Join me at the free Nourished on a Budget Summit, where I’ll share how to create a cozy, traditional Northern Italian supper without stretching your grocery dollars. Inspired by my mother’s Depression-era wisdom, this meal is rich in flavor, nutrition, and frugality—proof that nourishing your family can be both heartfelt and affordable.

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What is the Nourished on a Budget Summit?
I’m delighted to be a guest speaker at the Nourished on a Budget Summit—a free online event from May 10-30, 2025, that’s designed to help you feed your family well without stretching your budget.
With over 20 inspiring speakers, you’ll enjoy cooking demos, savvy grocery-saving strategies, and plenty of encouragement rooted in real food traditions.
In my session on Thursday, May 22, 2025, I’ll share how you can make a cozy Northern Italian supper that’s budget-friendly.
A Cozy Northern Italian “Budget-Friendly” Supper
My mother and father lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s and the rationing of World War 2—and they learned a thing or two about living with economy and grace during the most difficult of times. I am blessed that my parents taught me many of their traditional ways of living well, even within a very tight budget.
My sweet mom, Gloria, was of Northern Italian heritage and lived to be just shy of her 99th birthday. So she knew a few things about the benefits of eating a diet of traditional foods. In this summit, I am sharing some of my mom’s favorite budget-friendly recipes for a cozy, nutrient-rich supper that she often made when I was growing up. I find each one scrumptious, and I hope you will too!
Budget-Friendly Supper Menu
- Main Dish: Lombardy-Style Lentil and Barley Soup
- Soup Topping: Crema di Latte (Farmhouse “Milk Cream”)
- Bread: Rustic Soaked Barley Skillet Bread
- Optional Side Dish: Dandelion Greens (or other greens) with Sea Salt, Apple Scrap Vinegar, and Melted Butter
- Dessert: Poached Pears with Raw Honey Drizzle
- Herbal Digestif: Mint Tisane
As part of the Nourished on a Budget Summit, I’ll have a video showing you how to make the main dish and soup topping. Plus, you’ll be able to access recipes for the entire menu.
I can’t wait for you to join me at the Nourished on a Budget Summit!
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I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!
Shop for items used in this blog post or video
Favorite Kitchen Supplies
- Favorite Aprons
- Spice Grinder
- Countertop Burner (On my kitchen island in many recipe videos.)
- Handheld Vacuum Sealing System
- Vacuum Lids
- Whisk
- Silica Gel Packets (Helps keep moisture from building up in your mix)
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
- Fat Separator (Clever kitchen device to help you decant bone broth)
- Flour Sack Towels
- pH Strips (Helps you check on the acidity of your vinegar)
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Maryโs Nest Amazon Shop
- Visit my Shopping Guide page
Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Farmhouse Teas, Lehman's, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
- Visit my Shopping Guide page
Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Farmhouse Teas, Lehman’s, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!