LARGE FAMILY EASY DINNER IDEAS | COOK WITH ME CLEAN OUT THE FRIDGE

[@nwinehaus4549]

I’m 26, have no kids, but I still can’t get enough of this channel.

[@locostasia]

HI Christine! I have been watching your channel for a long bit as a 21 year old guy I really appreciate how you don’t refer to us as “lady’s” etc like some other similar youtuber! I really appreciate your channel for some food inspiration. As I am a recovering person with a eating disorder! Appreciate you Christine

[@thebadgerette69]

Congrats on a step forward in your life! 👌

[@hwyla4416]

I’ll add my congrats as well! It’s tough but the very first steps are now behind you! Good vibes being sent your way!

[@halleyhumphrey5201]

Got here 18 seconds after it uploaded! In a hospital Waiting on my twins to be born! Thank you for the entertainment!! ❤️

[@missfitz5892]

Good luck

[@mikesgracie5068]

How exciting!!!! Congratulations!!! ❤️

[@billieshomelife8313]

Congrats

[@stacyrussell460]

Aw, best of luck with your delivery & with your new family members!!

[@jodythomas1159]

Congrats and embrace the rest!! 💞

[@Jaydit7]

Chili Mac was really popular when I was growing up. Not enough leftover chili for everyone to have a full bowl? Boil some macaroni and either add it to the chili, or serve the chili over top...top with cheese and pepper flakes or hot sauce.. I still do this with leftover chili.

[@allysonfernance2514]

Oh my God! The sponsorship game just got real!!! You raised the bar Christine! 10 out of 10! Must sponsor! 😅

[@Jen-Chapin]

I always put beans in my chili! Otherwise it’s just meat sauce right?

[@trinh_win]

I always though beans is what differentiated chili from meat sauce lol!

[@maygenlowell6679]

Haha literally though

[@jgodwin717]

Texans don't put beans in chilli, but my bf and his kids are in Mississippi so I put beans in it for them. The things we do for those we love 😂

[@AshleyNicole-ct7gh]

There is a huge debate where I live on whether beans go in chili. They definitely do.

[@Juleru]

Don't forget the corn!

[@leradoms]

So that's how Christine does it all, there are two of her! 😂

[@Lisawhatshersname]

Exactly what I thought!😂

[@mollycassaundra]

I’m not a mom, frugal, or fit, 😂 but I still love watching your videos!

[@FrugalFitMom]

Everyone is welcome! ;)

[@jennb1768]

Same lol trying to get the frugal part down at least lol

[@kerryf9796]

Not a mom or particularly fit, but I'm frugal and love your videos!

[@cathyl3526]

I'd skip meat in chili before I'd skip beans.

[@victoriapurdy143]

I love these fun edits where you pop out in the background. I can just imagine you laughing as you do it 🤣

[@FrugalFitMom]

😁

[@lu_to_the_wanna]

In Hawaii, chili on rice is a staple meal in local style restaurants and at home.

[@sarahsmith9084]

Fresh tomatoes for chili all the way!!! I grew up with homemade canned tomato juice as the tomato flavor. Now I use that plus throw in chopped frozen farmer's market summertime tomatoes. So very delish!

[@karagunther730]

The shot where you crouched under the counter placing the chicken in the pan and talking up to the camera...... I died!!!! That was gold!!!!

[@Day-Zee62]

When I think of Chili, I immediately think, " Beans". Also, the beauty of cooking is you can do whatever you desire. You're on point with everything👍🏼

[@FrugalFitMom]

So true!

[@pennywright9103]

Love ❤️ your earrings! Great video as always.

[@cornflakeization]

Green chef needs to pay you more that was one of the best promos I've seen!

[@wandawilliams1717]

I started watching one of your videos on accident about three weeks ago. I am hooked you are awesome. I have been applying your advice and I have saved a lot of money. I don’t even order lunch at work anymore which I use to everyday. Thank you

[@rangerlove7]

Yes! Finally someone who eats rice with their chili! My mother-in-law looked at me like I had two heads when I said we put chili over rice, and I've never heard of anyone else who does it either. But it's soooo good. And so filling.

[@Evelien2301]

I always eat it with rice

[@amandataylor8367]

Yeah my family does too it's delicious

[@amaznngrace]

Maybe it's a southern thing but my Gma made it for us like this as welk

[@janeclay1917]

Nearly always have chilli with rice!

[@jasmine_irene]

When I was a kid my mom would get big bags of rice, and we would have it with milk and butter and sugar for breakfast, and then with pasta sauce for dinner. Super cheap ingredient that can be used in so many ways!

[@SlyTurtle00]

I add beans and corn. Chili without beans is a sloppy Joe. My father in law joked that corn makes it salsa instead of chili lol!

[@midevolangel8220]

Every time I watch you eyeball it I’m like “that was more than a tablespoon” 😂

[@shannonbrice8012]

I was cleaning out the fridge and making chili. I found about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pineapple and thought WTH might as well add it instead of sugar. Now it is the only way my family will eat the chili. Make it spicy and then the sweetness is a great contrast.

[@Katilette1]

Literally every meal video I see is a Clean Out Freezer/Fridge.... and I’m all here for it 😁🤗

[@beegee1960]

I like Ranch Style Beans to put in chili. The flavors just blend so perfectly. Don’t know if you can get them in your area, but if you can, I highly suggest you give it a try.

[@rebeccahannam4992]

I batch make chilli all the time! So easy to make and freeze and then I pull one out for work in the morning. By the time I have my break it’s defrosted and I just reheat it with some tortilla chips. Delicious!!

[@ShadowIsSnarky]

When I make my own homemade tomato sauce, I use carrots for the acidity. I buy the ones you peel. So I cut the heads off, peel them, then throw them in whole. I fish out the big chunks, but whatever melts in is good by me. Never used sugar to help cut the acidity.

[@Fiery154]

Interesting, I never thought of that. I will have to try it

[@jacinthabellairs7028]

I’m trying this! Thanks

[@clodaghgraham4604]

Throw a square of dark chocolate into chilli, it makes it taste so much richer without being able to taste the chocolate!

[@jennherscap136]

I love your videos. You meal ideas are great but also you are funny and make me smile. You truly brighten my day. I too love beans in my chili

[@PandaBear62573]

I got my daughter (who's 22) to start eating spaghetti squash this past fall. She was skeptical but realized it really doesn't taste like much of anything unless you add sauce or butter or olive oil to it plus of course cheese. One great use for any leftover (unseasoned) spaghetti squash is to squeeze as much water out as possible and make little hash browns. It's a great low carb sub for russet potatoes. I usually pan fry it in bacon fat.

[@Consciousness101]

Can you do a video on breaking down a rotisserie chicken since they're so affordable, and healthy but tasty meals to make with it?

[@HannahMattox]

Christine, the Queen of Worcestershire! Your confidence in your pronunciation came across so smoothly, it was simply effortless 😂

[@FrugalFitMom]

Thank you! 😃 I've practiced a LOT!

[@HannahMattox]

@@FrugalFitMom I can say it right one time and every other time I stumble 😂 so I choose to intentionally say it wrong with annunciating every aspect of the word 😂 "wore-chester-shire" 😂😂🤣

[@maryroberts6311]

she teaches English

[@francinemabinda3938]

Im a 22 year old student and these past few months ive somehow found myself watching your videos like every day 😅 swear christine is doing alot of heavy lifting for my mental health through this pandemic x so happy i found this channel

[@chandaharkins4418]

Never once have I thought that beans don't belong in chili. :) I love your philosophy of just dumping everything in there. I have read about putting elbow macaroni in chili, as well. So versatile! I will save your pie crust recipe, too. If you're watching your comments, you know I have recently been binge watching your channel. I am so thankful for the motivation. I had lost my frugal ways for a long while after we paid off a certain really large last debt, and I am reminded how we got to do that in the first place. :) Thanks for sharing.

[@howmanyspecialpeoplechange9205]

I love your hair braided to the side Christine!! So pretty :)

[@FrugalFitMom]

Thank you so much!!

[@rhondaking1998]

Loved this Christine! I agree, beans belong in chili, the only way I make it. ❣️👩‍🍳

[@filialpiety]

Wow, people don't think beans belong in chili? That's news to me. I thought they were a requisite ingredient! Great editing on this too -- I love your Easter eggs!

[@RinaBloom]

My bf is Texan and makes fun* of us Northerners for our bean soup 😂 *Not maliciously, but he feels very strongly about chili not having beans

[@jessicafuller3610]

Me too! My mom doesn’t like beans in hers and my step dad makes fun of her and says it’s just pasta sauce 😆

[@allysond727]

In texas, traditional chili is typically bean free. That being said... I like it either way

[@nehifamily]

Also Texan and it’s true that most Texans don’t think beans belong in chili, but my family prefers beans in chili.

[@sarasunshine883]

@@RinaBloom yeah, my stepdad is Texan and always called my mom's chili "bean soup." He liked it and ate it, but always insisted that it's not "chili," lol.

[@leighnager2425]

You can cut the acidity and add a little mole-like flavor by using sweetened chocolate (or semi sweet with some sugar). It's pretty darn good - adds a little richness to chili

[@candidawojcik6356]

My family loves chili. We usually use the left overs and add corn, cheese, taco shells to turn it into a taco bake . Nom nom!

[@marjoriejohnson4559]

I never knew chili without beans was a thing. My mom always used beans for the same reason; to stretch the meal. I have to watch your vids while I am eating because watching you cook makes me so hungry. I don't even like meatball subs but now I want one. ;)

[@jodileben694]

And on the opposite side, I didn't know that chili with beans was a thing until I was 17 years old ! My family is from Texas though so it was always a big bowl of Texas red, aka chile con carne. Then I met my now-husband and his mom made chili with kidney beans and I thought she had lost her mind. I've since had it with pinto beans and with black beans, but still prefer the real chili con carne without beans.

[@bbee4523]

Christine, one tip I got years ago that can really change the flavour is to use brown sugar instead of white for the tomatoes. Try a really dark brown sugar for a more spicy chili, it gives a bit of a different kick to the flavour. My son isn't a spicy kid so we use maple flavour canned brown beans and just a teaspoon or 2 of a lighter brown sugar. The Cake Boss did a dinner recipe show years ago and he said to use a teaspoon of sugar for each can of tomatoes.

[@jennyschwarz5503]

Try adding dark chocolate to your chili. That cuts the acid from the tomatos and adds a new component to your flavor. Absolute game changer.

[@anitas5817]

Yes!! The bitter chocolate adds a note!! So good

[@danagibbs5664]

Yes to this- I also add grated sweet potato or carrots to cut acidity and sneak in extra veggies.

[@AO-nr7kl]

For meatball subs we flatten one side of the meatball or slice an edge off if they are frozen so we have one flat side and they don't roll. You can add the small amount of meat to the sauce to have a meaty sauce.

[@JaclynMorris22]

My favourite thing to do with leftover chilli is make up some pizza dough and then make single-serving panzerotti's with it. You can even bake and freeze them if you want a quick lunch.

[@badesjarlais]

I think we need a behind the scenes in the FFM household - what it’s like to live with Christine (and now Dave/Andrew!) when she’s filming and how the family adapts to the filming process, what they think about it, etc.

[@MittenPrepperVet]

I use spaghetti squash, halve and cook til tender. Shred into casserole dish, add sauted peppers and onions, salt, pepper, sour cream, shredded cheese. Mix and top with shredded cheese and bake till cheese is bubbly. I then put in broiler for 5 mins to make cheese a little crispy. Totally yummy!!

[@claireblackhall2912]

So I’m Scottish and was under the impression that chilli was Mexican food and always had beans in it! I had no idea some states in America had it as their own cuisine and not just them eating foreign food! This is so fascinating and educational for me! 😁

[@topperhatschire]

I consider chilli as a Tex-Mex thing, a blend of cultures. It's something that the old west cowboys might make when they were out working

[@DefaultName-hs6gd]

It’s has southwest US origins. It’s not from Mexico.

[@sleesley86]

We love meatball subs! On ours we add garlic butter to the rolls and then the meatballs and cheese. It’s a game changer!

[@ambermcneil8495]

I am from Houston, TX. I always put light red and dark red kidney beans in my chili. Along with Rotel

[@mistyowens1036]

Beans in chili over rice is my favorite! ❤ A Nebraska thing is to serve it with cinnamon rolls. Sooooo gooood!

[@billkelly3679]

Kudos to the A&M pullover!

[@cassiejob6709]

I loved you talking while cooking like an 80’s/90’s infomercial. It made me really happy.

[@samanthadonaldson8334]

Beans most definitely go in chili!

[@danamama6766]

Love the braid :) Who does not put beans in chili? A small can of tomato paste will thicken it as well if needed. Yes to chili dogs!

[@maureendavidson8264]

You make cooking look easy and like there are no rules. You just throw together a bunch of ingredients you like and see how it turns out. No pressure.

[@XStormieX]

I ALWAYS put Kidney beans in my chili! I also add about a tablespoon of mustard in my chili. I promise its amazing!

[@shaybob1711]

Thanks for mentioning Cincy!!! To me eating chili on anything other than noodles is weird. lol. You should seriously try it. Just make sure to add way too much shredded cheddar cheese on top! I also recommend eating it lasagna style instead of spaghetti style. So cut it, dont stir/twirl it. For additional info, the chili we use is very different from the tex mex chili you made but tex mex chili is still amazing over noodles with cheese. Sometimes Ill make that over using traditional cincy chili for something different but familiar/comforting.

[@thebadgerette69]

Love the cleanup freezer videos and my absolute super fav is clearance shopping!!! 🤗🤗🤗

[@laurengracepop]

🤣🤣 major LOL when you said 'look at the spaghetti squash mocking me'. The gift that keeps giving.

[@christinacooke1219]

I've actually have made chili omelets with lots of cheese and jalapeños. Yummy 😋 And I also always put beans in my chili and serve with rice 👍

[@dannilikesreviews]

I never thought to add baked beans to chili but now I feel I must try it!

[@elenamarie272]

I always put refried beans and canned chili beans with the sauce in my chili. My secret ingredient is a can of beer. I've made my chili recipe for years, it's the only one I make, and my family loves it. We have our chili with cornbread but what's great about chili is that you definitely can serve it with a number of different "sides'.

[@Willettee]

Great video. Eating out of our freezer has been a big goal for my family of empty nesters this Winter. It has been nice to see what is in there and we have had some nice recipes. Maybe, I can get close enough to clean it out by springtime.

[@missfitz5892]

I'm early today, I've been working on the fit part of watching this channel and I'm now walking 2.5km every day, up from last weeks 2km.

[@FrugalFitMom]

Great job!

[@missfitz5892]

@@FrugalFitMom thanks Christine

[@coronus42]

The three hardest things to say: 1. I love you 2. I'm sorry 8:13 Worcestershire sauce

[@Laura-on9ft]

Thumbs up because I definitely appreciate the random movie quotes in videos 🥰

[@user-hr6jn9ju3f]

This Green Chef ad is amazing. Normally, I skip promos, but I enjoyed watching yours hahah The chicken cooking scene had me cracking up

[@lizzie2007951]

I always put beans in my chili! Didn't even know you could call it chili without it, lol!

[@anitas5817]

Don’t say that in Texas, where chili never has beans! I definitely don’t care for beans in chili. And I’m not from Texas.

[@godisluv070]

I can't eat beans, but I used to love when my mom made chili with them! At my house to make it taste and feel more well rounded, I use quinoa cooked with chicken or beef bullion instead! A half dry cup cooked is enough for a whole Dutch oven sized pot! (I Cook separate and then add, gets weirdly textured otherwise lol) And it continues to soak in the flavors and become more delicious like chili does as leftovers :D

[@thekitchengarden3056]

Love how practical you are! A real person feeling a family. Love the sense humour you bring to cooking 🧑‍🍳

[@marywatkins6798]

This is my favorite type of your videos. I cook this way often: looking at what I have hanging out in the fridge/freezer/pantry and coming up with meal ideas. It's almost always good. I like being creative this way with my cooking.

[@FrugalFitMom]

Glad you like them!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

I always do a mix of pasta with my zucchini/squash. It's an inexpensive stretch to the meal, you still get your veggies and you don't have to have any meals where you feel you are "missing" the pasta.

[@LynneGirl26]

I added 1-1.5 cups of shredded carrots to my chili. Cuts the acidity. I add refried beans or lentils to my chili instead of kidney beans. I find they blend in better than kidney beans.

[@amandagilds681]

I started adding refried beans a couple years ago to chili, it makes it nice and thick. So good!

[@SuperOhsarah]

my southern granny has always did this. she says it makes more frugal because she can use less hamburger and use the beans as fillers.

[@bbee4523]

Interesting, I would have never thought to try that

[@juliehelms4901]

You can also smash some of the whole beans to thicken chili! Papa Art taught me that!

[@mssendfitness]

I'm making simple Homemade pizza today for lunch. Tomorrow I'm making Venison Roast in the crock-pot with veggies. Always a staple for my hubby and me. This morning I rearranged my pantry and spice cupboard. Now I can tell what I have and what I can make!

[@lindaphelps4673]

Absolutely wonderful. This is our new go to chili . With your videos we have a new thing and it is dubbed must go (whatever is in fridge and freezer). Many thanks..

[@lorimoore8114]

I don't like the acidity in chili either, but instead of sugar I use Beef Broth ( the concentrate paste kind in a jar)--It's incredible! Love your vids- thanks for keeping it real!

[@FallOutBoy26MB20]

I love when Speedy makes an appearance 😂

[@MaAllen417]

I make spaghetti squash lasagna, I use the no boil noodles, and with the extra liquid in the spaghetti squash (SS) it makes it perfect, I don't add extra water to my sauce.. I put SS on top of noddles. It helps firm up lasagna so its not soupy. We love it I usually make 2 pans because its better the next day, and for lunches.

[@susanbdesouza]

I grew up in Brazil and rice is our go to for every single meal. I have no problem with rice 😂😂😂 love me rice.

[@roxyperson8328]

You are awesome! You remind me of the squirrel on “over the Hedge”. You have so much energy and I find it so entertaining. 😂

[@lindacampbell539]

Made your banana bread and it was amazing. But I do need to get the narrower and Skinner loaf pans. My normal loaf pan made the bread thick and the stop was a little brown by the time it was done. But so making it again. LOVED IT!!!!!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@amymosco415]

One of my favorite ways to use up salsa is a Mexican casserole. Use precooked shredded chicken, 2 cans of cream of chicken soup,and a jar of salsa. Mix that together. Sometimes I add a little water. In the bottom of a 13x9 casserole pan, put crushed tortilla chips ( especially the end of a chip bag or two where all the little pieces are anyways). You want a decent amount of the chips on the bottom of the pan. Put chicken mixture over the chips, top with cheese of your choice and bake at 350 until hot and bubbly. Serve with sourcream! Delicious and helps use up ingredients!

[@aprildonaldson5729]

Yes we have a garden and nothing beats great tomatoes and fresh cucumbers

[@Anaphya]

I love how you’ve always shown your personality in your videos but your editing has been on point lately!

[@FrugalFitMom]

Thank you so much!!

[@charliebond2318]

Here in the UK it’s weird not to put beans in chilli especially kidney beans. Also celery is lovely in it 😍

[@danitawhite3676]

Refried beans, rice, and potatoes have been my “fillers” for years. I had the same size family as yours and they needed sustained energy for sports, band, show choir/musicals. There were lots of days that 15 of their friends followed them home from school to hang out. I miss those days but I still use those same recipes now. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Right.

[@kristamatheson4013]

Right, and in fact, whenever I *tried* a new recipe for an old favorite, my kids always complained that they like the "regular" one better

[@danitawhite3676]

@@kristamatheson4013 same!

[@Sterling8953]

I have never seen celery in chili before. I can tell you are from LA with the use of that. This is not a bad thing by the way.

[@margal3120]

We do that in MN lol I have no idea why 🤷‍♀️😂

[@ashleydunlap5030]

I have been watching you for years now! And you just keep getting better and better. I love your videos, your editing skills and just overall attitude is amazing. You have taught me soo much about cooking, money and food! Thank you for being you!

[@oliviagreen8853]

I freaked out a little bit when you were eating the sandwich and you were also in the background waving lmao

[@kyoung2918]

I love putting a can of baked beans in my chili. It already has flavour and adds a bit of sweetness as well.

[@sheilawiard2077]

Hi Christine! I love your fridge and freezer clean out videos. These are such an inspiration to me! I love to do this about every other month. I hope you are having an awesome week. Hello from Norman, Oklahoma!

[@kikihammond5326]

Honey works better than sugar for the acidity in tomatoes. Use about 1 Tablespoon to a large pot (like 6-8 qt). It's also wonderful on lamb as a quick finishing glaze to take away the gamey lamb flavor.

[@MM-gl5th]

When I make chili, I love to have it over salad greens with some tomato and green onion. Then top with some grated cheese and a sour cream dollop. I used to love Wendy's taco salads, that is why I started having my chili like that.

[@Rileywith2]

I make chili with the same spices except I add cumin also. And I add brown sugar for the sweet. I love these videos that inspire me for dinners for the week. I’ve also gotten better at cleaning out the fridge as part of the meal planning.

[@kiyahforever]

I love putting brown sugar in my chilli 😍 Such a deep flavor. Just like my mama taught me!

[@FrugalFitMom]

Love that!

[@shaelih78ify]

Beans + Chili = ALWAYS!

[@lauripine8894]

Blanca is stirring for us today! She is mushing and stirring. How talented!

[@hfrisch007]

This is totally off subject , but I watched this video, Loved it. will be using some recipes. anyways, after the video was done , one of your others came on from 4 months ago, it was a declutter video and its the one that starts out with someone had commented about they wanted to know what a "stay at home wife" does all day? 🙄🤔 (oops sorry my finger slipped ) anyways I just wanted you to know , You are not just A beautiful wife , a wonderful mom of 4, but your also Christine, some one who has helped me recover from one of the worst surgeries in my life,( hopefully) right after Covid started and My Mother passed away! 😢 all with in a 5 month time frame. I hàve watched you since July 2020 because I didn't even know who I was when i woke up and didn't like to do the things i once did. I found you tube and you were one of the 1st videos that popped up ,you were energetic you kept what attention I had and you made me feel comfort ,somehow . And I want to thank you for that. ❤ ( by the way your my favorite ,shhh don't tell the other you tubers)

[@amybignell6038]

Please go back to doubly do 😀 also on the fit front, did my couch to 5k this morning in -1 in the uk 🇬🇧

[@comment3439]

Watching from uk ,feeding family of 4 adults and 1 child on £100 a month....love you’re channel! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂