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

Nanadog Fri 23-Nov-12 15:36:55
isthis is not all venison free range?

I'm no expert but I think that matson is on to something here! When I lived in Altrincham, South Manchester there were two deer parks attached to stately homes nearby. Both sold venison, in the shop and in the restaurant in both cases.

The Deer Warden at Dunham Massey was very proud that his deer were truly free range. They were left to wander and feed themselves in the large semi-wooded walled park They bred in the spring and the Warden said by far his least favourite annual task was shooting the odd-shaped or less than perfect specimens to keep numbers manageable. Apart from the cull and putting out extra feed in winter, the staff left the deer completely alone.

At Tatton Park (he said) the deer are rounded up each year, given a health check, vaccinated,and even I think ear-tagged. So apart from their routine vaccinations, the animals were used to being routinely handled

I always chose the Dunham Massey venison if I was buying!

The story of the Aldi Melt in the Middle Chocolate Bombe has got worse!

I'd left half to eat later, but as it cooled it set into a hard, only just chewable lump! Avoid.

in scotland it can come from deer park, sort of part free range i suppose

isthis is not all venison free range?

just thought i would be lazy this year phoenix, but i suppose i should make the effort. i may go into m/s and have a looksy first though .

Thank goodness it wasn't the venison steaks isthis! I've got two more packs in my freezer! Thanks for the tip-off.

Sorry folks, it had to happen.

I feel I cannot recommend the Aldi Melt in the Middle Chocolate Bombe made by Holly Lane, 227g size. What a shame. I microwaved it (quite small, maybe two portions). It's a rather odd texture, quite cake-like rather than the sponge I was hoping for. Definitely heavy, even indigestible. And it wasn't very chocolatey, neither the cake/sponge part nor the dark, fondant centre.

So, not recommended at all really. They can't get everything right all the time! Especially at those prices.

Having had nothing but Tesco around here for donkey's years, I was delighted when Sainsburys opened up just before last Christmas. The new Aldi will be opening soon and M&S are going to open one of their garage outlets just up the road. I don't really enjoy food shopping but how lovely it will be to have more choice

Matson, I'm not au fait with the M&S Christmas dinner, so can't really comment. However I'm pretty sure you could put together a minimum effort Christmas meal using some of the suggestions on this thread!

isthis they're on the list you kindly collated for us. Really good quality!

hi thinking of trying m/s ready made up xmas dinner this year, has anyone tried them?

I ate half a packet of Aldi Marinaded Venison Steak last night. Delicious and very lean. Got thecother half shortly. I can't wait. And SO cheap.

As I ate it I thought I'd expect to pay £15 or £18 for a plate like this in a restaurant. It's New Zealand free range venison.

Phoenix I went in today and had to drag myself away from the deserts! They looked yummy!
I did get the lemon cheesecake recommended ^^up there though.

My trip to Lidl yesterday did indeed confirm that a pack of 2 part baked baguettes were 39p, they also have part baked rolls at the same price for a pack of 6, very useful to have in the store cupboard.

However....................... I was really impressed with the range of desserts in the freezer section! There was a massive choice, prices looked reasonable. I didn't succumb, mainly because there is not a lot of room in the freezer at the mo, and I'm also trying to loose some weight. I do think though that a pack of 4 hazelnut ice cream desserts in pretty little glasses might find a place before Christmas!

I also noticed an increase in the number of people who looked and sounded as if they had escaped from Waitrose!

Can recommend Lidl black (squid ink) pasta. Excellent with prawns etc.

The Aldi fishcakes were very nice indeed. Nice pieces of fish and just the right amount of seasoning. I usually make my own - might save myself some work! I'll try the fish pie next week.

phoenix no Reef Crest on the Aldi fishcakes I've just eaten. They're called "The Fishmonger Smoked Haddock Fishcakes". No other name.

And another one! Part baked baguettes, I always keep some in the cupboard as they are lovely to have warm from the oven with home made soup. Waitrose 99p for a pack of 2, Lidl 49p for a pack of 2! No difference in taste whatsoever!

(Actually, now I come to think of it the Lidl ones may well be 39p, wil check when I go tomorrow)

Just popped down to check in the freezer, the make is "Reef Crest".

Is that the same as the Aldi ones, isthis ?

We love the Lidl smoked haddock fishcakes, I wonder if they are from the same manufacturer?

Tesco (and I'm not a big fan!) Coarse Roasted Mushroom Paté is wonderful!

Waitrose fresh bacon and pea risotto is absolutely delicious.....

Let us know what you think pls artygran I liked both Aldi's fish pie and the fishcakes. And good on price too

I bought some to try today. Nice to have a recommendation - look foward to them even more now!

Am just eating the Aldi Smoked Haddock fishcakes (bought frozen). Very good indeed, like home-made. Much tastier than either Morrisons or the Saucy Fish Company fishcakes, neither of which seemed to contain much actual fish! Aldi version is much better. In a very pleasant rough-textured crispy coating.