POORMAN'S MEALS | WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU'RE BROKE | EPISODE 2

[@sheila3936]

Video idea: could you get a box from a local food bank of their typical items in exchange for a donation of equal or greater value? It would be interesting to see what you could create within those limitations. You could always share your recipes with the charity to help inspire their clients as well.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sheila 😁 I do love this idea and I've had this request before. If I could get a picture of the items in one of the boxes, I could go out and purchase the food as well. I'll work on seeing if I can do this. Would be a fun video. I love these kinds of challenges.

[@baylaurel2017]

Awesome idea!

[@yoursugabumps]

What you need to do is just go volunteer one day, that'll get you full access of a box and go from there.

[@josupermom2042]

You can also just call your local food bank and ask them what they put in their boxes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@josupermom2042 I got a list last night of what is in a food box at an LA area food bank.

[@srad-oq7cb]

😂 " not quite sure what it smells like but I'm not a fan" too funny

[@AmandaTexas]

Lentils are really the unsung heroes of the budget cooking world. And pickling vegetables at home, oh so good and it doesn't have to be a big formal process.

[@ArdentMichelle]

so true 👍

[@ameliastelmach148]

I keep a bag of lentils close by my stove and literally put a handful into anything I make. I make all of my soups from scratch so lentils go in each batch.

[@Fdt172]

Cost $4.54 in March 2024 at Walmart for the same. There’s a lot of Physical Rice-A-Roni diced tomatoes, black beans and can of small chicken.

[@Koolala75]

I watch and rewatch your videos. They are so calming. Im such a huge fan of your channel. You are really contributing to humankind with you excellent videos, you have heloed so many families. I dont cook, i just love your creativity.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much. I'm glad my videos are peaceful to you.

[@littlesquirrel5007]

When I was really hard up raising 4 kiddos on a barely existent grocery budget I used to make chicken noodle soup. It literally used one chicken tender think of more like canned soup where there's only a few little pieces of chicken in it. I did not use real broth I used chicken bouillon the Knorr powdered chicken bouillon two carrots two celery stalks and one small onion a little garlic powder and some parsley whatever noodles I had on hand I literally to make an entire pot of soup and we actually love it and still make it to this day. Sometimes the meals when times were scarce remind me to be thankful for what I have now

[@ArdentMichelle]

So true 👍

[@alanbirkner1958]

I've been making lentils with rice, adding lentils to ground turkey, and using them for years. Oatmeal is another way to add fiber when someone won't eat fruit or veggies. I've been known to add a grated carrot or two to all kinds of foods, too. Tina, Al's wife

[@kenyonbissett3512]

Grated carrots and oatmeal are great to add to a meatloaf. Adds fiber and veggies.

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

I make a red lentil, sloppy Joe all the time. Rather than putting it on hamburger buns, I turn it into a bake by topping it with the jiffy corn meal casserole recipe. It’s in my top three recipes. The Spanish Rice-a-Roni is great too. You can add any number of things to it, and end up with a great meal that takes almost no time at all to prepare. I love watching your recipes on Sunday because I usually have the ingredients already in my house and I can figure out something I will make that will feed me for a few days. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hello 😁 I would like the lentil casserole topped with the cornbread. Yum! I'm so glad you are enjoying my channel. Thanks for letting me know 🥰

[@Stephanie-we5ep]

A scrambled egg and whatever veg you happen to have is really good! I use the rice-a-roni as a sort of backbone to a meal; similar to ramen noodles.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@Stephanie-we5ep Yeah it's a great tool for meal creation-

[@lziniti]

I love your avatar!!!

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

@@lziniti Thanks! My other one on most sites is baby Maggie Simpson wearing a Bruins Lets Go t-shirt 😁🏒.

[@shess1640]

I’ve made banana oatmeal cookies for years. My version uses one banana to one cup oatmeal. I often add raisins. I usually blend a tablespoon or two of oatmeal into a flour to help bind the mixture. Sometimes a bit of sugar. Always a little vanilla. It’s so flexible. These cookies are excellent for travel days!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yeah I love the flexibility of that recipe 👍 Your ratio of banana to oatmeal might be better- since I found myself adding in more oats to the one with just oats and banana. I'm gonna grab some more bananas today to make a large batch of those. I already ate the ones I made. I'll keep em in the fridge to eat for snacks during the week.

[@pennynickels5216]

I love oats 😋

[@DebbieandEddieBFF]

On the go breakfast ❤

[@Halfwaythere807]

Your channel is so refreshing b/c you show healthy food options that are meatless and free from heavy cream soups, cream cheese etc!! I’m adding the lentil sloppy joes to my meatless Monday rotation! Thank you for all the great ideas every week!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Joyce 😁 You're welcome. Thank YOU for watching. 🥰 Glad you are enjoying my content and that you like the lentil sloppy joes. Have a great rest of your weekend.

[@conniechapman9069]

After losing my job this week, I now have to buckle down and be very very frugal. Glad I found this channel, it will certainly help until I can find other income. I made the lentil sloppy joes and they tasted better than I thought. I topped them with pickles and a smoky cheddar cheese. I will keep this as a go to even when times aren't so lean. Keep up with the great videos, alot of us out here really appreciate that you are doing this.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Connie 😁 I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your job. Having lost my full time job in October I can relate. Although...I had this little side gig, so I still have KZbin 😂 I'm glad my videos are helpful. I'll do my best to keep them coming! 😁

[@conniechapman9069]

@@ArdentMichelle Thanks. It's ok. I'm heading into early retirement and will start getting the welfare check that I am entitled to and worked almost 50 yrs for, aka s.s. retirement. I'm seriously checking into these yt gigs. I'm now looking to take things a little slower. I am now binge watching your videos for ideas. Hope you found new employment or you are prospering through yt. Either way, great job and again Thank You for all the great ideas. P.S. I did make the cookies also. I added a little bit of peanut butter and that seemed to crisp them up a bit. I will say they are chewy. Hmmm....may have to try them with some honey mixed in also.

[@kathleenarapoglou7724]

I'm watching as I do my clean the refrigerator of vegetables. I do a green mix, and a tomato based sauce. These veg mixes are the bases for soup, omelettes, freshing up left over meats.

[@sheila3936]

The rice dish is the meal that keeps on giving in our house. I make a similar Spanish rice with black beans in the Instant pot. First night it’s a side dish topped with shredded cheddar (could be a main if I add diced ham), next night it’s the main filling for burritos or quesadillas, then any leftovers I’ll add to a tomato based soup. I had a lot recently so ended up making a cross between jambalaya and gumbo which was really tasty.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Love this. 👍 Zero waste and it just makes the rest of the nights meals that much easier.

[@jillistair9118]

Hope you are doing well with all the crazy weather California is having! I like mustard on sloppy Joe's! 😋

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much for the support and the concern 🥰 I've been getting some rain but not like Northern California. No flooding in my area. Oh my gosh, the idea of mustard crossed my mind, but then I was like no...maybe that's too far out there. 😂 Now I want to try it.

[@jillistair9118]

It's delicious!

[@CNP-rn3gd]

I love your artistry! The presentation makes these meals special.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@rs2343-o4e]

Thank you for making this kind of videos and including the recipes in the description it makes it easy for your viewers to cook your poor man's meals.Keep them coming you tube land needs you.

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😊 I'm glad you liked my recipes!

[@robininva]

Always enjoy your ideas, methods, and sweet disposition.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Robin 😁 I'm so glad you are enjoying my content.

[@retroredux1]

Great video! I wanted to mention that the Mexican Rice-A-Roni blend would be great inside a burrito. I like that you shared the cookie recipe. I'm glad you used the walnuts and cranberries. Just wanted to mention that walnuts and cranberries are one of the things that families are given in food bank donations so I'm very glad you included that.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 I'm so glad you liked this video. Great idea for the burrito filling. 👍I didn't know that about the cranberries and walnuts. Yay! That makes me so happy. I'm gonna pick up some more bananas today and make a big batch of those. They are perfect to have in the fridge when you need a quick snack.

[@MispelledOnPurpose]

Thank you! Please keep the ideas coming. I have a larger family and have my own ideas about stretching these. If fideo isn't available you can break up angel hair or thin spaghetti pasta.

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome 😁 great tip 👍 I did that in one of my videos! 👩‍🍳

[@susanjane4784]

I just passed this video on to my sister knowing that everything you present will be easy to make and good to eat. There are plenty of other channels out that I am far far less certain will produce quality food, so thank for this and your regular posts.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Awe thanks so much for sharing my video 😁 and for the nice complement. I'm so glad you enjoy my recipes.

[@jenniferclarke3622]

I made these cookies this evening. I have never seen a dozen cookies move so fast! These are superb. I added dates, walnuts and coconut. These will definitely become a regular thing.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jennifer 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you liked them. I made a double batch yesterday morning and I only have 2 left. 😂 I want to try them with sesame seeds next.

[@meghanmrowiec6634]

I absolutely adore your content. You are so resourceful and creative in the kitchen and your videos are very enjoyable to watch. Your voice is so relaxing! Thank you for posting.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much. 😁 I'm so glad you are enjoying my content. Sorry for the delay in responding. It's been a busy week. I appreciate the complement. Hope you like my Easter video!

[@MollyCutie]

Lentils are awesome - cheap, easy, nutritious and versatile.

[@CathieG]

The rice dish looks amazing and WOW on the oatmeal banana cookies! 😱🥰 So many options and variations! 👍🏻😍😋

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like my meals. 😁 Thanks for letting me know. Also a big thanks for your support 🥰 It helps so much!

[@CathieG]

@@ArdentMichelle of course 💕💕

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

That Spanish rice recipe could be used in a burrito or add chicken broth and make a chicken tortilla soup…..so many options !

[@ArdentMichelle]

Great idea!

[@Isabella66Gracen]

These are really great ideas! Thanks so much. I would make these even if money wasn't tight.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like them! 😁

[@Isabella66Gracen]

@@ArdentMichelle ❤😊

[@gccheryl4038]

I had never heard of a lentil sandwich but I'm intrigued, wow! Loving the shelf stable "theme" here too. I always have bananas in the freezer so will be trying those cookies. Might add some white chocolate chips to that cranberry walnut version, yum!! Another set of very useful ideas AM, thank you!!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 glad you like this video. The lentil sloppy Joe was a first for me too, but I really liked it. Hope you'll give it a try. Love the idea of adding white chocolate chips to the cookies.

[@vegemitegirl1971]

My go to poor man's recipe is a Cuban bean soup. I use 3.5 cups of dry beans and cook them all day in the slow cooker. I add carrots, capsicums (bell peppers to you), tomatoes, as well as some spices. We get 10 serves from a slow cooker worth of Cuban bean soup.

[@ArdentMichelle]

That sounds yummy. What kind of beans are you using?

[@vegemitegirl1971]

@@ArdentMichelle any dried beans in my pantry

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

My favorite Poorman's meal is of course one version of a good old fashioned trash plate: Ground beef, crispy fried potatoes, baked beans, some scallions, maybe some cheddar cheese sprinkled on top. Or of course, you can just treat yourself to your choice of good old dependable Rice-A--Roni, in whatever flavor you might desire - Spansh, beef or chicken. Doesn't matter, just as long as it's basic sustenance and there's enough to feed your family. 😊😊👍👍

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Richard 😁 Your poorman's meal works for me. 👍 The scallions definitely are a nice touch to that meal.

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

@@ArdentMichelle Hi Michelle. You definitely should try it. It's one of my family's favorites.

[@midlifeandnailingit6342]

I would so make nachos out of those leftovers! A girl after my own heart.

[@ArdentMichelle]

🥰

[@bethpowell6466]

Economics have forced me to use a pantry…one negative is that other than potatoes or are nouns produce spoils very rapidly. My advice to those who use pantries is to prep the fresh stuff the day you get it and prep any fruits as some like berries are already going bad.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Beth 😁 That's good advice. I'll be doing a pantry box video soon.

[@Joanna-A7227]

Love your videos and the way you style your dishes. Superb

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

Your meals always look great Michelle 👍 how's the job search going? My daughter came back to Iowa, and I worry so much less about her. She just found a new job and I am so happy for her 💗

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Empty Nester x 5 😁 I'm actually doing pretty well on KZbin, especially when I have sponsored videos. I'm holding off on sponsored videos for a bit though. This is a learning experience 😂

[@patpeters6331]

Great ideas as always. I will definitely be making those cookies. Thanks for add on ideas.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Pat 😁 thank you and you're welcome 👩‍🍳

[@spicychickpea97]

I’ve been wanting to try and eat more lentils, so I’ll definitely be trying those sloppy joes. I tried the bread pudding from last weeks video with some French bread and it was incredible! We loved having it for breakfast the next day too 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Kendra 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you loved the bread pudding. Thank you for letting me know. 🥰 Hope you like the sloppy joes too.

[@mcanultymichelle]

I respect your videos so much .

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😀 I'm glad you enjoy my videos 🥰

[@pennynickels5216]

I love lentils AND oats lol Taco lentils, bbq lentils too Yummy 😋 I add a little vanilla, walnuts and sugar to those cookies!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Lentil tacos are on my bucket list. 👍

[@carolynlineberger1929]

Thank you for your heart of service. I really appreciate your dedication to creating nutritional meals for low cost. I am amazed at your creativity.❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Welcome 💜 Thanks so much for the kind words. 😁

[@catherineciferni1145]

Very similar to the Sloppy Joes, I make lentils seasoned with taco seasoning and I use in flour taco shells topped with lettuce, scallions, tomato, etc.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yum 👩‍🍳

[@melindabuchok7152]

I made a one pot meal that is low cost with a pound of ground meat your choice potatoes, peas, onions, carrots, and cheese on top...

[@ArdentMichelle]

Sounds great!

[@saraherber1887]

Wonderful ideas as always, well presented. You mentioned adding sausage to your recipe. I have been making a vegan " sausage" by seasoning texturized soy protein with sausage spices and a bit of oil. I store it in the freezer . I can take out just what I need for what I am cooking. I have one container for sage breakfast sausage and one for Italian sausage that has fennel seed.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sara 😁 Thank you. I'm glad you like my video. Wow that's so awesome that you are making your own vegan sausage. I love that.👍

[@Willettee]

Thank you for giving us another great video. My family (husband) isn't crazy about Sloppy Joe's, but the lentils might work for us . My daughter makes a variation of these cookies. She likes to keep these around for her tiny humans and her teenager. Thank you Michelle. 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Willette 😁 You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed this weeks video. I liked those cookies so much I'm making another batch tonight. 😂 I love the idea of feeding this healthy version of "cookies" to kids.

[@estherhurst4741]

You’re my favorite channel, Michelle!! Thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Esther 😁 That means a LOT to me. 🥰 and I'm so grateful for your support.

[@lindawilson290]

Great ideas, AM. I'm looking forward to next week's video already! Have a wonderful week.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Linda 😁

[@ArdentMichelle]

Have a great week 😁

[@shettikkawoods3248]

Awesome thank you

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😁 Thank YOU for watching!

[@tonette6592]

Very nice, as usual. I am always impressed with your recipes. I'd be inclined to serve the first two with rice or other grains as alternatives. It's always nice to have good foods that do double-duty to save money, yet be a treat.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much 😁 I agree with you 💯 improvising in the kitchen is key to a good budget with a great variety of food.

[@angelika_munkastrap4634]

Tip: cut the onion with the skin still all intact - yes it’s fiddly to pick out all the bits of skin after it’s all cut but it cuts waaaaay down on any tearing up 🥲 and sometimes I don’t even tear at all and that’s saying alot since I discovered this method - before that i couldn’t even be in the vicinity of cut onions

[@sheilaenglish9738]

Was just thinking I needed to buy some lentils and now I must try those sloppy joes. So simple but no doubt so tasty.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Sheila 😁 Yes I hope you try the lentil sloppy joes. They were fabulous!

[@deniseodaniels7356]

i so love how u post the recipes u make. lovely channel.

[@ArdentMichelle]

My pleasure 😊

[@shellyk5423]

Our family has made the oatmeal cookie for years. The peanut butter is fantastic in the mix. If you have vanilla, it elevates the flavor. Cinnamon or a few chocolate chips is excellent, also. Thank you for the great idea of making lentil sloppy joe’s. 💕

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome. 😁 Those cookies are definitely going to be a regular in my house. I'm excited to try with the vanilla.

[@MsJayJay0233]

I'm liking that spatula. I am looking into making that Spanish rice dish.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I got that spatula at TEMU. I'm so glad you like the rice dish. Hope you like it 😁

[@pennyrasnake1401]

Wow, Michelle today’s video is so Awesome. I just bought Lentils today so I will try these sandwiches. Also I am so stoked about the bananas and oatmeal cookies. I think this could be a breakfast treat for me -even as a diabetic. Adding walnuts add more protein. Very cool as always. Thanks for your inspirations.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Penny 😁 Yay! I'm so glad you like this video. I was hoping this would be good for my diabetic viewers. I loved them so much, I'm making another batch tonight. Hope you like them!

[@shess1640]

Wonderful content with your style added to it 😊 Thank you!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you liked this one 😁

[@susans9491]

Drool- worthy as always! I’ve got some perfectly ripe bananas at home, so guess what I’ll be making when I get home from work?!? The sloppy Joe’s intrigue me as well, I’ve been meaning to find ways to get more lentils into our meals. The rice may be a hard sell with Jon, he’s not a black bean fan so I’ll switch them out for corn. Thanks again for the great ideas!💖

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Susan 😁 You're welcome. I'm so glad you are going to try the cookies. I love them for a totally guilt free snack. Thanks for letting me know you like this video 🥰

[@stacel1972]

You are an amazing cook and I have been following you for a quite awhile. I look forward to each new video. I eat both lentil or pinto bean sloppy joes on regular rotation. Yum!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Stace 😁 Thank you so much for the nice complement and for being a regular viewer. 🥰 Second, that's a great idea to use pinto beans in the sloppy joes. Wish I would have thought to mention that. Some viewers might only have pinto beans. So thanks for mentioning this. 👩‍🍳

[@ameliastelmach148]

These are fantastic ideas. I'll definitely try the lentil Joe's!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yay! Glad you like this video! 😁

[@impish22]

your recipes are always so creative.. would love to hear you talk about where/how you learned to cook and why you go so interested in cooking.. also, it would be so cool to have a video collaboration with the Quaint Housewife.. would absolutely love that.. !!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 Glad you are enjoying my content. As soon as I learn to cook, I can share how I learned 😂 Seriously though, I'm just a foodie. I find comfort in food and enjoy these challenges of trying to come up with good meals for less money. I haven't done a collar video yet but would be open to it.

[@cathyeller5722]

My husband loves most of the rice a roni flavors, except the cheese and broccoli. Whenever, I roast a chicken or have a big pork roast I swipe a couple of cups full of meat and keep them on the freezer door. Then later the next week I put that swiped meat into the rice a roni, I also add a extra cup of rice (2 boxes of rice a roni). If it's the chicken rice a roni I add a can of pea's to the mix. Rice a roni has gone from 1 dollar a box to 1.25 like everything else, I watch for sells and buy large quantities of it. I put the boxes in the freezer for a week, then take them out and let them thaw out for 3 days, then back in the freezer for another week, then out again. Once thawed I put them in zip lock baggies and keep them in totes. The freezing and thawing process is supposed to kill the bug larva that is in most rice products. So, far it has worked, I have kept rice a roni for two years before the packets of spices goes rancid, it can get hard but still be good, you tell by the smell.

[@FranfromFL]

OK so I must admit that I am a jalapeno pepper virgin. I'm sure I've had them at a Mexican restaurant but I've never had one in my house. I think you should do a video on them.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I've featured them in my cooking quite a bit. You should definitely try one. They are not too hot but with lots of flavor. I'll try to expand on that more in a future video. 😁

[@kenyonbissett3512]

The Spanish Rice meal is a great way to add that little bit of leftover meat as a extra vs. main dish.

[@ArdentMichelle]

great idea 👍

[@pek5117]

I would have made the rice dish into burritos. Cookies looked good and very simple.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yes I was thinking that too, it would have made a great burrito filling. 👍

[@ameliastelmach148]

I always toast any nuts before using them in recipes. Toasting really enhances the flavor of the nuts.

[@ArdentMichelle]

True 👍

[@victoriaferland5093]

Thank you for the great ideas. Lentils are a favorite and I wouldn't have thought about a sloppy joe..the rice dish I would make from scratch seeing prefer low sodium and no no MSG. The cookie with cranberry and nuts would be my favorite. Banana and oatmeal reminded me of a 3 ingredient pancake recipe. Banana instant oatmeal and egg. I pureed all the ingredients. I served it with real maple syrup. Worth the cost. There is nothing maple in most syrups and they are too sweet.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Victoria 😁 You're welcome. I agree....better to make from scratch. Love maple syrup.

[@richardschmidt2430]

Nice AM! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Dawn 😁 Glad you like my video!

[@AmandaTexas]

I like the looks of the Rice-a-Roni dish. I am going to try it as a lettuce wrap.

[@janebrown3587]

Butter buns or bread and broil, grill or fry when using for sloppy joe's and other sandwiches/burgers. It's a simple and BETTER WORLD of difference in flavor enhancement. Oil can work, but butter tastes much better. 😀

[@ArdentMichelle]

I agree that butter tastes better. 👍 I hesitate to use it very often in my videos due to the cost but I think I might be using it in my next video.

[@janebrown3587]

​@@ArdentMichelle Great point, I forgot! The oil is healthier, too. Oil and garlic...yummy like a big crouton but softer. ❤

[@spicycopper2436]

I have made something similar to the Spanish Rice-A-Roni dish but I add vegetable broth to make it into a soup. I have started making homemade veg broth from my vegetable scraps. Can't wait to try your other recipes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I definitely think it would work in a soup. Reminds me of when I made the soup with the fideo. I'm so glad you are enjoying my content. 😁

[@susanwebster9218]

I made this exact meal with pinto beans (I had previously cooked from dry beans and placed in the freezer) but used one small can of tomatoes sauce with the Spanish rice a Roni mix and put all of that on a tostada I purchased at Dollar tree. I topped it with tomato and cilantro and it was delicious and very inexpensive. My husband loved it.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@susanwebster9218 sounds yummy!

[@DvLnDsGyZ]

Speaking of pickling vegetables, I'm completely obsessed with pickling jalapenos and onions. WOW, what a difference it makes in every meal I eat it with! Btw, you should try growing your own herbs. I get my seeds from the dollar tree and it has worked out nicely.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Pickled veggies are so good 👍 I don't have enough sun to grow herbs 😞 I've grown them indoor with a grow light, but I really just don't have the space.

[@GarouLady]

when my mom made sloppy joes. it was just ketchup/brown sugar and couple shots of worshire sauce. that's it. all these spices are making me think of chili lentils instead of sloppy joes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

that works. 👍

[@CixiaKyrrah]

If you can afford one green bell pepper it really helps the flavor of the sloppy joe sauce, and I don't normally like green bell peppers.

[@ArdentMichelle]

I bet you're right. Green bell peppers would be a nice addition 👍

[@rebekahhansen1112]

Since there is a lot of salt/seasoning in Rice a roni type mixes i just add an extra 1/2 cup of rice , a little more water. Its also a go to with the mac/ cheese box that has the velvetta type cheese.

[@ArdentMichelle]

love this tip 👍 that's a GREAT idea!

[@rebekahhansen1112]

@@ArdentMichelle you always have such creative. Frugal meals. I love reading all the comments. Tips people send in. Ive been getting some great feeds from your channel. Watched the 7 dinners $15 and others just yesterday. . I got some good markdowns at Dollar tree . .25 cents for hamburger buns. Grocery outlet had 16 beef hotdogs for 2.49. Pepperidge farm cookies 2/ 98 cents. Butternut squash in frozen section for 99 cents. I get excited 😁 when I find markdowns.

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@rebekahhansen1112 I do too and I'm planning to do a trip to Grocery Outlet soon to look for deals. So far I haven't found much there, but I'm not giving up hope! 😂

[@dag118]

Lentil sloppy Joe's good. Chopped onions or peppers can be added to

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you 😁great tip 👍

[@sallylastname1319]

Great video! I'm going to make the One Pot beans and rice for dinner tonight to try it out.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thank you so much. 😁 Yay! I'm glad you will be trying the rice dinner. Hope you like it.

[@sallylastname1319]

@@ArdentMichelle Update: we loved this recipe with a little sour cream and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese. If I had Pico de Gallo, that would have made it even better.

[@RachRolls]

I was watching this video today, thinking I'd lke to make the lentil sloppy joes tomorrow night (we have leftover Pizza Beans for tonight), and make the cookies for breakfast this week to make my usual (and expensive) RX bars last longer. My spouse got home from work and said, "hey, we are pretty much running on empty til payday on Friday, so we need to plan some cheap meals." I was already mashing bananas for the cookies, so the timing was spot on! 😂

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Rachel 😁 Yay! I'm so glad this video is helpful. I love those little healthy cookies. As long as you don't expect them to taste like regular cookies and more like an oat bar type food, you will like them. I was eating to many of them so I had to lay off for a bit 😂

[@peggyaustin5238]

awesome receipes

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you like them! 😁

[@sallyapplegate4591]

Yum!!!!! Thank you. 😊

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so welcome! 😁 Thank YOU for watching!

[@karendemoure5024]

The cookies look great !!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yeah they are really good. 👍 I consider it a breakfast or healthy option cookie. Plus they are nice to have on hand for when you are hungry between meals.

[@amandaramsay5934]

I like how you try different ways of dressing up a dish.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Amanda 😁 Thanks so much!

[@amandaramsay5934]

@@ArdentMichelle you're welcome. I hope your channel keeps growing.

[@texasstardust6010]

Really good Recipes, ....I was thinking that the Spanish Rice mixture you made would also make a nice filling for Burritos, add sone cilantro... if served " Enchilada style", ( making ones own Enchilada sauce, or use a purchased one) it t would be delicious, and some shredded cheese on top .. especially if using ground meat of some type ( or meat substitute) and still cost effective. Also a good filling for a Quesadilla, I've made them with a rice filling before and it is good , but I would saute the canned chix first. I've wondered about how those cookies are, having seen the Recipe... thank you for trying those out ! 🙏🏻✨️😊🍽

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 Glad you like my video. Oh I love the idea of using this as a filling for a quesadilla. 👍 I would love that.

[@texasstardust6010]

@Ardent Michelle ...my pleasure.. 🙂😊... I suggest using Colby Jack, or Monterrey Jack, and a small amount of Cheddar, it melts much better with the one of the two other Cheeses. .. Queso Fresco and Mozzarella ( yes, Mozzarella works fine for Mexican food) will work great as well. I serve with sone sliced Avocado and tomato slices, or a nice green salad. 🍽😊🙂

[@bethpowell6466]

I used nape syrup I had on hand….my boys’ scout troop loved them. I have also used tomato soup to make the sauce when I did not have tomato sauce.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Beth 😁 You must be a resourceful cook. 👩‍🍳 I love using ingredients in new and unexpected ways.

[@chrisharmon5453]

Ironically those cookies are how I discovered I’m allergic to bananas. I knew I didn’t like them but thought I could sneak them into my diet this way. 😮😂😂

[@ArdentMichelle]

Oh no...that's terrible. 😞 I love bananas.

[@laralovesviolins6510]

The lentil sloppy joes look great! A can of Manwich added to the lentils would also be delish, if someone didn't have time to make the sauce. They sell Manwich at my Dollar Tree.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Agreed 👍 That's a great idea!

[@allyrooh3628]

I want to try the lentil sloppy joes. I've been backing off meat for a while now. I just don't like the texture. I'm increasing my fish intake. If you have any favorite fish dishes, I'd love to see some of those!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Michelle 😁 If it's from the sea, then it's not for me. 😂😂 Just kidding, I totally eat seaweed. Although, I've been making salmon lately for my youngest son. Hmmm..... I should look at doing fish on my channel. I can always feed it to my sons. 😂

[@allyrooh3628]

@@ArdentMichelle Your sons (and I) would love that.

[@lindyd8837]

I am new to cooking and adding spices. I am wondering why you fry some of the spices in oil before adding the tomato sauce. Why do you not fry the paprika? Thank you!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Lindy 😁 I don't always add my spices into the oil, but they say it helps to develop the flavor of the spice. It's called blooming spices. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't 🤷‍♀️ I almost forgot to add the paprika.

[@vinnydabarber]

Wow, I did not know that you could preserve hamburger buns like that! I have thrown out tons of them, even full packs that I thought were in my freezer too long. I am definitely going to try that! What kind of oats did you use in your cookies? Rolled, steele etc? Those cookies looked really good. Definitely want to try those. Love your channel!!! ❤❤❤

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Vinny 😁 I used regular rolled oats. As a health food option, they are a great snack. I love them.

[@vinnydabarber]

@@ArdentMichelle Great, thank you!🙂❤

[@midlifeandnailingit6342]

I’m going to make this Sloppy Joe recipe and I’m picturing it with refrigerator pickled purple onions. :)

[@ArdentMichelle]

Yes! That's perfect! 👍 Pickled onions would be fabulous with the sloppy joe's

[@wendoxia]

This is a very fun video! Michelle did you try making the peanut butter stuffed dates that are supposed to taste like snickers bars? I made them and I thought they were absolutely delicious…. You just split open a date put a little bit of peanut butter inside maybe a quarter to half a teaspoon…. squish it back together again and then dip maybe half the date in melted chocolate chips and let it cool… they were delicious!!!( I dipped the seam part but you could just dip half the end in as well. I made at least a dozen of them and used less than a quarter of a package of chocolate chips of the chocolate chip expenditure was minimal

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Wendie 😁 Glad you liked this weeks video. No I haven't tried that yet. Looking forward to it though. Thanks for letting me know about this.

[@wendoxia]

@@ArdentMichelle Surprisingly it really did taste a lot like a snickers bar.. I think you’re supposed to put an almond or peanut or something in there too but I just used a little bit of crunchy peanut butter

[@ArdentMichelle]

@@wendoxia yeah I'm wondering about popping it in the freezer how that would turn out.

[@susans9491]

Thanks!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You are so good to me 🥰 Thank you so much.

[@neverwares]

Thanks so much!

[@ArdentMichelle]

You're welcome! 😁 Thank YOU for watching

[@debbies.3109]

🪴 Hi, Michelle! I like Sloppy Joes, so I’m going to try your recipe. It sounds good! I love oatmeal banana cookies and like chocolate chips in mine, too. I plan on trying your tip for making hamburg buns look better. A freezer really does a number on bread. Thanks for another great video. I look forward to them every week! 🪴

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks Debbie 😁 I'm always appreciative of your comments 🥰

[@alishaparr577]

I think this lentil sloppy joe recipe would hold up well to improvising with whatever spices are available and forgiving if some had to be skipped. Probably could swap out the protein even.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Agreed 👍

[@janita7014]

I have a bag of that roasted corn in my freezer and have been wondering what to do with it!

[@ArdentMichelle]

Love that corn fried up with potatoes, onions, and broccoli too.

[@BudgetYourWayWithAarynLynn]

Great video will try that recipe for sloppy Joe’s versus buying the canned version! Just goes to show that these meals can still feed a person good food with less money and shows that even lower budgeting can produce great food 7:06 7:09 I think I would take a few potatoes, peel them and make homemade french fries as a side for this I would actually Atlee topped a sloppy Joe with either American cheese or coleslaw 7:21 7:25

[@ArdentMichelle]

Thanks so much 😁 Glad you like this video!

[@golo8]

Looks good

[@ArdentMichelle]

Glad you think so 😁

[@Fdt172]

I heard you mention your other channel at the end of this video. Could you please tell me what your other channel is?

[@ArdentMichelle]

ARDENT MICHELLE RECIPES www.youtube.com/@ArdentMichelle-RECIPES I've been trying to post one recipe there a week. I pull them out of past videos. Sometimes viewers want specific recipes and I have trouble finding them, so I decided to start posting individual recipes.

[@darleneredbird4]

Is there are reason why you keep them in the refrigerator? Just curious

[@ArdentMichelle]

Are you talking about the cookies? If so, I keep them in the fridge because they have a high moisture content and since they don't have any preservatives will mold faster. Although I ate those up in no time 😂😂

[@darleneredbird4]

@@ArdentMichelle Thank you for your quick response. I’m going to try and make the cookies.

[@noahvale2627]

You can use applesauce instead of bananas in the cookies

[@ArdentMichelle]

I was wondering how applesauce would work. Thanks for sharing!

[@jenniferherrington]

I might have to add some brown sugar or Golden Blossom Honey to those oatmeal cookies! Thank you for sharing! Did you use regular or quick oats?

[@ArdentMichelle]

Hi Jennifer 😁 Yes, definitely add sugar if you think you will like them better that way. I used regular oats.

[@jenniferherrington]

@Ardent Michelle adding sugar wouldn't be healthy, though, so I'll just stick to your recipe. 😀

[@suesmith776]

How about a slice of cheese on top of the Sloppy joes.

[@ArdentMichelle]

Oh yes....cheese WOULD be good! 👍

[@sheilalbrown8518]

Where did you get the powder we don't have a trader joes

[@ArdentMichelle]

I think Amazon.