$5 DINNERS THAT ARE QUICK AND EASY - GREAT FOR SUMMER!

[@monicajohnston8364]

That lemon basil salad looks fantastic! A bit of crumbled feta would also be a nice addition, if you didn't have any parmesan. Just a tip... If you ever buy pine nuts again, they are much tastier if you toast them in a dry pan for a few minutes. Just watch them really closely because they burn easily.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like it, and thanks for the tip on the pine nuts 😁

[@tiahnarodriguez3809]

I said the same thing. Toasting nuts first, but especially pine nuts, bumps the flavor significantly.

[@sheila3936]

I’d definitely add peas to the last pasta salad to up the protein. But asparagus would be delicious too if you don’t like peas. The pine nuts with the basil can also be a tasty, albeit expensive, vegan pesto.

[@ArdentMichelle]

great ideas 👍

[@colettebishop2173]

Most commercial pestos here (UK) use cashews now, as pine nuts are so expensive. Works well.

[@susans9491]

Love your idea about adding asparagus! I’ll be borrowing that one for sure.

[@stacytrejo1919]

Try roasting the nuts if you use them again 👌🏼

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@stacytrejo1919 will do 👍

[@Dee-ps3um]

Good ideas!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you! 😊

[@patpeters6331]

Thank you for these nice summer ideas.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Most welcome 😊 Glad you like them.

[@TXJan0057]

I use a vegetable peeler to zest my lemons. It can get that really thin zest. I used to use a regular peeler but I put one of those ones with a jagged tooth blade and it is fabulous for zesting citrus.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I have a couple tools that I tried....unsuccessfully 😂

[@tmdavidson1478]

Great summer pasta salads. I do use goat's feta. It is not quite as salty as cow feta but I do lower salt in the rest of my recipe when I am using it. It has a wonderful Mediterranean flavor...richer tasting than cow feta. You can use less and get a richer flavor. Best prices for it are at Middle East shops.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like these 😁 I haven't tried goat's feta. That sounds good though. I love goat cheese.

[@JosephSchmidtfan]

Hi Michelle, I bought a micro plane grater with a really fine blade and it’s awesome for grating zest, Parmesan cheese, chocolate etc. They aren’t the cheapest, but an excellent quality piece of equipment to have. Made in the USA too.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I have a microplane grater that I usually use for zest but this recipe called for larger curls which was why I tried the regular grater- but it didn't work so well. I just received the new zester that does the curls and it is AWESOME!

[@chellesoup]

I love lemon based dishes in the summer. It’s so refreshing. I cannot wait to try these.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 Glad these recipes look good to you.

[@Ericaaaaaaaaaa]

Everything looks delicious! I think white beans would be good in the salad for folks who don't like peas.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 Agreed 👍 that would be good.

[@pennylynch913]

Pine nuts are great with pasta. Looks great. Good for kids too. You can fry or toast the pine nuts too.

[@susanjane4784]

Pine nuts are great but... so expensive! We use what we call walnut or almond "dust" which is made by putting a few nuts in our coffee grinder (which we don't use for coffee). This dust gives a light flavor that's closer to pine nuts when used in moderation. We got a great deal on walnuts recently, so pine nuts are doubly not an option right now.

[@ArdentMichelle]

yeah I had no idea how good it would be. 😋 Yes, I wish I would have toasted them, but I didn't realize that they enhance the flavor.

[@pennylynch913]

@@susanjane4784 sounds good. I didn't realise they were expensive bc i hardly ever buy nuts.

[@pennylynch913]

@@ArdentMichelle lol i think i over toasted some last night. Oh well. Hardly ever buy nuts. Not a big nut person.

[@CNP-rn3gd]

Michelle, I bought one of those "living basil" plants from Smart & Final. I divided it up following instructions on KZbin vides and now I have lots of basil growing in pots for very little effort and money. This might be a good thing for you to show people in a video. I love these recipes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

That IS a great idea 👍 I wish I had a window that gets some sun 😞 I live in a cave.

[@hannawilliams5317]

Thank you AM!

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure! 😁 Thank YOU for watching!

[@connieblack5276]

No thank you, this was such a treat! I'm definitely going to try to make these dishes. I love this channel.

[@baylaurel2017]

Thank you so much for these videos, I get a lot of great ideas from you :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like them! 😁

[@patricial8255]

It was lunch time when I watched your video. And the pasta salad looked sooo good. Hope you don't feel like slapping me but I used half pack ramen noodles a few splashes of real lemon a few shakes of basil some capers French cut green beans a few dashes of garlic powder salt and pepper. With feta. What I'm trying to say is even though I messed up your recipe I loved it! 😊 Thank you Michelle

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Patricia 😁 That's awesome! This is exactly what I want my viewers to do! Work with what you have! I'm so glad you like it. Thanks for sharing this 😁

[@stacel1972]

Everything looks delicious and refreshing for summer. Thank you so much🪄🌟

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😊

[@janicecrosby6649]

Delicious and lively flavors!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@shannonpeck5954]

Definitely going to make the lemon basil pasta salad tonight!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hope you enjoy

[@elvataylor9279]

I got a cheese grater from Dollar Tree for $0.99 a few years ago. It's still works and I grate lemon and orange zest with it

[@ArdentMichelle]

That's a great deal 😁 I love getting stuff at Dollar Tree!

[@Jean_in_Stillness]

Good video, Michelle! Though quick and easy, your recipes are always wholesome using "real" ingredients. Everything looked delicious. Whether just learning how to prepare meals or a more "seasoned" (see what I did there!) cook, there is always something in your video to learn and enjoy. 👩‍🍳♥

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you Jean 🥰 Glad you like my video. Nice play on words 😂

[@teebee5326]

Wonderful as usual. I learned something today about the seasoned rice vinegar

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like this 😁

[@mollygardens6646]

It all looks delicious! Thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 Thanks for watching!

[@annethompson2212]

your videos give me the best ideas and you have a very pleasant voice to listen to 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much. 🥰

[@kathyclarke6327]

There is a artichoke and olive salad that is yummy. It calls for marinade artichoke and green olives. I make it with chicken rice a roni. You can make it with wild rice too💕

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Kathy 😁 that sounds delicious. I have a can of artichokes in my pantry. Are you making the chicken rice a roni and then cooling it and adding in chopped artichokes and olives?

[@kathyclarke6327]

@@ArdentMichelle yes it's on pintrest but I got mine years ago from Sunset magazine It also has curry power, I use more than the recipe says because my curry power is usually older LOL It uses mayo andsome of the marinade from the artichokes

[@kathyclarke6327]

@@ArdentMichelle kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmjUp4lqlKqUZrs this is close to the one I make

[@susans9491]

That salad sounds delicious! I moved to New England from the west coast and I sure miss Sunset magazine. Yankee magazine is nice, but I think I’m a west coast girl at heart.

[@kathyclarke6327]

@@susans9491 It is good. I’m hesitant to take it to parties because it also has green bell peppers and not everyone like green. I guess you could use a different color but I like it with green. I’ve also made it with wild rice a roni. Good too but I like the other one better. Also use less water than the box says because it gets too mushy.

[@mommajo]

I'm thrilled to finally find someone else who doesn't like peas! It's the only vegetable I cant stand! I'm going to bookmark this video for than lemon basil pasta. It's winter here now, but I'll definitely be trying that in the summer 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

agree, green peas are horrible 🤢 😂 Glad you like my recipes.

[@Dee-ps3um]

I love green olives!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yes 👍 me too!

[@stacytrejo1919]

All of these recipes are definitely going into my next meal plans. They look like they would taste even better the next day 🫶🏽

[@ArdentMichelle]

I can attest to the fact that the lemon basil pasta does. It's really good and I made the entire box of pasta which was a lot.

[@charinnatheirish1800]

Im planning on making both the Olive pasta and the Lemon Pasta. They both look SO yummy! Great video as always. Love from WI! 💖🙂💯

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! Glad you like those recipes. Enjoy! 😁

[@susanjane4784]

Basil is expensive for me, so I know I could use spinach instead -- it would have a different flavor, of course, but it would still have that light and green taste. We've used lemon in dressing for years along with the juice from cans of mandarin oranges and pineapple packed in water only, all of which impart a lot of flavor without be overwhelming like vinegar.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Oh I bet the juice from the pineapple or mandarin oranges would give it a nice sweet flavor also. Great tips 👍 Spinach would be great in the pasta. You could also use Italian parsley as well.

[@CathieG]

Wow that pasta salad looks divine 🤩😍 I made your oatmeal / banana bites again yesterday 😋😋 So good! 💕🥰

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like them.😁

[@rebekahhansen1112]

The pasta salads look so delightful. I was thinking that a lemon, basil , olive oil , white balsamic vinegar might work as dip for chewy ciabatta bread. And maybe an olive , blue cheese spread on chewy bread.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Rebekah 😁 I haven't eaten dinner yet, and this is making my mouth water. Yes please! That sounds amazing! 😋

[@kathyclarke6327]

Good idea on the lemon squeezer. I always thought the lemon went the way the gadget is shaped🤷‍♀️

[@ArdentMichelle]

me too 😂

[@jodimurar4602]

Can’t wait to try these recipes!!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 Glad you like them! Thanks for letting me know.

[@ms.thrify631]

Thanks for all your recipes! Will try these as I have tried many of your recipes and tips, etc. I wanted to share with you that I recently have been shopping at an Asian market to buy seafood which was fantastic! On another trip I bought some Napa lettuce to replace my romaine lettuce. I never tried this lettuce/cabbage which I bought for for less than $2 or maybe it was .99 ) -can't remember). I had no idea what I bought but OMG it is great and versatile! I looked on the internet later to learn about it. I have used it sandwiches, chicken salads and I made a delicious cabbage soup with vegetables! The cabbage lettuce is so dense and fibrous. I still have some left! The shelf life is amazing! It's the head of lettuce that just keeps giving! Wow! Love your channel!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you're enjoying my content. Asian markets are the BEST and so much fun to explore. I love Napa cabbage and I always get great deals on produce at the Asian markets near me. I agree- the shelf life makes buying the Napa cabbage an extra sweet deal. I hate buying lettuce that goes old before I can eat it. Now I want to buy a head of this 😂

[@ms.thrify631]

@@ArdentMichelle Yes, buy a lettuce head and make something wonderful to share with us! The shrimp at the asian market was great too and very reasonable. I also put some shrimp in the cabbage soup for another version. The soup tasted better when I used vegetable broth as opposed to boiled water. I have always loved chinese cuisine and I make own too. You taught me how to simply make fried rice with egg on your videos! No more just steamed rice. Thanks again!❣

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@ms.thrify631 awe...that's awesome. I'm so glad. Fried rice is definitely a staple recipe to have 👩‍🍳 Have a great week 🥰

[@emmavik-fredriksson640]

All the meals looked soo good. Will absolutely try them this summer.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 Glad you like these.

[@effiecross2008]

As always, a joy to watch you cook! That lemon basil pasta looked really good! I think both of those pasta salads would be a great starting point for a LOT of different variations.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 🥰 , and I couldn't agree more 😁

[@TexasRiverGirl]

Thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much for the support 💜 I appreciate it.

[@barbaramorris1677]

Everything looked delicious!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😋

[@JordanHPonies]

I bought a basil plant to set in front of my window but my cat wanted to chew on it so I had to set it outside to grow.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Your cat has great taste in herbs 😂

[@susans9491]

We’ve had wild birds eating the herbs from my window boxes this year, which has never happened before, so I can definitely see that your kitty would enjoy basil!

[@catherineciferni1145]

you should toast pine nuts before using, much more flavor that way/

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'll try that. 👍

[@hayleymccall904]

Looks so good! Will be trying these Michelle ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Hayley 😁 Glad you like these recipes. Hope you enjoy 👩‍🍳

[@sarahkmorin-garcia3488]

Might i suggest adding a little balsamic vinegar to your salami and provolone sandwich? It might be just the thing to make it really taste delicious!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Great idea 👍 I love balsamic on my caprese sandwiches. I'm sure it would be good here too.

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

Thank you. Sunny Saturday in Rhode Island. Gosh I forgot lemons and had wanted to make the other Lemon pasta dish you made and now I have another. I have never fried zest before. Olives!!! I love them. I would not rinse them instead I would skip the brine.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Victoria 😁 I'll be in my lemon phase for a couple more months 😂 yeah, I've been experimenting with this recipe a lot. It always turns out great.

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

@@ArdentMichelle I will be looking forward to it. I still haven’t bought the alternative to soy sauce we talked about. Now I can’t remember the name 😆

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb tamari or liquid aminos? 😂

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

@@ArdentMichelle yes Tamari and hmmm I am unfamiliar with liquid aminos. You are going to laugh. I went to the pharmacy for my dad which is in the market. I got what he needed and totally forgot all about lemons and Tamari 😆. I admire your ZEST for shopping.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb I've done the same thing 😂 I sometimes have a one track mind.

[@allyrooh3628]

Did you try the first dish cold? I have a feeling that would be good cold as well. It's hanging over 100 and humid this week in Missouri, so I'm all about the cold dishes and/or air fryer dishes. My game this week is "will it air fry"? I'm thinking about trying batter or pancake dipped bananas in the air fryer tomorrow. We'll see! Have a great week!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I didn't, but I bet you're right on that. 👍 I'm sure it would be great cold. Oh my gosh, let me know if your dipped bananas turn out well. That's a very creative dish. 👩‍🍳 Your weather is hot and humidity is no fun 😞 It's finally supposed to be in the 80's here next week. It's been a very mild start to summer.

[@colettemcwilliams1325]

Everything looks delicious as usual.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Colette 😁 Glad you like this one!

[@elvataylor9279]

I liked the salad, but don't like blue cheese and not crazy for shrimp either. I just used sliced sausage in mines, I also added boiled eggs too. It's was really good!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I don't like shrimp either. 🤢 I bet the sausage was great in it. Thanks for sharing this!

[@nancyculp6968]

Have you ever tried a Muffuletta sandwich? I think you would really like it since it has olive salad, cheese and salami among other deli meats.

[@ArdentMichelle]

That does sound good. 😋 I myself don't eat much meat, but that sounds amazing. I could try it with just veggies. Sounds like a sandwich that I need to make on my channel. Thanks for sharing this.

[@nancyculp6968]

@@ArdentMichelle you also need to try a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich! They are wonderful! You could use your indoor grill. Just google it…gives many options.

[@susans9491]

Great and beautiful ideas today! I think the lemon basil pasta salad will be the first one I make. Needing something fresh and light, we are getting smoke from the Canadian wildfires up in Quebec and are under a severe air quality warning. It’s very strange and hazy, and my heart is just breaking for all of the animals and people that are affected up there. The dirty martini pasta made me laugh, I hadn’t heard of it. Maybe I’ll finally use up some of the liquor left over from our wedding years ago! Did I somehow miss a video on Tuesday, or did you skip a week? Keep the great ideas coming!❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Susan 😁 Thank you so much for the support 💜 I appreciate you. I was uploading on Tuesdays also for awhile, but I've kind of switched things up a bit with my content. I'm trying to incorporate more of the weekly budget challenges which take me all of the week to produce and edit. I'll probably try to do at least a couple of those a month going forward since those have always been my most popular videos. Anyway-----I'm so sorry about the weather conditions and all of the smoke. That's terrible. There have been so many fires these past few years. Seems like more than usual. 😞 Glad you like the recipes. Let me know if you try the dirty martini pasta with some alcohol. I would love to know how that is. 😂

[@elvataylor9279]

❤❤ thanks for sharing

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for watching! 🥰

[@michelle10261]

Hi michelle, the dish like the best was the pasta with the olives in it. Thank you from michelle

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Michelle 😁 yeah, that was good. Let me know if you try it 👩‍🍳

[@rheahawko7179]

Have you done any low carb low sugar recipes? I couldn't find any. If possible, could you do 1 or 2?

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I don't do keto but I've shared my low carb eating plan here kzbin.info/www/bejne/faqQmpyVqpuCeck My videos have some low carb meals scattered throughout.

[@charlottekearn5185]

Hi Michelle, I really liked this video, maybe because I go to Trader Joe's often and pretty much get all the same products you do so its all familiar to me. I'm going to make that delicious looking pasta salad as I have all ingredients to make that. I received my Temu order and now I have that little triangle shaped mold for sushi and my seaweed to make that. I'm going to have to change how I save your recipes (all of them 😊) I have all listed under Michelle but when I want to make something I can't remember what episode, so I just watch them again and try to find it or find something else you made and do that, so you can imagine how many times I watch your videos, probably hundreds of times.😮. Anyway todays was really good and since I will make the pasta salad today I know exactly where it is. I always look forward to seeing your videos and hearing your calm and soothing voice. Charlotte

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Charlotte 😁 I love that you rewatch my videos. 🥰 I know I need to work on putting all my recipes together in an ebook or something so they are easier to locate. Yay! I'm so glad you got those triangle molds. Hope you have fun with those and enjoy the pasta salad 😁

[@charlottekearn5185]

@@ArdentMichelle gosh, an ebook would be great, sounds like a lotta work though.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@charlottekearn5185 It does, but I'm upon for the challenge 👩‍🍳

[@jkbc]

Good to know that those TJ products are cheaper than walmart

[@ArdentMichelle]

There are some other good buys there too. Overall, I feel like it's necessary to shop multiple stores for the best deals. Which, I'm ok with. I would get awfully bored with just one store 😂

[@richardschmidt2430]

I used to make a Blue Cheese/Black Olive specialty bread in my last bakery...it was quite a hit---I think because of the combination....your flavor pairings are awesome, girl! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Dawn 😁 blue cheese, olives AND bread together? A match made in heaven. 🌸

[@elvataylor9279]

My grandkids love salami.

[@ArdentMichelle]

my sons too 👍 They could just eat it by itself 😂

[@annzamora6943]

I bet adding some Everything Bagel seasoning would take that Farfalle Pasta over the top. Especially with the Parmesan cheese. What do u think?

[@ArdentMichelle]

I think everything tastes good with that seasoning 😂 Not sure if I mentioned it, but my son was adding the Cavenders Greek seasoning to the pasta and loved it. I'm also really enjoying that seasoning at the moment.

[@RachRolls]

I'll definitely be trying that lemon basil pasta salad with some of my harder, corn based gluten free pasta. It tends to hold up well, so it'll probably do well in a cold salad. I saw the garlic jalapeño sauce in your cart at Trader Joe's- how did you like it? My 15 year old insisted we get it for his dad for Father's Day and I thought it was quite tasty. 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Rachel 😁 Ok well first, there is a back story to my purchase of that sauce. My favorite condiment is the chili garlic sauce made by Huy Fong. Apparently there is a drought in Mexico that is causing a shortage of the red jalapeños needed to make that sauce along with Sambal Olek and also Sriracha. All stores are out of the product. I've been trying to find something I like that tastes similar. That one doesn't taste similar - but it's good. Someone told me that their sweet chili sauce is good, so I got that also. I've been enjoying that on my tofu but again, it's a completely different flavor profile. I'm seriously bummed about this. 😞

[@ArdentMichelle]

and I like the way your 15 year old thinks ---food gifts are the best 👍

[@connieblack5276]

I was thinking Winco is a little cheaper than Wal-Mart. What is your opinion?

[@ArdentMichelle]

yes I agree 👍

[@richardschmidt2430]

Nice video! :) Good job, delicious looking food! I love olives & cheese, green or black - with pasta! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you approve of this weeks menu😁

[@richardschmidt2430]

@@ArdentMichelle I always approve of your menus! Girl, you can cook! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@richardschmidt2430 💜

[@aikanae1]

Those look soooooo good. Just when I'm trying to lower refined carbs 😢

[@ArdentMichelle]

You could always customize these recipes with low carb pasta and the sandwich could be made with a low carb bread or wrap.

[@aikanae1]

@@ArdentMichelle true. It's kinda budget busting. That's my challenge.

[@denisebd1000]

I love Trader Joe’s also. I think they cater to single people and families!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Plus the variety is incredible for such a small store and they are always introducing new products for us to try 😁

[@denisebd1000]

Yes they are!

[@692caw]

Sweetheart I really enjoy your videos sorry that I am unable to give to your channel.💛💛

[@ArdentMichelle]

Awe...thanks so much. 🥰 I appreciate that. Just watching my videos helps a lot.😁 You can also share them.

[@debbies.3109]

🫒🍋 Hi, Michelle. :) These recipes work for me. I love olives and lemon anything! 🍋🫒 I see KZbin changed my name back to the handle they gave me. 😠

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Debbie 😁 yeah I'm not at all happy with all the changes from KZbin lately 😡 They are making it a lot harder for us creators. Now I have to click on the handle to see the name. 😞 Glad you like my recipes this week.