Cooking More Meals for a Local Senior! Lemon Butter Cod, Beef Stroganoff, Corn Chowder & More!

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 พ.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 1.1K

  • @meaghan929
    @meaghan929 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +416

    You have inspired me to cook for a low-income senior housing community near me! There are 60 apartments and my goal is to deliver a meal to each resident once a month. I have already made one delivery and I am working on my menu for next month. I'm aiming for three to four options for the residents to choose from, which will include one breakfast choice. I'm taking notes from your videos and adapting some ideas and recipes to work on a larger scale! THANK YOU for this content. One thing I miss from your other videos is the cost breakdown per serving. I know your goal for these special-donated meals isn't "Dollar Tree" dinners, but others may be curious what to budget for meals like these. 💞

    • @Goldkats
      @Goldkats 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      Thats amazing! ❤

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +61

      I’m so glad to hear that!! I’ll try to include the cost next time, it was more challenging to break it down sometimes because I’m not always shopping for them alone sometimes I buy other things I need. On average I’d say all of the food has been $100-120 a week

    • @bluedragon1979
      @bluedragon1979 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Ambitious! ❤

    • @susielisle922
      @susielisle922 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Worth every single penny! Warms the soul!​@@DollarTreeDinners

    • @noleenmcbrearty6513
      @noleenmcbrearty6513 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +20

      My god that's Amazing 👏🏻 I'm sure everyone appreciate that Amazing gesture I'm a community RN and see the difference of what a gesture like this can do for a person it really is Amazing!! ❤❤

  • @Donotevengotherewithme
    @Donotevengotherewithme 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +106

    I leave non perishables beside our mailbox. Our mail lady picks the box up and delivers it to people on her route in our community that have food insecurities. ❤

    • @pennynickels5216
      @pennynickels5216 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      Thank you 😊💛

    • @elainemiller47
      @elainemiller47 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      What a great idea!

    • @MelonieButler-p2u
      @MelonieButler-p2u 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      My chicken salad has grapes, celery, and pecans or walnuts
      My husband loves the bit of sweet from grapes. Thanks for the inspiration ❤🎉

    • @KCRLearningAcademy
      @KCRLearningAcademy 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Jello also makes a cook and serve pudding in several flavors. They're not a lot of extra work, you just cook it on the stove briefly and it might take longer to cool. It does taste better than the instant.

  • @sammivd4763
    @sammivd4763 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +102

    I work as a cook at an assisted living facility. My residents love meatloaf, clam chower and fish. A tip with the fish just season with lemon pepper and top with lemon juice and some butter and bake. Italian salad dressing also works great if that's easier/more budget friendly. My mom used to do that on salmon and it was always a hit in our house. My residents also love seafood salad, I just use imitation crab and shrimp. Use the same stuff you do for the chicken salad and season with some lemon pepper and old bay. We usually serve it on a croissant and my residents love it every time.

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

      Seafood salad is a great suggestion! and I'll definitely try lemon pepper for her fish

    • @Fiery154
      @Fiery154 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Do you have any tips or recipes for purée for dysphagia?

    • @sammivd4763
      @sammivd4763 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@Fiery154 Use gravy! Add gravy in with whatever meat you make for them. Braising the meat, especially if it's a tough cut of beef in the gravy is always good too so the meat is soft enough to puree. Make sure you have a really good blender or food processor as well. For veggies just make sure they're cooked enough and don't forget to season them.
      You can't give a puree diet anything that's a grain, it won't break down so no rice, corn, etc.
      Instant mashed potatoes(with a smooth gravy of course) or pureed sweet potatoes are great for them. If you're going to do fresh mashed potatoes just use a ricer or a hand mixer(not too much!) because potatoes get Gummy in the blender.
      Pasta with tomato sauce can also be pureed and tastes really good.
      As for dessert obviously pudding, apple sauce, yogurt, ice cream are all great. You can also puree cake with some milk.
      Eggs are also great in the blender, add a little water to scrambled eggs and it should be perfect for them. If I remember correctly cream of wheat is also OK for them even though it's a grain because it's so small but grits are not.
      Good luck!

    • @Fiery154
      @Fiery154 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@sammivd4763 I’m trying to make it low carb, so I have not mastered the meat, and that is going to be important. The SNF I worked for did a really pretty good fish purée. I’m an SLP, so this is where my interest comes into play here. Good to know about the poor performance of grains in purée. Level of purée tolerated is going to vary patient to patient depending on what their issue is. Grits could work for someone, or it might work thinned out a bit, but then again I don’t really know grits very well in the first place.

  • @cassaclyzm_
    @cassaclyzm_ หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    33:21 "And if that's the worst thing that happens today, I'm totally fine with that" - honestly one of the most relatable things I've ever heard someone say in a TH-cam video.

  • @MichellePondueCruz
    @MichellePondueCruz 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +25

    I cooked for a woman and her grown family in the late 2010s. It was SO fun compared to restaurant jobs. More rewarding, less stress, and a feeling at the end of the day that I helped someone.
    That feeling turned into a career cooking at a shelter for women with children. I LOVE it.
    I am so happy to see you take a similar path! 🖤

    • @kayla206
      @kayla206 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I've always wanted to do something like this. When I was a kid I really wanted to work in a hospital cafeteria for some reason.

    • @MichellePondueCruz
      @MichellePondueCruz 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@kayla206 I bet that's not a bad job these days! The food in hospitals has improved drastically in the last 20 years. Don't ask how I know, lol. 🤕

  • @AngelaGary-lg3xq
    @AngelaGary-lg3xq 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    To be honest I am more excited seeing you excited about the Senior enjoying your food. I will continue to tell you thk u for all ur efforts to help this lady and I know God is smiling down on u😊

  • @Tbird1549
    @Tbird1549 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +147

    You are such an amazing person to do this for someone else! I am surprised no one is knocking down on your door because word has gotten around about all of your delicious meals.

  • @marcialane8235
    @marcialane8235 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +46

    My mom is 89 and lives in an upscale assisted living facility that has actually very good food. She loves taco night especially if they have guacamole! If your lady loves soup you may want to ask her if she likes split pea with ham, lentil soup or potato soup with ham…those are my mom’s favorites.

    • @stephaniepapaleo9001
      @stephaniepapaleo9001 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      So glad you have your Mom and you get a kick out of what she enjoys! My mom (now passed) would eat the dinners I made for her, only to find out later, she didn’t enjoy certain casseroles or meat that I liked and years later I laugh at what I’m thinking she loved was something she couldn’t stand and she finally confided in me that she hated candy mixed in her ice cream, Ben & Jerry’s type combos, and she picked out all of the chocolate chips in her ice cream. 😂 and rice pudding grossed her out bc as a kid she had a bad hospital experience 😬 anyway, I’m glad you appreciate your mom’s food preferences!!

    • @LaLaLauraJ10
      @LaLaLauraJ10 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Great soup suggestions.
      I also commented about a taco night idea. Ha.
      Great minds 😂

    • @seaside_sheilaoceanfront2815
      @seaside_sheilaoceanfront2815 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes, I agree these are winners !!

  • @lucyburdine5337
    @lucyburdine5337 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +116

    As a child (now 71), I remember Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners always included celery stuffed with pimento cheese. My mother knew how much we 5 children loved celery with pimento cheese, so she made lots of it whether we were eating at home or one of our grandparents' homes. Still love it, but don't make it often because I'm the last of my family and I live alone.
    Holiday dinners usually included roast turkey, cornbread dressing (also had to make extra), sweet potato casserole with apples and pecans topped with marshmallows, green bean casserole or my mother's mother asparagus and sweet pea casserole,

    • @EmmaJ716
      @EmmaJ716 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +25

      Was it Kraft pimento cheese in the tiny jars? My mom used it often and washed the tiny jars for me to use as a drinking glass. I’m 58. There were no sippy cups back then. 😂

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +27

      I’m definitely going to make them a thanksgiving in July dinner, I think they’ll love it!

    • @roch2772
      @roch2772 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

      Our favorite celery stuffing was Kraft cream cheese with pineapple. Any of the spreadable cream cheese makes a nice stuffing and you can customize it to coincide with your meal, sweet vs savory. It was also an easy dish for us kids to make and “help” make dinner. I still make it once in a while when I am light on vegetables or need to use up some celery. Great snacks too. I think a traditional lasagna would be a good option for a meal for a comfort food with some nice roasted vegetables as a side, and garlic bread. For a dessert treat, chocolate chip cookies are something we grew up with. I’m 75 and I love to cook. I have made several of your recipes or been inspired to try some of your ideas. I am enjoying seeing your passion for cooking and helping others, including all of your followers. So thank you Rebecca, I look forward to seeing what you do next.❤

    • @proudmammaof6148
      @proudmammaof6148 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      ​@@EmmaJ716 I'm 57 and remember my mom doing the same thing along with the jelly jars that I want to say had Flintstones characters on them we used as drinking glasses. ❤

    • @debbiegnagey2095
      @debbiegnagey2095 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      We always make pimento cheese with mayonnaise, jarred pimentos, grated Real American cheese made by Kraft with blue label., salt , pepper ! We make it every holiday. My Mom was from North Carolina.

  • @patrickjones4813
    @patrickjones4813 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +61

    A dish I remember from my childhood that I haven't come across in many years is "porcupines." They were basically meatballs with rice in the mix, simmered in a tomato sauce.

    • @boyinblue.
      @boyinblue. 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Yes! My mom called them porcupine balls. She stopped making those and did stuffed bell peppers, same concept but the meatball is inside of a pepper. Very good.

    • @rachelecentofante6158
      @rachelecentofante6158 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

    • @idkwtf2makemyusername104
      @idkwtf2makemyusername104 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      ​@boyinblue. Same with my mom. My gram made the porcupine balls n mom started doing the stuffed peppers. Have u had stuffed pepper soup ? Sounds weird but it's soooo good. I make stuffed cabbages alot too n make everyone in the family a pan.

    • @Hamstersarecute-bb2eb
      @Hamstersarecute-bb2eb 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Kind of like a Boudin ball.

    • @LisFayte
      @LisFayte 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I make these all the time, I also add chopped bell pepper and call it unstuffed peppers 😂

  • @warriorcherylann3801
    @warriorcherylann3801 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    I dice red seedless grapes & add to my chicken salad -- it's yummy!!!! It's so very kind of you to do this for her & the grandson! We need more people like you in this world! : )

  • @JornSales
    @JornSales 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +21

    As an elderly person myself.. I know she wants an apple pie and some ice cream. For banana pudding use the box mix and add some cool whip to the box mix and on top, easy and delicious. Cinnamon rolls are also a hit and very easy.

  • @bettygossell3408
    @bettygossell3408 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

    One of my favorites growing up on a farm was fresh green beans and new potatoes cooked together. I make a big batch about once a month and enjoy every bite.

  • @jellyrollfan93
    @jellyrollfan93 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +58

    God bless you, Rebecca! If you wanted any help paying for these meals, I and I’m sure others would be happy to help.

    • @ladybeeluv9233
      @ladybeeluv9233 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Just tap the $ button below to help her help others.

    • @jellyrollfan93
      @jellyrollfan93 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@ladybeeluv9233 ?

  • @marshal8981
    @marshal8981 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    I used to make tuna corn chowder with canned corn and canned tuna. My children loved "tuna broccoli casserole", canned tuna, frozen broccoli, and cream of mushroom soup, topped with biscuits. Meringue will weep like that if it's underbaked and will get droplets of moisture on top if overbaked.

    • @lourdessanchez796
      @lourdessanchez796 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      My first thought on the watery pudding was the meringue.

  • @chriswithers8835
    @chriswithers8835 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +23

    Meal suggestions: scalloped potatoes with ham, berry cobblers, lasagna, baked ziti, boiled ham dinner with cabbage+carrots+potatoes, etc.

  • @tinashort9098
    @tinashort9098 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +35

    You are, without a doubt, one of the most amazing young people on the planet!!! The heart you possess for community is absolutely beautiful!!! ❤❤❤. I saw Frugal Fit Mom put mustard and apples in chicken salad once. I’m not sure I’d care for the mustard but I do love fruit in it. And fresh garlic or garlic salt. I use garlic in everything!!

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      You are always so kind Tina, I appreciate you!

  • @KarenBowers4
    @KarenBowers4 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    Another great video, this family is very lucky to have someone who cares making their meals with love.

  • @charliedavis8894
    @charliedavis8894 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    Suggestion for the beef stroganoff, serve the noodles separately. When you mixed them into the hot beef mixture, the noodles kept cooking then after being microwaved they were likely overcooked.
    As a senior myself, dont listen to these comments about adding all this other stuff to chicken salads. It's fine for most people but many seniors have problems eating or digesting crunchy or chewy foods like walnuts, almonds, dried cranberries, etc. Simpler is better.
    As a recipient of my county's meals on wheels program, my favorite meals are:
    1. Meat Loaf with Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and a Vegetable,
    2. Breaded or Baked Fish, Tartar Sauce, Bun, Tater Tots and Coleslaw (I dry fry the fish and tots to reheat)
    3. Country Meatballs with Country Gravy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
    4. Egg Salad Sandwich (bread separate), Pickled Beets, Cucumber Salad
    5. Sliced Turkey or Chicken Breast on Stuffing with Poultry Gravy, Roasted or Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Carrots
    6. Kielbasa, Sauerkraut, Baked Beans, Broccoli
    7. Baked Pork Loin in a Raisin Sauce, Seasoned Rice (Rice-a-Roni type), Applesauce, Italian style Vegetables
    The meals I dislike (they're either served too often or just aren't good):
    1. Beef Rigatoni Bake, no cheese
    2. Spanish Rice
    3. Spaghetti
    4. Bavarian Stew (watery and tasteless mix of chicken, potatoes and canned vegetables)
    5. Chili (nasty mix of watery black & pinto beans not fully cooked with either too much spice or tasteless).
    6. Curry Chicken Salad (would be fine without the curry which I can't stand)
    My biggest complaint is too many tomato based meals that fire up my inflammation. Oh, and I'd like more than 5 Tots, lol. Otherwise, I'm grateful for these meals since I can't stand very long and it's hard to cook on crutches. They do all come with a roll and some kind of cookie, dessert bar or fruit. I only eat the fruit or jello, the rest goes to the neighbors kids, I don't care for sugary baked goods.
    Other meals I cook myself when I can or would love to see on the meals on wheels menu (some of mine are 2 days in the making because I wear out sometimes after the prep):
    1. Beef Barley or Split Pea with Ham Soup
    2. Chicken or Beef Tacos with Flour Tortillas (no tomatoes)
    3. Shrimp Cocktail
    4. Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce over Angel Hair Pasta
    5. Chicken or Pork Fried Rice
    6. Tuna Casserole (scratch, no canned soup) or Sandwich
    7. Green Chicken Enchiladas (3-5 days to make but I freeze them in twos.)
    8. Pico de Gallo and Chips
    9. Macaroni Salad using Ditalini pasta, Celery, Hard Boiled Eggs, Mayo.
    10. Jello with or without fruit
    11. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
    12. BBQ Pork Sandwich
    13. Coleslaw with Pineapple
    14. Sweet & Sour Pork or Chicken over White Rice
    Well, I hope there's an idea or two here for you and I hope your "customers" realize how absolutely blessed they are to have you cooking for them! I really miss cooking!

  • @alisonh768
    @alisonh768 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    Since she loves mashed potatoes, I bet she would like Shepherds pie! Another classic my family used to like is American chop suey. I love these videos so much, especially like hearing the reviews of what you cooked! Even with meal repetition, I would continue watching these weekly!

    • @josiegee2478
      @josiegee2478 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      I was going to say if she likes meatloaf my dad used to “frost” the meatloaf with mashed potatoes toward the middle if the cooking.

    • @mj3825
      @mj3825 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      I used to put in a loaf pan and put two hard boiled eggs in the meatloaf 🥚 my Grampa loved that with potatoes and green beans. He also loved cooked puddings, chocolate and tapioca....easy to prep for desserts.

  • @maryreddell6529
    @maryreddell6529 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    A favorite meal for me: "goulash "
    Ground beef, onions, diced tomatoes, elbow noodles & cheese.
    It is wonderful what you are doin!

  • @MarieJohnson-l1q
    @MarieJohnson-l1q 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    I applaud you for what you're doing for these people. Cooking for strangers can be challenging. Such a self sacrificing spirit. Good for you.

  • @anntoureilles6389
    @anntoureilles6389 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    Stuffed cabbage rolls baked in tomato sauce, salisbury steak & mashed potatoes, or shrimp etouffee would all be awesome and are classics

  • @kathrynyeager9470
    @kathrynyeager9470 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +49

    I love what you are doing. I know the satisfaction is brings when cooking for other. I volunteered for Lasagna Love and it was so satisfying to hear people say how much they appreciated my cooking for them. Just a tip, red potatoes work best in soup because they are waxier and hold up to the cooking and freezing. You asked for suggestions for future meals, how about sloppy joes, chicken and noodles casserole, beef stew, salmon, stuffed peppers or cabbage….

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad you were able to work with lasagna love and had a great experience with it!

    • @ellefirebrand
      @ellefirebrand 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      Hello fellow Lasagna Love volunteer!

    • @lauriea.8718
      @lauriea.8718 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Let’s make it three Lasagna Love volunteers! 😊 I think I get just as much, or more, out of volunteering as the recipients do from the meals.

    • @rohese925
      @rohese925 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      thank you for doing what you do! my family was helped by lasagna love a while back! it meant so much to us & the food was delicious

  • @ladykyra13
    @ladykyra13 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +38

    This is my favorite series on youtube and you're one of the creators i look forward to seeing a notification from the most. Thank you so very much for all you're doing and staying humble

  • @777herald
    @777herald 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    Meatloaf, mashed potato and green beans.
    Pineapple Upside-down Cake.
    Date Loaf cake.
    You're such a blessing Rebecca! 💎

  • @maryolsen3190
    @maryolsen3190 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +30

    My favorite classic menu from my late Grandma: German fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans with bacon, and Waldorf apple salad. Also a wilted spinach skillet salad dressed with a sweet and sour sauce, bacon and boiled eggs.

    • @TheDevotedDisciple
      @TheDevotedDisciple 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      We had Waldorf salad every Thanksgiving when I was a wee sprog!

    • @aHavenForTheLost
      @aHavenForTheLost 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yes the Waldorf apple salad. Yuuum!!!😊

  • @tinakloepfer1581
    @tinakloepfer1581 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +42

    Such a lovely and thoughtful thing you’re doing for them. Old time recipes are fun! Jello salads, Salisbury steak, anything apple, chicken and dumplings, cobblers, pies, salmon patties. Your library probably has depression era or WWII recipe books.

    • @hannakinn
      @hannakinn 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      My mom, now 91 years old made salmon patties, tuna patties and chicken croquettes. I like all of them. Mom still makes salmon patties, I make them too but use a crab cake recipe for mine. My grandmother made the best chicken and dumplings ever. RIP Granny

  • @stevendunn264
    @stevendunn264 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    You did so well. Bless you for this.

  • @judyf6220
    @judyf6220 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    I love that you said we’re all at different parts of our journey that’s gonna be my new mantra because physically I’m not the same as I used to be but it’s still OK. Things are just a little different. I love what you’re doing, it’s great!

  • @toryarmstrong6799
    @toryarmstrong6799 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I’m enjoying your channel and your kindness to others.
    I made your chocolate chocolate chip banana nut muffins. They came out perfect. (400 for 18 min). I then tried the wild berry muffin mix with the strawberry muffin mix. It made 28 mini muffins. 350 for 15 minutes. My grandchildren and their friends devoured them. So easy and so economical. Thank you

  • @Terrelli9
    @Terrelli9 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +51

    Thanks for making these meals for this family. I have Spina Bifida too and I know firsthand how much help this is.

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

      It's my pleasure, I really do enjoy cooking for them

    • @psychedelichippie9759
      @psychedelichippie9759 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      All excellent meals Rebecca. I bet your house smelled wonderful. That was a LOT of work!

    • @leannahicks412
      @leannahicks412 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Grapes or dried cranberries,pecans,or almonds are all good additions to chicken salad!

  • @muzikl96
    @muzikl96 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I grew up with chicken, chopped sweet pickle, and maybe celery.
    Now that I'm older - I've done a pre-cooked sundried tomato turkey breast, apple, light blue cheese and pecan or walnut salad.
    I love both.

    • @The3Storms
      @The3Storms 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That second one sounds great, thanks for the idea.

  • @celestecolton1638
    @celestecolton1638 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    When it comes to chicken salad, I love the crunch of sunflower seeds, they are delicious

  • @AceyLady
    @AceyLady 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    My grandmother made stuffed celery for every holiday. I was a pretty picky eater growing up, and I fondly remember that being one of the only things I would eat! lol Hers was a mixture of cream cheese, miracle whip, and walnuts, then sprinkled with paprika. :)

  • @vickytribble3259
    @vickytribble3259 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +30

    Speaking as a senior… I don’t want anything without black pepper! Your meals look perfect❣️

  • @teresabennett1854
    @teresabennett1854 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I made the banana nut chocolate muffins, added an over ripe banana and some walnuts. Oh my Gosh so great.
    THANKS FOR THE AWSOME IDEAS.
    LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!

  • @brookebond007
    @brookebond007 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +47

    Great video, I love that you're continuing to help people in your community with food! In terms of chicken salad, my family always added green grapes and toasted sliced pecans to our chicken salad. We always ate them on croissants.
    One of my favorite things my nana made for us was hamburger steak with homemade gravy. We had it with creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and peas. It was always one of my favorite Sunday dinners!

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      I love hamburger steak! That’s a great one

  • @RITAD1
    @RITAD1 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    You're an inspiration to help seniors! Thank you for what you're doing.

  • @laurenbowen8707
    @laurenbowen8707 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    This is very kind and generous of you. I’m a hospice social worker and this makes me so happy.

    • @Sally-v6f
      @Sally-v6f 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Hospice workers are truely Gods angels. And ours thank you❤

  • @chadb3363
    @chadb3363 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Celery is definitely one of my favorite veggies! Cooked, raw with dip or topping, all of it! And what you said you used to love as a child sounds good too!

  • @gwenvann7279
    @gwenvann7279 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +59

    Things we ate growing up:
    Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans
    Spaghetti with meat sauce
    Tuna casserole
    White Navy beans with ham and cornbread
    Beef vegetable soup with Italian bread with butter

    • @meloshea7895
      @meloshea7895 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      Those meals was what they called 'stick to your ribs' meals. ❤

    • @lorna865
      @lorna865 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      We also ate, being in WV, pinto beans, fried taters, bell pepper & onion with cornbread. We had Mater sandwiches, chili with beans, prune cake (actually was tasty, Mom's fav.) Spaghetti with meat sauce. Denver biscuits. Out of this world delish.

    • @dryellowkate
      @dryellowkate 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      These were my childhood meals too! Along with pork chops.

    • @idkwtf2makemyusername104
      @idkwtf2makemyusername104 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      I loved meatloaf as a kid. I'm 47 now and everytime I make it, I do the same as my mom did but make it in muffin tins cuz they freeze so good for a quick lunch or dinner for 1 or 2. I just use a packet of Mccormick meatloaf mix, some tomato sauce, lil breadcrumbs, 1 egg and top it with tomato sauce. My boys r picky teens and they smash the meatloaf. One other meal I bet they would like is "girl scout pouches"...u just make burger patties, top them w a lil onion, par boil (or used canned,if that's ur thing) potatoes sliced n topped w a pat of butter and a some veggies into a foil pouch and bake em for @35-45 min depending on how big u make the patty and the size of the tater slices. We always do corn and peas. Could bake em in the foil to get the seasoning of all things 2gether then transfer em to them containers. ❤

    • @danielafurlan322
      @danielafurlan322 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I suggest ask if she has a recipe book or a box with recipes from when she was young.

  • @Nick-Poq
    @Nick-Poq 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    I really love how passionate you are about cooking for someone in need in your community. Keep up the amazing videos! These will never get boring to watch. 😊

  • @teresab3198
    @teresab3198 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    I think the best part of all of this is that even if you didn't use this as content for your channel, you would do it anyway. There is a lot of respect in that!

  • @db5960
    @db5960 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Love your channel!❤🎉

  • @CyndieAmala
    @CyndieAmala 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +22

    You're making a few meals that are nostalgic to me! I grew up with beef stroganoff, banana pudding and fruit salad. Now I want all of those rn lol

  • @TheresePope
    @TheresePope 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I love Chicken Waldorf salad (with apples or grapes and walnuts). I use the basics per your video but sometimes I'll add dry ranch seasoning and mix it with a combo of plain Greek yogurt and mayo for a healthier spin. I love to make wraps with chicken salad too and sprinkle some feta and sliced avocado on top before I roll it up. I am loving this series and you are such a kind person to cook meals for her and her son. 🫶

  • @ardnasacila
    @ardnasacila 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    I love this series and the work you do.
    I'm from Central America, but my 81-year-old neighbor, born and raised in Louisiana, says that the food she misses most from her childhood is Hoppin'John.

  • @stephanieinglett8569
    @stephanieinglett8569 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I am loving these videos. Thank you.

  • @sharibasse6130
    @sharibasse6130 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    She's blessed to have you 🙏

  • @mrsfordforlife9125
    @mrsfordforlife9125 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    You are truly a great person helping others out

  • @noleenmcbrearty6513
    @noleenmcbrearty6513 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This is my favourite series on TH-cam I'm so enjoying it ❤❤ such a lovely idea xx

  • @evem4876
    @evem4876 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +30

    🌞 On my comment down below the reason I asked was my neighbor n I are helping out making food casseroles for a neighbor who cannot cook for himself n were helping out with cooked warm meals we take to him he enjoys small casseroles .N his daughter found out n was so happy n thanked us both n she said I want to buy u some grocery items u need to cook for my Dad in which we refused n said that's ok but no ty n ,she still came by n gave us gift cards for the food to buy what we needed to prepare hot meals for him ... His daughter ask us pls to use the cards because she cannot always cook for him cause she's a full time RN n works long hrs . She appreciates what we're doing for her Dad ...

  • @maryellensola5379
    @maryellensola5379 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    You are such a blessing to your community! I’ve made it a point to regularly stock a neighborhood free food pantry. I also try to do a lasagna for Lasagna Love every month. Keep up the good work!

  • @crh.hedgehogs
    @crh.hedgehogs 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I truly respect the heck out of you for what you are doing.

  • @laurenholmes860
    @laurenholmes860 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Louisiana girl on a work trip in Italy watching you from over here! Gotta get my Rebecca fix! God bless your heart, and the family that you’re helping ❤️

  • @KSGomez88
    @KSGomez88 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    I adore this series ❤ it makes me want to do this for people in need in my community ❤ You are an inspiration!!

  • @laurencrazypiglady8439
    @laurencrazypiglady8439 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    One of my favorite memories as a kid was every Sunday getting paper and going thru the grocery store circulars w my parents to come up w a menu for the week based on who had what on sale. It’s truly the little things. It doesn’t have to be fancy. We would make a list and plan out a weeks worth of meals and me and my dad would take turns cooking for the family. (My mom and brother would burn water but me and dad loved cooking). They’re all passed now just these past couple years and it’s hard for me to cook now being just for one between working crazy hours and with the prices of groceries but I love to watch your videos. They inspire me and always give me great ideas for when I get the motivation and want to cook for myself. Thank you always for sharing. ❤

  • @deadeyedave444
    @deadeyedave444 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    Good on you for your continued efforts to feed your community! One of my favorite things to eat back in the day that I very rarely see anymore was Jell-o poke cake.

  • @spoonergirl75
    @spoonergirl75 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My son sat down and watched this video with me today, and commented that he would have liked having someone like you as a culinary arts teacher. The library in the town I grew up in used to host a free community course for young adults/low income parents/elderly people on how to buy or use inexpensive pantry staples by turning them into healthy meals. I feel like you would be an amazing teacher for something like that. No pressure, lol. I think what you're doing is wonderful! I'd also like to say that I love dried cranberries and slivered almonds in my chicken salad. I also take a note out of my g-grandmother's depression-era cooking tutorials and add hard boiled egg and diced onion to my tuna salad. The egg not only helps make more so that it goes further, it tastes great!

  • @vonneblazier814
    @vonneblazier814 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    She comes from a time when you were thankful someone prepared a meal for you. I'd be surprised if she ever complained.

  • @lisabryant7198
    @lisabryant7198 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    They make good pancakes too ! You are a Awesome younglady ! maqny blessings to you and your husband.

  • @jadebluea8514
    @jadebluea8514 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Tuna Noodle Casserole was one of my favorites growing up. Also. Grilled cheese and tomato soup.

  • @thatcrazywvgirl7248
    @thatcrazywvgirl7248 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I love your videos, I’m especially loving the longer ones!! Your voice is so comforting, I feel like we’re friends! 🩷

  • @heatherangel9700
    @heatherangel9700 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    Oooh, posted two minutes ago? I feel so privileged to catch this vid hot and fresh. Comment three, woo hoo! 🙂

    • @DollarTreeDinners
      @DollarTreeDinners  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      I love that you get to catch it Hot and fresh 😂😂❤️

  • @raelenelabby6407
    @raelenelabby6407 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    You are a blessing to this family 🙏❤️

  • @Adisa9685
    @Adisa9685 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    My mom used to make a breakfast casserole every Christmas day. Bacon onions cheddar cheese milk eggs garlic powder melted butter and bisquick. It was so good.

  • @shirleywarner8831
    @shirleywarner8831 หลายเดือนก่อน

    She will love the egg muffin and all the other delcious food. You are special to be so thoughtfu and generous

  • @EGSimon-ds1vf
    @EGSimon-ds1vf 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    One of my favorite comfort foods from childhood is macaroni and cheese. I still make it the way my mom did. Simple, boring to some maybe, but we all loved it. You make a roux from butter and cornstarch or flour, add milk until thickened, then chunks or shredded, Velveeta (no substitute) cheese. No exact measurements (sorry), but you want a thick but easily pourable sauce. You then cook up elbow macaroni until it's just al dente. Place in casserole dish, pour cheese sauce over it, stir to mix thoroughly and put in 375 degree oven until top starts to brown. We ate it with store bought frozen fish filets and green beans on the side. Yum! The leftovers were the best. Reheat the mac and cheese either in the oven or on the stove top with a little bit of oil if you want to brown them and get them a little more crispy. So happy your Senior is enjoying your meals, you must feel so thrilled.

    • @aHavenForTheLost
      @aHavenForTheLost 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I loved the Kraft Spiral Macaroni. My mom would make a couple boxes a week and I loved it hot or cold lol. I love those memories. ❤

  • @Michelle-ud4we
    @Michelle-ud4we 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    Since she likes fish, tuna noodle casserole might be good. Also, as a southerner, she might like shrimp and grits or collards with ham and beans. These are all pretty inexpensive as well.

  • @ursularowe3353
    @ursularowe3353 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I'm loving this series. You're doing so much for your community.

  • @tashabellows6273
    @tashabellows6273 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I really do love theses videos please keep sharing

  • @dorgan96
    @dorgan96 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Porcupine balls, made with white rice ground beef and diced seasoned tomatoes and seasoning. Mix together and cook for 36-45 minutes till cooked well. Recipe is in taste of home, I ate these back in the early 50’s so she most likely ate it too. Very delicious and flavorful. We also ate a lot of jello salad with fruit in it or lime jello with grated carrots and crushed pineapple. We drank lots of homemade lemonade, and something called coco cola cake which is baked with a Coke. It will be easy to find the recipe for it. For a vegetable we ate streamed zucchini and tomatoes and macaroni combined. Yummy, and season well. Cabbage rolls were big back then too!

  • @rhondaroyal7097
    @rhondaroyal7097 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I think it is so beautiful that you do this for them. I love your channel

  • @ericafyre
    @ericafyre 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Old-fashioned banana pudding always does that when you put it in the fridge, honey my grandmas used to do that and hers was a blue ribbon winner recipe

    • @kathleencole9546
      @kathleencole9546 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I recall that now too after the pudding was refrigerated

  • @maddiemaccheese8170
    @maddiemaccheese8170 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    You are my absolute favorite channel on youtube!! Your videos are so inspiring, soothing, and educational, and I can't thank you enough for everything you're doing for your community ❤️

  • @cherylmclaverty2182
    @cherylmclaverty2182 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    Omg I look so forward to your videos ty❤

  • @candeeham7423
    @candeeham7423 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    All of the meals look delicious!!! What a wonderful gift for your family. I am going to make that chowder tonight.

  • @DarleneWhyte-yj3po
    @DarleneWhyte-yj3po 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Hi! I have been watching your channel for quite a while and really enjoy it! What a loving act of mercy you are doing in cooking for others! I always liked tuna casserole, johnny marzetti, and stuffed peppers (or made as stuffed pepper soup w/o actually stuffing peppers!) My mother was a sweet woman but not much of a cook, so I have taught myself to cook by watching cooks on TV! At 75 I am still enjoying watching cooks ... only now mostly on TH-cam! God bless you!

  • @jodiflinn6110
    @jodiflinn6110 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You are so sweet and giving to do this, may God Bless you.

  • @Kat175
    @Kat175 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This series is just amazing and is so inspiring. I wish it was easier to find elderly in need near where i live.

  • @hello-vs4me
    @hello-vs4me 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Love all your video family loves all your meals just wztch one video new meal plan for the week thanks alot your a great kind person❤😊

  • @margaretholm7662
    @margaretholm7662 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Add some curry powder( be light handed, you can add to taste) and some sliced green grapes...very yummy

  • @diannthomas7849
    @diannthomas7849 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Great job with the menu and the video. I bet these meals are such a blessing to this family. A traditional meal idea might be a good old fashioned beef stew with potatoes and carrots. Im old and its one of my favorite comfort meals.

  • @donna-keithsmith3925
    @donna-keithsmith3925 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I can not tell you how glad I am to have found your channel. What a wonderful thing you are doing! I have two seniors (in their 80's) who need help that I have prepared a few meals for and boy did I need ideas. I drove them to a food bank the first time so they could see how simple it was to drive thru as one has mobility issues, as they are struggling financially as well. I've used Flashfood to get more veggies and fruits in their home too. Your channel hit the nail on the head. I've already started planning using some of your meal ideas. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish we could help everyone, pets and people!!!

  • @donnatravis2483
    @donnatravis2483 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    I usually add dried cranberries to my chicken or turkey salad. Celery is a must for the crunch! :)

  • @kimberlytelle8313
    @kimberlytelle8313 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you so much for all the love and care you put into every detail! I’m sure the little family you’re providing for is thankful!!
    I’m learning so much from you too!! Thank you!!❤

  • @barbaranytes-baron7377
    @barbaranytes-baron7377 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +34

    Meatloaf, baked potatoes and baked acorn squash. The aromas bring back memories of coming in from ice skating! At 76 those smells still bring those memories back.

  • @karencosta5430
    @karencosta5430 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    God bless you for what your doing it’s such a heartfelt truly compassionate thing cooking for this senior grandmother and her disabled son.

  • @brynda3811
    @brynda3811 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Girl, homemade pudding is so much better than instant, the richness is just killer

  • @btolson66
    @btolson66 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yay 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 granny camp!! Love this idea so much!! Want to see lots more videos!

  • @susansmallacombe3098
    @susansmallacombe3098 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I love cranberries and walnuts in my chicken salad. I also use them in my turkey salad sandwiches too!

    • @kathleencole9546
      @kathleencole9546 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I love cranberries and walnuts too

  • @teresakryvenchuk6205
    @teresakryvenchuk6205 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love this series you are doing so much. You are helping all of us.❤ Keep it coming please. I am a disabled senior. So the idea 💡 🤔 of getting food ready ahead of time helps hubby and I. Thank you sweet earth 🌎 angel 😇 💖.

  • @jillybeans70
    @jillybeans70 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    So glad you posted!!! Can’t wait for the next installment. It all looked so good!

  • @annie1671
    @annie1671 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My grandmother used to serve stuffed celery with cream cheese and pimento olives with a little paprika on top. My sister and I loved them!! We have never heard of anyone else doing this. I am definitely going to try your family's recipe!

  • @charlottetaylor6681
    @charlottetaylor6681 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Hey, Rebecca. When I was a kid in the 50s and 60s (comìng up on 73rd b'day), we often had stuffed celery for an appetizer for Thanksgiving, etc., or for a snack. In those days they were often stuffed with jarred cheese, such as Kraft pineapple cheese or Roquefort. It sounds like your mother's stuffed celery was a variation on stuffing the celery with (homemade) pimento cheese, wĥich is delicious. I make my grandmother's version, which is Velveeta style cheese, pimentos, and mayonnaise. She made it in a double boiler, but I found a version on Pinterest to melt the cheese in the microwave in 30 second increments, then add pimento and mayo. I have found that jarred roasted peppers are, oddly, less expensive than pimentos. You can look up the recipe, but really all you have to is start with cheese that's about 3/4 of the amount you want finished and after it's melted in the microwave, add diced pimentos or roasted peppers to taste, and enough mayo to get the texture/flavor you prefer. Really very simple and sooo tasty.
    Edit: Also, I like green grapes, celery and green onions in chicken salad, and when my daughters were young they didn't like onion in tuna salad, so I put in unpeeled diced apple instead. Now I use either or both, depending. Also, add diced regular cheese or Velveeta to traditional tuna salad, put it in hamburger buns, wrap in foil, and bake at around 350 until warmed through and the cheese is gooey. That was a family favorite when I was a kid.

  • @KayGeeBee07
    @KayGeeBee07 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I wanted to tell you that I made the Corn Chowder almost exactly following your recipe - only changes were that I only had one can of creamed corn so I put a can of corn in the food processor to substitute, and I added chopped celery because I like celery in soup. Otherwise I made it just the way you did here. It was fantastic, and my husband loved it. He said it tasted like something at a restaurant. Thank you for posting this.

  • @keschneider
    @keschneider 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Tuna noodle casserole with a bread crumb or cracker crumb topping comes to mind when I think of a nostalgic meal. :)

  • @TheHolyQuran30in30
    @TheHolyQuran30in30 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Bravo,yet another wonderful job! Such a blessing for the elderly woman and her grandson! Again Bravo!
    I think I will make the fish, zucchini and squash one day. Thank you for sharing!

  • @NannyTam
    @NannyTam 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Rebecca, you are truly talented! Thanks for all you do for both your TH-cam community, but your home community as well. I think you're awesome! Can I offer a tip? Not sure if you've ever tried this, but when peeling potatoes with a vegetable peeler, if you pull the peeler towards you (like you would a paring knife) instead of pushing it away you will be amazed how much easier it is. My MIL taught me that years ago and it truly was a game changer. It all looks so delicious. I know that Family appreciates you beyond measure! 🥰❤️🙏

    • @jenniferbanks2241
      @jenniferbanks2241 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I move mine back and forth and it Oreos either way. I find it faster as well.