I ATE FOR a WEEK on $5

I'm challenging myself to eat for an entire week from $5 worth of food that I've purchased. I'll be using basic pantry staples like dry spices, oil, sugar, etc. I discovered some delicious new frugal meals that I'll definitely be making again.
#grocerybudgetchallenge
#frugalmeals
#ardentmichelle
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INGREDIENTS
eggs 1 dozen 1.4
flour 0.65
rice 0.7
black beans 0.68
onion 0.11
potato 0.4
zucchini 0.37
jalapeno 0.06
apple gala 0.17
oatmeal 0.42
TOTAL 4.96
DAY ONE
1 zucchini bread with 1 scrambled egg
1 savory oatmeal topped with crispy onions
huevos rancheros -1 egg with flour tortilla, mashed black beans, sliced jalapeno and 1 packet Taco Bell sauce
DAY TWO
1 puffy apple omelet with 1 egg used to make
1 egg salad sandwich with 1 egg with mayo, salt, paprika
1 rice with gravy and fried onions
DAY THREE
1 apple oatmeal - I have 3 servings of oatmeal or just over 1 1/2 cups
1 mojo potatoes with 1 fried egg
1 congee with fried onions
DAY FOUR
1 zucchini bread with 1 sliced hardboiled egg on top with finely diced fresh jalapeno and chili paste
1 stir fried rice with 1 egg
1 Puerto Rican arepe with black beans, bean sauce, jalapeno and taco bell sauce
DAY FIVE
1 zucchini bread with 1 hardboiled egg on side with topping of chili paste
1 Puerto Rican arepe with black beans, bean sauce, jalapeno and taco bell sauce
potato soup with rice and zucchini - flavored with vegetable bouillon - topped with fried onions
DAY SIX
1 oatmeal with uncooked diced apple cakes
huevos rancheros -1 egg with flour tortilla, mashed black beans, sliced jalapeno and 1 packet Taco Bell sauce
black bean chimichanga with tortilla, black beans, Taco Bell hot sauce and diced jalapeno
DAY SEVEN
1 zucchini bread toast
fried egg, black beans and zucchini sticks with ranch dressing
1 biscuit with onion gravy, grilled zucchini, black beans, rice
Puffy Apple Omelet - Link to original recipe
www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/p...
MY TORTILLA AND AREPE RECIPE - I'll add this to description area.
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs butter - grated ( grates better when frozen)
1/4 cup water - I only needed about 1/2 of that
Roll out with flour. Make 4 equal size balls. Let rest for an hour or so.
Made 1 big tortilla, 2 small tortillas, and 2 arepas.
Fry the tortillas in skillet until bubbly on each side. Don't overcook them
Fry the arepas in oil. The deeper the oil, the more they can puff up and make a pocket.
ZUCCHINI BREAD
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar - I would try 1/2 cup next time, but it depends on how sweet you like your bread
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded zucchini
2 eggs
I cut this recipe in half, but I didn't use walnuts (which would have been delicious)
www.allrecipes.com/recipe/669...
Let me know if there are any other recipes that you want.
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Irvine, CA 92604

[@cheriemonami]

So amazing, Michelle! So many flavors, so many meals, so little money!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like this one. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@clarawhite2164]

Listen to me Michelle. Let us worry about how long we are willing to sit and watch your videos. We don't care if it's 2 hours of our day, you just do what u do best. Oh and thank you we appreciate you

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...wow...thank you so much 💜 This is so nice. 🤗

[@Purple0fairy0bunny]

I agree. I watch many budget weeks that are 1 hour long and still enjoy the length.

[@rebeccaroberts1148]

Michelle, I agree with Clara… let your videos be as long as you want! I could listen to you for hours with your soft soothing voice! I have been preparing for a cross country move for the last month and a half. As I near the final hours of preparation I listen to your calming voice and find myself at peace!

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@rebeccaroberts1148 awe...thank you 🥰 I appreciate that. Oh gosh, that DOES sound stressful. 😳 My heart goes out to you. I'm so glad you find my videos peaceful. I'll be thinking of you and wishing you safe travels. 🙏

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@Purple0fairy0bunny Thank you 🥰

[@Jean_in_Stillness]

People around here spend $5 on a cup of take-out coffee!!! 😃Well done, Michell!!!! Always astounded by your vision in putting ingredients together . . you are like a version of the "Stone Soup" story. . ha ha ha!! Decades ago in high school, a friend used to make lots of banana bread. One time over at her house for snacks, she placed tuna salad on the bread. Me and my other friends thought it was a prank until we had a taste --- delicious!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jean 😁 thanks so much. It's definitely surprising what combinations taste great together. 😂 You just never know until ya try. Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@DayOwlify]

My grandmother’s response to old baking powder was “ You just use more!”. Everything you made looks really good.

[@calihapamama]

Yup. Thats what I was told too.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Grandmas always know best 😁 I figured there are lots of people like me that have expired baking powder 😂 Glad you liked my meals.

[@alisatjaden3906]

@@ArdentMichelle Lol!! Just found an expired container in my cupboard!! Thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@alisatjaden3906 😂 I knew there would be at least a few of my viewers that would discover this. They say you should only keep baking soda for 30 days after opening it. I've NEVER done that! 😂

[@alisatjaden3906]

@@ArdentMichelle Thank you ! 😊 Really Love your channel too ❤

[@richardbois5696]

Michelle- What you can do with $5,most people cant do with $45...AMAZING

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thank you so much 😁 I appreciate the complement.

[@lindawilson290]

Hello, AM, There's an adage, "You can't get blood out of a turnip," but if anyone can, it's YOU!! So resourceful!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Linda 😁 Thank you so much! 🥰 I've heard that saying before too. 😂

[@charlottekearn5185]

I can't believe you make all this with $5 , actually a few pennies left over, but I saw it with my own eyes, so you ARE a miracle worker. I love this channel. With the leftovers from all your ingredients your last meal was pretty good sized. After one of your latest videos I ordered that sushi mold from Temu, I think it should be here in the next few days, I can hardly wait to use it. I'm so glad the company sent you an air fryer to use, you will use it often. Thanks for another inspiring video, you are the best. Your loyal subscribe, Charlotte

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Charlotte 😁 Yes, you are definitely one of my loyal subscribers 💜 Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked this challenge and also that you are enjoying the products from TEMU. I love their prices! Have a great rest of your week.

[@wolchfam]

I love watching these extreme budget challenges. Just amazing you did so well and could actually eat for so many days. Great job!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you enjoyed! 😁

[@HayleysHaus]

I truly cant believe you made $5 stretch like that. Tbh i would need more food but you did amazing truly

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁 yeah, this wasn't the amount of food that I normally eat. $5 is definitely not enough. Glad you like this. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@diannthomas7849]

Oh my goodness! I cannot believe what you did with $5. It all looks amazing. In all honesty, Id probably still be a little hungry, but the menu is well balanced, simple, and nutritious. It would definitely get someone through an exceptionally tight week. If I could dig up a couple more bucks from under the sofa cushions (LOL), it would probably make a big difference. Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together. Btw, I dont care how long you make your videos!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 this is definitely less than I normally eat but I was so busy this week, that it didn't bother me, otherwise I would have eaten all of the zucchini bread. Also, I was saving it more than I needed to.

[@baylaurel2017]

I love that you used all of your ingredients and did not waste anything! Great video!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@christinejunk8184]

I know the extreme grocery budget challenge doesn't include foraging, but in my area this time of year is great for dandelion leaves for salads-have to be careful it is not sprayed-I take it from my own yard as I know it is not, (tastes like arugula), wild leeks from the forest, crab apple jelly made from local crab apples found on many trees and soon to be wild raspberries growing along our city walking trail etc. Also condo or not, if you get some inexpensive green onion from the grocery store and use only tops, submerge the bottom in water and you will have green onions growing for months in a cup in a window. I make great salad dressing from chive flowers in some regular vinegar etc.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Great tips 👍 Love these!

[@lisablack9634]

Great ideas. Dandelion can be dried and used in teas.

[@smegilligan77]

Michelle - I soooooo appreciate your channel. Your creativity here astounds me. You make things possible when it seems it wouldn't be. And you make it fun. Thanks again Michelle!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! I'm so glad you are enjoying my channel 😁 I appreciate the nice complement 🥰

[@dawnziccardi8205]

Wow you knocked this challenge out of the park! I can't believe all you created for under $5.00. Two weeks ago I wanted avocado to go with my breakfast. Aldi's wanted .95 for each one. One of my other local markets wanted 2 for $3.00. I will have to wait till the price comes down. I wish Winco was near me. I'm sure I could get a lot of bargains just like you do. Thank you for your video's. I am sure you are helping alot of people including myself.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Dawn 😁 I'm so glad you like this one. I had a lot of fun doing it. I do understand that some people don't have access to a store like Winco where you can buy in smaller portion sizes. Walmart has good prices on the basics, you would just have some ingredients left over for the next week. Thanks for letting me know you like this video 🥰

[@allyrooh3628]

I don’t have a Winco by me either, but I wish I did. One thing I did find about an hour away was a grocery outlet. Sadly the coffee I like from Starbucks is $5.69. That’s why I make coffee now!

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@allyrooh3628 I haven't had much success at Grocery Outlet. 🤷‍♀

[@lisablack9634]

Thank you so much for these videos. It means the world to those with limited choices. I can buy ingredients and send them video for the ideas and recipes. Rice, beans always come in pantry boxes from donation centers. That can help save a few dollars too. Dollar tree has spices for 1.25 that will last long time.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Lisa 😁 Thank you so much for the financial support 💜 I appreciate you! 🤗 Walmart has some of these spices for $1.18 for the Great Value brand, and then sometimes you can go without a spice. For example, the paprika in the deviled egg was optional. I'm so glad you like this video. These extreme challenges are my favorite to make.

[@RachRolls]

I have a bottle of ground coriander and one of ground cayenne pepper, both of which I bought at a Dollar Tree at a minimum seven years ago.👀 Every time I need one of those spices, I grab the old bottle and do a sniff check. They're both still going strong all these years later, so in they go! 😂 I have a full cabinet of fresher and more expensive spices, and I grow them as well, but these are staying in rotation til they go bad...which is probably never, lol.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@RachRolls I have some ground ginger that is that old also. No reason to buy more if it still works 😂

[@spicycopper2436]

I always get great ideas from you and will be trying those recipes. Love your videos 🌞

[@ArdentMichelle]

Awe...thank you so much for the financial support 💜 I appreciate it so much! I'm glad you are enjoying my videos.

[@paulabroadway1697]

You are so amazing in what you come up with for only $5! This does not look like budget food at all...and you make it so pretty. Even though you totally had me at gravy + breaded and fried. ;-) I also have to add that I love the way you research and teach us about foods of other cultures. We obviously love our Hispanic food influences here in Texas, but Oriental and Indian foods are fairly new territory to me. Heck, I didn't even know what congee was before you showed us. LOL Thanks for everything you do!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Paula 😁Thank you so much 🥰 I'm glad you enjoyed this video. I'm learning a lot while creating these videos too, so we are learning together!

[@scholargrrl]

It's so calming watching you. I generally put on a couple videos as encouragement when I'm meal prepping. I love your videos regardless of the time (I just love feeling like I'm cooking with someone and getting inspired to experiment). 💕

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I'm glad my videos are both peaceful and inspiring to you. 🥰 I love that! Thanks for sharing this with me 💜

[@FranfromFL]

You are so awesome. If I had to eat on $5 a week, I would probably keel over from starvation. You are so creative and all of these meals look great!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you! 😊

[@kathryndockrey1477]

I'm impressed. I love when people say they are spend $$ and don't go over it. These are fun to watch

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like this video 😁

[@elizabethashton9590]

We don't have stores that sell groceries like yours do and I could never come close to your prices, but one thing is certain and that is that I love your creativity and knowledge of food and cooking. It's truly amazing.

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe....thanks so much 💜 I appreciate the complement and thanks for watching my videos.

[@htas6888]

That is great budgeting and shopping. I don't have to stay on a strict budget but I still love seeing what can be done and what is available and your creativity :) I will definitely try some of these.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 I'm so glad you liked my challenge video!

[@patpeters6331]

I really like these challenges. You really out do your usual creativity with them.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I have the most fun doing these 😁 Glad you like them.

[@kristinj7173]

Great work. I love your creativity. Eating on $5 makes me totally rethink our budget. We spend way too much for two people....

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Kristin 😁 Glad you like my latest challenge video! Doing these, has the same kind of impact on my thinking also.

[@sharonfredie3948]

Yes Flour you can make morning muffins or scones, adding raisins, berries, or nuts. Flour you can thicken sauces. Make different homemade pastas, bread, cakes, cookies.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Your ideas for morning scones sound very good 👍

[@bobstubesocks]

Oh-with the leftover egg, and egg contaminated flour-I would have made fritters-shred up a little zucchini, onion, and potato-add seasoning and some leavener and fry in a little oil!

[@patpeters6331]

Congratulations on your new air fryer. I think that you are going to love it. Any recipe can be converted for air fryer use. The rule of thumb is to reduce the baking temperature by 25% and the cooking time in half. 😋

[@ArdentMichelle]

I thought of you Pat when I got this, because we had been talking about it but I didn't want to spend the money on one 😂 Thanks for the cooking tips.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Pat I thought I saw a comment from you recommending a channel but now I can't find it. Did you delete it? I think you said Fabulously Frugal is that right? I have her channel earmarked. You may have told me about her before. Looks like her entire channel is for air fryer cooking. That will be a huge resource for me. 😁

[@patpeters6331]

@@ArdentMichelle Am having wifi problems with my phone. Yes Fabulously Frugal.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@patpeters6331 understood! Ok thanks for sharing!

[@wendoxia]

@@patpeters6331 I also like frugal fit mom

[@youtubeojunk]

This was a fun watch! One word about parchment paper and air fryers: avoid using. In those type of air fryers, the heating element is really close to...well, everything (food and basket) and the paper could catch fire. You're also defeating the purpose of the air fryer, since the air gets forced down and back up through the notches at the bottom and is what makes things cook faster

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm glad you like this video. Thanks for sharing the tip about the air fryer 😁

[@danasandlin2435]

one other thought: I use a lot of teas (and no sodas) to save money--I mix tea bags (no sugar) and fruit juice and vitamin powders with ice--drink on these for at least 1/2 the day and it boosts immunity and is very cheap (even if I use 3 or 4 tea bags in combination)--healthy...dts/usa

[@sharonfarnsworth3325]

I love Von’s & shop sales but Winco is so much cheaper so I shop at Winco. I have been trying new recipes for 47 years as it makes cooking more interesting. When I was a single mother in 1979 I would make my son sing in the bathtub so I could hear him while I was cooking dinner since I worked.

[@DebZaragoza]

Aww, I remember Shakey's Pizza! Ours closed when I was a teenager, but I remember watching through the glass while they made pizzas. This was before video games came out! LOL! Enjoyed your video...I just ordered an air fryer off of ebay, so I'll be trying out those Mojo Potatoes! 😀

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like this video! 😁 I think the mojos were made for an air fryer 😂

[@alexisburks9812]

I love your videos! I hear a lot of people say “you have to pay for variety” and I love seeing how creative you are with a small number of ingredients and low budget!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Alexis 😁 I'm glad you have been enjoying my videos. Thanks for letting me know. 🥰

[@melissa4726]

This was an amazing result of an extreme budget challenge! I liked that you used a potato for a challenge like this. In my area, potatoes are one of the best budget foods out there. Have you thought about using grits in a budget challenge? They can be made more on the sweet side for breakfast, and more savory for a lunch or dinner (like shrimp and grits). Speaking of shrimp, I've noticed that the price has gone down since a few years ago. Just a few pieces of shrimp can really elevate a simple meal and still be a low budget dish. I have also used imitation crab meat added to an inexpensive homemade alfredo dish or a salad. Thank you for your videos and I'm going to try a couple of these recipes this week!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Melissa 😁 Thank you so much! I'm glad you like my challenge video. Yes, grits are on my list. I passed by shrimp the other day and was thinking that they were very inexpensive. I'm sure if I ate them, I would have already used them. I'll look into doing this though in a future video. I've also considered using fish more. Thanks for sharing the tip on the imitation crab meat. 😁

[@jacki6301]

Beans and rice and eggs go a long way to keep you full on a low budget. I'm so glad that egg prices have come back down. Remember, use a food pantry if needed.

[@ArdentMichelle]

agreed 👍

[@Rbcook628]

Michelle, after watching you for so long, I have to say *you are a saint* although you might not realize this because you're humble, giving, and absolutely sincere. You're a damn gift to all of us. Your videos are literally the one thing keeping me keeping' on. If you know what I mean. I made your "iffy looking bag of cabbage" and potato soup tonight. It smelled bad at first, but then ... I TASTED IT... and then panicked when I realized I didn't have any fire roasted tomatoes! But then I got into my *Michelle* mindset. I had marinara in the fridge. You bet I used it. ANYWAYS, you are the absolute best, most sincere KZbinr out there. Your videos have kept me going! Best wishes to you, sincerely!

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thanks so much 💜 I appreciate this and I'm so glad you have adopted a new mindset of just going with the flow so to speak and utilizing what you have. Rich rewards can be discovered that way...and it's so freeing. I fell in love with that cabbage soup so much that I've been making some kind of version of it for the past few weeks. I didn't say it on the video...but my cabbage was actually to the stinky point when I used it 😂 My youngest son is a huge fan of the cabbage soup too. This morning I made a version with russet potatoes, white cabbage, 2 garlic cloves, some minced ginger and some carrots with a little olive oil on top. No tomatoes this time, and it was so good! I have these little mini sandwich rolls (bread) that I've been dipping in the soup and eating along with it. I'll probably be eating it as much as possible while it's still cool here in California. I'm so glad you enjoyed it too! Thanks for the this comment 😁 It's made my day!

[@Rbcook628]

One thing I learned from your recipe is that cabbage just stinks to begin with because of the family it's from (broccoli smells similar). You taught me a new hack that has upgraded my mindset (and I am almost 40!) I can't wait to see what you do next. Even if you repeat recipes, you are still sending positive messages to so many people who are eager to watch and listen. It's for the frugal, the mindful, the creatives. It's a tribe! Your style is kind and inviting. Please never change @@ArdentMichelle

[@JacindaH]

I swear you are the most creative, budget meal planner I've ever seen!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁

[@patpeters6331]

I have been making your cobbler in the air fryer. So much faster than traditional baking. I recently added a half cup cocoa to the batter because I had a taste for chocolate. It was yummy

[@ArdentMichelle]

I can see that I need to experiment more with my air fryer! You crack me up with my cobbler recipe. You took it camping, and now you're making it in the air fryer 😂

[@patpeters6331]

@@ArdentMichelle lol. I also shared it with my family. It's my go to recipe when I want something sweet but don't want to bake. Lol

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@patpeters6331 that's why I've always liked that recipe too. It's super simple and easy to throw together!

[@alwayslearning9272]

Can you provide a link please to the video for the cobbler mentioned here please? I don't know the history of this recipe and must have missed the video that it first came from but you've got me very intrigued now. 🤔😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@alwayslearning9272 here ya go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/inXNqKCAndNkeMU

[@NayNayL0820]

I love your videos and i look forward to watching them each week. When they run long I consider that a bonus! I watch alot of budget videos, but your channel is my absolute favorite!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Naomi 😁 Thank you so much. 💜 I'm honored that you feel that way!

[@randaray24]

Unbelievable!! Thank you for this service you are providing. Variety, creativity, and a healthy dose of gentle humanity. You are a treasure.

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thanks so much Randa 💜 I appreciate this complement.

[@TheNotoriousPIG1]

$9.24 in my area for the ingredients but still better than normal, thanks for the ideas!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 Yeah, this works especially well at Winco or a similar store where you can purchase in smaller quantities. Glad you liked my video. 😁

[@Janey234]

I was shocked at how far you made 5 bucks stretch. Your amazing!!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I'm so glad you like my challenge video. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@teeadvocate]

I love this challenge because you give people hope and brilliant ideas! Being on a tight budget isn't the end of the world. You rock!❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much. 😁 I appreciate the complement. 🥰

[@sharonfarnsworth3325]

I like how you show that a few cents here & there really makes a difference in your budget. I am not talking just about groceries. I read today on Facebook that making your lunch from home can save you enough for a cruise! (Or any other vacation within a year!)

[@ArdentMichelle]

thank you and yes, so true 👍

[@karenayochim9137]

This one was so fabulous.Saving money is something that needs to happen in moments of life and you have to do what you have to do. Thanks again

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Karen 😁 glad you like my video. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@shaunaleessnackidies]

Seriously delicious looking and amazing, great job! I didn’t know packages of mustard could go bad?

[@ArdentMichelle]

I didn't either 😞 I'm glad you like this challenge video! Thanks for letting me know!

[@alwayslearning9272]

This was so incredibly well done! If you laid out the weeks worth of meals and asked someone how much it all cost I highly doubt anyone would guess that it all cost only $5!! 🤯 Thanks so much for being as inspiring and creative as you are, I really wanted to make the zucchini bread but didn't have any zucchini, however I did have a few broccoli cores that I'd been keeping in my crisper drawer to use up, so I just grated them instead and it worked out great! 🥦 + 🥒! 🤔😯 Also, the majority seems to disagree with me but I prefer if videos aren't too long, just because I prefer to watch all the way through and just enjoy the flow of that but if they're long I either don't bother or have to watch it in stages bit by bit, so for me if a video like this is 30 minutes or under that's much better! I also don't have unlimited data for viewing so have to think about that as well, so that factors in too. Really enjoyed this one though and will be sure to try out several of the things you made. It's Winter here right now so the congee would be very welcome at the moment, haven't made that for a while. Thanks 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 That's the thing with that bread recipe, you can put almost anything in it and it turns out good. Thanks for the feedback on the length of videos!

[@GarouLady]

I saw a japanese cooking video of daily living where a mom mixed the raw egg into the cold rice before frying it up. the egg soaked into the rice and made it so much better.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I love watching Japanese cooking videos. 😁

[@wendoxia]

Great video Michelle! I’m so glad you got the air fryer! I airfry everything now, but I bet you’re so creative. You will find even more uses. Oh, and I would love the arepA recipe! I have made pupusa’s in the past, my son-in-law is half Salvadorean, but yours looks so much better

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Wendie 😁 Thanks so much! 😊 I'll put the arepa recipe in shortly. I have to run somewhere real quick.

[@ArdentMichelle]

and those arepas were AWESOME tasting! 😋

[@heatherl8063]

Best cheap food video i’ve seen, and i watch a lot of them! You are so good at this Michelle! Even when you use a really small budget, you still manage to make food that is interesting and tasty. Thank you for sharing your gift with us!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Heather 😁 It's my pleasure. Thank YOU for watching my video and for letting me know you like this one 🥰

[@avianbeckles5896]

All I'm going to say is Wow

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 🥰 Glad you like this.

[@carolynflathers3159]

I bet you could have used a flour tortilla wrap for the egg salad and made it like a wrap sandwich if you didn’t want to put it on the zucchini bread. You also could potentially toss the oatmeal in a food processor to make oat flour to use instead of wheat flour. It would work great in the zucchini bread or the pancake.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yes these are great ideas 👍 I thought about using the oat flour to make pancakes, but I just made regular oatmeal instead.

[@Purple0fairy0bunny]

Love your videos!!! Perfect thing to watch this sunday morning

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you enjoy my videos 😁

[@peggywalker2103]

HI Michelle, You are definitely one of my favourite KZbin channels! You continue to inspire me with your receipes :) I look at your extreme shops and wonder how you are going to make meals out of what you bought, but you always do with so many flavours! I made your congee receipe on the weekend and it was so nice, I have never made this before, but now it will become a staple. Many thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 💜

[@donnamarsh3474]

You are a budget Rock Star! We appreciate you!❤❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Donna 😁 Thank you so much 🥰

[@sharonfarnsworth3325]

My son makes banana bread from my junior high recipe & brownies. To the brownies I added espresso powder & a few tablespoons whipping cream.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Those brownies sound yummy! 😋

[@laura-id5nd]

everything looks good! Miss your little touch of shredded carrots for color but I would eat anything you made! Yummm!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I was craving fruits and vegetables by the end of the week. 😂

[@richardschmidt2430]

I KNOW this is helping you in your own personal menus! :) I always tell people, "Do you know how much food you can make, making it at home?"...Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

yes, so true 👍 If a person has the right pantry staples they can make whole foods go so far.

[@Dcuddi]

I lost it when you flipped around the mustard and casually said it wasn’t good anymore lmaooooo

[@ArdentMichelle]

glad to amuse you 😂

[@Laguns-ij4hn]

Have loved Taste of Home. I used to love flipping through their magazine for recipe ideas.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I love all the pictures. These days, I like to be able to see how many positive reviews there are.

[@thewizard8263]

the 20 min difference in the 40-60 mins cooking time for the bread has a lot to do with air moisture! if its a stormy humid stuffy day it might take 60 mins or more, but if its a dry day out it might be closer to 40. Its not the only thing that influences the cooking time/moisture level in the bread, if youre really interested i could def reccomend the book Bread Science by Emily Buehler :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

great point 👍

[@emily--m]

You are brilliant. Thank you for sharing. I'm from NY and we no longer have food bins due to crime 😢😢 Sad people hurt others for no reason. Will be giving these recipes a try. Have a blessed day 🥰

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 Hope you enjoy the recipes! 👩‍🍳

[@sonyavincent7450]

I've just watched this again. You were asking for ideas regarding your flat, crumbly biscuit. I've never made biscuits because they're an American thing. But i am an expert scone maker. Similar principle. Whenever you add any kind of fat to a bread product, you flatten it. Fat flattens. Thats why loaves of bread rise so high. Pretty much zero fat. So if you reduce your fat, whether thats lard or butter or oil, or even fatty milk, you will get a better rise. Fat is also responsible for making things crumble. Again, think bread. No fat, no crumble. Good luck with your next attempt! The air fryer will be fine, its all about temperature.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sonya 😁 that's interesting because with our normal biscuits (that are made with butter ) they rise up just fine. 🤔 Maybe I put too much though.

[@sonyavincent7450]

@@ArdentMichelle yes, or you overhandled them. Probably easy to do when making the tiny volumes! Minimal handling works best with scones anyway! Cheese is also another form of fat and will flatten.

[@happycook6737]

If we have some pantry staples, this menu will be even cheaper. Great menu.

[@ArdentMichelle]

True because flour is a pantry item. I went ahead and purchased some because I used a larger amount but I'm thinking most people would have it on hand.

[@emilydavidson275]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@glendanorman781]

If you smash the boiled egg with a fork before adding the condiments-it's so much better tasting! (I like to add a dash of curry powder to it!)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Glenda 😁 Thanks for sharing this! I'm looking forward to trying curry powder in the egg salad.

[@michellehunter1642]

Very good. You are talented and show you can eat well on a budget.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 Glad you like my video.

[@whilebabyssleeping6244]

To be honest when I saw you were going to do $5 and I saw the amount of food you got I thought what the heck how is this going to stretch there's absolutely no way and GIRL did you prove me wrong!! ❤️ I'm actually going to try to make a couple of your meals a little bigger for me and my kids and and I'm curious at how much it would be

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I think that every time I do these challenges. 😂 I'm so glad you like my video. Let me know how the meals turn out.

[@kristyreal489]

I loved this video. For me, onions make it much easier to make delicious meals on a budget. They are an integral part of my pantry. I make onion gravy with beef bouillon powder and eat it over rice all the time, but I don't ever take the time to just fry a few onions to go with meals. I'll be trying that now. Thanks for the idea! Also, corn meal is very frugal and makes great quick breads and fritters and coating for fried veggies so I find it just as important as wheat flour in my pantry. 🧅💜🧅

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Kristy 😀 Glad you like this video! What I discovered is that I can make a larger batch of the onions and then throw them in the toaster oven for a couple minutes to get them crispy again for individual meals - but you have to be careful or they will easily burn. I agree about the cornmeal. 👍 I use it in my own pantry. I plan to start showcasing foods made with cornmeal more. Plus I'm dying to try the Colombian arepas because those were so good!

[@dayaheddyrahim9401]

Thanks you for this video ❤❤it really help me a lot😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Awe....thank you so much for the support! 💜 I'm grateful and I'm glad my video is helpful!

[@debrafoster499]

Fantastic video this week! I watch YT either at work while I'm doing computer work or on TV at home while getting stuff done so longer videos are awesome!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 I'm glad you like this one and are ok with longer videos! I appreciate the feedback 🥰

[@stacytrejo1919]

These videos are super helpful because even though I have a larger grocery budget I get great ideas to save money and use ingredients in different ways ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Stacy 😁 Glad my videos are helpful and inspire you in the kitchen. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@shannonpeck5954]

Love this challenge! ❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! Glad you like it 🥰 It was fun!

[@susantownsend7337]

This is fantastic!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 💜

[@widowswatch6610]

That was amazing!!!!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 I'm glad you like my video. Thanks for letting me know!

[@No.Good.Guy.]

Your videos are awesome. Thank you for doing these

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure! 😁 Glad you like this.

[@robinswan5831]

I can't believe you only used FIVE bucks!! Wow Michelle!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks 😁 I'm glad you like this one! 🥰

[@carisabundy6587]

Love this! You are so creative!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you! 😊

[@jodimurar4602]

Amazing! Great job!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like it! 😁

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

It all looked delicious. Thank you for the video!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank YOU for watching! 😁

[@libertyg4402]

That was amazing!!! Thank you for sharing all your delicious ideas with us!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 I'm so glad you like my video! Thanks for letting me know🥰

[@ladybirdehrmantraut1245]

Love this video 🎉

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! 😁 Glad you like it!

[@misfit7610]

Wow absolutely Wow! So blown away by what you did with $5 amazing!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁

[@glorytogodhomestead3495]

You are so inspiring!

[@ArdentMichelle]

💜 thank you so much!

[@jeannereddig5080]

Hi Michelle, I am so impressed with your ability to budget and come up with such delicious recipes. I was out of baking powder and was low on money. Dollar Tree had baking powder and I was very grateful. I want to try some of your recipe ideas. I always save my extra condiment packs and reuse them too. Thanks for new ideas. ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jeanne 😁 Glad you like my challenge video. 💜 I didn't realize Dollar Tree has baking powder. That's awesome, and a great deal! I felt like I could have done more with the condiment packets (sweet and sour sauce) but I really just wanted to use the ones that I thought people might have. Plus, everyone usually has some hot sauce in their cabinet. My sons waste a lot of money on take-out so there is always a supply of those in the house. 😂

[@jeannereddig5080]

@@ArdentMichelle ❤️😂

[@rachelhero3413]

This was a great video!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Rachel 😁 Glad you like it.

[@mollygardens6646]

Thank you so much!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome! 😁 Thank YOU for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@ninajohnson6578]

I was amazed!❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@chandaharkins4418]

You are the queen!

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thank you 🥰 I appreciate it. I'm glad you like this one!

[@LaLayla99]

Congrats on the new air fryer and great meal ideas this week!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you!! 😊

[@danasandlin2435]

free condiments are a godsend--I often wonder why on earth anyone would throw them away???? why??? dts/usa

[@joanacker917]

This was one of my favorite videos you have made!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Joan 😁 I'm glad you like this one. I had a lot of fun with it. Thanks for letting me know. Have a great weekend.

[@GYMNJULIE]

Wow!!!!! You are seriously amazing!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 🥰 I'm glad you like this.

[@viennafingers26]

That’s awesome! Well done. 👏🏼 Your channel is always an inspiration.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much! 😁 Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@joysworld4453]

That's was amazing! You did fantastic things with the small amount of food you had👏🏼👏🏼

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like my video. Thanks for letting me know 😁

[@monicaamore6043]

Love your videos! Great inspiration for budget eating or for a fun challenge.

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thank you so much for the support 🥰 I'm glad you are enjoying my videos and that you like this one! 😁 I'm grateful for your donation! 💜

[@colettemitchell3412]

You come up with amazing things!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Colette 😁 Thank you so much!

[@CathieG]

Wow great ideas Michelle 🥰🥳🤩

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 🥰 glad you like this one.

[@rnr4224]

Love your videos and have shared them with friends and family!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much for sharing my videos! 🥰 I'm glad you like this one!

[@stacytrejo1919]

I would love to see more air fryer recipes 😊

[@Rebecca-sc2di]

So many good and unique ideas in this video!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 I'm glad you like it.