Way to go! I love to see younger women teaching others how to “survive” grocery shop. I was lucky enough to learn a lot from my grandmother before her passing, who shared with me how she was able to learn to survive in her youth through the depression. I not only wanted to commend you for a well thought out grocery haul, but to also add a little tip that I learned. So, when times were very lean my grandmother showed me how to make pancake syrup in a pinch, without having to go to the store and buy it. So-here is what she taught me (this is a basic recipe that you can alter anyway you like): 1 cup sugar (just white or a mix of white and brown) 1/2 to 3/4 cup water depending on how thick you want it. You don’t want to burn your sugar, so start with half the water and add as it cooks. 1 capful of vanilla extract or flavoring (or maple flavoring if you have it) 1 tab of butter (optional, but it adds flavor) Bring all ingredients to a slow boil cooking on medium low...while constantly stirring. Add water to help dissolve the sugar, but not so much that it will be too watery. The purpose is to melt the sugar, making sure not to burn it in the cooking process. Serve over pancakes or whatever. Second, you bought apples. This is what I do... Cut up one or two apples into very small bits, add sugar, a tab of butter, cinnamon, apple pie spice if you have it, but not necessary, a bit of vanilla extract if you have it, and a little bit of water (about 1/8 cup or a bit more so the sugar does not burn). Cook the apple mixture on medium low, until apples are soft and sugar is melted, serve as an apple pie syrup over pancakes/waffles or whatever. One last thing...if you cut up a couple of those hot dogs, add an onion and some potatoes you can make what is called a “poor man’s meal”. That will help stretch the hot dogs because you only need a couple to make the dish-it’s filling and delicious. I look forward to seeing your other videos.
We have the poor man's meal weekly!! 😋 I was I knew the women's name who cooked depresses and put them on TH-cam! She's pretty amazing if you search her! 😊
Those meals were amazing! You Are so good at coming up with quality food for such a small price. I think this is the best budget meal challenge I have seen on You Tube!
I noticed you used a cup to cut the biscuits with. I use a spaghetti tin (cut both ends off). The biscuits will rise double what they did. Using a cup sucks the air out of them. In Australia we call them scones :)
@@focuswestproperty7152 American biscuits are light and airy as opposed to scones, which tend to be heavier and denser. I like both, but for different purposes.
I appreciate that your videos are practical and realistic. Perfect timing as more and more people are affected by the economy. I love that you encourage people to donate to their local food banks. Many of the people commenting on this video have excellent ideas of how to further stretch the food. Thanks to all the home cooks who are sharing that knowledge. 💚 This type of practical information is hard to find sometimes.
It’s amazing what an extra $10 or $20 can allow you to get at the grocery store. Considering that’s one or two coffees at Starbucks ... it really puts in perspective how to spend money wisely.
I've always used the "no thank you bites". Encouraging to see more people try this with their kiddos. I've seen several of your video and have to say I love the content!
Great recipes! A tip to stretch flour is to use the spoon and level method. It takes more time but sometimes you can really pack the flour too much when you scoop it.
I weigh my flour because l have a very light hand with the flour and many recipes don't work for me. And when you're making bread, the hydration ratio (water to flour, by weight) is very important in your finished product. Cooking is an art, bread is a science.
I'm sure you receive many positive reviews and comments. As someone who has spent the past 50 years living with a limited budget, it is so refreshing to see young people who understand that delicious and interesting meals are possible within a limited budget. Thank you for your positive impact on the world!
Great video!! If you ever run out of syrup you can easily make your own. Equal parts brown sugar, white sugar and water. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. Add 1/2 t vanilla or maple flavor if you have it. Serve warm. Mmmmm..
Omg! That rice and bean casserole looks so easy--and affordable, especially because I'm vegetarian I will follow your tip to double up on beans. Doesn't get more budget-friendly than that. I'm new to your channel and I love it.
Watching it again, I love your meal plans. You could keep the bean juice and add beans to it cook until thickened. Taste great over yellow rice with corn bread or bread. Add green onion to it and a dab of sour cream and if you have salsa. Could also put over lettuce and add tomatoes. Like a budda bowl but a Mexican bowl. Little guy is helping you, slice. haha he is a cutie.
I just found you last night. I feel so inspired to meal prep ahead of time. I recently quit my job due to my kids wierd schedule and my grocery budget has really gone down. I feel encouraged that I can still feed my family well. Thanks.
❤️ I had to leave my job for the same reason, in May! It’s crazy times but we are making it work! You can absolutely eat well for less! I’m so happy you are here!
This was such a good video. I feel like being on a budget is utilizing what you have and making things from scratch and it was really nice seeing you do that which I feel like a lot of the budgeting videos I watch don't do ... I'm definitely subscribing 😘
We make what the kids call biscuit nuggets. We use self-rising flour, milk, and butter(I think you could sub margarine). MIx the flour and milk together(I don't have measurements, I just get it to the consisitency). Put some butter in a pan to melt and then remove it and just drop pinches of the dough mixture on top and bake. The temperature to bake is 425 degrees. When done then remove and rub the top with a stick of butter or margarine. We love these with jam.
I love this budget challange, and really enjoyed yours. I am doing one now, and my husband and kids have no clue. I am having fun, and saving money, how cool is that!
This was interesting. You showed me a few different recipes to try. The sweet potato and black beans are a neat idea. I like that you were creative in your choices and knew exactly what to buy. I haven't watched you that often, so I'm guessing that you make a menu weekly. 🙂
I just learned this: for the grilled cheese sandwiches, you could actually toast them in the oven instead of using butter to fry them in the pan! They used this method during WW2 rationing. I've never seen stuffed chicken the way you made it, I'll definitely have to try that! Thank you for all the great ideas!
You can add a spoonful of grape jelly to your tomato soup or sauce to sweeten it if you have some (save those small plastic ones that come from restaurants - perfect for this!) I have seen this done in Italian cooking videos.
You can also make rice on the stove. One cup rice two cups water. One tablespoon chicken bullion. Let it come to a boil and place a lid on it. Lower heat from high to low. Cook covered for 26 mins. You can add anything to the rice.
Great ideas. You know I'm sure, you can use your food processor to grind your rice on to flor, and with your yeast make rice cakes, rolls, noodles. The peels of the sweet potatoes I'd put in the soup, or cooked and pounded to put in rice pudding or Sambra with some of the tomato paste. A looser pancake batter to make crepes for fried apples, more flour to make the dough in to gnocchi. Just ideas.
You can do the same thing with oatmeal, substitute oat flour or rice flour for a small amount of the wheat flour in your flour recipes would allow you to save some for another purpose. You can also make a crumble or cobbler and make a oatmeal, sugar and butter topping instead of a crust or biscuit topping.
Nice! Great tip on the tad of added sugar. It really makes the difference creating a taste that is better than store bought because you control the sugar.
For faster and easier pancakes. I pour the batter onto a parchment lined, sprayed cookie sheet. Bake and when done, cut into squares and serve or freeze!
Yes and save the veggies peels too go in bone broth. I make ahead pie crusts 5lbs. Flour, 3lbs shortening 1lb. Butter 1 quart ice cold water, 1 teaspoon salt. Makes about 20-22 8" crusts. And freezes well for up too 6 months wrapped in plastic and then foil.
I don't know if you have ever used silicone cupcake liners, but the eggs pop right out. Love them Great vid. I love how you improvise not having ingredients as we allllll have to do at time!
Also the bean broth can be used in soups. You can also make bean cakes. Mashed beans with broth and flour. Add salt as you like and cook like you do pancakes.
This works but when she says a pinch, she means it. I've overdone the baking soda before and too much ruins the taste of the whole dish. I'm wondering also if a Tbsp. of the maple syrup would have worked. I'm all for being versatile with what you have.
Great ideas! Just an alternative to flour, we buy bisquick which you can make pancakes, waffles and biscuits with. It can also be used as a topper for chicken pot pie!! It's a little trick we've learned over the years. We are in Canada but I think you also have it 😀
Southern cornbread. Buy a bag of Martha White cornmeal mix.( there are several other kinds, just make sure it’s white and it’s cornmeal MIX) pick out a oven safe dish or pan, grease the pan and sprinkle it with cornmeal mix. Put two cups of cornmeal mix in a bowl. Use about a cup of buttermilk, one egg and a pinch of salt. Mix up your batter. This should be a thick batter, thicker then cake mix. Place in your pan and bake on 425 until golden brown. Cut some pieces and butter them. Use with soup, chili, beans, cabbage, greens, for milk and bread or eat as buttered bread.
I love watching your cooking videos. You really do a nice job with it all. I got to thinking that even if I bought gluten free flour, it would still be really cheap.
I always make huge batches of either pancakes or muffins and freeze them for either a quick breakfast or supper. If you ever get a griddle it makes such a difference in being able to do things in bulk. I also do the same with waffles.
I am a big fan of these challenges. I've seen other channels do it too, but I like your "style" a lot more. The meals you make are more like what my family will eat, and I am a "boy mom" also. 😁
You can make rice pudding, cold rice with milk and something sweet makes a good cereal replacement. Have you seen the spiral sliced hot dogs with dough inserted into the slits? Seems like something kids would like.
Hi! New to your channel. Great ideas! I love budget cooking and cooking with things I have on hand. I'm vegetarian so I figure out meals to cook swapping out different plant based proteins instead of meat. Cooking should be fun! I love to use lots of different spices too 😊 love your choice of music 🎶
I’m so happy you are here!! I find that budget cooking is even easier vegetarian, and you can always swap chicken broth for vegetable broth in the recipes. I agree that cooking is a blast! Thank you for your kind words!
I love your videos !! I’m on a marathon right now , but can we talk about the music on the video !!! Love it . How can I look up the names of the songs ?
You could buy brown sugar instead of the syrup which probably contains HFC syrup. Melt the butter in a pan, saute apple slices add brown sugar make your own pancake syrup. Buy small cans of tomato paste instead of soup, juice, sauce etc. Just add water for the consistency you want. Cheaper, lighter and less shelf space. Add brown sugar, butter and a little milk to "soup ". Very nice work!
If you save the liquid from cooking your chicken you can use it as a sub for the stock you were missing. Great looking meals! Also, baking soda is supposed to cut acidity in tomatoes.
Wow! Great ideas. Absolutely love this channel. Game changer. We are doing no meat in 2 meals to cut the price. We are a family of 7 with 4 boys that can eat. We are on one income. I always have a hard time thinking of dinner ideas. So thankful for your ideas.
I’m so glad these videos help Melissa! Cutting the meat can absolutely help! Especially since you’re feeding a few more than I am! You guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙏❤️
Since you use fake syrup anyway, look into making your own from brown sugar, water and if you have it maple extract. Easy to make in a pinch. Bake biscuits on top instead of crust for potpie, yum.
Use 2-3 of the apples peel and cut into quarters blend with a lil water and cinnamon pour into a saucepan and cook for about 15 minutes to make applesauce for pancake topping.
Great Job!!!!!!!!!!! So reasonable. :) You can save so many people who are on tight budgets. It was cool you added veggies and fruit. Too many of these challenges I have seen do not implement enough veggies and fruits. The chicken might not have bones, but that brand they pumped with 15% water, I read. But on a budget, it was fantastic. The extra rice could be yummy rice pudding. :)
I am enjoying your channel. Thank you for the great videos. I love the color of your kitchen cabinets. Did you do them yourself and do you know the color of paint?
Hi I just found your channel and loved it but could you do a new one for this year since everything has gone up , just to give us an idea of what is still out there and for the price 😊 Thank you will keep watching and God 🙌
An easy way to make biscuits is SR flour and a can of fizzy drink, I used lemonade. Works a treat. Patara on Appalachian Homestead has a recipe using the water from boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes. So many different recipes for biscuits, us Australians and British call them scones.
With the rice...I chop an onion and bell pepper or either and sauté it before I cook my rice in a skillet. Add some flavor to plain rice. You can do mushrooms or anything you like.
Awesome haul, Maria! I love watching your videos. Girl, I would have definitely made some sweet potato gnocchi with that tomato sauce. Very creative ideas!
Those were some pretty delicious looking meals. I've definitely got to try your sweet potato chili. Just a tip, if you don't have a pastry blender, use 2 knives. Not sharp knives, table knives. Criss cross them and drag them through your flour and shortening until it is the consistency of course meal. Trust me, I used that method for years before I got a pastry blender. Happy baking! 🙂👍
Just came to comment about the rice bake you make. I have done this for years (adding diced or shredded chicken to it at times, too... it was a staple). But I tried something new last week that made it a game changer for me. I added a can of diced chiles. OMG... this will be my new way of making it from now on.
Is that aloe Vera plant in the window. Watch it double in size with babies if you save boiled egg water. My 2 small plants have doubled in size and planter full.
Yes and also re-pot as needed. We have tons of aloes in various sizes. Two giant ones we call "The mothers" actually flower for us each year. Such a treat!
the liquid from cooking the beans has nutrients, I would suggest using it: we make a black bean chili with part of the beans and all the liquid, can of crushed tomatoes, can of diced green chilies, cooked crumbled sausage, chopped onion and minced garlic, and whatever spices preferred. We make homemade corn muffins to go with.
My grandmother canned her own tomato paste and always used it to make tomato soup. Some celery seed really adds great favor. A tablespoon of balsamic vinegar is tasty too added to the pot. She used a ratio of half pint tomato paste, three half pints of water one half pint milk and a good sized piece of butter, about 1/4 of a stick. Of course some onion powder and garlic powder.
I saw a video on face book that used a cookie sheet to make pancakes in t the oven that means no flipping pancakes which I personally hate doing. Great video. Thank you.
Personally, I like breadmakers for mixing and raising the dough, but not to cook it, the bread tends to be more dense. When it's done with it's first rise, take it out, put it into loaf pans. Looks like you had enough for two 1-1.5lb loaves. The bread is softer and has more air since it has more room to expand when rising. Your black bean and sweet potato chili looks really good, I might have to give it a try!
Your latest budget challenge video came up in my recommendations, I watched it and liked it so much now I'm watching your other videos. One new subscriber here 😁. 🎃
For the bread I wrote down 4 cups all purpose flour, 2 TSP yeast, 1 tablespoon salt plus 1 and a half cups of water. Is that right? I didnt see baking powder which is what confuses me? You can put some Rosemary into rice to be added to the chicken and carrots. My kids actually loved that while they were growing up. Now I'm an empty nester and looking for ways to volunteer for people who maybe on quarantine.
The recipe for the bread in the bread maker is the French bread loaf in this recipe book www.cuisinart.com/globalassets/catalog/discontinued/2lb-bread-maker/cbk-100_recipe . You are correct, no baking powder in the bread just yeast. Thank you for the Rosemary idea! And that is so kind of you helping others out like that 🙏
The sweet potato peels could be made into loaded sweet potato skins. Using just a little cheese, any left over bacon or bacon bits, seasonings, and add a dab of sour cream at the end. Delish
Fantastic recipes, thank you. Suggestion: scoop the insides out of sweet potatoes, mix with mashed beans and chopped green onion, return to shell and bake (with grated cheese if you have any)
Way to go!
I love to see younger women teaching others how to “survive” grocery shop. I was lucky enough to learn a lot from my grandmother before her passing, who shared with me how she was able to learn to survive in her youth through the depression.
I not only wanted to commend you for a well thought out grocery haul, but to also add a little tip that I learned.
So, when times were very lean my grandmother showed me how to make pancake syrup in a pinch, without having to go to the store and buy it.
So-here is what she taught me (this is a basic recipe that you can alter anyway you like):
1 cup sugar (just white or a mix of white and brown)
1/2 to 3/4 cup water depending on how thick you want it. You don’t want to burn your sugar, so start with half the water and add as it cooks.
1 capful of vanilla extract or flavoring (or maple flavoring if you have it)
1 tab of butter (optional, but it adds flavor)
Bring all ingredients to a slow boil cooking on medium low...while constantly stirring. Add water to help dissolve the sugar, but not so much that it will be too watery. The purpose is to melt the sugar, making sure not to burn it in the cooking process.
Serve over pancakes or whatever.
Second, you bought apples. This is what I do...
Cut up one or two apples into very small bits, add sugar, a tab of butter, cinnamon, apple pie spice if you have it, but not necessary, a bit of vanilla extract if you have it, and a little bit of water (about 1/8 cup or a bit more so the sugar does not burn).
Cook the apple mixture on medium low, until apples are soft and sugar is melted, serve as an apple pie syrup over pancakes/waffles or whatever.
One last thing...if you cut up a couple of those hot dogs, add an onion and some potatoes you can make what is called a “poor man’s meal”. That will help stretch the hot dogs because you only need a couple to make the dish-it’s filling and delicious.
I look forward to seeing your other videos.
Thank you for sharing the recipes
My great-grandma handed down the same recipe🙂
Thanks for sharing.
I had this syrup growing up. I happen to like it maybe more just because it’s reminiscent. Great comment!
We have the poor man's meal weekly!! 😋 I was I knew the women's name who cooked depresses and put them on TH-cam! She's pretty amazing if you search her! 😊
Great video! You’re doing a great job with this, really like that the meals are pretty balanced, homemade and not full of junk.
Thank you so much! I tried really hard to make it as healthy as possible! Low budget doesn’t always need to mean low nutrient 😊
@@MealsWithMaria how is this weekly challenge in june 2022? Double?
Those meals were amazing! You Are so good at coming up with quality food for such a small price. I think this is the best budget meal challenge I have seen on You Tube!
Thank you! I’m flattered! There will be another one coming out next week!
when making biscuits let them touch. they help each other rise straight up. something that i learned this year.lol. nice video.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the tip! I’ll do that next time!!
I noticed you used a cup to cut the biscuits with. I use a spaghetti tin (cut both ends off). The biscuits will rise double what they did. Using a cup sucks the air out of them. In Australia we call them scones :)
You could roll out dough into a big rectangle and cut into squares w a pizza cutter.
@@focuswestproperty7152 American biscuits are light and airy as opposed to scones, which tend to be heavier and denser. I like both, but for different purposes.
I love for my biscuits to touch. They are soft in middle and bottom has just right crust
This was one of the best I've seen for 30 dollars for the week.
Thank you!!
I agree
I agree too. Great meals for the money.
I appreciate that your videos are practical and realistic. Perfect timing as more and more people are affected by the economy. I love that you encourage people to donate to their local food banks.
Many of the people commenting on this video have excellent ideas of how to further stretch the food. Thanks to all the home cooks who are sharing that knowledge. 💚 This type of practical information is hard to find sometimes.
Thank you for the kind words! I love coming up with approachable budget friendly meals and I feel blessed to be able to share them ❤️
I think one of the things I’m realizing watching all of these videos is that if we just make more things from scratch we save so much money.
Truth 🤗
I agree 100%
My mom made pancakes from scratch our whole life and she never put sugar in them and we never knew the difference and we loved her pancakes
💯💯
@@joycepedercini3841 sugar just makes them brown a little better
It’s amazing what an extra $10 or $20 can allow you to get at the grocery store. Considering that’s one or two coffees at Starbucks ... it really puts in perspective how to spend money wisely.
I've always used the "no thank you bites". Encouraging to see more people try this with their kiddos. I've seen several of your video and have to say I love the content!
Great recipes! A tip to stretch flour is to use the spoon and level method. It takes more time but sometimes you can really pack the flour too much when you scoop it.
Yes! I need to always remember that!
I weigh my flour because l have a very light hand with the flour and many recipes don't work for me. And when you're making bread, the hydration ratio (water to flour, by weight) is very important in your finished product. Cooking is an art, bread is a science.
I love that you use black beans so frequently in your recipes, they are my favorite bean. So flavorful!
Perfect!
Love this video!! Funny thing...I'm watching this on June 10, 2022 and WOW the prices are so much different!! Still budget friendly.
The disaster in the price for people with unfixed income today the price of eggs and potatos are too bad, the most essential things!
I'm sure you receive many positive reviews and comments. As someone who has spent the past 50 years living with a limited budget, it is so refreshing to see young people who understand that delicious and interesting meals are possible within a limited budget. Thank you for your positive impact on the world!
😀 I’m blessed to share!!!
Great haul! bone in chicken is cheaper per pound even with the bones. Plus you get bone broth free :)
Thank you! I was thinking that about the broth!
I was thinking the same thing
Yup you can get a lot of drumsticks and wings for mess than boneless chicken breast.
Yes! So many ways of utilizing a whole chicken.
I just found your youtube tonight and I'm hooked I love that your making actual food and not junk. Keep up the good work mama
So glad you are enjoying! Thank you!
Great video!! If you ever run out of syrup you can easily make your own. Equal parts brown sugar, white sugar and water. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. Add 1/2 t vanilla or maple flavor if you have it. Serve warm. Mmmmm..
Great idea! I 100% plan to do this in a video sometime 😊
Omg! That rice and bean casserole looks so easy--and affordable, especially because I'm vegetarian I will follow your tip to double up on beans. Doesn't get more budget-friendly than that. I'm new to your channel and I love it.
So glad you’re here!! Enjoy!
Very healthy and filling meals. This was the best of what I've seen so far with these challenges. Well done!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
Watching it again, I love your meal plans. You could keep the bean juice and add beans to it cook until thickened. Taste great over yellow rice with corn bread or bread. Add green onion to it and a dab of sour cream and if you have salsa. Could also put over lettuce and add tomatoes. Like a budda bowl but a Mexican bowl. Little guy is helping you, slice. haha he is a cutie.
Yum yum yum! Such great ideas!
That's a lot for thirty. It all looked amazing. ☺️ That chicken with stuffing looked yummy.
I just found you last night. I feel so inspired to meal prep ahead of time. I recently quit my job due to my kids wierd schedule and my grocery budget has really gone down. I feel encouraged that I can still feed my family well. Thanks.
❤️ I had to leave my job for the same reason, in May! It’s crazy times but we are making it work! You can absolutely eat well for less! I’m so happy you are here!
Ms. Maria, you did such an amazing job!
Thank you for sharing this challenge!
Thank you Ann!
This was such a good video. I feel like being on a budget is utilizing what you have and making things from scratch and it was really nice seeing you do that which I feel like a lot of the budgeting videos I watch don't do ... I'm definitely subscribing 😘
Thank you for your kind words! Cooking from scratch is cheaper and more delicious 😊
We make what the kids call biscuit nuggets. We use self-rising flour, milk, and butter(I think you could sub margarine). MIx the flour and milk together(I don't have measurements, I just get it to the consisitency). Put some butter in a pan to melt and then remove it and just drop pinches of the dough mixture on top and bake. The temperature to bake is 425 degrees. When done then remove and rub the top with a stick of butter or margarine. We love these with jam.
Ohhh that sounds so delicious 🤤
Another one, cooked rice, milk, apple, syrup for rice pudding. No milk, use water.
Thank you! So many great ideas!
Definitely subscribing and you’re the first budget cooker for a week with good food and it doesn’t hurt that you really do know how to cook😍
Welcome Machelle! I’m so glad you are here! And thank you 🙏
Great video. I love trying to reduce my spending but still make healthy home cooked meals.
🤗 you can do it!!
Grated carrot would have been a great way to sweeten your soup.
Great idea!!
Or beets
I love this budget challange, and really enjoyed yours. I am doing one now, and my husband and kids have no clue. I am having fun, and saving money, how cool is that!
Perfect!!!
My grandmother used to make syrup in a pinch with brown sugar and water on the stovetop. Flavor it with a little butter/margarine and vanilla.
Yum! I do need to make syrup in one of the videos sometime!
Love your breakfast Sandwich idea, definitely going to make those...ty
😀 let me know if you do!!
This was interesting. You showed me a few different recipes to try. The sweet potato and black beans are a neat idea. I like that you were creative in your choices and knew exactly what to buy. I haven't watched you that often, so I'm guessing that you make a menu weekly. 🙂
I just learned this: for the grilled cheese sandwiches, you could actually toast them in the oven instead of using butter to fry them in the pan! They used this method during WW2 rationing.
I've never seen stuffed chicken the way you made it, I'll definitely have to try that! Thank you for all the great ideas!
I’ve done that with grilled cheese! Helps when you don’t have butter 😀
You can add a spoonful of grape jelly to your tomato soup or sauce to sweeten it if you have some (save those small plastic ones that come from restaurants - perfect for this!) I have seen this done in Italian cooking videos.
Love it! I have been wanting to save packets etc and do a video using them!
There is a guy Frankie who utilizes leftover packets for staple items....he calls it the packet drawer
Girl!! If you’re cooking shredded chicken in the instant pot throw a lil extra water in there and save the liquid when it’s done!! Homemade broth!
Sooo smart!!
You can also make rice on the stove. One cup rice two cups water. One tablespoon chicken bullion. Let it come to a boil and place a lid on it. Lower heat from high to low. Cook covered for 26 mins. You can add anything to the rice.
Absolutely! I always forget to add chicken bouillon! I bet it really kicks it up a notch!
Oh it makes a difference 🙂.
Great ideas. You know I'm sure, you can use your food processor to grind your rice on to flor, and with your yeast make rice cakes, rolls, noodles. The peels of the sweet potatoes I'd put in the soup, or cooked and pounded to put in rice pudding or Sambra with some of the tomato paste. A looser pancake batter to make crepes for fried apples, more flour to make the dough in to gnocchi. Just ideas.
I love all these ideas! Thank you so much for sharing!
You can do the same thing with oatmeal, substitute oat flour or rice flour for a small amount of the wheat flour in your flour recipes would allow you to save some for another purpose. You can also make a crumble or cobbler and make a oatmeal, sugar and butter topping instead of a crust or biscuit topping.
Wow I love your channel. I love the recipes you came up with. They are very nutritious
Thank you!!!
I am totally going to try that stuffing in chicken breasts!! I’ve never seen that, but it looked delicious!!!
Yay! It’s one of my fall favorites for sure!
Nice! Great tip on the tad of added sugar. It really makes the difference creating a taste that is better than store bought because you control the sugar.
So true!!
For faster and easier pancakes. I pour the batter onto a parchment lined, sprayed cookie sheet. Bake and when done, cut into squares and serve or freeze!
I keep meaning to try this!!!
@@MealsWithMaria soo good! I have a scratch recipe if you’d like it!
Yes and save the veggies peels too go in bone broth. I make ahead pie crusts 5lbs. Flour, 3lbs shortening 1lb. Butter 1 quart ice cold water, 1 teaspoon salt. Makes about 20-22 8" crusts. And freezes well for up too 6 months wrapped in plastic and then foil.
Such great tips! I need to do a video on stuff like that , making a ton of pie crusts etc to break down the costs 🤔
Am SO HAPPY I found your channel ! You are genius thank you for sharing !!!!!!!!!!
Omg you gave me goosebumps 🤗 thank you! I’m so glad this is helpful!
I don't know if you have ever used silicone cupcake liners, but the eggs pop right out. Love them
Great vid. I love how you improvise not having ingredients as we allllll have to do at time!
I love the silicon cupcake liners! I never thought to do that 🤦♀️ next time for sure!
Also the bean broth can be used in soups. You can also make bean cakes. Mashed beans with broth and flour. Add salt as you like and cook like you do pancakes.
Yum! Great ideas!
You can use a pinch of baking soda to also cut the acidity of the tomatoes
Ohh that’s a fabulous tip! I’ll have to try it!!
This works but when she says a pinch, she means it. I've overdone the baking soda before and too much ruins the taste of the whole dish. I'm wondering also if a Tbsp. of the maple syrup would have worked. I'm all for being versatile with what you have.
Great ideas! Just an alternative to flour, we buy bisquick which you can make pancakes, waffles and biscuits with. It can also be used as a topper for chicken pot pie!! It's a little trick we've learned over the years. We are in Canada but I think you also have it 😀
Yes we do! I need to experiment with it more!
Southern cornbread. Buy a bag of Martha White cornmeal mix.( there are several other kinds, just make sure it’s white and it’s cornmeal MIX) pick out a oven safe dish or pan, grease the pan and sprinkle it with cornmeal mix. Put two cups of cornmeal mix in a bowl. Use about a cup of buttermilk, one egg and a pinch of salt. Mix up your batter. This should be a thick batter, thicker then cake mix. Place in your pan and bake on 425 until golden brown. Cut some pieces and butter them. Use with soup, chili, beans, cabbage, greens, for milk and bread or eat as buttered bread.
Mmm that sounds delicious!! Thank you Shirley!
Mmm that sounds delicious!! Thank you Shirley!
You can pop biscuits onto of your pot pie to cook. Also you can use pancakes for breakfast sandwiches.
100%! I’ve done the pancake sandwiches before😊
You can cut pastry with 2 knives. I learned this in Home Ec:)
Thank you! Great idea!! I will try that next time!
I use a fork to work the shortening in. Have since high school.
You made some amazing meals! Seriously can't wait for the Dollar Tree and Walmart Thanksgiving. 😯
Thank you so much!! 🥳 I can’t wait to do them either!!! It might be Thanksgiving in October here😂
I love watching your cooking videos. You really do a nice job with it all. I got to thinking that even if I bought gluten free flour, it would still be really cheap.
Thank you! It absolutely would!! Everything is adaptable!
I really liked these meals. I will be trying them soon! Thank you!
Awesome!! Let me know how you like them!!😊
Very nice video!! Loved watching your son play with the fold up yard stick!!!!!!!
Thank you! 😂 that’s too funny, they are always somewhere in my videos!
Excellent meals, variety is good and included veggies and fruits!
Thank you! 😊
Rice pudding is a great option if your little ones have a sweet tooth. You are the best I've seen!
Great recommendation! I need to try that sometime 😊 And thank you so much 🙏 it means a lot!
I agree!
I always make huge batches of either pancakes or muffins and freeze them for either a quick breakfast or supper. If you ever get a griddle it makes such a difference in being able to do things in bulk. I also do the same with waffles.
I need a griddle!! I’ve actually had a few but the electric one broke and one time we didn’t take care of our cast iron one and it was a gonner 😰
Turkey bacon on those breakfast sandwiches would add some additional protein & flavor. Also can add some fresh tomato slice
Absolutely!! If you have it, add it! That’s my motto!!
T he sweet potato black bean chili looked AMAZING. I would have never tried that combination. I will have to give that a try.
Yes! Do it! That chili was incredible 🤗 I’d add cinnamon if I did it again!
@@MealsWithMaria I've got to give it a try.
Get the silicone cupcake liners and use those for your eggs. They pop right out ❤️
I have some! That’s a great idea 👍🏼 thank you!!
The stuffed chicken looks amazing and so easy. You are so creative.
Thank you!!!
I am a big fan of these challenges. I've seen other channels do it too, but I like your "style" a lot more. The meals you make are more like what my family will eat, and I am a "boy mom" also. 😁
😊 thank you so much!! So glad to have you here!
What's a boy mom?
@@wolfhernandez7713 A mom with just boys. Ie. A saint rapidly aging
@@terryrobinson8975 👍🏾
You can make rice pudding, cold rice with milk and something sweet makes a good cereal replacement.
Have you seen the spiral sliced hot dogs with dough inserted into the slits? Seems like something kids would like.
I think rice pudding is a good idea but I’m not sure I could do the texture for some reason! I’ll have to check out those hot dogs!
Hi! New to your channel. Great ideas! I love budget cooking and cooking with things I have on hand. I'm vegetarian so I figure out meals to cook swapping out different plant based proteins instead of meat. Cooking should be fun! I love to use lots of different spices too 😊 love your choice of music 🎶
I’m so happy you are here!! I find that budget cooking is even easier vegetarian, and you can always swap chicken broth for vegetable broth in the recipes. I agree that cooking is a blast! Thank you for your kind words!
I use a mixer to mix flour and butter or shortening works great I don't get dense biscuits. .
I love your videos !! I’m on a marathon right now , but can we talk about the music on the video !!! Love it . How can I look up the names of the songs ?
Haha I’m so glad your loving my videos and music! The music is from Epidemic sound 😍
You did an amazing job. Hope you do more.
Thank you! I’m doing one once a month! $20 Dollar Tree Challenge will come out at the end of the month 😊
You could buy brown sugar instead of the syrup which probably contains HFC syrup. Melt the butter in a pan, saute apple slices add brown sugar make your own pancake syrup. Buy small cans of tomato paste instead of soup, juice, sauce etc. Just add water for the consistency you want. Cheaper, lighter and less shelf space. Add brown sugar, butter and a little milk to "soup ". Very nice work!
That all makes sense to me! Love the ideas!
If you save the liquid from cooking your chicken you can use it as a sub for the stock you were missing. Great looking meals! Also, baking soda is supposed to cut acidity in tomatoes.
I’m thinking I go bone in next time and utilize that broth for sure! Great tip about the baking soda! Thank you!
A tablespoon of sugar will cut the acidity too
Also I use an apple in my marinara sauce as a sweetner
Wow! Great ideas. Absolutely love this channel. Game changer. We are doing no meat in 2 meals to cut the price. We are a family of 7 with 4 boys that can eat. We are on one income. I always have a hard time thinking of dinner ideas. So thankful for your ideas.
I’m so glad these videos help Melissa! Cutting the meat can absolutely help! Especially since you’re feeding a few more than I am! You guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙏❤️
Since you use fake syrup anyway, look into making your own from brown sugar, water and if you have it maple extract. Easy to make in a pinch. Bake biscuits on top instead of crust for potpie, yum.
Great idea! I bet that would be cheaper and more versatile!
Use 2-3 of the apples peel and cut into quarters blend with a lil water and cinnamon pour into a saucepan and cook for about 15 minutes to make applesauce for pancake topping.
Great Job!!!!!!!!!!! So reasonable. :) You can save so many people who are on tight budgets. It was cool you added veggies and fruit. Too many of these challenges I have seen do not implement enough veggies and fruits. The chicken might not have bones, but that brand they pumped with 15% water, I read. But on a budget, it was fantastic. The extra rice could be yummy rice pudding. :)
Good idea with the rice pudding! I’m always trying to include as many fruits and veg as possible!
I am enjoying your channel. Thank you for the great videos. I love the color of your kitchen cabinets. Did you do them yourself and do you know the color of paint?
Hi I just found your channel and loved it but could you do a new one for this year since everything has gone up , just to give us an idea of what is still out there and for the price 😊
Thank you will keep watching and
God 🙌
Wow! Wow! Great job! Going to watch again and write down some of these ideas!
An easy way to make biscuits is SR flour and a can of fizzy drink, I used lemonade. Works a treat.
Patara on Appalachian Homestead has a recipe using the water from boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes. So many different recipes for biscuits, us Australians and British call them scones.
Super interesting!
With the rice...I chop an onion and bell pepper or either and sauté it before I cook my rice in a skillet. Add some flavor to plain rice. You can do mushrooms or anything you like.
Yum, sounds delicious 😋
Awesome haul, Maria! I love watching your videos. Girl, I would have definitely made some sweet potato gnocchi with that tomato sauce. Very creative ideas!
Mmm yup! Sweet potato gnocchi! I need to try making my own sometime...I never have’
Those were some pretty delicious looking meals. I've definitely got to try your sweet potato chili. Just a tip, if you don't have a pastry blender, use 2 knives. Not sharp knives, table knives. Criss cross them and drag them through your flour and shortening until it is the consistency of course meal. Trust me, I used that method for years before I got a pastry blender. Happy baking! 🙂👍
Where/How did you learn to cook? I am in awe of your skills!
Aw thanks! Im home taught. Just passionate about it 🙏
I like to do a country pot pie. You put filling in baking dish and top w biscuits(raw), before baking.
I love this idea!!
Great video. I got some good ideas from it. Thank goodness you feed your family well without junk food.
Awesome! So glad!
Just came to comment about the rice bake you make. I have done this for years (adding diced or shredded chicken to it at times, too... it was a staple). But I tried something new last week that made it a game changer for me. I added a can of diced chiles. OMG... this will be my new way of making it from now on.
Yes! I’ve done that before too! So, so good!
This challenge is doable! So many I see has no fruit, fresh veggies or meat. At $30, you rocked it! Yeah, I subscribed!
Yay! Well Sara!! More challenges coming in January 😀
Is that aloe Vera plant in the window. Watch it double in size with babies if you save boiled egg water. My 2 small plants have doubled in size and planter full.
Really cool! Thank you for sharing!
Yes and also re-pot as needed. We have tons of aloes in various sizes. Two giant ones we call "The mothers" actually flower for us each year. Such a treat!
the liquid from cooking the beans has nutrients, I would suggest using it: we make a black bean chili with part of the beans and all the liquid, can of crushed tomatoes, can of diced green chilies, cooked crumbled sausage, chopped onion and minced garlic, and whatever spices preferred. We make homemade corn muffins to go with.
Yes, I need to figure that out next time!
My grandmother canned her own tomato paste and always used it to make tomato soup. Some celery seed really adds great favor. A tablespoon of balsamic vinegar is tasty too added to the pot. She used a ratio of half pint tomato paste, three half pints of water one half pint milk and a good sized piece of butter, about 1/4 of a stick. Of course some onion powder and garlic powder.
Sounds like a great recipe! So thrifty!
I saw a video on face book that used a cookie sheet to make pancakes in t the oven that means no flipping pancakes which I personally hate doing. Great video. Thank you.
I’ve seen this too and plan to try it sometime!! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!
That's how I make them. Works great!
The oven works well if you're making multiple grilled cheese sandwiches. Great time saver.
@@naelyneurkopfen9741 I do this, also. I really like how they turn out☺️
I must say that I envy you your gorgeous casserole dish. Am enjoying this video and getting ideas to help with meals and budgeting.
Thanks! I’m so glad they are helpful and you enjoy them!
I just found your channel this is amazing
Aw thanks!! I’m so glad you’re here! More good stuff to come!
Grate your butter and then freeze. Add to flour mixture. So much easier to incorporate the butter and it doesn't soften .
I need to try that!
You could use the sweet potato peels to make sweet potato fries for a snack!
Yum!
Personally, I like breadmakers for mixing and raising the dough, but not to cook it, the bread tends to be more dense. When it's done with it's first rise, take it out, put it into loaf pans. Looks like you had enough for two 1-1.5lb loaves. The bread is softer and has more air since it has more room to expand when rising. Your black bean and sweet potato chili looks really good, I might have to give it a try!
Thank you for the tip! I’d love a less dense bread!
Awesome! I forgot I was watching a budget challenge and thought I was just watching some really cool recipes! lol Just subscribed! :)
Yay! Welcome! So glad you are here 🙏😊
Your latest budget challenge video came up in my recommendations, I watched it and liked it so much now I'm watching your other videos. One new subscriber here 😁. 🎃
👍🏼👍🏼 I’m so glad you’re here!
For the bread I wrote down 4 cups all purpose flour, 2 TSP yeast, 1 tablespoon salt plus 1 and a half cups of water. Is that right? I didnt see baking powder which is what confuses me?
You can put some Rosemary into rice to be added to the chicken and carrots. My kids actually loved that while they were growing up. Now I'm an empty nester and looking for ways to volunteer for people who maybe on quarantine.
The recipe for the bread in the bread maker is the French bread loaf in this recipe book www.cuisinart.com/globalassets/catalog/discontinued/2lb-bread-maker/cbk-100_recipe . You are correct, no baking powder in the bread just yeast.
Thank you for the Rosemary idea! And that is so kind of you helping others out like that 🙏
The sweet potato peels could be made into loaded sweet potato skins. Using just a little cheese, any left over bacon or bacon bits, seasonings, and add a dab of sour cream at the end. Delish
Fantastic recipes, thank you. Suggestion: scoop the insides out of sweet potatoes, mix with mashed beans and chopped green onion, return to shell and bake (with grated cheese if you have any)
Yum! Thank you that sounds great!
I'm so hooked New subscriber here, you are the queen of stretching a cheese block. Wow great job !
I'm so glad you are here!!!! Glad you enjoyed this video!
I watch so many of these videos and yours was awesome!
Thank you!!!