Supermarket food that's much better that you expected: pls name.

Good to have another endorsement for the gammon hocks, caz , think I will give it a go next time I'm there. Did you do it in a slow cooker?

Mr P and I have been using our local Lidl (nearest Aldi is too far) for quite a long time now, and have noticed that it's getting a lot busier lately.

I think the recent coverage in some of the broadsheets (which included some blind taste tests) has resulted in quite a few of the people who would usually use Waitrose or Sainsburys giving them a try.

Shortbread from the Loved by us range at the Co-op. One of the nicest I've taste in a long while, sweet buttery flavour that melts in the mouth. Haven't seen this range before so it maybe just a seasonal one.

I wish you hand' t said that sook. Love shortbread and co-op very accessible.

grannymary that's interesting.

I think Loved By Us is the co-op's new range. Seems very good.

So is everyone else's. I only have an aldi, a sainsbury's and a tesco nearish to me. We did have a large Somerfield's and I do miss them, overall they weren't cheap but they did sometimes have amazing bargains and some very good food.

Yes Phoenix I cooked the hock in my slow cooker, full details on the "slow cooker" thread. I need to get to Morrisons for a couple more. Such good value, they are on the butchery counter if you are going to buy some. We should have a smiley for "Yum Yum"!!

jingl this is M&S's latest £10 thing:

Dine-in for 2

A far more generous offer than Budgens!

Oh I've had that one! Wasn't half as nice as the Budgens one, which was delicious!

And Marks and Sparks wasn't on my walk.

Thank you anyway.

Maybe Budgen's included wine and you didn't notice!

No red cabbage in that lot! I love red cabbage when it's done posh.

I did have my glasses on. Thank you missis!

Don't drink much wine anyway. It makes me cross. And apple juice is fattening.

My DH was a driver for Waitrose grannymary He used to go to a well known manufacturer of Curries where he would park next to the Tesco lorry and the M&S lorry and they each had their own little section producing "their" curry.
It isn't food but in a similar vein, my daughter has a friend who works for a cosmetic manufacturer who make products for M&S and The Body Shop among others. She says that M&S always insist on the best quality ingredients but put the smallest mark up on their cosmetics.

This is way off subject but what the heck. Cousins of my MIL make one of the super posh Cheddars in Somerset. It's not Keen's - it's the other one. They supply the likes of Neals Yard but also provide "off cuts" for the local WI market and the bits they don't reckon good enough for the WI go to Tesco for their "Finest".

I will have to look out for that in Tesco "Soutra." I like a really really strong cheddar and usually buy the McClelland Vintage. I don't know how anybody else feels, but I don't think it's as strong as it used to be?

I haven't been through the whole thread so sorry if someone has mentioned Morrisons fruit and fiber cereal.
Have only recently discovered this as didn't have store near by. It is the best of all the supermarket brands and even better than Kellogg, more fruit and more crunch.

Last time I looked jingl the shortbread was selling out fast.

DD AND I were in Aldi yesterday. She bought the fish cakes and venison steaks recommended. Had the fish cakes last night and was very impressed.

I normally buy a ham hough at my local butchers but spotted them yesterday whilst in Aldi's so I'll try this one for a ham broth.

Also bought DGDs ski mitts, £3.50. Great for keeping their fingers warm and dry when playing in the snow, which we know will inevitably appear!

Thank you for that info Soutra next week I shall be off to Cheddar to find the 'not Keen's' Cheddar cheese

am rather disappointed as we visited a Lidl [haven't been in one for a long time] yesterday, and they didn't have any of the foods mentioned on this thread,
also, poor choice of things [only ice cream desserts in freezer]we did buy a few bits and pieces but wouldn't go there again, it wasn't a large store, so maybe that's the problem, are Lidl's usuallly large?Tomatoes were bland and woolly, ditto the apples.Also [shock horror] they don't take credit cards, only debit or cash.Think it will be back to Sainsburys for us.

What a useful thread. Agree that most supermarket own brand fruit & fibre cereal is actually often much nicer than the big names. But I'd stay well clear of the cornflakes and rice pops alternatives (the savers range) - they are in my experience awful.

Off to Lidl's shortly, the coconut milk they stock is better than any other brand I have tried, and their boxes of frozen king prawns (£2.49 for around 28) are excellent, stay really plump and "meaty" when making a Thai curry! They now have an instore bakery, lovely bread, rolls and Danish pastries, and much cheaper than Waitrose.

Lldl's my favourite as well as many others on here, Aldi too but that's further away from me Just got back from a shop including a big bottle of pear cider for £1 79 Their fruit and veg is nearly all sourced locally which I really like, their meat which is very good value is nearly all red tractor meat (again British and sourced local where possible) bread just baked and still warm Big cauliflower for 75p yummy cauliflower cheese tomorrow My daughter and I have worked out our bill is nearly half than when we went to Asda

Their pecan and maple plaits are yummy..........so I'm told. (walks off whistling and looking innocent)