STRUGGLE MEALS- FEED YOUR FAMILY FOR .53 PER SERVING - MEALS TO EAT WHEN YOU'RE BROKE

[@ArdentMichelle]

🛍 Click here to shop my picks! www.temu.com/k/fae948b5 💵 Use my code "tree925" to get 30% off your Temu order (For new users) FREE shipping +FREE returns for up to 90 days (Valid in the US)

[@y3rbat3ra]

Curious as to how you liked the silicone storage bags...

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@y3rbat3ra So far I've stored broccoli in it and have washed and reused it once. It seems fine to me. I ordered another one that is smaller too.

[@hollyinhell]

I used your code and am so happy with the items I received. Thank you.

[@vinnydabarber]

Just ordered, can't wait to get my goodies! Thanks for the discount!

[@Only1God]

@Ardent Michelle You should really try Chef John's Spanish Garlic Soup (Sopa de Ajo) It is wonderful with garlic and paprika... yum! It, along with Sardinia Soup, a white bean and sausage soup, gumbo and Jambalaya are my family's go-to struggle meals. S.O.S. (poop on shingles or dumplings) is another great struggle meal. I actually have quite a few struggle meals. 😅 I want to congratulate you on how far your channel has progressed since the beginning! I've been away from social media for a while but I've been watching since your early days. You have definitely earned your success 🙌🏼 so high-five to you!

[@wishingb5859]

Wow, thank you so much. I can not begin to express how grateful I am for you helping poor people.

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁Glad you liked my meals.

[@christinamariemoney]

So thankful for you and your budget meal ideas! ❤️ These videos are helping so many people with the rising cost of food. Keep up the great work!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Christina 🥰

[@AmWils52]

I love your presentations. It makes the meal look extra special. My mother in law, back in the 70’s could take a pound of hamburger, a pound of pinto beans, homemade tortillas and feed her family of 7 along with my husband and I who just “happened” to stop by around dinner time. She was so creative with the little money she did have for food, I was amazed at the different flavors she could get with the same ingredients. I learned a lot from her and am reimplementing some of her dishes with todays high cost of living. Thank you for these excellent ideas!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Amy 😁 Thank you so much. Your mother in law sounds resourceful. That's the way my grandma was. Everything that came out of her kitchen was delicious- and always the most simple ingredients. I'm glad you enjoy my videos. Thanks for letting me know 🥰 have a great rest of your weekend.

[@susans9491]

It’s so kind of you to go to so much work to research delicious meals that cost so little . Your meals are always beautiful and very tempting! Here in New England it’s defined soup weather, and I plan to try both of these in the next week or so. We are blessed to be able to buy pretty much what we want for groceries, but we make a conscious effort to live below our means and donate to the local food shelf. These meals may be frugal, but they don’t look like a compromise, and I’ll bet they don’t taste like one, either!❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Susan 😁 Thank you so much. 🥰 I'm so grateful for the support. Glad you like the soups. That's wonderful that you donate to the food bank. I'm not surprised, you are a generous person. 💜 Living beneath ones means has so many blessings in itself. It's what I was doing when I was working my other job while also doing KZbin....although now I'm just getting by, but I'm sure that will change as my channel grows. Hope you have a great week friend. 🥰

[@alexander8502]

My dear Michelle you don't know how much I love your videos. Recently I shared your channel's name on a comment of someone who is struggling. I don't know he/she subscribed you or not but I'll try all the time to spread your channel for people who need guides. You are a very wonderful person. Keep going. God bless you dear ❤️.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Alexander 😁 I'm so glad you are enjoying my content and thanks so much for sharing my videos. 🥰

[@alexander8502]

@@ArdentMichelle welcome dear😄

[@alexander8502]

Oh and Michelle 1 thing I forgot to tell you that don't worry about the negative comments. People will say stuffs coz they don't understand or see our point of views. You know and all the people that are getting help from you know. So make videos stay healthy and live Proudly. Keep your head high coz we only live once.

[@deniseb7370]

I love your videos! I may not make these particular recipes, but it opens my mind to the possibilities of what I could do with what I have. You are greatly appreciated. ❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 🥰

[@omgnoi]

This is my favorite channel. You’re the only one i have found with real budget food that’s delicious and easily vegetarian for me :) ❤ thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@muddymississippientertainm7285]

Just love how simple these meals are and so wholesome

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for letting me know you enjoy my videos. 😁

[@Stephanie-we5ep]

Given the rising cost of food and the fact that States are ceasing the emergency allotments of SNAP, the need is only going to increase.

[@ArdentMichelle]

😞 true.

[@auntiepam5649]

My mother and father who were depression era children often had stewed tomatoes over bread for dinner. Mom home canned her tomatoes with onions and green peppers.

[@ArdentMichelle]

For anyone that loves tomatoes it's a delicious meal.

[@kathyh7215]

The black bean soup is delicious! I add a tablespoon (per 1 cup of beans used) of vinegar (red wine, apple cider, or white) it really makes it tasty. Thank you!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Kathy 😁 I like that addition. I'll try it next time. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Juliebove]

For most baked goods, you can substitute a couple spoonfuls of applesauce for the egg. My former MIL made bread salad. Any kind of bread (they usually had Italian. Put torn up bites of bread in a bowl and top with canned tomatoes with Italian seasoning. All room temp.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Julie 😊 I love panzanella (bread salad). I've never made it with canned tomatoes. Hmmm....🤔 I might have to try that. Thanks for sharing.

[@helenshack2838]

Michelle my sweet buddy from a warm ( but rainy ) climate. Your vlogs are sooooo beautifully edited. The video quality is so bright and the captions are so clear and large enough to read. Also the background soft music is just perfectly compatible with your meal prep. You have a second calling …. Not just budget friendly meals but videos editing. Well done for your vlog once again Chers from chilly Toronto. 🥶 brrrr

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Helen 😁 editing used to be my nemesis, and now I enjoy the creativity in it. I'm glad you appreciate it. Stay warm friend. 🥰

[@samanthaortiz6595]

I love the rain too

[@wendoxia]

Great recipes! My cornbread tip is I always use water because I don’t always keep milk on hand…..So I use water and then I add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream which I always seem to have makes great cornbread… I also half and add chopped green onions or green chilies or a jalapeno

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Wendie 😁 I love adding either green chilies or a jalapeño. Yum. 😋 Such great flavor. I was planning to make regular cornbread as well, but I kind of ran out of time in this video. Plus those mixes are so easy.

[@happygardener28]

The two bread based soups are major upgrades to an ancient European 'soup' (Panada), recorded in journals, as being served to travelers who arrived after mealtime. Made of dry bread crust cooked with any left over drippings (called gravy in those centuries), milk or broth.

[@ArdentMichelle]

thanks for sharing this

[@zencat55]

A local restaurant used to have this bread soup on their lunch menu on Mondays. You had to get there early because they sold out every time. So delicious!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Which one, the Italian or the Portuguese bread soup?

[@jacquelinepaddock7535]

Rain always makes me crave soup in winter, my favourite is leek and potato ( without milk or cream!).

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jacqueline 😁 I've actually been thinking about this kind of soup lately. Sounds delicious! I haven't used leeks for awhile.

[@Patchouliprince]

I like to add cornmeal to my soups, like the black bean one, to add bulk and thicken it up

[@ArdentMichelle]

great idea. Thank you for sharing! 😁

[@bytchesagainstbullshyt3696]

I soooooo appreciate you, I know if I'm struggling I can come to your channel and get some honest, good, inexpensive well thought out meals and I'm so grateful ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 💜

[@margerose8975]

I just made the Pappa al Pomodoro tonight. Wow, that is *amazing* soup! *BIG* thank you, Michelle!! This bursts a hole in the theory that gourmet food has to be difficult to make and expensive.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Marge 😁 Glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know. 🥰

[@muddyshoesgardener]

Serving rice on the side is another way to help fill people up.

[@agirly1503]

Yes! All dry beans would be delicious 😋 I love my instant pot for dry beans!

[@allyrooh3628]

As an egg substitute you can also use 2 tbs of cornstarch +3 tbs water mix for each egg you replace in the recipe. That black bean soup could feed more than 4 ppl IMO. This is a delicious and filling meal for sure! The tomato dish looks amazing on it's own, but when you put the cheese on top it suddenly looked like a cheaper version of a lasagna soup. Excellent ideas as usual!

[@ArdentMichelle]

thanks for these tips 👍 I feel like that tomato soup is going to be a regular feature in my house and I'll be trying it in many different ways. Glad you liked these meals.

[@uweschroeder]

Here's a tip about the stale bread. Many of the cheap white breads contain propylene glycol (check the label, it needs to be declared). That keeps the bread moist and extends shelf life. Therefor it hinders the bread going stale, so you either have to force it using the oven at a low temp or use bread without propylene glycol. For a stale bread application I would always check the supermarket for the 50% off bread from yesterday shelf. Many supermarkets have a shelf with yesterdays or a few days old bread and buns. Buns tend to be good or french bread. Again, check the label, but if it doesn't contain propylene glycol you can score some excellent deals on stale bread. There's many uses for it and you can always throw it in a blender or food processor when completely dry and make breadcrumbs out of it - very long shelf life and useful for many things. PS: the vortex method for the poached egg works better when the water is just barely simmering. Yours was almost boiling. If you have no bubbles whatsoever the egg stays in the center and swirls nicely until it sets. That Portuguese soup reminded me a lot of something we had when I was a kid. It's called Kesselsuppe (kettle soup) - you make it on the day of slaughter. We used to slaughter a pig once a year. The butcher would come to the farm (not our farm, but the farm that raised the pig for us) and then we'd all go there to help take it apart and process it. You make sausages and all the cuts and stuff that goes into tins etc. until every bit of the pig was used up. Many of the sausages etc. needed boiling and there was a huge kettle of water to accommodate all those things. The water from that kettle was used as a soup when everything was done. It resembled a very watery broth - that's why this recipe reminds me of it. Just seasoned with salt and very thinly sliced pieces of typical "grey bread" - a sourdough bread made from rye and wheat giving it a greyish color. I think you have way too much bread in that portuguese soup and I'd look for a heartier bread than white bread. Americans don't really have many good breads for this unless you go artisan breads and that sure blows the budget (you may be able to ask for stale artisan bread if you have such a bakery around - they might just give it away). Trader Joes has a half round loaf of bread that would work well. I think it's called Pain Pauline - a word of caution though: this bread spoils relatively quickly so eat some fresh and let the rest dry out or freeze it. I'd slice it very very thin (1/8th of an inch) and tear it into pieces and keep dropping it into the soup while eating. Don't drop all the bread in at once - it's a soggy mess. Drop a piece or two, let soak for a few seconds, eat it, drop some more etc. etc. Kinda like dipping an oreo - you don't toss the whole thing in and let it soak. That way you get some texture from the bread.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Uwe 👍 I'll try the soup with this bread from Trader Joe's. Great tips!

[@CynthiaAva]

You have the most calming voice. I always watch you before I go to sleep. Very soothing. Thank you for all of your recipes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Cynthia 😁 Glad my voice is soothing to you and you are enjoying my recipes. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@reflexxuns767]

Thank you, Michelle. I've never tried the Portuguese soup before, but I'm definitely going to! I could almost smell it!

[@lindawilson290]

Wow, these all look so flavorful - especially the tomato dish - considering they are so budget-friendly! Have a great week, AM!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Linda 😁 You too, have a great week 🥰 filled with lots of healthy low cost delicious meals!

[@lindawilson290]

@@ArdentMichelle 🙂

[@cathiek8028]

Since egg prices continue to rise, using an egg substitute for baking can really save money. For cornbread, cornstarch and water actually works! There's are two good egg substitute videos on the Southern Frugal Momma website.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Cathie 😁 Yes I just had a viewer ask me to make a video about egg substitutes.

[@jillgott6567]

I often use canned Applesauce instead of oil and egg when baking

[@cathiek8028]

@@ArdentMichelle That sounds wonderful!

[@grannys3426]

Just tried my variation of your Ascorda Alentejana! So delicious. Used dried basil, fine chopped the garlic and mixed with olive oil and onion, sauted. Used olives and mozarella that I had on hand. Such a wonderful comfort food. Thanks for your sharp mind, support team, and generous sharing.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Granny S 🥰 Yay! I'm so glad you liked the soup. Thanks so much for letting me know! 😁👩‍🍳 Have a great rest of your week.

[@teresacarnes2271]

Love the soups!also because of your last Temu video I have been obsessed with this app I've even ordered some clothing and it's ALL been amazing THANK YOU!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Teresa 😁 Glad you like them.

[@amandaballard971]

I love All ur research & background u give on ur dishes. I really appreciate the time & effort u put into ur videos!!!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😊

[@donnamarsh3474]

Love the inserted stock footage. Really adds to the appeal of the video! Love how you make budget so gourmet!!💗💗💗

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you liked it!! 😁

[@Willettee]

The simplest meals can easily become our favorites. 😍 I have all the ingredients to try these. Who would have thought to use bread as an ingredient instead of a side? It reminds me of how my husband eats crackers in his soups. I like the crunch and he like the taste. Thanks for sharing Michelle. I love your channel. 🙂

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thanks Willette 🥰 I'm so glad you like my channel. I like crackers in my potato soup too. So good. I'm still in a soup mood. 😂 I have to get it out of my system before the warm weather is back.

[@victoriaferland5093]

Thank you Michelle ❤ Soup are not only economical they can be nutritional and go a long way. I freeze portions for another time. I will be making Black Bean using canned beans. I so enjoy your ideas .

[@Jewelsquiss]

👍😊❣️you can make the cornbread without an egg. Use 1 TBS Cornstarch with a little water, apple sauce, a TBS Mayonnaise, aquafaba which is bean juice off of a can of beans, a tsp each of baking soda or powder and vinegar. 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Julie 😁 Have you tried any of these with cornbread? I would like to try the aquafaba. .

[@debbiekoortzen1154]

I am so excited when your videos pop up in my feed, I haven't even watched it yet, saving it for later. Hope you have a blessed week. 💖

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe..thanks so much Debbie. I'm so glad you look forward to my videos. 🥰

[@robinswan5831]

So simple yet so delectable!

[@freegirl9465]

Look forward to your Sunday videos! Thanks for always giving us such amazing recipes !

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so welcome! 😁 I'm glad you look forward to my videos! 🥰 Thanks for watching.

[@vinnydabarber]

Awww, thank you so much for the black bean soup recipes and naming it after me!💝 I cannot wait to try them! I do have all the ingredients on hand so maybe today I will try them today. The other dishes look delicious too! Last week I did a marathon cooking lunches and dinners from your $1.27 a day videos and everything was very good. I have a lot of food left over which I will be using up this week. I especially loved the stir fry and the other thing that looked like a tostada(?) It had black beans, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro etc. I had both those several times! The only thing I didn't make was the lemon spaghetti and the penne dish yet, definitely going to make those! I have the ingredients. I made the smashed potatoes yesterday and I kept thinking I was forgetting something, didn't realize until I was washing dishes, I forgot to put the cheese on top! lol But they were very good anyway. 😋

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Vinny 😁 I was trying to find your other message where you said you found that recipe. Anyway...I was happy to try this soup. I love black beans. Glad you have been enjoying my other videos. Sounds like you are trying all of my dishes. Yay! That's awesome 🥰 Have a great week.

[@vinnydabarber]

@@ArdentMichelle I went to edit it and ended up deleting it by mistake. I'm going to try to take a photo of the recipe and send it to you just in case you want to try it on your program. It's more complicated than I remember! May not be complicated for you though lol I love mexican food. Actually I like a variety but I have to cook most of those foods for me during the week because my guy doesn't like any of that especially beans of any kind except green beans but I've been sneaking things in on him over the years and he's not complained about much so far. He actually LIKES a lot of the stuff! In the beginning he only wanted meat and potatoes. 😄 Thank you again for making those soups for me, can't wait to try them!🥰😋

[@vinnydabarber]

@@ArdentMichelle Hi! I was trying to find your email so I could send you a photo of the recipe but couldn't find it on here so I will just type it in: Black Bean Soup 2 qrts chicken stock 1 lb dry black beans 1 med yellow onion chopped 2 med green peppers chopped 1/4 c. olive oil 1 1/2 tsp. Cumin 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 1/2 lb smoked ham, diced 1/2 lb bacon, crisply fried, drained and crumbled In large kettle combine all ingredients except ham and bacon. Heat to boiling, reduce heat, simmer 1-2 hours or until beans are soft. Place cooked solids from mixture with some broth in food processor with steel blade or blender. Puree until smooth. Return pureed mixture to remaining broth mixture. Add boiling water if necessary to make 2 quarts. Stir in ham and bacon, heat thoroughly. Makes 2 quarts. I haven't tried yours yet as I have been working on taxes all week and I'm leaving for out of town tomorrow so Monday or Tuesday I will and I'm looking so forward to it! God bless!

[@Spot4art]

My family is Portuguese and Italian.🤗 my Dad is my Portuguese side from a family of 11. They ate homemade/homegrown/home raised. My Vavo made everything from scratch and no one went hungry. My Mom was from an Italian family of 7 my Nonni made all her pasta from scratch. Gardening and canning was their mainstay. I was blessed to learn to cook by my parents and can make something great out of nothing. ❤️ you can’t go wrong with these countries for inspiration. Down to earth cooking!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I would have loved growing up with those parents cooking that good food 😋 I love discovering new meals from these countries. 😁

[@styxlover21]

That last soup looks basically like uncooked stuffing, which I love. Going to add that to my menu soon.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like it 😁

[@marietamura4534]

Just found your channel. So glad I did. They keep cutting our hours and with the current food/gas prices , these meals will definitely come in handy.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Marie 😁 I'm so glad my videos have been helpful. Thanks for letting me know.

[@ricoenglish3962]

When I was in Tuscany we made Pappa Al Pomodoro with whole canned tomatoes that we squashed by hand. The mixture came out very thick, like a spread instead of a soup. Some folks ate it on top of their focaccia (tomato bread soup on bread?) It's fed to babies and a comfort food for adults.

[@ArdentMichelle]

so delicious 👍

[@rs2343-o4e]

I love your channel, Some of your earlier videos don't have the recipe in the description, its better when you post the recipes please keep doing that in all of your new videos.

[@Lala7777belle]

I made this tonight, and it was delicious! I’m so happy everyone at the table loved it and thank you so much for the inspiration!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 I'm so glad you liked it.Thanks for letting me know. 🥰

[@kathleenmason123]

Unsweetened almond milk works well in the cornbread mix.

[@savinja25]

A reminder, as well, I saw that you could use vinegar and baking soda as an egg replace. I believe it is 1tsp baking soda with 1 tbsp of vinegar, it replaces 1 egg. With the price of eggs, this might do, if someone is baking a lot at home. I love these soups, I will definitely try them, thank you for posting. 🙂

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 You're welcome. I should have mentioned the option of egg replacements for that recipe. I plan to do a small segment on those in an upcoming video. Thanks for the reminder.

[@CybHoney03]

I was so excited when your video dropped! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Of course 🥰 Thanks for watching!

[@htas6888]

One year I was growing tomatoes and I had a lot of them, so I found this tomato and bread soup recipe in an Italian cookbook and tried it. I was totally amazed at how great it turned out. Cooking bread with the tomatoes transformed it into something else. If I didn't know all that went into the dish, and I was served it, I would have thought that much more went into it :) I have half a French loaf that dried up a while back and I wrapped it and put it in freezer. So, now I am inspired to make this tomato soup again using up that bread. You know bread has a lot of protein, probably due to all the yeast that grows in it before it is baked. I can't wait to try the Portugal soup with cilantro. Thank you for another beautiful and inspiring video :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! I'm glad you liked my recipes 😁

[@jolenethiessen357]

All wheat products have a decent amount of protein due to the gluten. Gluten is a big, stretchy protein and along with the carbs and fibre (if using whole grains) it fills you up. That's also why pasta is so filling - it's made with a special wheat called durum which is high protein. It's what makes the pasta keep it's shape.

[@AnneBeamish]

I make the Italian "bread soup" all the time and I love it. I usually blend it but will try it your way next. Super yummy in the summer with the first tomatoes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Anne 😁 and I'll have to try it blended 😂

[@charletteprzybylski3417]

I appreciate the tasty variety and the budget conscious meals you prepare. I can't wait to try making the Tuscan soup. Thank you!!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Charlette 😁 You're welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying my meals. I LOVED that Tuscan soup 💜 but then, I love tomatoes. Hope you enjoy! 👩‍🍳

[@maryellen9503]

Love the asmr! :) it'd be fun to see a video where you confess mistakes you made...

[@CathieG]

Great job Michelle! 🤩😍 I love making poached eggs like that. When I saw that one egg was >.50 I thought of the video I just watched the other day on using egg substitutes! It’s by SOUTHERN FRUGAL MOMMA and she goes over using baking soda, vinegar, applesauce & other items that are just pennies to substitute. I recommend watching it & she made 3 versions of Jiffy cornbread. 👍🏻

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi CG 😁 I've had several of my viewers request an egg substitute video, so I might do a segment on it. You can definitely do that, and also eliminating the egg altogether is an option. I should have mentioned that. Great idea since eggs are so high.

[@laurieherron1634]

You can also make the cornbread substituting the 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise!

[@ArdentMichelle]

ok I hadn't heard that one. Thanks for letting me know 👍

[@earlenebrown7181]

I love how you so new recipes, yummy to all of them and your platting is so amazing. Thank you for great ideas.😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Earlene 😁 I'm so glad you like my meals. Thanks for letting me know. 🥰

[@cathynevius2164]

I’m so glad I found your channel. I have wasted so much money on food through waste and want to simplify my cooking using more panty items that won’t spoil before I can use them up.

[@r.k.2823]

Wonderful job and so glad you shared the items from Temu. I ordered a bunch under your code, thank you!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! Glad you liked them

[@JRo-ld9db]

Another great video. I really enjoy the simple, budget friendly recipes. And the music and presentation are so calming. Your channel brings a lot of joy and inspiration. I’ll have to try poaching an egg with the method you shared. Blessings from Austin, TX ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 I'm glad you find my videos both soothing and inspirational. Thanks for letting me know. 🥰 I'm excited for you to try the poached egg. I think you'll be surprised at how easy it is. 👩‍🍳 Have a great week.

[@CathieG]

You inspired me, Michelle, to check out a local Asian market. It’s not really near me but I was in that town today. I got some yummy noodles, sauces, frozen potstickers and egg rolls, teas, fresh mushrooms and other stuff. It’s a lot smaller than the one you show, but it was fun to check out. 👍🏻😍🥰

[@ArdentMichelle]

That's awesome 👍 You had a mini food adventure. I love exploring new stores. It's very entertaining!

[@ninajohnson6578]

Thank you for showing the cheapest option. Very kind

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome. 😁 Thanks so much for watching!

[@colettemitchell3412]

My grandpa made the tomato bread soup but she never went to Italy. My mother still raves about it.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Interesting 🤔 Did she put the garlic and basil in it? I think I would discover MANY lovely dishes in Italy. This meal was fabulous!

[@colettemitchell3412]

I don't know how she made it.

[@DeterminedDIYer]

I've got a little egg machine my sister gave me that basically makes basted eggs and they work well so you don't have to keep an eye on the pot. ;) However, I prefer poaching them and i do it the same way you do! That's how my mom taught me.

[@missannettep6796]

Great video and soups! I hope you do these kinds of soup videos more often. Ethnic meals, a great idea. Please, offer these more often . Is it possible for you to show your kitchen? So many big, wonderful meals are created in a tiny kitchen. It would inspire students and the elderly alike.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much. 😁 I've shown more of it in different videos. It's quite small though, so not much to see 😂 I'll try to show more.

[@wynnkidsnannylorivance4111]

My Appalachian grandmother made the tomatoes and stale bread dish a lot. I was just craving it the other day.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I LOVED that one! So good!

[@claudinepotvin-giordano1154]

Thank you for sharing

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😁 Thank YOU for watching 🥰

[@cindyg5064]

I make the tomato bread soup, but my version is called scalloped tomatoes! Thank you for these awesome recipes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Nice 👍

[@RN-mn3jn]

I'd love all except the last. I have tried and tried to like cilantro 😭 but I'm one of those weird people that it tastes like soap. The other 2, I will definitely be making. I'm making the black bean soup tomorrow with the cornbread 😋

[@ArdentMichelle]

Understood 😁 Glad you like the other 2 recipes. Hope you like them as much as I did. 👩‍🍳

[@suspage]

The Tuscan Bread Soup is very similar to a side dish that my grandmother used to make. She called it “Breaded Tomatoes,” and it was basically tomatoes, bread cubes, salt and pepper. She was raised in rural Texas in the early 20th C. and not Italian at all. I’m pretty sure it was often a main dish when she was a child, as she was one of 10 children. I always enjoyed it, and I think she continued to make it because she was fond of it and it reminded her of her mother. It is fascinating how certain basic dishes like this one are so similar across cultures.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I agree with you on how fascinating it is on the shared similarity of recipes across cultures. Although sometimes recipes that were handed down were influenced by from immigrants. This was one of my favorite budget recipes, but then again I do LOVE tomatoes. 🍅

[@wendoxia]

Oh Michelle I would suggest toasting that piece of bread and then pouring the soup over it…. That seems like it would be really delicious or almost pouring the soup into the bowl floating a piece of toast with the poached egg on the top almost like the method that you would make an onion soup… That sounds pretty really good to me.. but all these recipes are delicious and now I have to go make a poached egg and have breakfast!!!( Oh and I love the white manicure!.. I had a manicure yesterday and I was thinking of the white and then I went with mademoiselle and now I’m looking at yours and regretting my choice)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Great idea to toast the bread. 👍 Regarding my nails-thanks so much. I actually did them myself. For Christmas I got a gel x nail kit from a family member that wanted me to try them. I was apprehensive about doing them myself, but it's fairly easy and kind of relaxing. I was not happy with spending the money at the salon- especially since I'm pinching pennies lately 😞 I bet your color is lovely.

[@skyiscrying]

I love black beans! This recipe looks so good, I'm trying it this week. Do u have plans for a cookbook? I would definitely buy it.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Vicky 😁 I'm glad you like the black bean recipe. Maybe somewhere down the line I'll work on a cookbook. I'm so glad you like my recipes enough to buy one from me. 🥰

[@sameoldsteph]

Awesome recipes! I always love soup, but the rainy days lately have made me crave it even more. I was reminded that I actually had Portuguese bread soup when I visited Lisbon about 15 years ago, back when I used to travel, lol. I had to go search for my photo and yours looks quite similar!

[@ArdentMichelle]

oh good 👍 Thanks for letting me know. I would love to visit Portugal too. How fun. I'm hoping a full European tour is somewhere in my future.

[@vonneblazier814]

I feel like I could enjoy the bread soup and eggs for breakfast.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Yvonne 😁 My viewer told me that is the breakfast for much of the working class of Portugal. I'm excited to try it with a staler bread and slightly less broth. It was delicious.

[@mommajo]

Another delicious, fairly inexpensive, dish is shakshuka. It's a north African egg recipe. Need to make that again. You've inspired me!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jolene 😁 shakshuka is the only dish on my channel that I've failed at. 😂 I overcooked my eggs. Tips needed please.

[@omgnoi]

Shakshuka tastes so good! Eggs are extremely expensive in the USA right now though, a dozen for the cheap brand is $7 usd where I live

[@mommajo]

@@ArdentMichelle I cook my tomato pepper base until it's almost done and add the eggs at the end. I only cook my eggs until the whites are set. If you cover the pan with a lid, it takes about 5 minutes for soft eggs.

[@mommajo]

@@omgnoi that's a pity

[@ArdentMichelle]

about the same here. 😞

[@jillistair9118]

Thank you for another great video! Hope you are doing well!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jillistair 😁 I'm doing great. I'm so glad you like this video. Thank you so much for the support! 🥰

[@annzamora6943]

My husband is from Mexico. He likes a 2 pound bag dry beans & 2 pound bag of white rice cooked fresh every week. I own an immersion blender, but to thicken the beans he doesn't like me to use the immersion blender it crushes too many beans. Anyway, he likes me to use the flat bottom of a plastic cup to smoosh the beans. I stop every few minutes to check the thickness level.😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Ann 😁 that man sounds like he knows exactly what he likes 😂 Eating whole food like that is the way to go! I agree that it's best with only some of the beans mashed.

[@vickigrice4663]

This is also a great side dish.

[@alanbirkner1958]

I use dried beans a lot. Tonight's dinner was chili with ground turkey and pinto beans. A big canister of rolled quick oatmeal makes lots of breakfasts. Tina, Al's wife

[@ArdentMichelle]

yum 👍

[@treasuresdelight7770]

Thank you so much I love your channel your truly are the best cook on a budget stay Blessed !

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@rebeccakstrain3324]

I love these meals. Thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁

[@donnadkshad6213]

A super cheap egg substitute is the liquid from Chickpeas. Canned or fresh made. I believe it's 1/4 cup per egg. Typically we dump the liquid but you can save it and use it to replace eggs in food.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for sharing this Donna. 👍

[@Jesus_is_Lord_7]

That looks amazing and so simple to make.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you liked my meals 😁 Thanks for letting me know. 🥰

[@thegigiollieshow8768]

They all absolutely look amazing I will be trying the tomato soup recipe first thank you so much 🖤

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so welcome! 😁

[@dianethoroughman9541]

Jiffy corn bread is $1.08 at my local grocery store. I will have to check other stores for their prices. I like your channel, and I subscribed to it.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Diane 😁 Thanks for the sub. Welcome to my channel. So glad to have you here. I usually stock up on those little Jiffy mixes when they are on sale, but I priced them with Walmarts current price. The regular stores like Albertsons, Ralphs, Vons, etc. are much much higher on the price of groceries so I try to avoid them 😂

[@chrisharmon5453]

Due to food allergies we can’t eat any of these but they look amazing 🤩

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@sargee97]

Love some of the products to purchased. Hope I can get them here in England, will certainly be trying to that's for sure. I have a very small kitchen so even if I can't get these products from temu then I'll see if Amazon have any of them. With kind regards Angeline ❤️

[@gaildawson5464]

Loved and can't wait to try the poached egg method! I've been rewatching Julia Child's original French Chef series and am intrigued to realize that some of her recipes (not all of course!) are simple, inexpensive French peasant food. If I find some that might work for your channel I'll let you know!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Gail 😁 Yes please do so.

[@thaliahelene]

Hey I’m a new sub. I sure appreciate your graceful recipes for a budget conscious diet. Anyway while I don’t have constructive words to offer about this episode, I wanted to recommend a couple channels for inspiration. They offer some different perspective on food, at least. Further they make a lot of their own staple pantry and spice items, against unstable or intermittent supply. Chef Lola is Nigerian and in particular her earlier videos were most instructive to me. Sweet Adjeley is from Ghana, I believe and makes an incredible variety of foods, especially from fresh local ingredients. That’s all I got for now, hope to be constructive.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for subbing 😁 I'll check those channels out.

[@rebekahhansen1112]

My father would make us bread and tomatoes type stew. It was something he ate as a kid during the Depression. So simple yet tasty. I was wondering if using homemade artesian bread would be a good ingredient for your bread & tomatoe soup. I've made some bread in that fashion that was so hard & chewy you could barely cut it. 😆. Isn't it amazing what we can do with simple ingredients. You make your meals look so elegant . Even if they are inexpensive would not call them cheap. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Rebekah 😁 I definitely would love to try these soups with that type of bread. 👍

[@janh1399]

I have made italian bread soup, that is what we call it, and it is a great way to use up stale bread

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jan 😁 I'm still thinking about that meal. Since I love tomatoes and also bread, this was one of my all-time favorite budget meals.

[@walkingthepath4964]

Thank you for always making unique budget meals. I want to try both bread soups at some point 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so welcome! 😁

[@mustwereallydothis]

That tomato and bread soup would probably also taste great with grated parmasean or pecerrino romano cheese.

[@ArdentMichelle]

so true 👍 Love both of those cheeses. 👩‍🍳

[@karinarivera-alcala1094]

Loving your videos lately ❤❤❤ Will definitely be making the tomato one this summer with fresh tomatoes and herbs from my garden.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@debbies.3109]

Hi, Michelle :) That is the most perfect poached egg I’ve ever seen! The recipes looked good, too. I like the items from Temu. Especially the wood ones. I love wood. I hope you and your family are ok after all the storms out there.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Debbie 😁 No flooding in my area, so we are all good. So glad you liked my egg 😂

[@ginagoldman3632]

Thanks! I grew up eating Campbell’s black bean soup - it was their best soup but for some reason they stopped making it. I’m sure your recipe is even better and I will give it a whirl. I love making sourdough bread so you’ve given me some good ideas there too 😋

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Gina 😁 Thanks so much for the super thanks 🥰 I appreciate the support. I've been wanting to make sourdough bread. It's been on my bucket list. 🪣 I'm scared 😂

[@ginagoldman3632]

@@ArdentMichelle well if I can do it you can too! I learned a lot from a channel called farmhouse on Boone - she has an unfussy approach that appeals to me

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@ginagoldman3632 Thanks for the vote of confidence 😁 I'll check that channel out tonight.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I just checked her channel and she has one titled "Sourdough Bread for Beginners" I'll watch that tonight. 👍

[@Holistichealer630]

Beautiful meals such high quality at a very affordable price. I ordered from temu they are soooo economical. Since we base your wooden bowls and spatulas I have to order more hehehehe. Keep the videos coming loveeeee them low budget foreverrrrrrr. ❤️🧜🏽‍♀️❤️🧜🏽‍♀️❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much Cynthia 😁 Glad you like TEMU as much as I do! Have a great week.

[@rachelhero3413]

Great video my friend

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Rachel 😁

[@richardbois5696]

I am definitely trying the Tuscan bread soup...as always, you make even inexpensive dishes look so gourmet

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! I'm glad you liked the Tuscan bread soup. Hope you love it as much as I do. Thanks for the nice complement. 😁

[@michellelogreco3351]

Let be love Temu!! I have had great success with this on line store!! Do try.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for sharing!