The giddy optimism of this week has infected Aldi staff, and they’ve laid on the BBQ specials. Let’s hope they’re right, or the freezers are going to get rather full this weekend! First up are 25% extra seasoned chicken portions, including wings (pack of 14 by my count), thighs (pack of six) and drumsticks (pack of 9) for €1.99, which is not bad going although mightn’t compare well to frozen versions. Have a look at my recipe for spicy wings and blue cheese sauce if you do indulge – ridiculously messy tasty food!
Irish beef mince is 20% extra free, at €2.89, which makes stilton-stuffed burgers very reasonable indeed, or just buy 2 pre-made Angus burgers for €2.59 or four quarter pounders for €2.29. Lazybones.
There’re two Irish Angus striploin steaks (450g in total) for €9.99 and two plain old striploins for €6.39 (376g) although if you’re not fussy about the addition of the word ‘Angus’ then you might be better off with Tesco’s €5 for 360g Striploin. Oh, and if you’re intro saussies then the 16 Irish Pork sausages for €1.59 is great value. Hotdogs. Yuuum.
Oh, also, there are 6 jumbo chilli or garlic & herb sausages for €1.99, might be worth a try if you can’t get your hands on the delicious Crowes Farm Italian sausages I used last week. Also up in the meat offerings are Irish boned and rolled turkey stuffed or plain for €7.99 and €2.99 pack of beef stir fry strips (26th May), and Lamb loin chops and rump steaks, €5.99 each as well as a half leg of lamb for €10.99, if you’re not utterly lambed out of it by now.
There are seasonings and sauces galore, including 99c flavoured mayonnaise, €1.19 for plain mayonnaise, 65c hamburger relish, 79c ketchup, 99c salad cream, €1.29 for hot chilli ketchup and BBQ sauce, and €1.39 for various marinades. If you’re opting for the rabbit food, there are €1.49 salad dressings, but these are often little innocent looking calorie bombs, so check the back first. There are also specials on the carby part of BBQs, including buns (€1.19), hot dog rolls (99c), soft rolls (59c) and giant soft baps (99c). More interestingly for me and my ever-expanding a*se is the cheese; Tipperary Blue for €2.99, Grated Mature Cheddar for €1.99, and Feta for €1.79.
The breaded stuff is reduced too, including 6 Irish breaded / Southern Fried fillets for €5.99 and packs of mini breaded / Southern Fried fillets for €3.99 each. These are pretty good as fridge fillers when the summer holidays (aka permanently peckish children) kick in. Irish bacon eye loins (smoked or peppered) are €3.99 per pack and crumbed / carved ham slices have 33% extra free (€2.39).
On the healthier side of things, I just love barbequed fish, it absorbs the smoky charcoal flavour so well – fresh salmon fillets are €3.45 per pack, which is only alright value, easily matched by fishmongers, and €2.59 for a pack of King Prawns, but they’re a bit farty looking in the photo for my liking. Now that I know how to de-poop the little buggers I’ll definitely be looking out for the fully dressed versions. Smoked mackerel fillets at €1.79 for a pack of two are great value and make a perfect summer supper with some baby potatoes and salad.
There’s also all the icecream in the world, which I don’t eat but my family have researched Aldi ice-cream thoroughly and attest to the quality, especially of their luxury brand, including Madagascar Vanilla (definitely has a better sound to it than Toomevara Vanilla), Caramel Fudge and for the die-hards amongst us, Triple Chocolate (all €2.29). I like the addition of the low-fat frozen yoghurt range, fair play to Aldi for bringing in a reduced calorie dessert option – these are strawberry and natural, on sale for €2.29.
Ooh, and I’m delighted to see the Aldi Super Six back to 49c – great value for scallions, kiwis, cherry tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, lemons and cucumbers, perfect for that BBQ we’re all dreaming of!
Images via Aldi.ie