Hello Dear Reader,
We debated whether to splash out on a take away tonight! The last one we had was on our wedding anniversary. You know you are a tightwad when a big anniversary splash out is a fish and chip supper!
I succumbed in the end and pushed the boat out with a ‘ready meal’. I’ve spent the day on research (work prep……….nothing you need know about) and after several hours hard at it, I decided on a night off.
So, here’s my review of Aldi’s Chinese takeaway meal for two for £3.99.
I was really surprised how big the portion was for the price. I know we eat less than most people but it was more than enough for two people. The chicken curry was very mild and had a coconut flavour to the sauce. The sweet and sour chicken was really tangy. All in all, it was expensive but a great deal cheaper than a takeaway. Even fish and chips is too expensive anymore!
If you see this in Aldi and are apprehensive then don’t be, although a lot more money than I usually spend we enjoyed the night off. A quick rinse of the plates and then feet up in front of the fire with the dogs before I get back to the research and preparation.
We paid for this and the opinions are my own.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
We tried one of those type Chinese at home (grocery store w coupon). We got the General Tso Chicken. It was tasty, I had to steam broccoli and make rice but there was enough food for 3 of us (#4 wasn't home)
Once I added up the costs it was about the same as going and getting as takeout. Only difference was it was WAY saltier…something we didn't notice until nearly bedtime - not when I like to drink a lot.
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this would be something Garry and I would love, but I have never seen anything like it, we do have a wonderful Chinese Restaurant in this town, there are several but one stands out as the favorite, a meal for two, take away comes to 40 Canadian dollars, , that includes fried rice, sweet and sour chicken balls, a stir fried vegies with chicken, a soup and extra white rice, that is pretty pricey, I will say again, I really wish we had this option in our stores, I would surely buy it!
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My husband saw and advertisement somewhere for this meal , we have bought them before reduced from Morrison , normal price in there is something like £6.99 so that's a great saving .
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Oh yum! We did something similar tonight but from Farmfoods. Crispy duck with pancakes and Chinese ribs. Not bad but it reflected the price. Would try this from your review as I now use the Aldi skin range from a previous review of yours. Keep frooging, your doing a great job xxxxx
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Very honestly, I don't buy ANY convenience food… such as what shown. I've discovered I can prepare my own for much, much less. I even bulk bake potatoes (which will keep for a week or more in the fridge), precook, drain, and rinse (under cold water) pasta which will also keep up to a week in the fridge, shred my own cheese that's cheaper to buy in bulk, pre-brown and freeze meats, etc. Today I prepared lettuce and veggies in a “bagged” salad mix (2 bags to last a week), used my food processor to finely chop broccoli, baked potatoes, boiled pasta, “fried” bacon @ $2.99 per pound in the microwave, shredded three cheeses, and have enough homemade convenience to last at least a few days. NOT to criticize. Please forgive me if I sound as if I'm scolding. I'm not. Where I live, those type of heat-and-eat meals cost too much. But I absolutely LOVE your budget recipes! Keep them coming!
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Funny you mention fish and chips! Yesterday I had to travel through a town with a decent seafood takeaway (not many in my inland area) and treated myself to just a serving of fried haddock. It's been 17 months since I've had seafood, and it was such a lovely treat. When something is an occasional luxury, it's worth the “splash” I think, Glad you enjoyed your non-takeaway meal! 🙂
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Nice to see you taking the night off Froogs! It's great that Aldi offers a cheap meal like that ~ Pru
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I haven't seen those in Aldi - are they new? I think everyone deserves a night off cooking and for £3.99 you can't go wrong.
I do buy the odd thing for convenience and I don't worry about it because I work full time and have a very busy life. The odd sauce mix, salad bag or jar of something can be a blessing when you have a lot on.
Mrs Shoestring
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Happy Anniversary to both of you!
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If it had noodles rather than fried rice we might be tempted…fried rice is a favourite here, but easy to do at home. How to get that authentic Chinese noodles with beansprouts taste? Any Chinese readers out there? We have a favourite walk, half way round is a excellent chip shop, the Merchant's Fish Bar in Bewdley. Occasionally we are tempted to sit by the river and share their 'special' - 2 mini fish (quite enough!), with a huge portion of chips and mushy peas, all for £3-70 - great value!
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I've eyed up these meals suspiciously before…nice to get a review; we can't all be virtuous ALL the time, and that's certainly not an irresponsible splurge 😉
I've heard The Takeaway Secret book is good - it may be worth trying out some (cheap) Chinese recipes to freeze so ready meals are on hand for emergencies such as the above!
I've only recently started following your blog and I was wondering if you ever have guests round for dinner and, if so, how you host them frugally. Keep at it Froogs!
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Yesterday I was tired and I brought some stuffed pasta home from Aldi. I think I made four huge serves of very tasty pasta tossed in chive butter sauce with cheese on top for around $9 (Aus). I don't normally do this as I have food allergies and most stuff is cooked from scratch. It was so darn tasty and I will be keeping some of this to hand over our winter for a quick lunch or dinner.
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I agree, fish and chips have become very expensive which is a shame because it used to be quite an affordable treat. I get really fed up with cooking so I might try one of these meals from Aldi. Have you tried their Wiltshire Cured Ham and Cheddar cheese quiche? We sometimes buy that as a quick meal treat. It's delicious and only about £2. It's also good to take on a picnic x
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Take Away Secret Book is fab. Cant say I am a ready meal fan…………..I am not a great Aldi fan either:( But a night off and feet up for £3.99 is not to be sniffed at!
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A well deserved night off from cooking, we all need a break sometimes 🙂
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Not seen that meal in our aldi, will be on the look out for it now, usually you would pay £7 ish for the same thing in asda or tesco. Have you tried the ready rolled pizza bases in aldi, another favourite when you feel like an easy tea
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We had a take-out treat today. Tes*o Finest chilled lasagne for me and Tes*o Finest cottage pie for OH. 2 for £6……. Well impressed, mine was really lovely, I will buy it again as there were no ' nasty' ingredients in it
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Certainly looks like a handy, easy meal when you need a night off.
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Like Mina, I've eyed these up before - thanks for the review!
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