Value Range foods compared

[jennyjj01]

I'm looking for suggestions please. British Indian Restaurant* style curry sauces. Best value for money with long shelf life...... And simple to prepare.

I'm due for a serious replenishment of my tinned ready meals, so time to start sampling.

Today, I present a review of Aldi's Bramwell 'Hot' Chicken Curry.

Bought because I was there and it was cheap: £1.65 for 392g can, claiming 35% Chicken.
That's very cheap and I like cheap, even knowing that that compromises on quality.

Eaten with ALDI pouch Pilau rice at 45p. Together, one Generous portion of 388+422=812kCal ( Technically two portions )

tldr DREADFUL!

The chicken was broadly speaking 4 thumb sized chunks and a few residual bits. Didn't look like 35%. The chicken, when torn looked awkwardly pink. The 'bite' was more pencil rubber than pencil rubber. The chicken didn't seem to have been marinaded or cooked in the sauce.

The sauce, which claimed onion and tomato was a runny mess. Flavour wise, it was not particularly hot, and with no discernible herbs or spices.
FWIW, the cheap pouch of microwave rice was equally disappointing.

After my review, I found a review on Youtube, where the fellow gave it 2/10. Even taking account of it being very cheap for a ready meal, I can only stretch to 3/10

I have enjoyed a few tinned curries in the past, but one theme seems to be if it calls itself 'curry' and not some style of curry, such as jalfrezi or balti or rogan josh, than expect the worst.

The search continues.

[Frnc]

I'm looking for suggestions please. British Indian Restaurant* style curry sauces. Best value for money with long shelf life...... And simple to prepare.

I'm due for a serious replenishment of my tinned ready meals, so time to start sampling.

Today, I present a review of Aldi's Bramwell 'Hot' Chicken Curry.

Bought because I was there and it was cheap: £1.65 for 392g can, claiming 35% Chicken.
That's very cheap and I like cheap, even knowing that that compromises on quality.

Eaten with ALDI pouch Pilau rice at 45p. Together, one Generous portion of 388+422=812kCal ( Technically two portions )

tldr DREADFUL!

The chicken was broadly speaking 4 thumb sized chunks and a few residual bits. Didn't look like 35%. The chicken, when torn looked awkwardly pink. The 'bite' was more pencil rubber than pencil rubber. The chicken didn't seem to have been marinaded or cooked in the sauce.

The sauce, which claimed onion and tomato was a runny mess. Flavour wise, it was not particularly hot, and with no discernible herbs or spices.
FWIW, the cheap pouch of microwave rice was equally disappointing.

After my review, I found a review on Youtube, where the fellow gave it 2/10. Even taking account of it being very cheap for a ready meal, I can only stretch to 3/10

I have enjoyed a few tinned curries in the past, but one theme seems to be if it calls itself 'curry' and not some style of curry, such as jalfrezi or balti or rogan josh, than expect the worst.

The search continues.

Spice Tailor. Not tinned, but long life. Absolutely delicious! I wasn't too impressed by one, think it was delhi biryani. It tasted ok, just not enough sauce, and a load of rice that does nothing for me. Admittedly I didn't cook it correctly. Anyway. I like the Rustic Rogan Josh and Punjabi Chickpea Masala. They are made in India. You get a packet of spices to fry, and one or two packs of sauce. Personally I add veg to the Rogan Josh, but the Chickpea doesn't need that. And I have mine with long life Naans, but they only keep about 2 months or so. So I have curry about once a month. One Spice Tailor does 2 meals, and naans come in packs of 2 as well.

[jennyjj01]

I'm looking for suggestions please. British Indian Restaurant* style curry sauces. Best value for money with long shelf life...... And simple to prepare.

I'm due for a serious replenishment of my tinned ready meals, so time to start sampling.
...
The search continues.

Spice Tailor. Not tinned, but long life. Absolutely delicious! I wasn't too impressed by one, think it was delhi biryani. It tasted ok, just not enough sauce, and a load of rice that does nothing for me. Admittedly I didn't cook it correctly. Anyway. I like the Rustic Rogan Josh and Punjabi Chickpea Masala. They are made in India. You get a packet of spices to fry, and one or two packs of sauce. Personally I add veg to the Rogan Josh, but the Chickpea doesn't need that. And I have mine with long life Naans, but they only keep about 2 months or so. So I have curry about once a month. One Spice Tailor does 2 meals, and naans come in packs of 2 as well.

I like Spice Tailor, too. Excellent quality if not a little expensive (£3.75) for bulk stocking. I also like these ALDI sauces that have a little spice pot in the lid.
But for stashing a bulk to reserve rations for a post meat economy, I was particularly looking for ready meals that already have meat in them. Good enough to rotate into regular diet, and cheap enough to bulk buy and forget.

In an ideal world, We'd know how to make my own spice mixes and I'm sure it would be worthwhile to do some studying of recipes.

[Frnc]

I'm due for a serious replenishment of my tinned ready meals, so time to start sampling.
...
The search continues.

Spice Tailor. Not tinned, but long life. Absolutely delicious! I wasn't too impressed by one, think it was delhi biryani. It tasted ok, just not enough sauce, and a load of rice that does nothing for me. Admittedly I didn't cook it correctly. Anyway. I like the Rustic Rogan Josh and Punjabi Chickpea Masala. They are made in India. You get a packet of spices to fry, and one or two packs of sauce. Personally I add veg to the Rogan Josh, but the Chickpea doesn't need that. And I have mine with long life Naans, but they only keep about 2 months or so. So I have curry about once a month. One Spice Tailor does 2 meals, and naans come in packs of 2 as well.

I like Spice Tailor, too. Excellent quality if not a little expensive (£3.75) for bulk stocking. I also like these ALDI sauces that have a little spice pot in the lid.
But for stashing a bulk to reserve rations for a post meat economy, I was particularly looking for ready meals that already have meat in them. Good enough to rotate into regular diet, and cheap enough to bulk buy and forget.

In an ideal world, We'd know how to make my own spice mixes and I'm sure it would be worthwhile to do some studying of recipes.

I don't eat meat, except for fish. Got 5 x Chickpea Masala coming in Nov for £14.75, less than £1.50 per meal, plus 35p for a naan. You don't need to add anything, not even veg to these. Just the naan (or rice). Personally I'm not a fan of rice, so I dunno why I bought the biryani.

The Rustic Rogan Josh is delish if you add carrots and cauliflower to bulk it up, and the taste goes well with it. Not so good as a prep food due to needing veg, though you can just eat the sauce with naans. You get 2 pouches of sauce plus the spices.

Currently been buying bulk Quorn Escalopes, as they have been on offer. Got an extra freezer drawer after lodger left. Cheese ones are still on offer. Not a prep food though.

I see Nectar is changing again, as if there haven't been enough changes already. Not sure exactly how it works. It's to do with when you want to spend your points. I have about £15 saved up.

[Frnc]

Aldi 30% reduced fat mature cheddar, 400g. It is quite a strong taste, but I like it. Much tastier than Sainsbury's Stamford Street mature cheddar.

Both are £6.98 a kilo if you buy 400g. Stamford is cheaper if you buy bigger packs. 600g Stamford is 50p cheaper per kilo, so you save about 30p.

Aldi also do a 50% lighter, same price.

Bit tricky for cheese on toast. I normally microwave it and spread it on, but the Aldi stuff goes more like a springy ball than a liquid, like mozarella. Nice though.

[Frnc]

Nescafe Azera Ameriano Instant 6 x 140g, £3.20/100g on Amazon Sub n Save. This is a bargain! Small tins at Sains are £8/100g. This is so cheap, I had to check Amazon had calculated it right.

I normally dilute it with cheaper, but only Aldi is cheaper, and it's not the best. When I say dilute, I mean 2 teaspoons of Azera and 1 of a cheaper brand in a cup.

[jennyjj01]

I normally dilute it with cheaper, but only Aldi is cheaper, and it's not the best. When I say dilute, I mean 2 teaspoons of Azera and 1 of a cheaper brand in a cup.

3 spoons of instant coffee, even in a Mug..... Cripes, that's strong stuff.

I'm glad you found a use for the absurdly cheap ALDI Alcafe. (£2.69 / 200g) Agreed, it's not the best, but I drink gallons and I'm used to it.

[Frnc]

I normally dilute it with cheaper, but only Aldi is cheaper, and it's not the best. When I say dilute, I mean 2 teaspoons of Azera and 1 of a cheaper brand in a cup.

3 spoons of instant coffee, even in a Mug..... Cripes, that's strong stuff.

I'm glad you found a use for the absurdly cheap ALDI Alcafe. (£2.69 / 200g) Agreed, it's not the best, but I drink gallons and I'm used to it.

3 in a small mug, or half a larger one. Black. Poor man's espresso, very large. But I only have two a a day. I do have a stove top espresso maker, but it's too much faff first thing in the day. And I've been waking up stupidly early, so it is very early. Just going for my second coffee at 5 am.

[jennyjj01]

I'm due for a serious replenishment of my tinned ready meals, so time to start sampling.

Today, I present a review of Aldi's Bramwell 'Hot' Chicken Curry.

Bought because I was there and it was cheap: £1.65 for 392g can, claiming 35% Chicken.
That's very cheap and I like cheap, even knowing that that compromises on quality.

Eaten with ALDI pouch Pilau rice at 45p. Together, one Generous portion of 388+422=812kCal ( Technically two portions )

tldr DREADFUL!...

After my review, I found a review on Youtube, where the fellow gave it 2/10. Even taking account of it being very cheap for a ready meal, I can only stretch to 3/10

I have enjoyed a few tinned curries in the past, but one theme seems to be if it calls itself 'curry' and not some style of curry, such as jalfrezi or balti or rogan josh, than expect the worst.

The search continues.

Today I found ASDA had a Tinned Tikka Masala on Rollback from £2.50 to £1.57, so I couldn't resist sampling it.

TLDR: Impressive Quality and value

First Impressions: It looked so much more sophisticated than the ALDI offering. The sauce had visible herbs and spices and more texture. Appetising to look at and to smell while cooking.

The (Brazilian) chicken was plentiful, in bite sized chunks and not the stupid pink colour of the (Thai) chicken in ALDI's. Better 'bite' to it, but naturally not up to restaurant standard.
The whole thing was quite flavoursome and 'layered', though it lacked some of the tomato and red food colouring of many a Masala. Not too hot, nor too mild. Had BBE 2.5 years away

Regardless of price, it was about 3x the quality of ALDI's. Easily good enough to fit into routine diet.
Factoring in the £1.57 rollback price, it was very acceptable quality and great value.

Eaten with ASDA's microwave pilau rice (59p) Rice was noticeably better than ALDI's, but not worth the extra 14p

Final Verdict: I'll be immediately buying two trays of 20 cans at the rollback price of £1.57
ASDA's Other Tinned curries are still at the full £2.50 price, so I'll keep an eye on them going to rollback.

[itsybitsy]

Shout out for M&S own brand beans - half the price of Heinz but no degradation of quality. Sauce not too runny either.