How I Created 3 Yummy Dinners with $25 from ALDI (and you can, too!) {Giveaway Closed}

I first became aware of ALDI supermarkets when my brother lived in Germany.  And then slowly started to see the “high-quality, low-price” grocery retailer chain popping up around me in suburban New Jersey.

And I was intrigued….what is this ALDI – and is it as great as everyone says it is from a price/value standpoint?

So when the opportunity came about to check it out first hand at a press preview back in October, I was eager to get an exclusive look at the Lodi, New Jersey ALDI – the area’s fourth location.

I had the chance to sample several of their products – from fresh produce and meat to organic milk, bakery items, canned goods and a not-to-be-missed brownie/cookie hybrid cake mix.  And I have to say – I was impressed.  And I’m not alone.

“When people try our ALDI exclusive brands, they are surprised by the savings and impressed by the quality,” said Bob Grammer, Center Valley division VP for ALDI.

The prices were surprisingly low for the quality of the products, and I learned that the way ALDI keeps their prices moderate is by cutting back on operational costs – so for example, there are no grocery bags.

Yes, you read that correctly – a grocery store that does not supply you with bags.  If you forget to bring your own, you simply buy a paper bag for six cents.  There’s even a separate bagging counter for customers to package up their groceries.  A great example of ALDI’s commitment to efficiency.

But back to the food.

One thing that surprised me the most about the ALDI product assortment was the availability of ORGANIC products given the low-price environment.  Yes, organic milk and produce were even available, which made this mama oh-so-happy.

As part of the press preview I was given a $25 gift card to shop ALDI myself and sample their private label goodness.  So I put myself up to a challenge – could I create 3 nights worth of yummy dinners for my family utilizing $25?

You betcha.  Using some items I already had on hand in my pantry (i.e. garlic, pasta, olive oil, etc.) and fresh produce, meat and grocery items from ALDI, here’s what I created:

 

Meatless Monday:
Bow Tie Pasta with Broccoli and White Beans

Tuesday:

Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken Thighs with Mushroom Barley

Wednesday:

Grilled Pork Chops with Oven-Baked Cheese Spaetzle and Steamed Carrots

{Recipe: Cheese Spaetzle from ALDI}

 

Ingredients

1 bag Deutsche Kuche Spaetzle (available at ALDI)

7 oz. grated Swiss Cheese

1 cup chopped onions

2-3 TBSP Butter

Steps:

Cook Spaetzle according to package directions.

Drain and toss with 1 TBSP butter.

In a side pan, sauté chopped onions in a little bit of butter or EVOO. Let sit.

In greased casserole dish, layer spaetzle, cheese and butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 5 minutes.

Top with sautéed onions and rebake for about another 10 minutes.

Additionally, I had ingredients from my shopping trip to make a Tzatziki Dip and organic milk to serve my son with his dinner.

And you, too, can see what you can do with $25 from ALDI – just in time for holiday cooking and baking!  ALDI is giving one lucky mom a la mode reader a $25 gift card to spend at any of their 1,200 US stores in 32 states.  Visit www.aldi.us to find store nearest you.  Enter giveaway today: a Rafflecopter giveaway

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Bring Your Own Grocery Bags

As previously discussed, ALDI does not provide grocery bags.  Bring your own or be prepared to pay for bags.  You will also be bagging your own groceries.

METHODS OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED

ALDI accepts cash, debit and EBT cards only.  No credit cards or checks.  Yet another way of keeping operational costs down for the retailer.

STORE HOURS

ALDI says that they save shoppers money by keeping stores open during prime shopping hours.  The Lodi, NJ location, for example is open 9am-9pm Monday-Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday.

PRIVATE LABEL BRANDS REIGN SUPREME

ALDI challenges customers to switch from national brands to its exclusive brands with the potential to save 50% on more than 1,400 items the store carries.  With that said, you still might find some brands that you know and love like Coca-Cola or Sweet Baby Rays Barbeque Sauce.  But just be prepared that if you are looking for Barilla pasta, for example, you’re not going to find it at ALDI. It is a fantastic opportunity, though, to try out a new brand — and it’s backed by a double guarantee.  What’s there to lose?

oxox

-mom a la mode

{I was not monetarily compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed here are solely mine. Giveaway details can be found via Rafflecopter app.}