FINDING NEW FOOD FOR BUDGET COOKING

I'm bringing back the $5 food adventures. I'm taking 5 bucks to a store that I want to explore and I'll try to find one ingredient that works in budget cooking.
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ARDENT MICHELLE RECIPES
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[@beckywhinery4652]

I've tried so many new foods and cooking styles because of your channel. Its like we are best friends in the kitchen. Thank you 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...this makes me so happy! 😁 I'm so glad to be able to introduce some new things to you. I feel like we are all discovering together!

[@beckymccomas2644]

I feel that way as well. We're all becoming a family. 😘

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@beckymccomas2644 💜

[@shirleyclarke4867]

I agree!! I have learned a lot from your channel! BTW, I was looking for black lentils and ran across black urad dal. Looks very yummy as well!

[@hello-vs4me]

Great video thanks ❤😊

[@Dinki-Di]

For even more flavour, sweat some aromats (onion, carrot and celery) in the pan first, then cook the lentils in vegetable stock. That’s how the French cook them. You’ll also find black lentils called French lentils or Puy lentils. They are delicious! I also serve them in a salad with beetroot walnuts and goat’s cheese.

[@ArdentMichelle]

oh that's so interesting. I'm looking forward to trying them in a salad. Thanks for sharing this information!

[@margerose8975]

What a beautiful soup! And clever idea to look in upscale stores for ideas to remake budget recipes! (PS. It was fun to see the likes go up while watching this : )

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like my video. These 5 dollar food adventures are very hard to classify in the KZbin algorithm, but I'm going to do them anyway because they are so much fun and I do love the discoveries I make while doing them.

[@margerose8975]

@@ArdentMichelle Any videos you make bc you’re so busy are very appreciated.

[@NanaPapa123]

She always inspires me without even trying.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@margerose8975 💜

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@NanaPapa123 💜

[@pennynickels5216]

I love lentils! I make bolognese, roti, chili, soup, stew, salad, bbq, tacos, dip, pate, spread, sloppy, lentils, meatballs, loaf, add tp pasta sauce, lentil pie, nachos, stroganoff, great with eggs, top on sweet potatoes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

great list 👍

[@lenoraw1098]

I’ve never eaten a lentil that I liked but I’m going to try this! Thanks! From Oklahoma ♥️🇺🇸♥️

[@ArdentMichelle]

It's a very mild savory kind of flavor unlike other lentils. Hope you enjoy! 😁

[@Brianna_Little_Apple_Mama]

I make a vegan sloppy Joe with lentils. They just soak up whatever flavors you put them in.

[@Mialuvsveggies]

I like to use black lentils for salads and wraps because they hold their shape so well.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm going to be trying this out in the next few months. Let me know if you have a great recipe.

[@moonstoneway2694]

Thanks. Adding black lentils to my list.

[@ArdentMichelle]

welcome 😁

[@kimhumphrey4053]

Hi. I love this idea. Have you ever tried spaghetti squash. I was thinking of trying a small one with some nutritional yeast, garlic, & pepper.

[@ArdentMichelle]

It's been so long since I've had spaghetti squash. That sounds so good with the nutritional yeast. Yum! I would love to try that. 😋

[@cheriemonami]

I'm going to look for black lentils when I shop next. Thank you, Michelle!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 hope you like them as much as I do.

[@pennynickels5216]

💛💛💛 lentils!

[@twistedfrannie9311]

Looks delicious. I like making my swiss chard stems into pickles, they're so yummy.

[@ArdentMichelle]

oh yes, I bet that's delicious 👍

[@Mrrngglory3043]

Black lentils also make a good side for salmon.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I bet they do 👍

[@RebeccaChekeleleeBrambila]

I LOVE that you branch out so much with foods, flavors, etc!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad you like my style of videos.

[@spicychickpea97]

So happy to see you trying these black lentils, they’re so good! I’ve never been able to find them anywhere other than Whole Foods unfortunately, but I picked up a bag from there recently so I’ll have to try that soup, it looked so delicious and colorful.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Pretty sure I got the idea from you! 😁 Thanks for sharing with me and keep those tips coming my way! 😂

[@Addy1027]

TOTALLY LOVE THE BLACK LENTISL!! ONE OF MY FAMILY'S FAVORITE!! Michelle, the way that I love black lentils with garlic, onion, green onion , fresh parsley, dill and then red vinegar! Is a soup/stew! Over white rice??? Girl!! Talk about Mediterranean cooking!! ♥♥ No wonder we are the best ever for heart and body health! Seriously the best dinner ever with tons of protein!!! Saute them in olive oil first, then add the water, let them rest! Once semi-soft (just like our Greek grandmas used to say) then add the onion, green onion, fresh herbs and then the lentils! Simmer till soft with salt, pepper and just a smidgen of oregano of course, then add the magic ingredient, VINEGAR! Then serve over rice! Best stew/Sunday dinner ever!! Salt and pepper of course, that is a given, garlic isn't in this dish, but if you want to add, please do so!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for sharing this! I'm saving this to try. I have to buy some more black lentils though because I ate those already 😂

[@charlottekearn5185]

Hi Michelle, I have a bag of black lentils that I haven't used. I bought them and still have them in the back of my pantry, I will have to get them out and do your soup, it looks great, I'm not sure but I think I got them at Trader Joe's. When soups have a lot of color in them it makes me want to eat it more. Have A great week. Charlotte

[@ArdentMichelle]

oh wow. I'll have to check Trader Joes for them then. I LOVE this soup. Please don't ever add mushrooms in though 😂 They will turn black. 😂 you too. Hope your week is awesome!

[@chellesoup]

I haven’t met a legume I don’t love so I will be searching for black lentils here in TX. ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

I think you'll be surprised how different the flavor profile is. Hope you enjoy!

[@pennynickels5216]

Me too!

[@vegemitegirl1971]

We happened to have a frugal lentil dinner tonight too, but ours was an egg and lentil curry. Made the house smell so good.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Confession...I've been eating a lot of lentils lately. I think their quick cook time, makes them fit into my new busy lifestyle very well! 😂

[@lindabader-acosta7808]

I’ve never thought of looking at foods the store prepares to get ideas to create at home. I’m always afraid if I go there I would impulse buy something from there. I should do that too. I tried lentils after watching your channel. Thank you, I love them. I even made refried lentil bean dip. It’s wonderful

[@ArdentMichelle]

I haven't tried making lentil bean dip yet. Sounds great though!

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

Black lentils go into the recipe Dal Makhani so you could try North Indian or Pakistani stores for black lentils.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Just added to my food bucket list. Thanks for sharing.

[@jenn9119]

I love watching your recipes and trying new, healthy ingredients. What cracked me up though, is at the very end of the video, several of the items in the soup, looked like they were looking back at me! 😂😂😂 Have a great week Michelle!

[@ArdentMichelle]

you too 😁 Hope your week is awesome!

[@janicecrosby6649]

Yes, this is beautiful. Your meals are not only yummy but look so appealing.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you!

[@SusieMac262]

Black lentils are great for lentil/walnut tacos

[@saraherber1887]

My Aldi market has marcona almonds. It was ... 8 ounces?..... for about $3 I think. I bought them for a cheese board I was making. We liked them Our local Indian food store has black lentils and black matpe beans. The lentils were in a large bag and out of budget. The black matpe beans were in budget and were made into dal mackani (forgive my spelling). I would like to try the lentils. Glad to know where to buy them in a smaller bag and easier price. Your soup looks great. Swiss chard goes so well tossed into so many things. Thanks for your video and I hope your new job is going well for you.

[@wildhorses6817]

Trader Joe has had them many years.

[@happygardener28]

One option I use in my overnight oatmeal is chia seeds when I make an apple spice version, I used flax seeds in the past but didn't develop a preference for them. The hot "oatmeal" rolled mix I buy is usually a 10 or 12 grain variety.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm going to play around with this! I like Cacao in mine too.

[@ArdentMichelle]

meaning cacao powder.

[@rebekahhansen1112]

Oh my , can't wait to find , make & try your black lentil soup . I noticed one of your viewers posted they found the black lentils at Winco. I'll see if they are available at the one I shop at in Salem when i go into town. We dont have a whole foods. Thanks again Michelle for broadening our tast horizons 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😁 I saw that comment. I'm going to look there too. Although...it seems like I would have noticed them before..but maybe they are new.

[@rebekahhansen1112]

@@ArdentMichelle there are 2 Winco's in our area , one I noticed carries more variety in their bins. So we shall see.

[@canine6023]

Will be trying these black lentils. I also love the red and green ones. Thankyou for this easy soup recipe.

[@ArdentMichelle]

welcome 😁

[@tonette6592]

YES! Looking at stores for inspiration; that is why I never gave up going shopping myself. Mixed grains is how I like to make side dishes, and stovetop stuffing. I have not used black lentils.I have found that black rice and other 'black' foods turn the foods to an eggplant color. I have, however, found a recipe using red lentils to make a "vegan cheese" and hope to get time to try that soon. Red lentils are hard to find where I am. Kroger stopped carrying the regular ones, and only carry split ones in the International section, where they are just under $10 for 2lbs. Walmart still carried one-pound bags for 2.49, (as opposed to $1.34 my favorite brown lentils.) Your soup looks wonderful; good job as always,Michelle. My mother taught me to always add a little oil while cooking any beans or legumes. I like lentils cooked on the stove, adding a little broth at a time, stirring often while it absorbs just enough to be semi-soft, (and often with onions). Then you can use it as a side or to a salad; either way, with fresh or cooked vegetables, rice and whatever you want, it works well with any kind of lentil, I would think.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁 yeah.....I think you have to be careful on what to put with these black items like lentils and black rice. You could end up with something that looks very unappetizing 😂

[@sameoldsteph]

That soup looks fantastic! I'm a big lentil fan. I bought a big bag of black lentils online after first trying a small bag from WFM like yours. I used to make a delicious soup/ stew with black lentils, quinoa, silken tofu, carrots, onions, and fresh ginger that I seasoned with curry powder. So easy and yummy - time to revisit it!

[@ArdentMichelle]

That sounds delicious! I may have to buy these in bulk too.

[@betterlivingonabudget]

Love the idea behind this series! I lke green lentils, but don't care for red. I'll have to look for the black ones.

[@joanacker917]

Hope your new job is going well I thought of you when I was at Aldi the other day. They have a package of three glass containers with a rubber coating on the outside, which is really handy for carrying food back-and-forth. I think they were $10 for three which really isn’t bad.👍🏻

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁 I'm two weeks in so far and it's going great. I'm just settling into my new schedule. I'll be in training for the next couple months. I did a video that includes some items I got for my lunches. Been having a little fun with that. I think I'm going to air it next Sunday. I agree that's a great price for the containers at Aldi.

[@pennynickels5216]

I think the black (french or puy they are also called) are sold at Trader Joe's, Sprouts, ethnic and organic markets

[@ArdentMichelle]

thanks for sharing this list.

[@kippytx]

This is very interesting. Also I have never tried Swiss Chard but I want to

[@ArdentMichelle]

Sometimes my local discount market just has the green chard, but it is good too. I love to mix up the greens.

[@tinashort9098]

I was just rewatching your Asian food video and here you are!! I look so forward to your videos!!! I hope you’ve had a great weekend!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

awe...thanks so much 💜

[@alishaparr577]

Ill have to look for those, I like that they cooked fast, I do a lot of crock pot cooking in my truck

[@ArdentMichelle]

I liked that too! It's great for last minute meals!

[@gccheryl4038]

never heard of black lentils, thanks Michelle!

[@ArdentMichelle]

welcome 😁

[@adriennefoote1775]

You have to try making dal makhani with the black lentils! It’s one of my favorite Indian dishes. Black lentils can be found at Indian grocers but mine only carries 10 lb bags, which is way too much for me to use in any reasonable time frame

[@ArdentMichelle]

Plan on making this soon!

[@twinnish]

I recently purchased some lentils that were black, but they weren’t advertised as the French puy lentils. I basically made my regular lentil soup using them and was surprised at how long they took to even get soft enough to be edible. Maybe I found some other kind of black lentil. I’m not sure. I just used it like they were regular lentils and it was delicious. I live in Arabia and I’ve come across things that I have not even been able to find on Google, so I’m not positive of that ingredient but it made a great soup. Life is an adventure. I have been thinking the next time I go home I want to put together a care package for you of ingredients that I have found here that you might be interested in.

[@ArdentMichelle]

My black lentils cooked super quick. Wonder if yours were the same or something altogether different. I love exploring and trying new things. I'm always so amazed at how much more there is to try. 😁 I would love to try foods from your area.

[@marenwilliams2787]

I do this with clothes. I peruse Macys or Nordstrom to see what’s popular & then thrift the look!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Very smart 👍

[@nancycarney]

I really enjoy lentils. I will have to check out Whole Foods here in Memphis to see if they have them. I just made a lentil soup with cabbage and 1 fresh tomato. So good. Leftovers heat up well. Swiss chard is one of my favorite greens. The black lentils would be an interesting color contrast in chicken lentil curry. Yummy! You always make awesome meals.

[@ArdentMichelle]

It might turn the chicken black though. 😂 I tried mushrooms in the black lentil soup once and they turned black. Visually it was kind of gross but it still tasted good. I just couldn't get over the visuals though 😂 Oh the lentil soup with cabbage and tomato sounds good. Was it green lentils you used?

[@suspage]

I recently bought a couple of cans of cooked black lentils from Sprouts Market. I got them mainly because they were no salt added, and I always keep an eye out for no salt added cooked legumes for quick meal starters or sides. To be honest, I have not even tried them yet, but now I think will try them in a salad with quinoa. I did notice that the nutritional content was slightly different from regular lentils in the same brand. I believe mine are Westbrae Natural. I don’t know if you have a Sprouts near you, but they have quite a few of the same things that Whole Foods carries, but at lower prices.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I do have a Sprouts nearby and when I was reading this comment I was thinking that would be a great store to have my next $5 food adventure at. I think they would be so pretty in a quinoa salad. When the weather starts warming up a bit I'll be making lots of these types of salads.

[@christinejunk8184]

I've never tried black lentils before-thanks for sharing. Will have to try them!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hope you enjoy!

[@barbaramorris1677]

You make it look so easy. Your food always looks so delicious ❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@StephanieBurton-j3p]

i looked at the title and really happy. I love your food adventure videos!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad you like this series! They aren't very popular but I think it's because they are so unique. There isn't really a way to classify them in the algorithm. I'm ok with that though. I love finding new foods to introduce at home.

[@ShettikkaWoods-jl8iq]

Blessings 💞🙏🏾💞 awesome

[@ArdentMichelle]

💜

[@jodiebanner6946]

I just found them at a bulk food store near me. Going to get some one day this week.

[@ArdentMichelle]

That's awesome. 👍Don't add mushrooms to the soup if you make them. It turns them black. I got a big thing of mushrooms at Samsclub and made this soup and added them in and they turned black. The carrots did fine though, along with the Swiss chard.

[@jodiebanner6946]

I’ve got pints of tomato celery and onion I canned this summer, plus some carrots and green beans from a flash foods box so I’m going to the store now and it will be my lunches this week. 😀I love trying new things.

[@chandaharkins4418]

I feel dumb, but I have never heard of black lentils until now. Thank you for sharing this with me! It sounds like they can be difficult to find, so I'll be on the lookout when I go into bigger cities.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Don't feel dumb. I didn't know they existed until my viewer told me. 🤷‍♀️ We all learn from each other!

[@sorciere...]

I've never seen them before. Going to be on the look out for them! I'd like to try it with rice

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm sure they would be good with rice.

[@JordanHPonies]

That's fascinating, the difference in flavor from the other lentils. I've never heard of black lentils before. I've never tried Swiss chard either but I have seen it in the store. I'm tempted to pick some up the next time I see it to see what it tastes like.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I added the green Swiss chard into one of my pasta dishes before and that was very good too! It's not as chalky as spinach and just very mild. I like it in salads too.

[@danijohnson1038]

Definitly going to have to find black lentils now!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hope you like them as much as I do 😁

[@susanjane4784]

Not at my Safeway. I did a little price shopping on Amazon and the 365 Whole Foods is the cheapest per pound.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I found a few places that have wholesale 25 pound bags at a decent price but I would prefer a smaller quantity at the present time. 😂

[@MessyPaperCrafter]

I love black lentils, but forget about them bc their not the common lentil. I do enjoy the flavor more than green bc it’s not as earthy to me and they have a better texture; firmer in a good way. They’re great in falafel bowls! A long time ago I used to get this great blend from Costco, black lentils, brown rice and quinoa; it was basically the only way I’d eat brown rice. I then started making the mix myself, but haven’t made it in years. I still have it saved in my notes: 2 c brown rice, 1 c black lentils, 1 c quinoa and 5 1/4 c water. I’d make it in my instant pot. 15 minutes on Manual with natural release. I don’t have any other notes lol So if you try it, play around with proportions, timing, etc. The best price I’ve found for them has been Amazon.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for sharing this. I'm writing this down. 😁

[@jillghiati5761]

.. skim the froth off of the soup. add a bay leaf. While cooking add a little vinegar to leach more of the nutrients I mean release. 🫶👍

[@beckymccomas2644]

Now I'm on the hunt for black lentils. We don't have any type of stores that are similar to Whole Foods. May have to do a road trip (about eight hours round trip). I'm going to check Amazon first, though. My protein is way to low, so I'm on the hunt for more protein to add to my diet. Thanks so much for your video, Michelle. I'm looking forward to your next one.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Amazon definitely had them, but I'm thinking they should be available somewhere else too besides just Whole Foods, because we are obviously paying a premium to buy them at Whole Foods. 💰

[@htas6888]

I have tried cooking black lentils before and really liked the. All three, red, green, black are different, delicious and very nutritious. I like your version w the Swiss chard, I will try that soon. Thank you for the visit to the store and the lovely recipe :) I have a Whole Foods 20 min walk from my house, 3 min drive and I stop there every so often.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Let me know if there is ever anything that you find at Whole Foods that I should try.

[@htas6888]

@@ArdentMichelleI will keep that in mind :)

[@Dee-ps3um]

I really enjoy your videos!

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm so glad! 😁

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Thank you for the video!

[@ArdentMichelle]

welcome 😁 Thanks for watching!

[@CathieG]

Wow 🤩 looks delicious! 😋 I’ve never tried those. 😍

[@ArdentMichelle]

surprisingly good! 😁 how have you been Cathie?

[@CathieG]

@@ArdentMichelle We’re good. I’ll msg u soon. Super busy. 🥰

[@mollygardens6646]

I’ve bought black lentils from Azure Standard. They are currently out.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks for sharing! I could see myself buying them in this large quantity.

[@debbiegnagey2095]

Your soup looks delicious! 👍😋

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁

[@rachelhero3413]

I have to order those

[@angelawossname]

I eat these occasionally, but I call them baby lentils.

[@ArdentMichelle]

they are definitely babies. 😂

[@tself843]

I’ve never had black lentils. Thank you for introducing them! Do you think they would be a good substitute for quinoa itself in salad recipes? I just cannot enjoy quinoa, but usually want to try the flavor profiles of the salads that the quinoa has sullied.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm not sure since I haven't tried them in a salad yet. I'll share it in a video when I try them in a salad.

[@rphomemovies]

The black lentil soup looks amazing! I am going to look for those at natural grocers

[@ArdentMichelle]

glad you like 😁 hope you enjoy!

[@davewall6383]

Try looking at recipes for Puy or Castelluccio lentils. These are very similar lentils to the black ones and really highlight the deliciousness of this type of lentil.

[@ArdentMichelle]

thanks for sharing this! 😁 I've added these to my bucket list. I found a salad with the Castelluccio lentils that I want to try. It has red onions, tomatoes, and gorgonzola. 😋 Yum!

[@Stephanie-ew8lw]

Looks like comfort food! I think I’ve seen black lentils in the bulk section of my Winco 😀

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm thinking about when I can get that way to do another challenge. I'll definitely look for them.

[@annmich4593]

❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

💜

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

👩‍🍳 hello TY so many ideas. I need to take notes. 🖤 black lentils. I will say this is something new and I will be keeping an eye out because I love lentils. Red are my favorite. The soup looked delicious. Nuts are expensive and this type of almond is new to me. Nuts are one of my splurge items. I like to add beans to a salad salad so why not lentils. Have a super Sunday and Marvelous week Michelle 🩵

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 Hope you have an awesome week.

[@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb]

@@ArdentMichelle TY. I forgot to mention the soup I made yesterday. White Bean Turkey Curry Chili. I added recently to my spices. A sale at Ocean State Job Lot. Organic in glass bottles.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@VictoriaFerland-gu7rb oh yum! I bet the curry in the mix was good!

[@allyrooh3628]

Black lentils are “available” through Walmart online, but stupid high prices. How does the taste compare to black beans?

[@ArdentMichelle]

yeah I hate the way Walmart sells through other resellers that way. I would say the flavor is more delicate than black beans but very savory.

[@allyrooh3628]

@@ArdentMichelle I need them to be available at dollar tree 🌲

[@pennynickels5216]

​@@allyrooh3628😂😅 don't we all!!!

[@joycepedercini3841]

I was under the impression that you can’t put tomatoes in the beginning stages of cooking legumes, because the acid in the tomatoes slows down the cooking process and makes legumes tough

[@ArdentMichelle]

Not at all. They were super soft.

[@wolchfam]

Looks like Target carries black lentils.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I'm seeing the kind in the microwaveable pouch but their bulk kind is exorbitant. I think it's a reseller though because Azure Standard is MUCH cheaper.

[@Fdt172]

Question what is your other channel?

[@ArdentMichelle]

ARDENT MICHELLE RECIPES www.youtube.com/@ArdentMichelle-RECIPES I've been posting about one recipe there a week and I always post this in the description area of my video.

[@chrisharmon5453]

Marco almonds at Trader Joe’s 👏👏👏🫶🏼🫶🏼

[@chrisharmon5453]

Marcona

[@ArdentMichelle]

oh thanks for letting me know. I'll pick those up the next time I'm there.