EATING FOR $1 A DAY in 2024 | EXTREME BUDGET MEAL PLAN

[@feliciaharbach610]

Great video! One time, back when eggs were so unaffordable, I made chick peas and saved the aquafaba liquid. I researched the 3 TBS of the liquid can be an equiv to one egg!!! And it worked! So maybe consider trying to incorporate into pancake batter when low on eggs or when boycotting the price of eggs! ;)

[@ArdentMichelle]

I definitely need to try that! 👍

[@GeckoHiker]

From the National Library of Medicine: "Chickpea and other pulses are commonly sold as canned products packed in a thick solution or a brine. This solution has recently been shown to produce stable foams and emulsions, and can act as a thickener. Recently interest in this product has been enhanced through the internet where it is proposed that this solution, now called aquafaba by a growing community, can be used a replacement for egg and milk protein." I save the aquafaba from beans I cook from dry to use as an egg substitute and to put more protein back into soups and stews. I like to use it meat extending recipes like meatloaf and salmon loaf.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@GeckoHiker love this!

[@intuitivegina]

@@GeckoHiker this is wonderful information thank you for commenting here. I had been sick with GI trouble for a couple of years. I'm better now but it left me not really able to tolerate eggs. So I've learned to use applesauce and now I know something else I could use instead of eggs thank you so much

[@colettebishop2173]

I've made mayonnaise and meringues from aquafaba, out of idle curiosity, and it definitely works!

[@amandashomesteadjourney]

Powdered sugar is just sugar put through another grinding. Add a cup of sugar to a food processor or blender and let it go till it's the texture you want and voila you have powdered sugar

[@ArdentMichelle]

oh geez! I forgot about that! 😂 Wondering if my Ninja would do it.

[@amandashomesteadjourney]

@@ArdentMichelle yes Ninja can get the job done

[@sheliapeters2082]

Yes and you can add molasses to granulated sugar and blend and you have brown sugar

[@DeterminedDIYer]

@@sheliapeters2082 i never buy brown sugar ive been doing this for years :)

[@kathrynpiche4864]

Love everything about your videos, you always plate so well which elevates your meals. Just because you have a limited budget you can still enjoy your meals and presentation adds to that.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 💜

[@JEANNEHUNTER-q5t]

All the meals looked so appetising! I believe it is important to make your food look a little special when money is tight. Well done.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@conniestanford3797]

You could save your veggie scraps to make a veggie broth for a soup base like carrot peels onion skin potato skins or just any veggie scraps that you would normally get rid of you could boil with with whatever seasoning you like then strain it and use the broth for soup bases just keep the scraps in a freezer bag in the freezer until you want to use them

[@ArdentMichelle]

true 👍

[@OrlaQuirk]

I like to save the "woody" bottoms of artichokes. I freeze them. I have heard you can peel them and the inside is tender and flavorful. I haven't tried that yet. I split a few open and add to chicken when I boil it, or to bone stock. Adds a nice flavor of artichoke to a stew or broth, when no artichokes are to be found.

[@theresaduffy8222]

Dry stuffing mix is an excellent crouton substitute.

[@ArdentMichelle]

That's a great idea! I had never thought of that!

[@monicajohnston8364]

The dish you were talking about, with the bread cubes, eggs, and cheese in a casserole dish is a "strata." A "frittata" is more of an open-faced omelette, generally made with potatoes, onions and eggs. You sautée the filling, pour beaten eggs over the top, and then finish in the oven or under a broiler. You can put tons of different veggies/meats/cheeses in a frittata, so they're a great way to turn leftover bits of stuff into a main dish.

[@ArdentMichelle]

True 👍 it's not the first time I've mixed up those words. I enjoy making an Italian frittata with spaghetti and parmesan. I've made something similar on my channel a few times. The strata was what I meant to say. 😁

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

Thank you. I was going to mention strata last week but couldn’t remember the name.

[@debhenry8159]

Great video. Thank you! Btw, did you know you can process sugar to make powdered sugar?

[@chrisharmon5453]

If you let the batter hydrate on the pancakes, it works even better. I used to cook commercially professionally. I should say in a nice restaurant and we used to pre-make our pancake batter and use it for several days in a row that would be a buttermilk pancake batter.

[@ArdentMichelle]

thanks for sharing the tip 👍

[@ColleenGolrick]

I didn't know that trick to fry the pasta before adding it to soup. I'm going to try it. Thank you!

[@ArdentMichelle]

It's so good! Let me know what you think! 😁

[@chellesoup]

Campbells does still make the vegetarian vegetable. I had some a few weeks ago. Another bunch of great recipes!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I should get a can just for the sake of nostalgia 😂 glad you like my video!

[@meliss9536]

I love it

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

A lot of the things I cooked when I was broke were not only delicious, but when I had money, I would often make exactly the same things. But when I had money, I made them by choice. When money was tight, I was not freely deciding. Which is why I enjoyed them more when I had money. Thank you for the video!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I can definitely relate to what you're saying! 👍 and it's my pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@colettebishop2173]

Your lentils made me think of my old schoolfriend's hippie mother, who used to make a delicious lentil pie, that was like cottage pie, but used red lentils instead of minced beef, with a luscious, cheezy mashed potato topping. That led me on to something I swear was called Red Dragon pie, which was mashed red kidney beans, sweetcorn, onions, chilli, garlic, ficed sweet peppers etc. with a wholemeal pastry top and bottom crust.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Sounds great!

[@truepeacenik]

We hippie types all seem to make those two!

[@momof2momof2]

Once again, you did an AMAZING job on this challenge ! So very well done ! 🥰👻🎃🍃🍂🍁

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

[@938quilt]

I've never heard of frying macaroni to help it keeps its shape! I guess kinda like the rice-a-roni mix!

[@kimhumphrey4053]

Thank you Michele!!! Where do you get all of your ideas? Are you just naturally creative ? Love your channel ❤❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

not sure...I just enjoy food! 😂 Glad you are enjoying my content and food adventures! 💜

[@emmavik-fredriksson640]

Yum! Great meals! My Mom made, what she called, french carrots, when I was a child. She fried bits of carrots in little oil, than salt, garlic and Italian parsley, just quick. Then she put a little bit of bouillon powder and water and boiled until soft, just a couple of minutes. It was so good! I thought about that recipe when I saw your ingredients. In November I will have to have a tight food budget after some unexpected expenses. I will look through your videos for some inspo!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I have to try those carrots. Clipping this for the future. I have an extra expense in November too, so I've already been trying to save on food.

[@Misssunshine6767]

❤ 🇨🇦 iappreciate your videos so much it's just gotten crazy here in Canada for food prices so I appreciate what you do❤ from Canada 🇨🇦

[@sharonfarnsworth3325]

Good trick - water & oil instead of milk!

[@christinatareski8882]

Have you ever tried congee? It's an Asian rice porridge. Basically 10 parts water to 1 part rice. Great way to use up small portions of rice in a frugal, and delicious way. And can make use of soy sauce packets.

[@ArdentMichelle]

yes, I've made it at least 4 times on my channel over the years. It's delicious!

[@pek5117]

Been Waiting for this all week!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 🎉🥳 Congrats on being first!

[@sandraearsley2085]

You could use bread flour would make your bread a little lighter and not so dense try it see if it works

[@ArdentMichelle]

great idea!

[@Patricia-nq8lo]

Thanks for the new ideas. I will definitely be trying the hollowed-out potatoes, among other ideas. And now that you have introduced me to sun-dried tomatoes and chili garlic sauce, the possibilities are endless.

[@ArdentMichelle]

they really are 👍 Yay! 🥳🎉 I'm so glad you picked up some new ideas for your cooking! Thank you for watching! 😁

[@christinejunk8184]

Yes I love the hallowed out stuffed potato idea. I am going to try various things with that.

[@danutaschultz316]

I love your content and appreciate the creative frugal recipies, and food presentaion

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm glad you like it! 😊

[@PaulaFlatt-vt1pz]

All looked delicious thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

welcome!

[@janapinson8665]

Everything looked great especially those potato skins! Love the way they turned out. Thank you for all the ideas!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you liked those too! I was excited about that discovery! 😁

[@Beck-u7g]

I'm amazed at the variety of meals you made! Very inventive!

[@joanneruth1168]

Your home made croutons looked great. This is what i do with dry old bread - slice thinly, spray or splash with water, heat & crisp in sandwich press lined with a floded sheet of baking paper which can be reused several times. Yum.

[@cdnbuddy5798]

Icing sugar can be made by blending sugar

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm wondering if my Ninja would do it.

[@moonstoneway2694]

Thank you! Going to watch again to see how you ended up with the pasta “snack”.that looks like something I’d happily eat daily.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I don't think I showed myself actually frying it, but that's all you do. Fry some already cooked pasta in a pan with some oil. Make sure your pasta is perfectly seasoned by cooking in salted water. I think I've also added a little garlic salt when frying it. Top with the chili crisp drizzle or whatever else you like. I think the chili crisp is perfect.

[@christines2787]

Chances are, people will have something to flavor the pancakes. I have an 8oz bottle of real vanilla/artificial blend that works just great in things like this. I bought it years afo and it was like $4. Almond extract, a little lemon, even cinnamon added to the batter is awesome.

[@ArdentMichelle]

true 👍 Those all sound delicious!

[@GeckoHiker]

Thank you for showing what can be done with simple, inexpensive ingredients. Your channel has inspired me to make more interesting types of flour based flatbreads. I saw the samosa recipe in the description. That seems to form the basis of many world cuisines. Take what you have and cook it in dough. Yummy! The lentil soup is another frugal yet tasty recipe. Both will go into our monthly rotation of budget stretching meals. That you spent around $7 and had an eighth day of food left is the way this kind of budgeting can have room for oils and spices on a regular basis. My family eats eggs and meat as an ingredient but we are very open to vegan recipes. I'd be comfortable leaving the eggs out of that budget and adding more carrot, onion, and chickpeas if I ever had to. This was a good $1 a day challenge.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed my video!

[@canine6023]

Once again, thankyou. I so enjoy your channel. Be well.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 💜

[@jonicabeird4657]

Love it all! Your videos make my day!! Have a great day. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much! 💜

[@CathieG]

Everything looks great! 🤩😍

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad you liked it! 😊

[@theresaaltongregg4569]

Thank you for sharing theses delicious recipes. I want to make the bread also. God bless you 🙏 ❤🎉

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much! 💜

[@estherhurst4741]

You, my friend, are the most creative dollar stretcher I’ve ever seen! Love all your ideas. 😊 Blessings, my friend ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 💜 and Yay! 🥳🎉 I'm glad you liked these. The extreme budges take more time to do, so I'm always so glad when I get positive feedback from my regular viewers. Thanks for the support and the very nice complement! 😁

[@sharonfarnsworth3325]

Another great video!! I will be looking forward to your holiday videos!!!

[@magomago7819]

I think that in my area it would be so good with 20 a week. I will give it a try.

[@pennyrasnake1401]

Michelle, I tried the bread and you were so right! I loved these last two videos. So much ch food and so creative for 6.95!!!! Have a great week.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad you liked it! 🥳🎉 Yay! I thought it was a super easy recipe too, which was what I liked the most. Now you have to make some grilled sandwiches and soup croutons out of that bread!

[@pennyrasnake1401]

@@ArdentMichelle I’m gonna try your chickpea sandwich! That looked amazing and you could flavor it so many ways. I also like ant to try to make some crispy macaroni

[@betterlivingonabudget]

Love your videos, and you did a terrific job of explaining the 'Part II' aspect of the carry-over from last week's shopping/video. I've never heard of cocoa cin. sugar all combined like that. You always come up with such fantastic dishes from basically not-much - it's amazing to see you being so creative in the kitchen. Thanks for the inspo!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 💜

[@rhondag1321]

Love this! I found some great recipes here. We make alot more from scratch now from these simple options. Now I make my own bread weekly. It adds up.

[@ArdentMichelle]

It really does add up. Glad you enjoyed my video! 😁 Thanks for watching!

[@saraherber1887]

Great video, Michelle! A pot of soup using dry spices is a real money saver. Your soup looked wonderful. I am sure careful spenders everywhere will take inspiration. Have a beautiful week.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁

[@kristinj7173]

Great ideas. I do not typically keep flour on hand but you have inspired me to try baking a few different things, along with using lentils more creatively!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁

[@kippytx]

Lovely way to start my Sunday!!! Have a wonderful week .

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for watching! You too! 💜

[@truepeacenik]

I don’t keep powdered/confectioners/icing sugar because I can blend cane or beet sugar into that consistency. I should try blitzing it and seeing how it stores over a month.

[@ArdentMichelle]

good point!

[@Fdt172]

Your pancakes look good!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you think so!

[@janekramer175]

Your soup looks delicious. And yes, Campbell's still makes the vegetarian vegetable soup. I still enjoy it.

[@niefiazupancic3063]

inexpensive variety - you do that so well

[@ArdentMichelle]

I try! 😁

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

Love the relaxing music and great meal ideas! ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks! 😊

[@toadstooltarot]

I always look forward to watching your videos. They are inspiring. Unfortunately, as a senior living alone in a small studio, I only own a microwave, so I will be looking for tips for affordable meals I can make using only a microwave. Maybe some of these will translate for me.

[@jb6712]

I lived in a super tiny studio apartment for 3 1/2 years (late 2017 til Jan. 2021), and at first I had only the microwave supplied with the place, plus the apartment-size fridge. I bought an Instant Pot very early in 2018, and once I learned to use it (super easy), that made all the difference in how I cooked things. The electric pressure cookers are affordable---I'm a retired senior living just on SS and a small pension---and man, oh man, do they ever make a big difference in what you can eat!

[@thegigiollieshow8768]

So many deliscious ideas !! Another amazing video !!!🖤

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm glad you liked it! 💜

[@ninajohnson6578]

Speaking of spices, could you do a starter video on either how to cheaply stock a kitchen or spice cabinet? Thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

I think I already have...but I don't remember which video it's on. 🤔 I'll consider adding another segment to an upcoming video. 😁

[@htas6888]

Those potato boats looked great, I loved the way they browned. The rest of the video is very inspiring too, thank you :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for watching! 😁

[@charlottekearn5185]

Thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much Charlotte 💜 I appreciate you!

[@christinearrand8208]

Dollar tree often has 8oz imitation vanilla and the powdered sugar can be made just missing ¼ to ⅓ cup granulated sugar in the blender or (if you have the time or kids with an abundance of energy and curiosity) via mortar an pestle

[@ArdentMichelle]

I do love using the mortar and pestle 😂 I wish I would have known this.

[@christinearrand8208]

@ArdentMichelle substitute hacks *Cake flour is just 1¾c all purpose with a ¼c of corn starch. *Self rising flour is 2c all purpose and 1Tbs baking powder plus ½ tsp salt *Brown sugar is plain granulated sugar plus 1to3 TBS molasses mixed witb a fork until combined (light brown to dark brown depending on taste or what you need it for light for chocolate chip cookies dark for ginger bread ) You can also use 1 TBS maple syrup instead of molasses for a decent light brown sugar *powdered sugar/bakers sugar is granulated sugar that's been ground to smithereens but only grind about half as much as you think you'll need at a time lol it gets everywhere if you spill it

[@jb6712]

I've seen several things you've done that will really help me with my eating. I have an allergy to liquid dairy products, but I'm able to eat most cheeses and butter (NEVER margarine!), so I'm going to try making my mac n cheese using oil as a replacement for milk. I also really like the idea of frying pasta--I've seen that in quite a number of videos and on Pinterest, but never got around to actually doing it. Now I think I'm going to be rather bold, so to speak, and fry some macaroni which will be used in my next mac n cheese. Two great ideas tried in one dish 😊.

[@christinejunk8184]

One economical dinner I make when eggs are inexpensive is Shashuka. A similar mediterranean verison is called eggs in purgatory. The eggs with tomato go together so nicely and are a very filling and satisfying meal. I'm not sure if I've seen you make this before?

[@ArdentMichelle]

That's the only recipe I've ever truly failed at 😂 I didn't like the way the eggs turned out....it's hard to control the finished product of the eggs. I don't like them overly hard.

[@kristinj7173]

@@ArdentMichelle I made it once with the eggs and it was a bit tricky to get them just right, but you can make shakshuka with tofu also, to make it all plant-based. The tofu soaks up the nice flavors. Serve over toast, potatoes or whatever you like.

[@judyjohnson9610]

@@ArdentMichelle You can fry the eggs instead of poaching them in the sauce. I like my eggs well done, so I'm good with the sauce. Make a big batch of sauce. It freezes well.

[@beckyw9000]

Totally loved this video! My husband saw that potato, I think that’s something he hopes I make this week. That garlic salt brand is the best and it lasts forever! You have such a great catalog of content. I feel fortunate to have watched it as it was created. Been watching since Jan 2021, I think. Have a great fall week, in beautiful CA!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for supporting me for so long! 💜 I think my first video was in October of 2020, so just a few months before you started watching. I ran out of time at the end of this video, but I wanted to mention that the potato reheats nicely in an air fryer. Flip once during frying and it's nice and crispy all over.

[@justin5045]

wooohooo love sundays for your new videos and excellent ideas! great stuff Michelle

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@joannapatterson4625]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you 🦋

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad you liked it! 😁

[@ambreewilliams6585]

Hey...is that the portable CrockPot (from your Amazon store) you're using for your soup? I could use something like that along with a lunchbag like yours for my job. I work nights, so having hot food would be so nice at my desk! And btw, this was a great video! I have to try that no yeast bread recipe - I'm thinking of the money I can save using organic ingredients. Organic bread is around $5-$6 a loaf in my area - waaaaay too much to be spending!

[@ArdentMichelle]

no, that's a container I picked up on sale at Ross. The one on the Amazon store looks so cute though.

[@andreahoppe7777]

Good morning, Michelle!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Good morning! 😄

[@shess1640]

yes, they still make Cambell's Vegetarian Vegetable soup. One of my favorites. However, the price for the meager ingredients.... in the supermarket, is insane. I feel so ripped off when I buy it

[@ArdentMichelle]

yeah...that's pretty much how I feel with any soups.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Thank you for this video set. They will help so many 😊..

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm happy to hear that! 😊

[@nanny8675309]

I could tell that soup was going to be delicious based on the way the broth looked😋 I can’t wait to try those croutons and make the soup with fried pasta-i’ve never thought of doing that, but it looks delicious. Thanks for another great video

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😁 Thanks for watching!

[@andreabekius9747]

Great recipes, thanks for the inspiration 👍

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad you liked them!

[@estherhurst4741]

I just ate the last of my recent vegetable ground Turkey soup. I almost cried lol. It was so good! I love soups too! 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

hmmm...that sounds like something I should be making on the channel. 🤔 I'm going to be doing lots of soups during this season!

[@estherhurst4741]

@@ArdentMichelleI am a soup fanatic. Especially at lunch. I put all kinds of veggies, ground Turkey and add whatever I think sounds good. I threw a handful of pearl barley in mine to bulk it up a bit. You can’t go wrong if you start with some good broth (I make homemade chicken broth- it’s so easy and practically free)!

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@estherhurst4741 I agree! It's all about the base! Sounds good. I'm saving this one to make!

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@estherhurst4741 I actually have a soup in the crockpot now. I forgot how slow crockpots are....I'm starving! 😂

[@TruthDefender-oq4gt]

Thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome! 😄

[@dianethoroughman9541]

Everything you made looks so yummy! I used to eat Campbell's vegetarian vegetable soup a lot, along time ago. I still see it in the stores. My mom always cooked from scratch. She told me to follow a recipe exactly as written the first time you make it. And then decide what needs to change, and change it. She also said learn the purpose of each ingredient. Some things shouldn't be messed with because they are crucial to the recipe. Other ingredients not so much. She was a great cook. But, you also are a great cook, and you are teaching us. Grins. I am still waiting for the what spices to add to your pantry on a budget, video. 😅

[@ArdentMichelle]

ok now you're the 2nd person to ask for the spices. I'll have to add something to a video soon! Your mom and I are share the same cooking philosophy

[@judyjohnson9610]

Your mother was right. Part of the reason that I do it that way is out of respect for the person who published the recipe. They would have tested it more than once. The most I would do is cut down on the hot spices.

[@justsaying7347]

Your videos are well thought out and beautifully presented. I am wondering how you would eat budget wise in a power outage. Most budget foods require a lot of cooking.

[@ArdentMichelle]

It's true, budget cooking does require cooking. If I was in a power outage I would eat lots of sandwiches, some open faced with hummus and brown tomatoes with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and maybe spinach leaves. The rest would be with avocado, spinach leaves, bell peppers, etc. Ok now I'm drooling.

[@margeebechyne8642]

When I was young my mother would make a big pot of spaghetti. There was always a lot leftover and she would fry it for our leftover dinner. I actually preferred the fried spaghetti better than when fresh. LOL Thank you!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I would have liked that better too! Yum!

[@tereclemmer7923]

Good meals!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm glad you liked them!

[@ibreatheair6313]

I find that, in addition to vanilla, a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are nice and warming as well in pancakes. (Though, tbh, I also like using it wherever it calls for cinnamon in sweet recipes as well lol.) No exact amounts--just mostly cinnamon, little bit of nutmeg, maybe about half the amount of nutmeg in cloves.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I bet that's great. Thanks for sharing!

[@alicehunsaker7876]

Amazing !!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@barbarabruce7648]

Ahhhhhh why wont you try pancakes again without adding an egg. I know you've commented to me before that you tried it once and it wasnt fluffy. We all make bad pancakes from time to time. Im sure there is a bad pancake parallel universe! But I make pancakes often and without egg!!!!! And they are Fluffy. Just use a teaspoon of bicarbonate soda for every cup of flour. I use soymilk but occasionally if Im low and want the soymilk for coffee, I will blend some oats with water as a substitute. It works! It really really does. And save your egg for frying with toast. 🥞🍳❣️ Fun video by the way. Great ideas. Especially for students.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I should try this.

[@charlottekearn5185]

Hi Michelle, What a great video. I loved that baked potato skin, loved it was thick too, I am going to do this for sure. One meal that I really like too is lentils over rice, I think I could eat that everyday and not tire of it. You know I love Trader Joe's and go often but I have Never seen that cocoa cinnamon sugar 😮 well, I have to gas up my car today and would you believe it's near my Trader Joe's store 😉

[@ArdentMichelle]

😂 and who knows how long I've had that in my pantry! Hopefully they still have it. Have a great day shopping today! Let me know if there's something I need to check out at TJ's

[@intuitivegina]

I really appreciate your work. I never thought of frying macaroni what a great idea. So do you cook it and then fry it before you put it in the soup? Or are you frying it while it's uncooked?

[@ArdentMichelle]

so for the macaroni that I added to the soup, I just fried it until crispy and then dumped in the soup. I didn't boil it first. But for the fried pasta, I had boiled that first and then later fried it. It's so delicious!

[@intuitivegina]

@@ArdentMichelle ty ❤️ You are so kind and helpful. God bless you are all you do for others.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@intuitivegina 💜

[@abunchahooey]

Well Michelle does it again. Her food looks better and healthier than most. I have lentil questions. 😂 I believe I’ve only had basic lentils, like just brown ones when I was younger in soups or whatever. I didn’t like them. I did not care for the flavor at all for some reason. I didn’t even know there were different colored lentils until Michelle. Do the different colors have different flavor than just the basic brown ones? Are their texture differences? I really think I’d like them if they were a different flavor, even subtlety so. 😂

[@judyjohnson9610]

Try using them in a pasta sauce

[@abunchahooey]

@@judyjohnson9610 Yes maybe spaghetti sauce would cover up the flavor, lol. I’ll try to find some yellow or green ones and see if I like them. I know they’re healthy and cheap and nutritious

[@ArdentMichelle]

the black lentils are much different in flavor. I cooked them in a video once on my channel but I don't remember which one. They are kind of meaty and savory tasting. I also love red lentils. They are more mild and less peppery than green ones. I think you should try them both. Don't cook the black lentils with mushrooms though or they will make your mushrooms black 😂

[@abunchahooey]

@@ArdentMichelle well black mushrooms sound interesting 😊 I’ll try the different colors, try to find some red ones. The ones I remember not really liking were kinda dark brownish army green lol, Idk. I will attempt to branch out. Thanks.

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

Hello 👩‍🍳 Michelle 💟. Closing out my day with your wonderful video. I laughed about your description of the over cooked past. Great save. Soup. Thanks for motivating me to do some shopping. I love twice baked potatoes. 🥔 I liked your idea of removing part of the potato when raw. BREAD I read the splitting is from not letting it rise and the rapid rise in the oven causes uneven cooking. I hope I got that right. SOUP I will try the fried pasta in it. It reminds me of rice a roni and toasting the vermicelli first. Have a great week my friend. 🩵

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! The bread was yeast free so I actually didn't expect it to rise at all. Someone else mentioned maybe scoring it next time. I thought that was a great idea. Hope you have a great week too! So far, I'm off to a great start! 😁

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

@@ArdentMichelle good to hear from you so soon and that today was a good start. I too had a good day. Looking forward to that next loaf of bread 🥖

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb Yay! 🥳 glad you have a great day friend!

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

@ as you know time with family is the best

[@denaetak1147]

Cool videos...just to let you know that spinach has really high oxalates!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm aware. I don't avoid food with oxalates.

[@dweinerface2619]

i've enjoyed the breads you've done . when i suggested a while back you said it didn't sound like it would be much fun. So has it been fun?

[@ArdentMichelle]

true...I was so opposed to baking white bread. 😂 That's why I said I was stepping out of my comfort zone....and yes! It WAS fun! I loved how easy this recipe was. I thought it was going to take a lot more effort. I could do this again. 😁 I'm taking baby steps. I really want to make a sourdough. When I bought my white dutch oven, I bought it with baking sourdough in mind. I thought it would make the perfect size. I don't like that my bread was ugly though. I wanted it to be beautiful 😂

[@dweinerface2619]

glad to hear its bee a good experience. may i suggest creating a playlist with the episodes where you make bread things from scratch? It can be useful for us folk who are also stepping out of our comfort zones and trying breadmaking for the first time. Would appreciate it. thx, keep up the good work. and have fun!!!! Dave @@ArdentMichelle

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@dweinerface2619 I'll consider how I can do this to make them more easily accessible.

[@ZaiyaFineArt]

people will have vanilla extract more than theyd have pumpkin pie spice and cocoa powder

[@ArdentMichelle]

people can do whatever they want👍

[@DebbieM1140]

❤

[@alanbirkner1958]

Hi, I make lentils and rice on a regular basis. I have chicken bouillon which I bought years ago. I make black bean based dishes quite often( they have to be soaked). Many years ago, I read we should treat meat as a condiment, to be used sparingly. Tina, Al's wife

[@ArdentMichelle]

I would agree with that, but my sons wouldn't 😂

[@TheSusanhunter]

About how long did you have the potato in the oven? Also, I hope your hand is okay!

[@ArdentMichelle]

About half hour I think. My hand is ok. I had to have a biopsy for skin cancer because I've had melanoma. Turns out, it was fine, but it's taking some time to heal up.

[@ArdentMichelle]

and thanks so much for your concern 💜

[@TheSusanhunter]

@@ArdentMichelle I'm glad you're okay. I've had a few biopsies myself. They're not much fun!

[@ritarichardson3881]

Google how to make your own powdered sugar.

[@annmich4593]

❤

[@MrsUnderwriter]

1 USD a day, you should get food stampā and use food bank

[@MissysMealMayhem]

I have a weird question, how do join a week's worth of videos. I can't figure it out with the gopro camera(which I don't like to use) or my camera/

[@ArdentMichelle]

I use editing software like I Movie

[@MissysMealMayhem]

@@ArdentMichelle thank you

[@hermonorossco7988]

I’m new here I’m curious if you have a family. Do they eat with you on your challenges. Also are you saving for something special. I’m curious about the amount of money one would be able to save doing this

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello and welcome 😁 I do have a family, but my sons are now adults (over 18). We all still live together because in the area we live in, it's very expensive. Actually, I guess that's pretty much all of California at this point 😂 Plus, we all enjoy the financial savings of living together. I'm saving money for retirement.

[@mhryvnak]

Be careful using the hand blender in an enameled dutch oven like that, you can mess up the coating. Ask me how I know :(

[@ArdentMichelle]

I was totally thinking that while I was using it. 😂 I knew it was a bad idea, but I didn't want to take the effort to put it in another container.

[@mhryvnak]

@@ArdentMichelle I totally get it!

[@markuswerner4584]

Well, I life on normal Days of 1,30 Euro per Day. With normal day I mean no eating out. I I don't use any animal Products, they are pretty expensive.

[@Mama_DanaLynn]

I never did find the lentil hummus recipe

[@ArdentMichelle]

I wasn't following any actual recipe, however, as I said in the video, I made the lentils exactly the way I made the lentils that went into the samosas that I loved so much. I used 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp coriander, 1/4 tsp turmeric, garlic salt to taste, and 1/4 tsp sumac. I think I used about 1 1/2 -2 cups of lentils (?), a drizzle of olive oil, and added a little water to the blender to thin out the mixture. Hope this helps. I recommend playing with the spices that you like the best. Ideally, I would have had some lemon, or used some fresh garlic but it was still delicious.

[@crystalwest212]

Which video for the fried macaroni

[@ArdentMichelle]

9 MEALS FOR $6 ALDI kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqW1n6SOrLpmkMU

[@crystalwest212]

@@ArdentMichelle thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@crystalwest212 you're welcome. Happy Eating! 😁

[@MichaelannGarcia-Keesling]

How about no beans or lentils no rice as a whole new idea

[@VeganMangoQueen]

Looking forward to these ideas. I’m mourning the loss of my Doberman Venus who had epilepsy and today is the first meal prep in ten years where I won’t be making dog food. 😢 I really don’t want to do anything but I know I have to eat and I have to go back to work tomorrow.

[@whatselledone]

Sorry for your loss. Venus was family and it’s okay to give yourself grace during your time of loss. It’s perfectly okay to make and freeze or donate if it’s too hard to break from routine in Venus’s honor.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so so sorry to hear that. 😢 I know how it feels. I still mourn the loss of my last dog. Prayers going out to you today friend. 🙏

[@Unattuna]

Condolences on the loss of your beloved family member.

[@VeganMangoQueen]

@@whatselledoneI like this idea thank you so much

[@VeganMangoQueen]

@@ArdentMichelleI’m sorry for your baby also. It’s the hardest thing ever. I feel so lost and the house is so quiet

[@clotildecorneille1267]

Love your video! Are you vegan?

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm not, but it appears that I mostly eat that way 😂

[@chellesoup]

What happened to your hand dear Michelle?

[@ArdentMichelle]

Biopsy. I've had melanoma before and they wanted to biopsy it, but I'm fine. Not cancer. 🥳🎉 I was going to tell you guys next week, when it's just the fam in the house. You know we have visitors when I do the extreme challenges. 😂

[@dhoffman4955]

Sometimes I expect your videos to appear in a House Ways and Means Committee meeting to justify lowering food subsidies.

[@ArdentMichelle]

that's an interesting take.

[@joycain1119]

I love your videos but I can not hardly hear you . Would give more likes but I can't hear you 😢

[@ArdentMichelle]

not sure why you can't hear me.