I love your videos. Mostly, because you aren't in a $60,000 kitchen or million dollar home cooking these meals. Your videos are easy to relate to. Much respect.
YESSSS!!! I just hope as she grows she doesn’t change. Unfortunately that’s what happens with most of these channels. 😢 Then they totally lose their relatability.
I’m glad I found you. You remind me of how I used to cook, when I was young. I’m old now and eat less, which helps keep costs down. But I frequently feed others so I’m grateful for your refreshers. You come across as sincere, friendly, and I enjoy your personality. I wish you much success with your channel.
I don’t know about your being old but you were certainly raised to be kind and appreciative. So refreshing. I am enjoying this site also and plan to return!
I also worked for Taco Bell years ago. (We used grease boards for orders. I know I am dating myself) Enchirito was the best item they ever made and I miss it dearly!!!
One tip for anyone who wants to try the poorman’s meal, instead of adding ketchup on top at the end, add some to the skillet a few minutes before it’s finished up! It caramelizes a bit around the hotdogs and potatoes and is delicious!!
I learned while living in a motel room for 3 months (escaped an abusive situation) that I could easily crumble my block of cheese with a fork when I put it in the back of the fridge for a bit. Just in case people aren’t comfortable with using a sharp knife or don’t have a grater, this is an option.
I wandered through my Dollar Tree yesterday. I was amazed at the selection and value that was offered! I had a grocery list that I had ‘priced’ every item I planned to purchase at one of the ‘big’ chain grocery. By purchasing items that Dollar Tree had available, I saved $24.00 from my planned budget available for groceries! I am impressed! Thanks for your inspiration!
Thank you for doing a microwavable meal. I'm one of those people in a situation that I only have a microwave, crockpot and rice/grain cooker/steamer. I really appreciate you taking the time & trying to include everyone
When I lived alone and single, I actually never used my oven. I still have my old good but very cheap mini grill oven to this day. Mine is as big as an average microwave :) I hope you can get one eventually because it is a life changer ❤You will be able to cook literally everything with all the equipment you have already.
I hadn’t watched Clara’s Great Depression cooking in probably a decade, I’d almost forgotten about her, so it was such a treat to hear someone else mention her and then recreate one of her meals 🥹🧡
I just subscribed to your channel...you have an IMMACULATE playlist! The "spoopy" is gonna be my background mood for eons! Thank you so much for curating this. Omgosh! Just in time for HALLOWEEN😍🎃 Luvz yer style💗😻
I’m so happy to have found this comment! I was wondering if anyone else caught the Clara mention. I was so incredibly sad when she passed. I loved her channel and always looked forward to cooking with her.
@@Hasenkind1The video series to series to search for featuring Clara is "Great Depression Cooking". She's the beautiful dark haired lady with bright red lipstick and the vids have a great little opening theme song 😊
I reheat my meals at work, that burrito dish would be great. Thank you. My mom would say " we may be poor but we don't have to look like it". Pretty that plate up. I love your idea of your shepherds pie with the corn. It's one of my favorite dishes.
That Pre-Cooked Spanish Rice is Lousy Tasting. I Wouldn't buy it again. Maybe add a small can of Diced Green Chilies and some chopped up Cilantro would make it Edible?
My favorite lunch as a child was buttered toast topped with vegetable beef soup (no water added). I’m in my 50s and still default to that meal for comfort food.
Awesome ideas!!! Have a suggestion for you if using canned veggies. If you are not using the liquid, save it and freeze it. This can be the start of a base for a soup. This way you can avoid using seasonings sometimes
Yes! Great tip save the veggie water. I save mushroom liquid add it to the bag . I keep a chicken and veggies bag and a beef and veggies bag. Also any left over veggies go in a bag when enough we have veggie soup.
Great channel. Just subbed. Suggestion for hot ham and cheese: mix Mayo, mustard and garlic powder and spread on the top and bottom buns before heating. Takes it to the next level. Tip for bulking up tomato soup: boil 1/4 cup elbow macaroni in the soup (or on the side and add). You don't want the pasta to overtake the soup but just a few noodles in each spoonful make it more filling and feel special.
As a financially challenged person i just love love pink puffy heart love your ideas ❤ thank you and keep these awesome videos coming. PS Clara was amazing, im thankful to own her cookbook
Was so happy to find her videos. Fun ideas and I go to dollar tree often. As for Clara, yes have gad her book for 8 years. She's Sicilian and from Melrose Park, IL too and her stories were great to read with her recipes. I grew up on that food since mom and dad were born in the mid 1920's. So glad to join this enjoyable group. Happy eating.
Thank you for this video. I am in that financial position where I make too much to get any assistance, however I am just above that threshold so I’m still struggling to afford things like groceries. When your options are limited it can be easy to eat the same things over and over. Definitely going to try the poor man’s meal! Thank you for this video!
My mother and I mostly shop at Aldi to get somewhat healthy food on a budget, but our local Dollar Tree has a refrigerator & freezer section. After watching a few of your recipes, I think I need to pop in and see what they have.
A cheaper option I made last night. Take canned chili (with or without beans) and canned tamales place in a baking dish with shredded cheese of your liking on top. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. (also may add any spices you may have to your liking)
Yesss! My Sis made this one night! She is definitely one of those cooks that can pull things out of a pantry and make a version of just about anything!
Your potatoes might have browned and crisped up more if you had roughened the surface with a fork. Also, spraying the top with cooking spray or dotting the top with butter will aid in browning. (The secret to cutting clean slices of shepherd's pie is to chill it, which is great if you're doing individual meal prep and want to have tidy slices to pack away for later, but if you're serving dinner, then the shallow-spoon scoop is the best method for serving.)
Interesting! I’ve never thought of shepherds pie as a make ahead meal much but that makes sense! I bet that’s how people get such good photos of shepherds pie haha
Love your channel! You give me inspiration when I’m hitting a wall. We make the potatoes & hotdogs with some spaghetti sauce. Brown them up, then pour in your sauce of choice, half a jar, or however much you want. Let simmer maybe 10 or 15 minutes, stirring well. One of our favorite comfort meals❤
Thank you for all of your videos. They help me as a single mother to be able to provide for my two children on a budget. You are amazing. Keep up with the great work. Can’t wait to see your channel grow. You are amazing !!!
I wonder if Clara saved her clean oil for reuse. My grandmother strained her oil and kept it in a metal container and reused a long time. She didn't save if it was fishy or really dirty though. She also saved bacon grease. Yummy flavor!
My Nana who I just lost in August at age 93 also always saved bacon grease I once watched her bring water to boil for corn on the cob then add a spoon of bacon grease to the water and man was her food yummy, so I just did not question it even once ❤😊 I hope she is nice and peaceful in heaven she was a great woman. her name was Doris
I love to dress up a can of tomato soup by putting some dried green herbs (parsley, basil, etc.) and some spices (black pepper, garlic powder, etc.), a dash of Worcestershire and a small dash of apple cider vinegar. Now I always have to make this for my daughter and grandkids because “it doesn't taste the same” when I don't do it, according to them. lol
Last week I made a $4 delicious pasta dinner from the tree!! the back of the Knorr pasta sides actually have great recommendations for "dressed-up" recipes. Made a chicken florentine with alfredo pasta, chicken, frozen spinach and shaker parm! Love ur channel
Still watch her videos. It's no wonder that they are the "greatest generation". Because they are. The stories of her growing up should be taught to children now. Life isn't video games and cell phones.
Can I recommend putting a little enchilada sauce on the plate before placing the burrito down(this is what one would do when making enchiladas in a casserole dish). Just fyi. 😊
I will cut back on the water in the instant potatoes and add more butter to them. The butter in them allows more flavor and browns better in an oven. I sometimes add melted butter the last few minutes and put it under the broiler for a minute to get it really crunchy brown top. Not traditional for the Sheppards pie, but I add melted butter over the top of biscuits and in biscuit mixes too. Great flavor trick for instant potatoes- use stock instead of water. Beef, chicken or veggie, makes a huge difference if I’m just using them as a side dish.
I’m very happy I found your channel. I thank you so much. Im retired five years from NYC transit. Even though I have a substantial pension, in the back of my mind, there is fear that as the economy shifts that money wont be enough if I continue to live. Everyone laughs at me when I talk about being the old lady buying cat food, but watching your channel has made me realize that even if at there worst I can still eat decently! Thank you, young woman
I found canned roast beef and gravy at the dollar tree and frozen mixed veggies. I had some cheese already and I had garlic herb mashed potatoes. Made a great shepherd 's pie!
I can’t remember which video it was from, but the first meal made me think of it. I made the cowboy skillet breakfast thing this week and added egg to it and then reheated a servings of it in a skillet before work every day. I was worried I’d get bored with it by mid week but I absolutely did a happy breakfast dance every morning this week. So thank you for that one!
Love watching her show she was a very special lady her family so lucky to have such knowledge information and I feel spoiled she made RUclips channel to share her meals for us to have for savings ❤
That "poor man's meal" looks so good! I have $15 to get me through until next Thursday. (I do have a few eggs, a few corn tortillas, butter, milk, and a few spices.) I'll have to hit my Dollar Store tomorrow and see if they have the veggies and potatoes.
Everything looks great. Especially the poor man's meal. I would probably go with 4 hotdogs instead of eight there and save the other four for another serving. Ketchup has it's place but I would go with BBQ sauce personally. I also liked how the cottage pie looked and the hot ham and cheese. But in closing you are awesome keep the content coming.
I was thinking the same thing about the hot dogs. The combination of the leftover buns, the 4 other hot dogs, and the likely leftovers from that veggie-loaded cottage pie could easily make another decently balanced meal for two.
I was shocked by how much I liked it too! I immediately felt like it would make an amazing pot pie on a budget. Like the little ones when I was a kid and I started thinking about how I could make those happen. I really didn't have very high expectations for that can of beef stew but it really did surprise me a lot.
Thank you so much for sharing the meals. It will be a change for me. Try adding cooked elbow macaroni too leftover northern ham and beans. Too so good. We always had extra guess arrive so mom stretched the meal with cornbread or just bread on the side.
I literally just binge watched all your videos over the last 3 days. I really wish you were able to upload more. I understand you have a life,, I’m just being selfish. Lol. Thank you for sharing your gift
8 месяцев назад+8
I love this series. Bsides being helpful for people on a tight budget, it's perfect for kids trying to learn to cook for themselves. I am a high school teacher, and I have a number of students with absent parents. This could totally help them cook for themselves.
I love how you use frozen french fries for your recipes. So smart ! All of your ideas are great. You are such a wonderful public service. I always enjoyed watching Clara, such a sweet lady. Thanks for sharing 🥰💐🍒💗✝
Enchirito looks really good! We'll be moving next month, so I appreciate the microwave ideas. We will be eating off of paper plates once we pack up our cookware & dishes.
You should be proud! Your creativity and consideration to focus on budget meals that don’t look that way! I am sure they taste delicious! Thank you for all of your hard work. I am sure these are so appreciated by so many! ❤
You inspired me to try a few frozen items from the $ store, using flour tortillas for my new salad wrap. Wegmans has a not spicy hummus jalapeño and cilantro flavor, sun dried tomatoe strips, crunchy onions, crunchy jalapeños from Traders, and a huge handful of fresh Romain lettuce 🥬. Thanks for all you share. You are inspiring me to use up my pantry. Woo hoo 🎉. Peace
I’ve been binge watching all of your videos and it’s been awesome because it’s given me a lot of ideas on what to cook on a budget thank you so so much
you've saved me from wasting food with your vids. I make a list and stick to it because you're both giving us budget meal ideas and meal planning. Neither of which I'm skilled at as an ADHDer. Thank you, Rebecca
These meals were great! I really love that you are minful about accesibilty options others may or may not have. I would live to see you do videos that focus on other diets on a and budget like vegetarian, or pescatarian. I was at dollar tree a week ago and saw that my location started having more expensive dollar tree "plus" foods in the freezer, like salmon and shrimp. Could you do a video on this? Thank you for your content!
I will definitely explore the plus sections if and when my stores ever get them haha I wonder if I’ll like them or if I’ll hate them 😂 I love exploring other dietary restrictions and honestly sometimes I get some really great meal ideas that I may not have tried otherwise.
These all look fantastic, and you could easily take them up a notch if you had the money, but it's good to see the bare bones versions too. I read that if you want the potatoes on your shepherd pie to look fancy, you swirl a fork through them before baking and the peaks will get browner than the rest. Worth a try!
I truly appreciate this so much. Simple, affordable and getting to visually see every step makes it so less intimidating as someone with very little cooking experience. I feel really good about coming home from work and making these. Thank you so much. ❤
You're very kind when you think about people who are limited to a fridge and microwave situation. I lived in that situation for. about a year. Trader Joe's was my best friend. I was pooooor though.
@@DollarTreeDinners highly recommend their Indian food. Palak Paneer & Chicken Tikka Masala & the naan! My friend says the Lamb Vindaloo is the best. Also the Butter Chicken is bigger and pretty much exactly like the Chicken Tikka Masala. Also they have a great Shepards Pie. I think it's obvious that I lived off Trader Joe's and microwave steam veggies for an entire year.
The extra time here can also give you time to mix some extras like lime and sour cream for a tangy cream or a roma tomato, green onion, and lime. Both just seasoned with salt and pepper. I feel like they make any sort of "Mexican" food so much better.
A couple of things from watching your channel: 1) you can use a vegetable peeler to shave cheese, chocolate, etc. 2) 1 box of spice cake, 1 can of pumpkin, and as many chocolate chips as you like make wonderful cookies. Think it’s about 15-18 minutes at 350.Love your show. Just ordered a ham slice for funeral potatoes. One bag of frozen hash browns, 1 lb cheddar (use veg peeler), 16 oz sour cream, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 onion, diced, 1/4-1/2 lb ham, diced, butter or margarine. Melt 3 T butter, add onions and carmelize, add ham and brown. In a large bowl, mix soup, cheese, saving 1/2 C for topping, and sour cream, add onions, ham, and hash browns. Grease a 9x13” casserole, or two 8x8, pour in mixture, smooth top, sprinkle cheese over the top, and bake 45 minutes at 350 until bubbling and chhese has browned.
I really appreciate your post! Also, I never thought to use a veg peeler to shave cheese or chocolate! 🩷 🧀 🍫 I'm also gonna try the cookies using canned pureed sweet potatoes in hopes it will work. Have lots of cans of it! 😃
Just made my own version of the Shepherds Pie. I used canned chili as I had that on my shelf. Came out good! I just put the chili on the bottom then added my veggies on top without mixing them together.
Four great meals! And I love that you don’t edit out your little mistakes. Thought I had invented easy shepherds pie using a can of roast beef with gravy, frozen peas and carrots, and the same brand of garlic mashed potatoes. Super good, but I like your version too. I’m going to try those Enchiritos, they look yummy! I might use corn instead of the rice, just to get more veggies into myself.
I have never made or had Shepherd's pie with barley in it. So good experiment, but like the idea of beef stew better. Also when camping have made baked potatoes in foil amongst the embers of the campfire area then heat up canned beef stew to top baked potato with....yum!😊
@Sharon Hall I had no idea. I need to try that. Do you precook the meat before? The way I was taught was everything goes in raw but I don't know if that would work in a microwave
I want to thank you for the hot sandwich idea..I think my son would love it.😆 And it's easy enough, he could make it himself as well. My mind is running amuck thinking of the different fillings😉
You’re such a gem! I wish RUclips had been a thing in this way back in my own struggle days. While I’m Australian, and therefore almost none of the convenience tex-Mex/Mexican-inspired foods are available here (at least not easily), the concept is absolutely applicable. Thanks for your content! And with the cost of living crisis, I’m very much looking for inspiration on cheap meals. That’s universal!
I’m so happy to hear you’re proud! You should be!!! Your content is so well done, you are so thoughtful and creative. A gift to us on the other side of the internet!
New subscriber here! LOVE all your recipes so far! Just a suggestion for the hot ham & cheese sandwiches melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder and parsley poured over the rolls or brushed on before you bake them in the oven it’s a GAME changer!!!
Back in the Depression, fat was calories, and it helped to satisfy hunger when the actual portions of food were meager. I remember my grandmother saying that sometimes all they had for breakfast was leftover biscuits with meat drippings.
This was great!! Thank you so much for posting these! I'm always on the lookout for budget meals that are easy to make and filling. My wife and I bought a new house, and after doing my budget, it doesn't leave a lot of money leftover, so these videos are great to give us ideas for dinner and leftovers for lunch. Again, thank you so much, and keep it up. 🤘🏻🤘🏻 I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what other ideas you come up with. 😁
(As a Canadian) , my mother made this Cottage/ Shephard's Pie many many times. Instead she used a pound of hamburg, and 2 cans of condensed vegetable soup, topped with mashed potatoes. In turn, I made it many many times for my family.
These meals look great! Thank you for posting them! I am traveling for work right now and brought some portable cooking vessels with me. There is a dollar tree near my hotel; I am heading out now to get the ingredients for these meals!
Tip: unthaw vegetables on paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Change the towel/ towel after an hour and the veg's will be dry in another hour. Can do this overnight on cookie sheet placed in frig. Then stir fry
I'm SO glad you mentioned Pate Chinois... had no idea that's what I grew up eating from my grandma in central Cali! Even funnier that I now live less than 2 hours from the Canadian border and I've never met anyone here that knows what I'm talking about!!
I really liked your last recipes, especially the Sheppard's Pie. I never thought to put in that kind of soup. As like you said we, in Canada use the ground beef and corn, but the soup is a nice touch. Bravo ! The meals are simple and good, not complicated/fussy and/or expensive, which is good these days. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!👩🍳👩🍳🥪🥪🥫🥫
In Texas enchiladas are made with corn tortillas and don't usually have beans in them. That is a wet burrito. For anyone who is living without a stove an electric skillet is awesome and you can sometimes find them at a thrift store for kust a few dollars.
On the shepherd's pie yes to the carrots no to the peas but yes to the corn. Thank you for sharing these fun meals. I want to try the ham and cheese when that look delicious
I like getting the polish sausage from Dollar Tree. Growing up in the midwest, we called it Bangers and Mash. Just fried potatoes & onions with bite sized polish sausage. When I was a single mother of two we had it a lot! I could get 5 packages from our local grocery store on their 5/ $25. A cheap yet hardly full filling meal! I’m making your fried pickles tonight. We love fried pickles but it just takes so long to do each one. I love your way!
Canadian Gal here! We still eat our Shepard’s pie as you mentioned , I have noticed here in BC many families also ad cheese on top of their potatoes! I don’t I like beef n gravy, corn and garlic mashed taters! This mock version you created looks delicious and def. we will try it! Thank you!!
![[TF2] The Russian Bear Trap](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YFNSwz2_rOA/mqdefault.jpg)
I love your videos. Mostly, because you aren't in a $60,000 kitchen or million dollar home cooking these meals. Your videos are easy to relate to. Much respect.
YESSSS!!! I just hope as she grows she doesn’t change. Unfortunately that’s what happens with most of these channels. 😢 Then they totally lose their relatability.
I’m glad I found you. You remind me of how I used to cook, when I was young. I’m old now and eat less, which helps keep costs down. But I frequently feed others so I’m grateful for your refreshers. You come across as sincere, friendly, and I enjoy your personality. I wish you much success with your channel.
Great personality with just the right amount of talking. You get right to the point. I like that.
I don’t know about your being old but you were certainly raised to be kind and appreciative. So refreshing. I am enjoying this site also and plan to return!
I also worked for Taco Bell years ago. (We used grease boards for orders. I know I am dating myself) Enchirito was the best item they ever made and I miss it dearly!!!
I agree this is my kinda cooking & eating. If ya wanna lose some weight just eat less of it 😅
@@cagirl3162 Enchirito is my all time FAVE item from Taco Bell ❤
One tip for anyone who wants to try the poorman’s meal, instead of adding ketchup on top at the end, add some to the skillet a few minutes before it’s finished up! It caramelizes a bit around the hotdogs and potatoes and is delicious!!
Isn't that how Clara did it? Add the ketchup to the skillet?
@@scook5599I believe she added pasta sauce. Hers looks so good and I can’t have it turn out quite like hers
BBQ sauce works pretty good too if like me you had no canned tomatoes, sauce or ketchup 😂
@@kellyesposito2748 that sounds good!!
I learned while living in a motel room for 3 months (escaped an abusive situation) that I could easily crumble my block of cheese with a fork when I put it in the back of the fridge for a bit. Just in case people aren’t comfortable with using a sharp knife or don’t have a grater, this is an option.
I wandered through my Dollar Tree yesterday. I was amazed at the selection and value that was offered! I had a grocery list that I had ‘priced’ every item I planned to purchase at one of the ‘big’ chain grocery. By purchasing items that Dollar Tree had available, I saved $24.00 from my planned budget available for groceries! I am impressed! Thanks for your inspiration!
In today’s economy this channel is a life saver!
It sure is.
Thank you for doing a microwavable meal. I'm one of those people in a situation that I only have a microwave, crockpot and rice/grain cooker/steamer. I really appreciate you taking the time & trying to include everyone
I try not to use the oven if I can help it.
Same
I don’t have a stove at the moment so I brought a 2 burner hot plate from Walmart so if you can invest I one you can also do the skillet meals.
@michie-wt9lz I was about to do that, but my situation changed. I now have a full-size fridge and stove
When I lived alone and single, I actually never used my oven. I still have my old good but very cheap mini grill oven to this day. Mine is as big as an average microwave :) I hope you can get one eventually because it is a life changer ❤You will be able to cook literally everything with all the equipment you have already.
I hadn’t watched Clara’s Great Depression cooking in probably a decade, I’d almost forgotten about her, so it was such a treat to hear someone else mention her and then recreate one of her meals 🥹🧡
I just subscribed to your channel...you have an IMMACULATE playlist!
The "spoopy" is gonna be my background mood for eons! Thank you so much for curating this. Omgosh! Just in time for HALLOWEEN😍🎃
Luvz yer style💗😻
I’m so happy to have found this comment! I was wondering if anyone else caught the Clara mention. I was so incredibly sad when she passed. I loved her channel and always looked forward to cooking with her.
can i watch her somewhere on the internet?
@@Hasenkind1 I think you can just search “Clara’s Great Depression Cooking” and it’ll pop up here on RUclips
@@Hasenkind1The video series to series to search for featuring Clara is "Great Depression Cooking". She's the beautiful dark haired lady with bright red lipstick and the vids have a great little opening theme song 😊
It makes so much sense to cut the ham up, sometimes you take a bite and end up pulling the whole slice of meat. I'm going to start doing it too!
That’s exactly why I do it that way I hate that haha 😂😂🥰
I reheat my meals at work, that burrito dish would be great. Thank you. My mom would say " we may be poor but we don't have to look like it". Pretty that plate up. I love your idea of your shepherds pie with the corn. It's one of my favorite dishes.
I definitely want to share my version of shepherds pie one day on here, it’s so nostalgic 🥰
Looking forward to you sharing your Shepards Pie. Love your videos, thanks so much ❤️
My family is technically poor but we eat like kings. All it takes is a little bit of effort and basic cooking knowledge ❤
That Pre-Cooked Spanish Rice is Lousy Tasting. I Wouldn't buy it again. Maybe add a small can of Diced Green Chilies and some chopped up Cilantro would make it Edible?
My favorite lunch as a child was buttered toast topped with vegetable beef soup (no water added). I’m in my 50s and still default to that meal for comfort food.
Awesome ideas!!! Have a suggestion for you if using canned veggies. If you are not using the liquid, save it and freeze it. This can be the start of a base for a soup. This way you can avoid using seasonings sometimes
Great tip, thanks 🙏
Love this idea
I never thought of that, thanks for the tip!
Yes! Great tip save the veggie water. I save mushroom liquid add it to the bag . I keep a chicken and veggies bag and a beef and veggies bag. Also any left over veggies go in a bag when enough we have veggie soup.
Great channel. Just subbed.
Suggestion for hot ham and cheese: mix Mayo, mustard and garlic powder and spread on the top and bottom buns before heating. Takes it to the next level.
Tip for bulking up tomato soup: boil 1/4 cup elbow macaroni in the soup (or on the side and add). You don't want the pasta to overtake the soup but just a few noodles in each spoonful make it more filling and feel special.
Great ideas!
Clara will live forever. Bless her.
I loved watching Clara cook. Great way to learn budget friendly meals and learn about the great depression. She was such a inspiration.
I'm single ,live alone. Dollar tree is a good option for me for small meals and very limited storage ..thank you for the ideas.
As a financially challenged person i just love love pink puffy heart love your ideas ❤ thank you and keep these awesome videos coming. PS Clara was amazing, im thankful to own her cookbook
I have her cookbook now too ❤️ I need to sit down and read it one day
If you're financially challenged why are you on the internet??? 😂
I have her cookbook also. I still go back and visit her videos from time to time.
Was so happy to find her videos. Fun ideas and I go to dollar tree often. As for Clara, yes have gad her book for 8 years. She's Sicilian and from Melrose Park, IL too and her stories were great to read with her recipes. I grew up on that food since mom and dad were born in the mid 1920's. So glad to join this enjoyable group. Happy eating.
What is pink puffy heart??
Even doubling these for my family of five would still be affordable. Thank you!!
Thank you for this video. I am in that financial position where I make too much to get any assistance, however I am just above that threshold so I’m still struggling to afford things like groceries. When your options are limited it can be easy to eat the same things over and over. Definitely going to try the poor man’s meal! Thank you for this video!
I'm thinking the same thing!
I understand exactly. I’m in that same situation. I’m going to try the poor man’s meal also. ❤
My mother and I mostly shop at Aldi to get somewhat healthy food on a budget, but our local Dollar Tree has a refrigerator & freezer section. After watching a few of your recipes, I think I need to pop in and see what they have.
A cheaper option I made last night. Take canned chili (with or without beans) and canned tamales place in a baking dish with shredded cheese of your liking on top. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. (also may add any spices you may have to your liking)
A great idea. I have seen the canned tamales and wondered what I could do with them, thanks for the tip.
Yesss! My Sis made this one night! She is definitely one of those cooks that can pull things out of a pantry and make a version of just about anything!
Your potatoes might have browned and crisped up more if you had roughened the surface with a fork. Also, spraying the top with cooking spray or dotting the top with butter will aid in browning. (The secret to cutting clean slices of shepherd's pie is to chill it, which is great if you're doing individual meal prep and want to have tidy slices to pack away for later, but if you're serving dinner, then the shallow-spoon scoop is the best method for serving.)
Interesting! I’ve never thought of shepherds pie as a make ahead meal much but that makes sense! I bet that’s how people get such good photos of shepherds pie haha
Love your channel! You give me inspiration when I’m hitting a wall.
We make the potatoes & hotdogs with some spaghetti sauce.
Brown them up, then pour in your sauce of choice, half a jar, or however much you want.
Let simmer maybe 10 or 15 minutes, stirring well.
One of our favorite comfort meals❤
Thank you for all of your videos. They help me as a single mother to be able to provide for my two children on a budget. You are amazing. Keep up with the great work. Can’t wait to see your channel grow. You are amazing !!!
I wonder if Clara saved her clean oil for reuse. My grandmother strained her oil and kept it in a metal container and reused a long time. She didn't save if it was fishy or really dirty though. She also saved bacon grease. Yummy flavor!
That's what we did growing up and my fam does now I'm a 1970s baby.😊
Same in my family! ❤
My Nana who I just lost in August at age 93 also always saved bacon grease I once watched her bring water to boil for corn on the cob then add a spoon of bacon grease to the water and man was her food yummy, so I just did not question it even once ❤😊 I hope she is nice and peaceful in heaven she was a great woman. her name was Doris
I love to dress up a can of tomato soup by putting some dried green herbs (parsley, basil, etc.) and some spices (black pepper, garlic powder, etc.), a dash of Worcestershire and a small dash of apple cider vinegar. Now I always have to make this for my daughter and grandkids because “it doesn't taste the same” when I don't do it, according to them. lol
Last week I made a $4 delicious pasta dinner from the tree!! the back of the Knorr pasta sides actually have great recommendations for "dressed-up" recipes. Made a chicken florentine with alfredo pasta, chicken, frozen spinach and shaker parm! Love ur channel
For diabetic/low carb version of poor man's meal, I make it with turkey smoked sausage, onion, and cauliflower. It's delicious!
Glad I found you. My husband passed away and I am saving for my new home…. so easy and cheap meals are my go too.
God bless Clara! And her family for sharing all her knowledge. What an amazing woman!
Still watch her videos. It's no wonder that they are the "greatest generation". Because they are. The stories of her growing up should be taught to children now. Life isn't video games and cell phones.
@@georgemarcouxjr6192 Things were better when teenagers were dying on the beaches of Normandy.
@@Voingous Go back in mommy's basement and play your video game.
@@georgemarcouxjr6192 I'd totally die on the beaches of Normandy, but we invited the Nazis to NASA so now I got nobody to get gunned down by. :(
I am a bariatric patient on a budget, this channel will be my saving grace ❤️ 🙏 Thank you
Can I recommend putting a little enchilada sauce on the plate before placing the burrito down(this is what one would do when making enchiladas in a casserole dish). Just fyi. 😊
I will cut back on the water in the instant potatoes and add more butter to them. The butter in them allows more flavor and browns better in an oven. I sometimes add melted butter the last few minutes and put it under the broiler for a minute to get it really crunchy brown top. Not traditional for the Sheppards pie, but I add melted butter over the top of biscuits and in biscuit mixes too. Great flavor trick for instant potatoes- use stock instead of water. Beef, chicken or veggie, makes a huge difference if I’m just using them as a side dish.
I’m very happy I found your channel. I thank you so much. Im retired five years from NYC transit. Even though I have a substantial pension, in the back of my mind, there is fear that as the economy shifts that money wont be enough if I continue to live. Everyone laughs at me when I talk about being the old lady buying cat food, but watching your channel has made me realize that even if at there worst I can still eat decently! Thank you, young woman
I found canned roast beef and gravy at the dollar tree and frozen mixed veggies. I had some cheese already and I had garlic herb mashed potatoes. Made a great shepherd 's pie!
I love one offs like that, it’s my favorite part of dollar tree shopping. Every week there’s something new to try
I loved to follow Claira till her passing 😢 and still reference her meals from time to time 😊 thank you for bringing her recipes back 😀
I can’t remember which video it was from, but the first meal made me think of it. I made the cowboy skillet breakfast thing this week and added egg to it and then reheated a servings of it in a skillet before work every day. I was worried I’d get bored with it by mid week but I absolutely did a happy breakfast dance every morning this week. So thank you for that one!
Love watching her show she was a very special lady her family so lucky to have such knowledge information and I feel spoiled she made RUclips channel to share her meals for us to have for savings ❤
I'm still watching her. An amazing woman. We should have paid more attention to the "greatest generation".
That "poor man's meal" is what got me through my twenties and we called it hot dog hash 😂
That "poor man's meal" looks so good! I have $15 to get me through until next Thursday. (I do have a few eggs, a few corn tortillas, butter, milk, and a few spices.) I'll have to hit my Dollar Store tomorrow and see if they have the veggies and potatoes.
You read my mind- I was yelling at my screen, “cut the carrots in half!” 😂
Everything looks great. Especially the poor man's meal. I would probably go with 4 hotdogs instead of eight there and save the other four for another serving. Ketchup has it's place but I would go with BBQ sauce personally. I also liked how the cottage pie looked and the hot ham and cheese. But in closing you are awesome keep the content coming.
Definitely! I thought about how using 8 hot dogs and adding a 2nd bag of potatoes, it would feed 4 instead of 2 😊
I was thinking the same thing about the hot dogs. The combination of the leftover buns, the 4 other hot dogs, and the likely leftovers from that veggie-loaded cottage pie could easily make another decently balanced meal for two.
I love their Southgate brand beef stew- it’s surprisingly good on its own. It’s even better when I add frozen veggies to it!
I was surprised that I liked it also.
The Southgate Chili is as good if not better than Wolf's brand chili that is almost 3.00 a can.
I was shocked by how much I liked it too! I immediately felt like it would make an amazing pot pie on a budget. Like the little ones when I was a kid and I started thinking about how I could make those happen. I really didn't have very high expectations for that can of beef stew but it really did surprise me a lot.
I was shocked the chili is as good as any other canned chili. Slightly more watery but more than acceptable. Tasty even!
My friends mom used to make canned beef stew with Bisquick dumplings on top. It was so good.
Thank you so much for sharing the meals. It will be a change for me. Try adding cooked elbow macaroni too leftover northern ham and beans. Too so good. We always had extra guess arrive so mom stretched the meal with cornbread or just bread on the side.
I love watching what you come up with... with the tomato soup, my mom got me hooked on grilled cheese sandwiches...
I literally just binge watched all your videos over the last 3 days. I really wish you were able to upload more. I understand you have a life,, I’m just being selfish. Lol. Thank you for sharing your gift
I love this series. Bsides being helpful for people on a tight budget, it's perfect for kids trying to learn to cook for themselves. I am a high school teacher, and I have a number of students with absent parents. This could totally help them cook for themselves.
I bought Clara's cookook when she still was making videos. I loved that lady!
Ohhh myy Goddess....Enchirito!!!!
I love how you use frozen french fries for your recipes. So smart ! All of your ideas are great. You are such a wonderful public service. I always enjoyed watching Clara, such a sweet lady. Thanks for sharing 🥰💐🍒💗✝
You are beyond inspirational and provide valuable information to so many people. Thank you soooo much for what you do. ❤
Enchirito looks really good! We'll be moving next month, so I appreciate the microwave ideas. We will be eating off of paper plates once we pack up our cookware & dishes.
You should be proud! Your creativity and consideration to focus on budget meals that don’t look that way! I am sure they taste delicious! Thank you for all of your hard work. I am sure these are so appreciated by so many! ❤
You inspired me to try a few frozen items from the $ store, using flour tortillas for my new salad wrap. Wegmans has a not spicy hummus jalapeño and cilantro flavor, sun dried tomatoe strips, crunchy onions, crunchy jalapeños from Traders, and a huge handful of fresh Romain lettuce 🥬. Thanks for all you share. You are inspiring me to use up my pantry. Woo hoo 🎉. Peace
I’ve been binge watching all of your videos and it’s been awesome because it’s given me a lot of ideas on what to cook on a budget thank you so so much
you've saved me from wasting food with your vids. I make a list and stick to it because you're both giving us budget meal ideas and meal planning. Neither of which I'm skilled at as an ADHDer. Thank you, Rebecca
These meals were great! I really love that you are minful about accesibilty options others may or may not have.
I would live to see you do videos that focus on other diets on a and budget like vegetarian, or pescatarian.
I was at dollar tree a week ago and saw that my location started having more expensive dollar tree "plus" foods in the freezer, like salmon and shrimp. Could you do a video on this?
Thank you for your content!
I will definitely explore the plus sections if and when my stores ever get them haha I wonder if I’ll like them or if I’ll hate them 😂
I love exploring other dietary restrictions and honestly sometimes I get some really great meal ideas that I may not have tried otherwise.
I'm so happy I discovered your channel. The food aisles at the DT are my favorite! I just wish we had a frig and freezer section in ours. :(
These all look fantastic, and you could easily take them up a notch if you had the money, but it's good to see the bare bones versions too.
I read that if you want the potatoes on your shepherd pie to look fancy, you swirl a fork through them before baking and the peaks will get browner than the rest. Worth a try!
I truly appreciate this so much. Simple, affordable and getting to visually see every step makes it so less intimidating as someone with very little cooking experience. I feel really good about coming home from work and making these. Thank you so much. ❤
You're very kind when you think about people who are limited to a fridge and microwave situation. I lived in that situation for. about a year. Trader Joe's was my best friend. I was pooooor though.
Trader Joe’s is great, I’m sure they had a lot of delicious microwave options
@@DollarTreeDinners highly recommend their Indian food. Palak Paneer & Chicken Tikka Masala & the naan! My friend says the Lamb Vindaloo is the best. Also the Butter Chicken is bigger and pretty much exactly like the Chicken Tikka Masala. Also they have a great Shepards Pie.
I think it's obvious that I lived off Trader Joe's and microwave steam veggies for an entire year.
The extra time here can also give you time to mix some extras like lime and sour cream for a tangy cream or a roma tomato, green onion, and lime. Both just seasoned with salt and pepper. I feel like they make any sort of "Mexican" food so much better.
A couple of things from watching your channel: 1) you can use a vegetable peeler to shave cheese, chocolate, etc. 2) 1 box of spice cake, 1 can of pumpkin, and as many chocolate chips as you like make wonderful cookies. Think it’s about 15-18 minutes at 350.Love your show. Just ordered a ham slice for funeral potatoes. One bag of frozen hash browns, 1 lb cheddar (use veg peeler), 16 oz sour cream, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 onion, diced, 1/4-1/2 lb ham, diced, butter or margarine. Melt 3 T butter, add onions and carmelize, add ham and brown. In a large bowl, mix soup, cheese, saving 1/2 C for topping, and sour cream, add onions, ham, and hash browns. Grease a 9x13” casserole, or two 8x8, pour in mixture, smooth top, sprinkle cheese over the top, and bake 45 minutes at 350 until bubbling and chhese has browned.
I really appreciate your post! Also, I never thought to use a veg peeler to shave cheese or chocolate! 🩷 🧀 🍫 I'm also gonna try the cookies using canned pureed sweet potatoes in hopes it will work. Have lots of cans of it! 😃
Just made my own version of the Shepherds Pie. I used canned chili as I had that on my shelf. Came out good! I just put the chili on the bottom then added my veggies on top without mixing them together.
I think these videos are great. A lot of people are in difficult situations right now.
Four great meals! And I love that you don’t edit out your little mistakes. Thought I had invented easy shepherds pie using a can of roast beef with gravy, frozen peas and carrots, and the same brand of garlic mashed potatoes. Super good, but I like your version too. I’m going to try those Enchiritos, they look yummy! I might use corn instead of the rice, just to get more veggies into myself.
I have never made or had Shepherd's pie with barley in it. So good experiment, but like the idea of beef stew better. Also when camping have made baked potatoes in foil amongst the embers of the campfire area then heat up canned beef stew to top baked potato with....yum!😊
I think you're an awesome person and what you're doing is really cool! Keep it up!!
Thank you so much for doing a microwave meal! These are all great recipes. Right now we only have a microwave and a crockpot so this is helpful
Did you know you can make stuffed peppers in a microwave? Just make sure you've covered them with tomato sauce
I took mine in a glass casserole with a lid
@Sharon Hall I had no idea. I need to try that. Do you precook the meat before? The way I was taught was everything goes in raw but I don't know if that would work in a microwave
@@k1k1kitten35 it's been awhile since I cooked it in the microwave so I can't give you the time limit but yes I did cook with raw meat
I want to thank you for the hot sandwich idea..I think my son would love it.😆 And it's easy enough, he could make it himself as well. My mind is running amuck thinking of the different fillings😉
You’re such a gem! I wish RUclips had been a thing in this way back in my own struggle days. While I’m Australian, and therefore almost none of the convenience tex-Mex/Mexican-inspired foods are available here (at least not easily), the concept is absolutely applicable. Thanks for your content! And with the cost of living crisis, I’m very much looking for inspiration on cheap meals. That’s universal!
I love that Spanish rice. I get it every time I see it at my local DT. I love your ideas!
I’m so happy to hear you’re proud! You should be!!! Your content is so well done, you are so thoughtful and creative. A gift to us on the other side of the internet!
New subscriber here! LOVE all your recipes so far! Just a suggestion for the hot ham & cheese sandwiches melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder and parsley poured over the rolls or brushed on before you bake them in the oven it’s a GAME changer!!!
I am currently microwave only so that burrito meal really helps me. Would love to see more microwave only meals. Thanks.
You have such a sweet and caring heart. I’m so glad I found your channel! My granddaughter recommended you to me. Love your creativity also!
OMG. I love CLARA!
The soup and sandwich looks like the perfect meal for a cold winter weekday. Quick and cozy
I love Clara's channel
Back in the Depression, fat was calories, and it helped to satisfy hunger when the actual portions of food were meager. I remember my grandmother saying that sometimes all they had for breakfast was leftover biscuits with meat drippings.
This was great!! Thank you so much for posting these! I'm always on the lookout for budget meals that are easy to make and filling. My wife and I bought a new house, and after doing my budget, it doesn't leave a lot of money leftover, so these videos are great to give us ideas for dinner and leftovers for lunch. Again, thank you so much, and keep it up. 🤘🏻🤘🏻 I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what other ideas you come up with. 😁
(As a Canadian) , my mother made this Cottage/ Shephard's Pie many many times. Instead she used a pound of hamburg, and 2 cans of condensed vegetable soup, topped with mashed potatoes.
In turn, I made it many many times for my family.
These meals look great! Thank you for posting them! I am traveling for work right now and brought some portable cooking vessels with me. There is a dollar tree near my hotel; I am heading out now to get the ingredients for these meals!
Tip: unthaw vegetables on paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Change the towel/ towel after an hour and the veg's will be dry in another hour. Can do this overnight on cookie sheet placed in frig. Then stir fry
I'm SO glad you mentioned Pate Chinois... had no idea that's what I grew up eating from my grandma in central Cali! Even funnier that I now live less than 2 hours from the Canadian border and I've never met anyone here that knows what I'm talking about!!
I really liked your last recipes, especially the Sheppard's Pie. I never thought to put in that kind of soup. As like you said we, in Canada use the ground beef and corn, but the soup is a nice touch. Bravo ! The meals are simple and good, not complicated/fussy and/or expensive, which is good these days. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!👩🍳👩🍳🥪🥪🥫🥫
I really enjoy the variety and simplicity of meals that you do.
The ham n cheese sandwiches look like they'd b great in air fryer as well...I think I'll try it that way 😊I love your videos ❤
I always enjoy your videos, and a year later things are very dire for many of us. So thank you so much for all you do!
In Texas enchiladas are made with corn tortillas and don't usually have beans in them. That is a wet burrito. For anyone who is living without a stove an electric skillet is awesome and you can sometimes find them at a thrift store for kust a few dollars.
On the shepherd's pie yes to the carrots no to the peas but yes to the corn. Thank you for sharing these fun meals. I want to try the ham and cheese when that look delicious
The recipes seem really good for college students as well as all of us 😊
I make shepherds pie with canned corned beef, peas mashedpotatoes, and cheese on top
There’s that AMAZING personality!!! ❤❤❤ Thank you for more amazing ideas! DT has something for everyone these days. I’d love to see a $5 Vegan meal. 😊
I could definitely do $5 vegan meals. those crispy black bean tacos I made during budget grocery week were vegan and amazing!
Yes 🙌🏼
That shepherds pie looks amazing!
I like getting the polish sausage from Dollar Tree. Growing up in the midwest, we called it Bangers and Mash. Just fried potatoes & onions with bite sized polish sausage. When I was a single mother of two we had it a lot! I could get 5 packages from our local grocery store on their 5/ $25. A cheap yet hardly full filling meal!
I’m making your fried pickles tonight. We love fried pickles but it just takes so long to do each one. I love your way!
Canadian Gal here! We still eat our Shepard’s pie as you mentioned , I have noticed here in BC many families also ad cheese on top of their potatoes! I don’t I like beef n gravy, corn and garlic mashed taters!
This mock version you created looks delicious and def. we will try it! Thank you!!
This is the first time that i see that the Campbell soup is used as soup!!!!!! Finally! 😂
Oil is used heavily because it makes you full. They usually used lard or leftover bacon grease which wasn't expensive.
I’ve made so many pot pies but never made shepherds pie. It’s on my bucket list and I want to try it soon. Your dollar tree shepherds pie looks great.
Never tried a pot pie but shepherds pie is standard fare here in nz. Make it all the time.
I’m definitely trying that version of the poor man’s meal, and the ham and cheese sandwiches. They both look amazing!
First time viewer. Recipes are creative and I watched Claire during covid. I really appreciate how considerate and pleasant you are.