have nearly everything in my pantry and fridge to make the same meals this upcoming week. Pay day is a week away, so this comes at a perfect time! Thanks again Michelle for an easy, affordable, and delicious meal plan.
This is my kind of meal plan. Beans, rice, Mexican inspired. 🤩Your tortilla soup looks so ridiculously good. Thanks for the video and recipes ideas. Btw, you converted me to Crystal hot sauce from Franks.
Glad you like this one 😁 I used to use Franks too. I thought it was good. I think the Crystal has taken the place of Huy Fongs chili garlic sauce for my family since they are NO LONGER making it! 😂 I think it's quite good.
Chili garlic sauce was my fav for stir fry. I’ve been using gochujang, but miss the chili garlic. Have you tried sambal oelek? ( sp might be wrong. I haven’t tried it but plan on it)
@@stacel1972 I haven't tried the sambal oelek but I plan to. From looking at the ingredients it looks like the chili garlic sauce without the garlic. 🤔 but I could be wrong! I do want to try it.
Love your videos always looking for new ones. I am recently retired and living on an entirely different budget, so I do appreciate your ideas I especially like the fact that you make your dishes look so attractive. Thank you.
Your leftover enchiladas look like they are straight from a restaurant. I should never watch your videos hungry. I want to make every one of these meals! Reminder to the community: please reach out for food assistance if you need it. So many people are donating right now. You deserve to eat. Thanks for another inspiring video 😊
I love watching your cooking videos. Your voice is so soothing and I can actually follow the recipes, which is not always the case with other RUclipsrs. Your recipes are so creative and you also educate. They make me excited to cook! Please enter me in the contest. 😄
I use paprika in place of chili powder all the time. We have to be extremely careful about limiting salt and most chili powder contains salt. When added to the rest of the spices (cumin, garlic powder, etc.) it tastes fine. One friend told me I couldn't possibly replace chili powder with paprika then proceeded to eat my chili and said it was the best she ever had, then told me how correct she was about the chili powder apparently not realizing I made it exactly how I told her I did. Amazing how many people do not know paprika is made from peppers!
Michelle I love how you stick to your preferences! You cook to eat well and with such flavor without spending too much. It never feels or looks like “budget” eating. I’m going to make the black bean tortilla soup and probably add 6 ounces of diced sweet potato instead of the rice. It seems to spike my blood sugar less. I love a half of a sweet potato with black beans on top.
@@pennyrasnake1401 They are EVERYWHERE here in California. They are in the hispanic section at Walmart, and I think I've even seen it at the .99 store and Ralphs. I see Amazon has it also but it's higher than normal. Let me know if you can't find it and I can send you a small one. 😁
We love our Aroma Rice Cooker. My oldest son (I have 4 sons) actually bought it to make his Sunday meal prepping of work week lunches easier but we all use it regularly.
I love these recipes! If I did this, I'd probably sub the chicken for a pork shoulder roast because my husband hates chicken. And I'd probably add a head of cabbage for extra crunch and freshness. I could then make pulled pork tacos, too. And I might even cut back on the rice to 1 lb if I increased the tortillas to 80. I also might double the amount of cheese purchased and add eggs to the list, as well as peanut butter. If flour and other basics are a part of my pantry, then adding the pork, cabbage, eggs, more cheese, and more tortillas would allow me to do a week of all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 4 for around 35-40 bucks (max).
I'm always impressed by your meals, they all look delicious. I've made a few of your Mexican recipes and they always taste great (though my plating isn't as pretty as yours). Thank you for your channel, you inspire me and remind me that I can have good food and not break the bank. I hope you enjoy the holidays with your family!
@@ArdentMichelleI think that the rotisserie chickens are a loss leader to draw customers in. Stores did that years ago and it appears that's what $5 rotisserie chickens are. I could be wrong though. Lol.😂
Ar 69 yrs. old and living on SS has been a challenge for my husband and I with the cost of food. So while I have spent a good part of my adult yrs. as a vegetarian my husband has taken the long road to get there. Still a meat lover but much less so. Willing to eat meatless meals I prepare. You have not only given me ideas but your hints on stretching that meal for another day has helped us stay on budget most months. Thank you for all you do.
I’m not eligible for the visa gift card because I am Canadian 🇨🇦 but I just want to tell everyone that can enter how wonderful is channel is. Oh, and I managed to find Knorr tomato soup packets in the ethnic aisle one of the grocery stores I shop a! I am so happy because it opens up a world of recipes that I haven’t been able to make on your channel.❤️❤️❤️❤️
It kind of breaks my heart that my Canadian viewers can't enter - since I'm so attached to many of you 😞 but I'm a struggling RUclipsr and I have no idea how much it might cost to send something to another country 😂 Speaking of bouillon- every store I've gone to recently is out of vegetable bouillon - including Samsclub. Not sure what the deal is but I had to get a different kind and it's impacting my kitchen mojo. 😂 Nice idea to use the tomato soup packets. 🤔
@@ArdentMichelle Please don't worry about the fact that I can't enter! I have saved so much on my grocery budget from watching your channel that I have already won! ❤️🤗
I recently became a single mom. I'm now on an extremely low income. Your videos have helped me and my kids so much. You have so many great ideas! I had never even seen the Festive ground turkey until I saw you mention it. It's so much cheaper than ground beef. My kids can't tell a difference. I tell everyone in my situation about your channel lol. I am grateful for you and your helpful videos.
I'm so glad my videos have been helpful 😁 Thanks so much for letting me know. It inspires me to keep doing this!
For ground beef many on a tight budget also make their “ground beef” half hamburger and cooked half brown lentils. But do the math, lentils and festive ground turkey might be the same price as just ground turkey. That being the case, ground turkey would be better because it is higher protein, essential for growing and less expensive source of protein.
From my 30s of counting not just pennies but partial pennies, lol, I can’t break the habit when grocery shopping. If you have a Dollar General nearby and can shop on a Saturday, they have better prices on can tomatoes 🍅 and pinto beans. By using the $5/$25 with the regular price pinto beans it becomes $0.80lb vs $1 and the can of regular diced tomatoes 🍅 and the Rotel equivalent for &0.80 vs $1. These prices beat my Walmart.
If you are ever looking for a fast food equivalent, I mean cooks in 5 minutes and is inexpensive, try this. Combine a can of (sale priced) ready to eat Beef & Vegetable soup (18-19oz) with a package of beef ramen, cooked. Tasty and cheap. Works great when you are sick or exhausted. This recipe feeds 2 adults hearty or 1 adult and 2-3 children if you add sliced buttered bread. I’ve seen Dollar Tree sale soup for $1.67 + ramen $0.33 + bread makes this about $2-$2.50. Buy soups on Saturday with the $5/$25 and it’s even less.
Since the pintos and tomatoes are at regular price getting sale soup on sale gets you closer to that $25 need and eventual $20 out of pocket.
I have been vegan for several years but can modify your creative, low cost and healthy meals. You are a true blessing to RUclips. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
awe...thanks so much for these kind words 🥰 Merry Christmas to you and yours also 🎁🎄
I'm vegan and I agree! I could easily make a tofu sour cream to make this menu, no problem. ☺️
Yay! Beans and rice NEVER seem like budget meals when using a Mexican-flare to the menu. As always, your plating is lovely.
So true! 👍
Your channel has got me out of some really hard times when feeding my family and for that I thank you
I'm so glad to hear this! 😁 Thank you so much!
I have been watching your channel for years. I have had good years and bad years but this year has been the worst. Your videos have helped more then you know. Keep up the great work and remember you really are helping people who need someone to inspire them when times are tough.
First, thank you so much for being a long-time viewer 🥰 Second, I'm so glad my channel has been helpful. Thanks for letting me know.
I can’t believe a dish at a Mexican restaurant is $20!! The Mexican places near me always used to be some of the least expensive places to go for amazing food. The savings to eat at home, especially in this day and age, are so huge!!! Thanks for this content, your channel is so inspiring and has taught me so much. 💜
I overheard a guy in line at Walmart complaining that for two people it was $30 at Taco Bell 😳 It's so out of hand.
Agreed. Cost to dine out even at fast food is bonkers. Def no longer worth it. Lets all boycott restaurants until prices get reasonable?
I went to Culver's & ordered 5 sandwiches (1 of which was a single patty burger) & 1 large fry & it came to $43! Totally overpriced & not very tasty. Overcooked dry meat. Eating at home is the way to go. If I want to go out to eat, then I will go to a fine dining restaurant occasionally. Better to have good quality pricier meals over poor quality over priced meals IMO.
Fast food realized how important they felt they were during lockdowns. Unfortunately they raised prices then and continued still nobody complained & continued to buy. They have to cover food, wages, advertising, Doordash, etc costs.
Mexican cuisine is more popular now than ever. It has more vegetables like Chinese food thus the higher costs.
So doing this this week...from my pantry and freezer, no shopping.
hope you enjoy!
I really enjoy your channel. I have 8 children, 7 still at home and you have given me some really good ideas for when we have gotten burnt out on some of the staple dinners we have gotten used to. Glad to find a channel that is straight forward doesnt take too long to describe and you do it so well. I love to cook so to grab some extra recipes is a real treat for me. Hope you and yours have happy holidays. Look forward to see what you do with leftovers...Thank you so much for sharing... ;) Awesome that you're doin a giveaway. Good luck everyone!
Thanks so much for this comment. 🥰 I'm passionate about trying to help families so I appreciate this post very much. Hoping one of my regulars wins the giveaway. Happy Holidays! 🎄🧑🎄
This channel is helping me help my young adult daughter meal plan on an extreme budget every week. Thanks so much for doing these.
I love how you always consider the nutritional value and give tips on that (like brown rice/white rice) without being condescending
Thank you 😁
As a single mom, I enjoy watching your videos.
You inspire me to make meals at home more often!
I'm so glad! 😁
I am going through cancer treatment and have benefit for a few years now. And I love watching.
Especially since as you probably can imagine I am spending a lot of money on my care with lots of medical stuff and medication.
So I appreciate your budget content. I don't have a lot of energy but when I'm feeling up to it I do really appreciate your videos.
glad my videos are helpful 😁
your content and calming presence are always a treat.
Thank you 💜
I've commented this before, but you just have such a great unique style to your videos. Never change :D
Glad you like them! 😁
Your plating always inspires me. My favorite inexpensive bean soup to make is bean with bacon!
I bet that's good 👍
Your budget meals are gourmet meals in disguise.
awe... love this 🥰
Your enchiladas have me drooling. Thank you for all your great ideas -- you are so creative!
Glad you like them! 😁
I love more recipes with beans. We have been experimenting with what keeps my husband's sugar level the lowest and beans are a winner. Thank you!
Welcome 😁 as far as eating on a budget for the best nutrition, beans are a winner. It's too bad some people are unable to eat them. 😞
I love your recipes…Being 74 years old and single…SS doesn’t stretch very far any more…so your budget meals are awesome…for me…I have shared some of your videos with some of my friends…thank you…keep up the good work…Merry Christmas…!
Glad you are enjoying my content 😁 Merry Christmas
Delicious.
Your recipes are budget conscious, easy to make, and delicious. If you do a cookbook, I would buy it without hesitation.
Awe.....thank you so much. 💜 Maybe I can do that in the future.
@@ArdentMichelle You really should! You have terrific ideas.
I agree. A budget cookbook with shopping tips.
Yes! You try so many styles of cooking that I haven't tried, like the Kenyan dish. Also, your portions are perfect for singles and families! I struggle with portioning since the divorce. I always make way too much food and leftovers are sometimes overwhelming.
@@sarahconnor64 I think I'll be cooking for one in my next video!
I love how varied your dishes are on such a modest budget. I think having a chicken and extra tortillas would help stretch things. We are a family of five, so I would add the rice. Fantastic. Ty!
Welcome 😁
That fried spicy rice idea is right up my alley, give me rice over pasta any day. My stove should be working again soon and I'm excited to get back in there and actually cook again, and I've put this recipe on my "make this!" list. So many ways to alter it too. I miss fried tortillas so much. I heard myself saying "mmmm" when you bit into the little fried tortilla melted cheese foldover thingie. Thanks for the new ideas, and good luck to all!
Glad you like this! 😁 Yes, good luck😁🥳
Beans cook in Instant pot in 40 minutes
wow I thought it would be faster in an Instant Pot.
Your meals are always creative and affordable. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Thanks so much! 😊
THANK YOU FOR THE ENTRY!
Definitely going to try making that tortilla soup! Yum!
Appreciate your affection for a little tomato. I like them, too, and grow them in Mission Viejo.
Hi Neighbor 😁
Re: Tomatoes - It's more like a raging passion ❤️ 😂 yes, so easy to grow tomatoes here in California if you have a sunny area for a plant.
I could eat enchiladas everyday!
same here 😁
I love diy red sauce. Also, quick rice hack: if you have salsa, one c of salsa for every c of liquid (more or less salsa for taste). Cook your rice in that. Works with taco sauce, too, but it won't be a full cup per cup of liquid. It's just to taste.
Oh yes 👍 I agree, this is very good! Thanks for sharing! 👩🍳
Another great example of how to do a lot with very little! All of the meals look delicious and filling. I have always used the cilantro stems but I mainly save them for cooking with the meal, and reserve the pretty leaves for garnish or toppings. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you so much 🥰 Same to you. Merry Christmas to you and yours 🎄🧑🎄
With the economy the way it is I started looking for this type of content in case it continues to get worse. I'm glad I found your channel. You have so many good ideas!
In my country we eat beans soup , we chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic , and tomatoes and make a sofrito you can use a bit of oil or butter for it .
You can choose whatever beans you want and boil them with enough water to make a soup once beana are very soft you get some of that water and beans and blender and add back to the pot and the add the sofrito and eggs ( whole eggs and let them cook ) and then you sever with white rice and cilantro and ovacado for garnish
Thanks for sharing 😁
I've been a long time viewer and I enjoy the way you do your videos so much! You elevate everything!
Thanks so much 😊
Grind a few corn tortillas in the blender and add to the soup as a thickener and for the extra corn flavor
I love Mexican food also. I really enjoyed your video making the restaurant meal low budget.
I love your recipes. very easy to fix. I am a senior with health issues so these are wonderful for me.
Glad you like them 😁
I love these long-form videos! And this video especially was the topic I needed! I was going to make some flour tortillas and bagels today using the 2-ingrediet recipe (yogurt & self rising flour) for breakfast this week since I'm between paydays. Plus I'm going to make some shrimp fried rice to last us for a few days. One of my girls isn't fond of Mexican dishes, but my other one is, so I'm taking notes on the ones you featured today. 👍🏿👍🏿
I prefer long form too.....I've only been doing shorts because I think the RUclips algorithm has been punishing me for NOT doing them. So, I'm just filming things I eat during the week so that it's not any extra work or detracting from my long form content.
Sounds like you have some creative dishes ahead. Love this. Enjoy! 😁
The soaking of the beans is to neutralize the phitic acid in the beanmaking it easier to digest
I know some people soak for that reason but it's highly debatable. The research dept. from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture states that there is no evidence of reduced flatulence from soaked beans 😂 The Epicurious article I was talking about only looked at soaking beans in order to reduce cooking time, and they also looked at flavor. Universally, everyone says they have better flavor if not soaked.
Recently found your channel and thankful for all your great ideas! We are farmers and second year in a row, we have lost our crops due to floods and fungus and drought and smoke choking out the blossoms. So we have needed to literally go to bare bones and find ways to stretch the budget without feeling like it’s budget. Your flavorful meals and tips have been very helpful!
Glad my videos have been helpful 😁
All of these meals look so delicious and I love the fact that they can be made vegan and if you have familly members that need their meat it can be added without all the extra work of making them a separate meal. Thank you so much for this video and helping us with meal ideas when prices are going up every day ❤️
So glad you like these meals 😁 and you're welcome
Looked amazing
Good luck everybody!
yes...good luck 😁
Thank you for your ideas. You are very creative.
Glad you like them! 😁
Your videos are always so inspiring for those of us on a budget whether feeding a crowd or just one. I always find something yummy to cook after watching your Sunday vids.
I'm glad my videos inspire you 😁 Thanks for letting me know!
You have the most beautiful budget meals!
Thank you!! 😊
So excited to try the enchilada sauce.
Thank you again for some great ideas. I like your enchiladas, which are very similar to how I make them.
Welcome 😁
My favorite chef.
💜
I am so excited to make the enchilada sauce and cheese enchiladas! Yummy!!
Hope you enjoy 😁
I am viewing from Australia 🇦🇺 and it is wonderful that I can easily obtain all of the ingredients for the recipes.😊
Very good video full of wonderful ideas 👍
Your account is such a life saver- It might sound silly but you’re doing such important work with this channel
Thank you so much 😁 I appreciate this comment. 🥰 It helps make it all worthwhile!
I love taco soup and enchiladas , too. Yum.❤
my peeps 😂
Always watch just never comment I'm 57 and learn alot from you young lady
awe....thanks for being a regular viewer 🥰 Good luck in the giveaway! 😁
That tortilla soup looks so good!
I definitely can live on that tortilla soup. Thank you for sharing.
Same 😂 and you're welcome 😁 Thank YOU for watching!
I finally got my husband to watch one of these with me... we're mouthwatering meal planning now!!!! :D
I abide by a tight budget on my groceries. I'm an empty nester, single mom. my daughter moved out a year and a half ago she is 21. So basically I cook for myself. But even as I was raising her I was always mindful of our food budget. I don't mind eating the same thing for days. You are one of my top three favorite budget meal RUclips channels! I am a vegetarian and I like how you make the meals to be either vegetarian or meat based. I absolutely love your creativity 🙂♥️
Thanks so much and good luck in the giveaway! 😁
I love your videos !! I have tried many of your recipes !
Yay! 🥳 glad you've enjoyed my videos!
Thank you Michelle.
Welcome!
We have 6 children so your videos are a huge blessing ❤
Thank you 😁
I was just getting ready to make homemade enchilada sauce for the first time, and it was so nice to see you make it before I got started....very helpful. Always enjoy your budget friendly, fresh, HEALTHY food recipes. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much 🥰
I have nearly everything in my pantry and fridge to make the same meals this upcoming week. Pay day is a week away, so this comes at a perfect time! Thanks again Michelle for an easy, affordable, and delicious meal plan.
Welcome
This is my kind of meal plan. Beans, rice, Mexican inspired. 🤩Your tortilla soup looks so ridiculously good. Thanks for the video and recipes ideas. Btw, you converted me to Crystal hot sauce from Franks.
Glad you like this one 😁 I used to use Franks too. I thought it was good. I think the Crystal has taken the place of Huy Fongs chili garlic sauce for my family since they are NO LONGER making it! 😂 I think it's quite good.
Chili garlic sauce was my fav for stir fry. I’ve been using gochujang, but miss the chili garlic. Have you tried sambal oelek? ( sp might be wrong. I haven’t tried it but plan on it)
@@stacel1972 I haven't tried the sambal oelek but I plan to. From looking at the ingredients it looks like the chili garlic sauce without the garlic. 🤔 but I could be wrong! I do want to try it.
Love these meal ideas! Thank you for the chance to win the gift card!
I love how you budget and make full meals for the whole family.
Love your videos always looking for new ones. I am recently retired and living on an entirely different budget, so I do appreciate your ideas I especially like the fact that you make your dishes look so attractive. Thank you.
Yes!!! Mexican flavors so versatile and yummy!
Yay! 🥳 Glad you like this...and thanks again for supporting my channel 💜
Your leftover enchiladas look like they are straight from a restaurant. I should never watch your videos hungry. I want to make every one of these meals! Reminder to the community: please reach out for food assistance if you need it. So many people are donating right now. You deserve to eat. Thanks for another inspiring video 😊
Welcome 😁
I will be making enchiladas for the first time next week...thanks for your informative videos
Hope you enjoy
Thank you
Welcome!
I really like how you take time and thought to make your meals attractive. That is respect for every meal even budget. Thanks!
Glad you like this one 😁
I love watching your channel. You always have great recipes. I would like to be enter in your giveaway.
entered! Good luck 😁
Yummy! These meals don't look "budget" at all. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Thank you 😁 Happy Holidays to you too! 🥳
I love watching your cooking videos. Your voice is so soothing and I can actually follow the recipes, which is not always the case with other RUclipsrs. Your recipes are so creative and you also educate. They make me excited to cook! Please enter me in the contest. 😄
Will do 👍 and thanks so much 🥰
Great video as always! Why do I always forget about enchiladas! They’re my favorite and I always forget about them!
You need me to remind you 😁 It's enchilada season.
Thanks for the chance
welcome. Good luck 😁
Your videos always encourage me that I CAN stick to my grocery budget in these hard times. I just need to quit watching at night when I'm so hungry! 😅
😂
That's truly a blessing ❤ blessings 💞 to the winner 🏆
I figured it was a good time of year to do this. 😁
@@ArdentMichelleYou are very thoughtful ❤
I just love how detailed your description notes are! They’re so helpful! Thank you. ❤
welcome 😁
Love all your unique recipes!
I use paprika in place of chili powder all the time. We have to be extremely careful about limiting salt and most chili powder contains salt. When added to the rest of the spices (cumin, garlic powder, etc.) it tastes fine. One friend told me I couldn't possibly replace chili powder with paprika then proceeded to eat my chili and said it was the best she ever had, then told me how correct she was about the chili powder apparently not realizing I made it exactly how I told her I did. Amazing how many people do not know paprika is made from peppers!
yes or that chili powder has other ingredients 👍
That is a great tip! I don't love most chili powder. I'll try making it using paprika instead!
I always love your videos.
Glad you like them!
Michelle I love how you stick to your preferences! You cook to eat well and with such flavor without spending too much. It never feels or looks like “budget” eating. I’m going to make the black bean tortilla soup and probably add 6 ounces of diced sweet potato instead of the rice. It seems to spike my blood sugar less.
I love a half of a sweet potato with black beans on top.
oh that would be very good with the sweet potato 👍 Don't forget to rinse and drain the black beans very well so that they don't turn your soup black 😂
@@ArdentMichelle where do you find the tomato chicken bouillon? In stores or special order? I’d like to try that!
@@pennyrasnake1401 They are EVERYWHERE here in California. They are in the hispanic section at Walmart, and I think I've even seen it at the .99 store and Ralphs. I see Amazon has it also but it's higher than normal. Let me know if you can't find it and I can send you a small one. 😁
Love all of your budget meals
Thank you 😁
We love our Aroma Rice Cooker. My oldest son (I have 4 sons) actually bought it to make his Sunday meal prepping of work week lunches easier but we all use it regularly.
I so love your channel. We've added two more members to our family. So I'm looking for healthy and extreme cost effective meals. Merrry Christmas
Merry Christmas 😁
I love these recipes! If I did this, I'd probably sub the chicken for a pork shoulder roast because my husband hates chicken. And I'd probably add a head of cabbage for extra crunch and freshness. I could then make pulled pork tacos, too. And I might even cut back on the rice to 1 lb if I increased the tortillas to 80. I also might double the amount of cheese purchased and add eggs to the list, as well as peanut butter. If flour and other basics are a part of my pantry, then adding the pork, cabbage, eggs, more cheese, and more tortillas would allow me to do a week of all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 4 for around 35-40 bucks (max).
Great add ons. Love this 👍
I love your practical, (and yummy looking) budget and vegetarian friendly meals. I look forward to your content every Sunday!
I'm always impressed by your meals, they all look delicious. I've made a few of your Mexican recipes and they always taste great (though my plating isn't as pretty as yours). Thank you for your channel, you inspire me and remind me that I can have good food and not break the bank. I hope you enjoy the holidays with your family!
Thanks so much 😁 Happy Holidays! 🎄🧑🎄
I love to watch your videos you share some great ideas and meals
just found your channel! loooove this meal plan!!
Thank you 😁
Love watching you, your always so creative. You make a little go a long way. thanks for sharing!!!.
welcome 😁
Lots of great meals Michelle. Can't believe rotisserie chickens are $5 there, they are $13 here! Also a 6 pack of tortillas is $4.50
wow. that's a lot. 😳 Wondering when Sam's Club and Costco will stop selling rotisserie chickens for $5
Costco has them for $4.99 still!
@@ArdentMichelleI think that the rotisserie chickens are a loss leader to draw customers in. Stores did that years ago and it appears that's what $5 rotisserie chickens are.
I could be wrong though. Lol.😂
@@patpeters6331 I bet you are right 👍 Hope they keep doing it 🤞
Ar 69 yrs. old and living on SS has been a challenge for my husband and I with the cost of food. So while I have spent a good part of my adult yrs. as a vegetarian my husband has taken the long road to get there. Still a meat lover but much less so. Willing to eat meatless meals I prepare. You have not only given me ideas but your hints on stretching that meal for another day has helped us stay on budget most months. Thank you for all you do.
You're welcome and thanks so much for sharing this with me. I'm so glad my videos have been helpful 💜
Definitely looking forward to trying this menu plan after going a bit overboard for the holidays!
This was an excellent video. I'm sooooo happy to see your interest in other cultures n food. Great presentation keep up the great work 👍🏽❤
I have learned a lot from watching your videos for low cost meals. Thank you.
I'm so glad! 😁
Thanks for these recipes. I feel a little more confident in making some of these recipes. Debi in Vicksburg, MS. 🥰🥰
welcome 😁
I’m not eligible for the visa gift card because I am Canadian 🇨🇦 but I just want to tell everyone that can enter how wonderful is channel is. Oh, and I managed to find Knorr tomato soup packets in the ethnic aisle one of the grocery stores I shop a! I am so happy because it opens up a world of recipes that I haven’t been able to make on your channel.❤️❤️❤️❤️
It kind of breaks my heart that my Canadian viewers can't enter - since I'm so attached to many of you 😞 but I'm a struggling RUclipsr and I have no idea how much it might cost to send something to another country 😂
Speaking of bouillon- every store I've gone to recently is out of vegetable bouillon - including Samsclub. Not sure what the deal is but I had to get a different kind and it's impacting my kitchen mojo. 😂 Nice idea to use the tomato soup packets. 🤔
@@ArdentMichelle Please don't worry about the fact that I can't enter! I have saved so much on my grocery budget from watching your channel that I have already won! ❤️🤗