5 MEALS for 5 Dollars | EXTREME GROCERY BUDGET CHALLENGE

Today I'm gonna try to make 5 meals for five dollars. My only objective is to make frugal meals that taste good to me. In this video there's also a meal idea for a family of 4 for just over $3. These are extreme budget dinners that can easily be scaled up to feed larger families.
#ardentmichelle
#frugalmeals
#extremebudgetchallenge
#extremegrocerybudgetchallenge
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SHOPPING LIST
macaroni EL MEXICANO 0.44
eggs 1.17
banana 0.51
eggplant 0.49
brown rice 0.92
garlic 0.56
tomato 0.28
tomatillos 0.09
shallot
carrots 0.17
zucchini 0.37
TOTAL 5
SWEET AND SOUR EGGPLANT
1 TBS BROWN SUGAR
1 TBS LOW SODIUM SOY SAUCE
1/2 TBS VINEGAR
2 GARLIC CLOVES
1/4 CUP OIL - OR LESS
1/2 tsp RED PEPPER FLAKES
ZUCCHINI - I USED 1/3 OF A CHINESE EGGPLANT BUT I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE MORE
*recipe called for chopped fresh basil and cilantro also but I didn't have any
Slice zucchini into slices and fry in oil until light brown then remove from oil and salt. Fry sliced eggplant in the oil until browned on sides and kind of wrinkly. Add in brown sugar, soy sauce and vinegar. Mix until coated and then it's done. Remove from pan and top rice with.
Here is the link to the original recipe on New York Times, but you need a subscription.
cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1...
Let me know if you need the original recipe for making a larger quantity.
EGGPLANT & CARROT STIR FRY
1 tbs brown sugar
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs sesame oil
1 tbs chili garlic sauce
I fried the eggplant and carrots and then poured this sauce over and cooked until well coated, then topped rice.
Let me know if you need anything else.
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Irvine, CA 92604

[@paulabroadway1697]

George Forman took quite a "knock out" in your kitchen, glad he bounced back and went to the next round.🥊 Such is life with boys.😆 Love your inspirational food and videos.🥰

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Paula 😁 Glad to see this humorous post 😂 So true about life with boys! Glad you are enjoying my content.

[@carmenwheatley7316]

All these look good. The crepes looked good. I’ve seen videos of people doing street food and using a very large crepe tool to spread the batter very thin. They make it look so easy 😮. Always amazed at how you continue to develop more meals at low prices. Most people could go to the pantry and feed themselves for a few weeks on what’s in there.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Carmen 😁 Glad you like these.

[@Suicune-oz4ou]

Your breakfast bowl is halfway to bibimbap. All you would need to change is to shred/finely slice the zucchini and add some bibimbap sauce (sugar, gochujang, some rice vinegar, sesame oil and minced garlic if you have it) then mix all the veggies, rice, sauce and egg together after serving for a bowl of super deliciousness! It's super flexible too because you can add pretty much any vegetables or proteins you want and it will still be amazing. If you haven't tried making a bibimbap like this, I'd highly recommend it!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for sharing this! 😁 Just added this to my TO MAKE list 👩‍🍳

[@scholargrrl]

Thank you for showing smaller meal preps! Also, Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching! 🥰

[@beckyw9000]

We are definitely looking forward to your IKEA trip and your small space organization ideas. I am right along with you not having the right spaces to store my kitchen items, I have broken 2 glass baking dishes and one Corningware crock (and that one caused a cut on my hand that was not good at a all). Thank you for sharing your great content with us.

[@susans9491]

Are you reading my mind?!? We have a pre - Civil War farmhouse with an absolutely enormous kitchen…that has NINE doors! As a result, I had very little wall space for cabinets when we redid our kitchen. I do have an old farm cabinet (called a Hoosier) for my casserole dishes, but am always looking for storage solutions. I recently hung all my cast iron on the wall behind our wood stove, but am looking forward to the IKEA cabinet shopping, as well! I was kneeling down putting Corningwate away in my Hoosier one day a few years ago when our son literally walked right into me, which resulted in a broken dish and cutting my thumb to the bone. On a Sunday night. Out in the middle of nowhere where we live. So, I cleaned the cut and did what I could with butterfly closures but I still have an ugly lumpy scar. Good thing I’m not a hand model!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Becky 😁 I've already started the process with some purging of items. Glad you're looking forward to a video on this. I'm thinking a lot of my viewers can relate.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Oh my goodness. That's terrible 😳 I hate kneeling down to get into the bottom cabinets, and it doesn't matter how much I work out or what shape I'm in, I just don't want to be on my hands and knees in the kitchen 😂 Unfortunately, right now I have to use those cabinets to store everyday items. I think a new cabinet will help. This shopping trip will be much funner knowing I'm taking you guys along 😁 I've already started the purging of items process.

[@brendastenger]

As a dibetic, salt doesn’t scare me, but sugar makes me run for the hills!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yes, I bet. 👍 Hopefully you know how to adapt any recipes I make on my channel to suit you.

[@MsButterflyJan1976]

Salt should scare you as well because as a Diabetic myself, I also have High Blood pressure and they usually go hand and hand. Eventually salt damages the heart and other organs just like sugar so be careful with both. And this is not a lecture, just said with concern and ❤

[@angelawossname]

We can't get tomatillos here in South Australia. I wanted to try salsa verde, but a 300 gram and cost $8. Well, instead I ordered a large can of tomotillos from amazon, almost 3 kilos, for $15, then bought the rest of the ingredients from the Asian markets and ended up making 12 300g servings. The jar had a lot of juice, but about 2 kilos of tomatillos once it was drained. Our salsa verde was a bit light on the tomatillos, but it was so delicious! We found a recipe and just added extra onion, fresh coriander and green capsicum. We still have several jars but I will definitely order another 3 kilo can of tomatillos and make some more when we run out.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Angela 😁 Did you see the video where I made chilaquiles with the salsa verde? They were so good. 😋 I really enjoy salsa verde.

[@angelawossname]

No! I will try and find it and try it!

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@angelawossname I found it. Here is that video. 😁 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5jYk5SYpqaBppo

[@colettebishop2173]

You could probably grow some - I got a good crop outdoors in the UK when I tried, so I'm sure your climate would be even better!

[@angelawossname]

@colettebishop2173 unfortunately I have pretty bad arthritis and I'm legally blind, I got my son and dil to help me make the salsa Verde, but I wouldn't be able to plant a garden. Even if I could my ex battery rescue ladies are free range in my back yard and would destroy a veggie garden! I'd have to make it fenced off.

[@LaLayla99]

love the vegan options! thanks for great ideas about using up all the zucchini that is coming in season 🙂

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 Glad you like this video.

[@cathyallshouse2981]

I love your inexpensive food ideas, thank you. But most of all, I love your soft calm voice. That's so refreshing.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Awe...thanks Cathy 😁

[@marcialane8235]

Oh..must say one of my favorite meals is sautéed zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes and onions on top of brown rice. Healthy and delicious.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Love that combination. 😋 I'll definitely be trying that.

[@sharonhall2277]

And if one wants more protein you can always add chickpeas

[@susans9491]

Hi Michelle! I hope you’re out of town having fun.❤️I hope your Mother’s Day has been fun and relaxing and everything that makes you happy! You are such a gem, all your great helpful videos help so many. My family really enjoys them, and our boys are FINALLY starting to embrace the concept of living below their means. Thank you so much!❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you Susan 💜 I'm grateful for your support. I hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day too. 🌸🌺 I did have a relaxing day. I spent time with my sons early in the day and then went for a girls overnight trip with my friend. Many years ago, I took in a teenage girl that needed a place to live. She lived with me until she was an adult and now we are very close but she lives a couple hours away now. She's been a huge blessing in my life. We stayed the night in a hotel, ordered food and chatted it up for 2 days. 😂 It's an annual thing for us! That is so awesome that your sons are embracing the living below your means concept. I can't think of any better life lesson. That's such a blessing to impart on your children. Your kids are lucky to have you 🥰

[@juliejernigan4994]

Happy Mother's Day Michelle ❣I hope you have an Awesome day❣ I love watching your videos ❣

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Julie 😁 Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoy my videos. 💜 Not sure if it applies to you, but Happy Mothers Day if it does 😂

[@juliejernigan4994]

Thank you so much❣😊

[@pennylynch913]

Hi you've got a lovely voice. ❤️ yum. I love asian type meals. Not only is this cheap but very healthy too. Thanx!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Penny 😁 Thanks so much. Glad you like this. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@lindawilson290]

I always look forward to your videos, AM, and today's certainly did not disappoint. Happy Mother's Day!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Linda 🥰 Hope you had a nice Mother's Day.

[@janicecrosby6649]

Your recipes are so delightful. They are so delicious and creative, especially in the use of produce. Low budget, healthy and elegant. Yummy.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Janice 😁 Glad you are enjoying my content. Thanks for letting me know!

[@DustWind-wh5qy]

Just love all you do. Keep on going, You are helping out many people that need this.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁

[@lisablack9634]

Thank you so very much. You make gourmet foods for such a reasonable price. It's amazing. My mom is now hooked too.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Lisa 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you are enjoying my content, and thanks for bringing your mom to the channel too 🥰

[@sandygordon496]

When you said don't ever do that about the tomatillo I laughed out loud so hard 😀

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sandy 😁 I'm glad to have made you laugh. 😂 Laughing is good for the soul.

[@TeresaSlivinski]

I use a frozen banana, cacao, vanilla, peanut butter, and milk in the blender to make a sugar-free chocolate ice cream. The banana is sweet enough. Bananas foster is my favorite dessert! Those crepes looked scrumptious!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Teresa 😁 That sounds good. I may have to try that. Saving this for later. I'll try it with oat milk. Thanks for sharing! 👩‍🍳

[@patriciah8377]

Eggplant looks sooo good! Thanks and Happy Mother’s Day my cooking friend🌸🦋

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Patricia 😁 Thanks so much and Happy Mother's Day! 🌺🌸

[@rebekahhansen1112]

The brown sugar monkfruit is a great substitute for those who can't have sugar in thier diets. It doesnt have that aftertaste that stevia has. Also your local thrift store will probably have a george forman grill. I just picked up a new microwave for a song at my local thrift store . And it was 50 % off day!

[@ArdentMichelle]

That's great that you were able to get an awesome deal on the microwave.👍 Thanks for sharing this tip about the brown sugar monk fruit.

[@bridgetwilliams2926]

Great video, those crepes looked amazing! I think I'll give those a try. Thank you giving us more great budget meal ideas. 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Bridget 😁 Yay! Glad you like these videos. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@robininva]

Always enjoy your videos….your sweet disposition….and the foods you make!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Robin 😁 Thanks so much. 🥰

[@InSanesKitchen]

The way you cooked the small meal in the crockpot, I do that in my rice cooker. Turns out great.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 Thanks for sharing. So far, I've only made rice meals in my other rice cooker.

[@jaimmieharvey2667]

You have so many great ideals, I appreciate the thought you put into these recipes. Thank you!

[@ArdentMichelle]

welcome 😁

[@CathieG]

Happy Mother’s Day! ☀️🌺🌸💐🐣🦋🌻 I prefer cooking pasta Not in the crockpot also. 👍🏻 I love crepes! Those look amazing! 🥰😍

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Cathie 😁 Thank you so much. Happy Mothers Day ( if you're a mother 😂)

[@sharonhall2277]

Another add in 4 crepes is cream cheese and jelly or strawberries

[@ArdentMichelle]

sounds yummy 😋

[@naty1012]

Sweet n sour eggplant is one of my husband and I favourites. I sometimes add soya chunks to it.

[@ArdentMichelle]

That would be good 👍

[@Patchouliprince]

I love fried tomatoes, with the leftover ingredients you could have fried up the tomato and an egg to have on some rice, that sounds like a nice simple breakfast/lunch idea

[@ArdentMichelle]

great idea 👍

[@InSanesKitchen]

Oh also, the stir fry you made, try adding your cooked rice in the end and toss it so it gets some of the sauce from the pan. GREAT content!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 I do that sometimes with my rice. I agree..it's great like that 😋

[@jenniferherrington]

They all look delicious, but meal number four looks very tasty! It would probably be great with some good sauteed mushrooms as well. Thank you for sharing! Happy Mother's Day, Michelle!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jennifer 😁 Thank you so much! Glad that meal looks good to you!

[@denisebd1000]

Great job and thank you for the different ideas. I’m going to try the soup with the macaroni and I’m going to add the diced tomatoes in the dish and top it with shredded cheese!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Denise 😁 Thanks so much. I'm glad you like this video. Thanks for letting me know.

[@mltbkr]

wow you're amazing these look so delicious!!!! love the rice, eggplant recipes. we all have rice, and NOW eggs, carrots. thank you so much I have to say I love the background music so calming and so is your voice!!!! thank you hope you have a great Mother's day. You truly take care of us as well with these amazing recipes!!!!!😍😍🥰🥰

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you like the meals in this video. Not sure it applies to you, but if it does, Happy Mother's Day 🌺🌸 Have a great rest of your weekend!

[@samanthadodd8112]

U can use the rice cooker for a smaller crockpot. For the time to cook, assume ur cooking it in the crock pot on high.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Samantha 😁 Yeah that crossed my mind. I think it has a timer on it for the rice though, so I'm not sure about longer cooking, but I need to try it. That would be the perfect size.

[@midlifeandnailingit6342]

I tried pasta in a crockpot once. I wasn’t a fan. Now I cook it stovetop and add it in. It tasted gummy to me.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Us pasta aficionados can't stand for gummy pasta. 😂

[@TLOEric]

Love your videos- always makes me hungry!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Eric 😁 Yay! I'm glad my food looks appetizing to you.

[@bonitagoodwin5086]

OMG!! Everything looked so good, but the crepes looked beyond delicious 😋 ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 Glad these meals look good to you! Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@dianethoroughman9541]

These look delicious. I am a type 2 diabetic and I was recently diagnosed with stage 3a chronic kidney disease. So I have to be careful with salt and sugar.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Diane 😁 Glad you like these meals. I hope you can modify my recipes to suit your needs. I'm sorry to hear about the kidney disease. I feel so much better when I eat low sodium.

[@jmknudsen5357]

I really struggle with cooking for one. I would have used the whole eggplant and had a lot of leftovers.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 That's what I would normally do, cook the whole eggplant at once, however, I'm really glad I tried some in the crockpot, because I enjoyed it that way.

[@suefleming]

LOVE your content !!!❤❤❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Suzanne 😁 I'm so glad you are enjoying my channel 💜 Thanks for letting me know!

[@LaLayla99]

Love your vids!

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thanks so much for the support 💜 I appreciate it so much!

[@AliciasKitchen7]

Happy Mothers Day!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 🥰 Not sure it applies, but hope you had a nice Mother's Day too.

[@rayselby3487]

Sue here: everything looks yummy 😋. Love your videos. I love crepes but HAVE to have homemade whipped cream with them. ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sue 😁 I agree, that's best. I had strawberry crepes with whipped cream in Vegas many years ago at a famous pastry chefs restaurant and I'm still thinking about it.

[@ArdentMichelle]

and thank you so much 😁 Glad you are enjoying my content.

[@pek5117]

Looked great

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@sheemaalen9286]

Hi yum the crepes!! U can get the George Forman type grills at the thrifts, just FYI, to save some $$. 😊 hearts 💕

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sheema 😁 That's good to know! I may have to replace this one 😂

[@sheemaalen9286]

Ubet!! ☺

[@sparklemotion8377]

My grill broke, too😂 The temperature dial just fell off, and I couldn't just click it back on. It was still working, but only on the last setting I used. One sleep drunken insomnia night I got up to make a cup of tea and while the kettle was boiling, I took a screwdriver to the bottom of the grill, opened it, cleaned it, put the dial back AND waited until the morning to make sure everything was dry before putting together. It worked, which was a bummer because I had my eye on a new one with both temperature control AND timer...😜 You're aubergine recipe looks delicious and definitely going to try it. I'm going to save you a google sea. Aubergineine is eggplant😁

[@ArdentMichelle]

Sorry you can relate to my grill struggles 😂 Glad you like the zucchini dish! Have a great rest of your week!

[@sparklemotion8377]

@@ArdentMichelle Aubergine 😁

[@annethompson2212]

wonderful video 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Anne 😁 Thanks so much. Glad you like it.

[@missyporter1643]

Family Dollar has George Forman grills on clearance for $2.75 right now!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Then you should snatch those up and sell them on Amazon! 💰I wish I had one near me!

[@richardschmidt2430]

That was a really nice video! Thanks, AM :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Dawn 😁 Glad you like this one!

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

Love the eggplant dish. I was excited to see Tamari. I had mentioned it to you as a cleaner eats alternative to Soy Sauce. Sadly I couldn’t find any. It’s on my list of things to try and thanks for showing it comes in a lower sodium version . 🎉thank you as always for the ideas 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Victoria 😁 yeah I was bummed about that. I don't think they had the lower sodium when I purchased it, otherwise I think I would have surely noticed it. Maybe they were out. I'll have to look for it elsewhere.

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

@@ArdentMichelle the quest is on!!! I have been going to a small store basically for produce. You have more places than I and did I tell you I dislike shopping and haven’t gone to the other market in months. I am down to two plant based burgers :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb think of grocery stores as discovery centers 😂

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

@@ArdentMichelle nice try. 😇😃

[@debbies.3109]

🌿🌼🌿 Hi, Michelle. :) I’ve never had crepes but have wanted to try them for awhile. They look really good and I’m going to try both kinds! Chocolate is one of my basic foods groups.😄 I’ll probably like that one the best! 🌿🌼🌿

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Debbie 😁 Love your comment on the chocolate. I find eating it immensely pleasurable as well. 😂

[@sharonhall2277]

Chocolate? You could spread a plain crepe with Nutella. Maybe add some banana.

[@srad-oq7cb]

Michelle, have you ever made congee/jook from rice. It's very versatile and can be eaten as breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on toppings. I think you'd like it.😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

I've made it often on my channel. It's delicious! 😁

[@melaniem8040]

Love your channel! I see George Foreman’s all the time at thrift stores such as Goodwill. Hopefully, you’ll find a replacement soon.

[@ArdentMichelle]

It still works, so I'll probably keep it until it doesn't 😂

[@htas6888]

It is a really good idea to shop first around what is the cheapest or on sale, then to find a recipe, I am guessing... I don't do it enough, especially w covid-19 restrictions and buy ahead, I got totally out of habit. Your video is a great reminder. I love Japanese eggplants :) You won't be using all of the garlic so you can take off part of the cost. If you haven't opened the Tamari, you can take it back. They are really good about taking foods that are not to your liking back.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 Thanks so much for the feedback!

[@janecraftswhen...8115]

Excellent ideas. Again. How about a budget gourmet soufflé? I am interested whether it can rise with less milk in the base mix.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 Thank you so much. Hmmm. 🤔 Let me think about that one.

[@thelisaofmonalisa4829]

I hope your mother's day was great 🎉

[@ArdentMichelle]

It was very nice 😁 Thank you so much!

[@allyrooh3628]

I'm pretty sure that soy/brown sugar sauce would make a leather shoe taste good! I

[@ArdentMichelle]

yep 👍 I'm with you on that. 😂

[@FFlores79]

Coconut aminos is great and lower in sodium that soy sauce and its gluten free. I love it

[@ArdentMichelle]

I still need to try liquid aminos. Thanks for reminding me. 😁

[@elenacala]

do you have to salt the chinese eggplant to get rid of bitterness like you do for regular eggplant? we don't even cook our fruit for our crepes. WE just put in fresh berries usually with whipped cream. Super good!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Candace 😁 This recipe didn't have you salting the eggplant. Some people do and some people don't with the smaller versions (Chinese and Japanese). I had to look up my last recipe because I was wondering the same thing when I made this. I did salt my last Japanese eggplant. It wasn't bitter but I think it would have helped to pull more water out of it. It ended up just evaporating out when I cooked it so no big deal, so personal choice. I'm with you on the fresh berries with whipped cream. 👍 That would taste amazing and so healthy!

[@nobodyheresince1880s]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

💜

[@garlicbreathandfarts]

Hi Michelle, You are hardcore! I am impressed, even by Albanian standards.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello and thank you so much 😁

[@sallygordin2869]

Great video!! Happy Mother's Day!! Blessings!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sally 😁 Thank you so much 🥰

[@phyltorkelsonp9268]

Michelle…Where did you get the crepe tool? I haven’t made crepes for a long while, thanks for reminding me I should do that again, my family loves them for a special treat.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I got it from TEMU. It was very inexpensive.

[@marcialane8235]

Still contemplating buying a rice cooker…I have an instant pot I rarely use. My sister loves her rice cooker, hers also steams..same brand as yours. Does yours do brown rice well ?… I always have a problem cooking brown rice stovetop.

[@angelawossname]

My son bought us a rice cooker and I thought we would never use it, but we use it several times a week. Ours also steams. There are also a lot of simple recipes to serve only one of two people that you can do in a rice cooker, so they a great for quick, healthy lunches as well as being handy if you live alone or only with one other person. We got a cheap one from Kmart 3 years ago and it still works perfectly.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Marcia 😁 Yes, the Aroma rice cooker has a brown rice button. I love my rice cooker. 💜

[@marenwilliams2787]

Do you have a cookbook?!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Maren 😁 I don't but maybe one day 🤞 I'm also considering another channel where I can just release the recipes so that they are easier to find.

[@geminigem599]

Or just eat top ramen

[@chrisharmon5453]

I straight cackled 😂when you tried the raw tomatillo. 🤔👏👏🤣🤣🫂🫂💗

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hey...I'll try anything once 😂