I like our Aldi’s. It’s fairly small, but well-stocked, and the employees are always friendly and helpful. I like discovering new things there.

A smashburger sounds good. We’re having leftovers tonight (from Lucile’s in Fort Worth yesterday) … mine is lobster and scallops alfredo, DH’s is a French Dip. I’m looking forward to it!

Eta: Have you had these grapes? They‘re seasonal and are so good. I’m hoping ours has them this week:

Steak, salad and baked sweet potatoes.

I’ve been to Aldi’s a couple of times but don’t shop there regularly.

I have mahjong tonight. I’m phoning it in and taking Trader Joe’s cheese spread and multiseed rice crackers. DH is going out for wings with some of the mahjong husbands.

They look beautiful, will look for them next trip!

Edited to add, not the mahjong husbands, the grapes!

Aldi’s continually out ranks other chain grocers for sustainability and transparency unlike Trader Joe’s which falls at the bottom of watchdog lists under even walmart.

“…not the mahjong husbands, the grapes!”

🤣

I am a devoted Aldi shopper. Dinner tonight is Asian chicken salad made with their organic chicken breasts, organic Persian cukes, slivered almonds, green onions, ramen, shredded cabbage (this is the one item I buy bagged because it's the exact right amount for my recipe), dressing made with their avocado oil, toasted sesame oil.... I do have to buy the sesame seeds elsewhere.

The closest Aldi’s is about 1/2 hr drive from me. I went in to look around once, out of curiosity, and I think I bought a few things, but I have several grocery options within a few miles of my house so it doesn’t make sense for me to go there.

Meeting oldest DS and his fiance to look at a wedding venue tonight and will grab a casual dinner nearby.

“They look beautiful, will look for them next trip!

Edited to add, not the mahjong husbands, the grapes!”

The mahjong husbands are pretty great too! 😉😁

I have som broccoli that got left unharvested for too long, because we were away camping. Lat night half of it became broccoli meatballs, tonight the remainder will become Jane Brody’s Curried Broccoli Soup. Its a great quick recipe if you have never tried it.

https://quabbinharvest.coop/n/74/Recipe-Curried-Cream-of-Broccoli-Soup

@lucillle yes if mashing yellow skin potatoes I generally mash the skins right in.

I shop there regularly and have a bunch of regular things I buy there - typically produce, milk, juice, bread, cheese and some meat. I buy eggs there but don't always have eggs around. I go there first and then make one or two other stops to get the things I need that they don't carry. The prices are almost always lower than the other places I shop - Target, Kroger, Costco. I always leave the skin on my potatoes though I rarely make mashed - more often potato salad and I get the small red or gold ones. More fiber with the skin on.

I went there once and didn't like the experience, plus narrow offerings. I already drive myself crazy by having at least 5 different stores I go to regularly because they have different things we like in one and not the other.

Dinner was "greek chicken". Grilled chicken onion and pepper over arugula and tomatoes with vinaigrette. Grilled naan (it grills better than pita) w tzatziki on the side. Based on a meal we had on board during a private snorkelling trip in Greece. The setting and hunger from swimming made it all the yummier, and now it is the memories than enhance the meal.

@DLM2000-GW is that salad with uncooked ramen? Do you have a recipe? I used to get that at a place that closed.

Dlm, i have made a similar slaw but it does not have chicken or cukes. It is cabbage, almonds, green onions and uncooked, broken up ramen noodles. Recipe calls for oriental flavor noodle packet. seasoning is mixed with oil and a tad of sugar.

I've only been to Aldi's a couple times - quite a few years ago - didn't really enjoy shopping there. There is a new one that is pretty close to me - I think I may need to check it out again.

I appreciate that Aldi locates in areas that are underserved. I like the produce and convenience in shopping. I shop for basics and can be in and out in 20 minutes.

@Tina Marie I sometimes add the cukes because I like them - DH picks them out.

@mtnrdredux_gw I never buy everything at one store because of course that would be too easy. Each has some product not offered at others or is better at something - like fish is freshest at one. All our major stores are in a cluster 3 miles from our house. Aldi is 2 miles further, the butcher I use is 10 miles in the opposite direction but such a pretty country drive I never mind going. Happy to share the recipe but you have to sit for the story ;-) In 1990 where we lived it was standard to hold a realtors open house just prior to listing and to encourage a large turnout, a light lunch would be offered. Our realtor served this salad and a bowl of fruit and I've used the recipe ever since. Can't count how many people have asked me for it over these 36 years - it's very well traveled across the country.

Asian Chicken Salad (although it was originally called Oriental - times have changed)

1 whole chicken breast (more if the halves are particularly small), steamed & shredded, chilled

1/2 head cabbage shredded (or one bag pre-shredded - I like the added carrots)

4 (or more to taste) green onions sliced - use both green and white part

2 T toasted sesame seeds

1/2 C toasted slived almonds

1 pkg Ramen noodle soup - any brand and flavor will do

Combine chicken, cabbage & onions in a large bowl. Set aside. Combine seeds, crunched up noodles (I use tap them in the packet with a meat mallet). When ready to serve toss together, add dressing and serve. Can be garnished with canned mandarin oranges to make it pretty. Can be doubled and ingredient amounts tweaked to taste. I sometimes add Persian cukes. I always keep a bottle of store bought Asian salad dressing for anyone who wants a bit more.

Dressing

2 T sugar - can cut back, I usually do

3T rice vinegar

1/2 C neutral oil (I use sunflower or safflower)

1/2 t salt

1 t sesame oil

Seasoning packet from ramen soup - any flavor, they all taste the same in the end

I usually add a splash of soy sauce or coconut aminos

Put all ingredients into a jar and shake well - I use an immersion blender

@Feathers11 can you explain what you mean about Aldi and underserved areas? Meaning not many grocery choices nearby? I know the location 'rules' about new Trader Joes so it makes sense there are rules for Aldi as well since they are the same company.

Neither company owns the other, but they are related through a common German family history. Aldi Nord, a separate German company, owns Trader Joe's, while US Aldi stores are owned by a completely distinct sister company called Aldi Süd.

Thank you I am def making that!

@Jilly, hadn’t thought about Lucile’s in eons. I always got the chicken fried steak.

The closest Aldi’s to me is an hour and a half away. I’ve never stopped in. I keep thinking I should but…

Actually Trader Joe’s and Aldi’s are not the same company. This podcast from Acquired about Trader Joe’s is fascinating listening. LINK

They are different companies but they use many of the same manufacturers and private labeling companies with same/similar recipes, hence the overlap on on lots of products.

Been in Aldi’s twice. Not impressed either time. A Trader Joes opened up on the other side of town, 45 minutes one way. Never been and probably will not.

I am in the middle of 4 Walmarts, 4 Publix, and a Krogers. All 5 to 10 minutes away.

@DLM2000-GW I will have to try adding chicken sometime! I haven’t made the slaw in a while, now I’m wanting it.

As for grocery stores, there are 2 in my little town, I mostly use 1. We do have a few local produce markets and farm stands. I love those! My main produce market has a weekly truck come from Florida during the winter. Friends with a farm just recently opened the cutest little store on their property! Fresh eggs, organic coffee,local honey and jellies, etc. and bedt of all, she makes sourdough bread and some bakery type items! i love sourdough bread!!

There is an Aldis in one of the big cities near me but I’ve only been there a couple of times and it was just kind of meh. Could have been that particular store.

DLM, I do not know about Aldi’s location requirements, but its business model allows it to operate in lower-income urban neighborhoods, at least here in Chicago, that otherwise wouldn’t have access to grocery stores. They far exceed even Walmart stores.