The usual predictable array of Valentine-ish products are dominating the Thursday specials at Aldi, these are some of the highlights;
Some seriously great value flowers; yes, I realise that by the time 10am on the 14th comes around won’t look half as pretty, or indeed alive, as in the photos, but a dozen roses for €5.99? A small, recession-friendly pick-me-up for the OH, methinks. The most expensive bouquet is €29.99 which still beats the leafy pants off any independant florists’ €70 concoctions.
Also in the lineup this Thursday are an array of Italian food, two words which instantly make my tummy growl. You can choose from an array of 99c spice mills, which are good value as the grinder-plastic thingie at the top tend to edge these condiments up the prices list, or stir-through or pasta bake sauces (€1.29 to €1.79 respectively), although two packs of their 69c passata would make for a healthier base, to which you can add any herbs and spices you like. Also on sale are various pastas from 99c to €1.79, but alas, no brown / wholewheat versions. The pizza base mix at €1.29 would make a fun Friday night with the kids – adding whatever topping you felt like / could afford in your diet (Aldi and Lidl are great for deli meats and chillis!).
Finally, there’s a few kitchen utensils / cookware on sale – now usually I don’t find these to be great value, as Dunnes and Tesco have a great own-brand range that is quite literally dirt cheap. And I could definitely do without a ‘Giant Pepper Mill’ (€6.99), but the bunch of various Italian – themed kitchen utensils (including pizza cutter and bizzarely, ‘spaghetti measurer’) at €1.79 is an affordable indulgence for kitchen-freaks like me. Three foot squared galley of a kitchen? Yup. Enough utensils to equip the US army? Yup.
Anyway, lest we forget the cause of some of my more odd recipes – the Aldi Super Six this 
week features turnips, potatoes, lemons, kiwi, cucumber and cabbage, for 49c each / per pack. So much for the too broke for good food argument 