I've always liked Aldi, but the store became an essential stop when my 2 kids were born. Here are 10 things I get to make easy meals.

As a dad of two kids, I grab ingredients for easy meals that the whole family can enjoy.

Matt Ng

• I like to make easy meals for my family of four with ingredients from my local UK Aldi.
• I use the Brooklea Greek-style natural yogurt to make a tzatziki dip.
• My daughter loves to add sauce and different toppings to the Ready, Set ... Cook! pizza dough.

Before having kids, my partner and I liked going to the grocery store to pick up fancy meats and meal kits. But now that we have two children to feed, we balance those pricier shopping sprees with budget-friendly finds at Aldi.

When I stop at the store — named the UK's cheapest supermarket in September 2024 by the consumer group Which — I always find a great selection of high-quality items to choose from.

Here are some of my favorite things to get at Aldi to make easy meals for my family.

The Village Bakery white tortilla wraps are incredibly versatile.

I serve the Village Bakery white tortilla wraps with meat and vegetables.

Matt Ng

I recently tried a Turkish recipe called yanyana tavasi, which loosely translates to "next-to-each-other tray bake."

The meal combines lamb, spices, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers in a warming, aromatic one-pan dish.

I filled these versatile tortilla wraps with the mixture and also used them to soak up the extra juices.

When the colder nights draw in, I reach for the Knorr chicken-stock pot.

The Knorr chicken-stock pot has great flavor.

Matt Ng

I like using the Knorr stock pot as a base for my homemade chicken, leek, and sweet-corn soup. Other times, I might add it to a basic ramen to create a hearty, warm broth.

I'd also recommend poaching a whole chicken with shallots, garlic, ginger, and this stock to make a fragrant, juicy bird that'll impress at get-togethers.

The Deli Italian-antipasto selection is a great snack for kids and parents.

The Deli Italian-antipasto selection comes with three different kinds of meat.

Matt Ng

The Deli Italian-antipasto selection comes with prosciutto and two kinds of salami, which our kids love on toast or crackers.

If my partner and I are lucky enough to have the evening to ourselves, I like to grab cheese and grapes to make a charcuterie board.

My daughter helps make a homemade dinner with the Ready, Set ... Cook! pizza dough.

Each package of Ready, Set ... Cook! pizza dough comes with parchment paper.

Matt Ng

When I want a super quick dinner, I grab the Ready, Set ... Cook! pizza dough. This pack comes pre-rolled with baking (parchment) paper so the dough doesn't stick to itself or the tray.

My daughter helps layer the pizza with a tomato purée, salami, pepperoni, peppers, and (too much) cheese.

The Fishmonger salmon is a favorite in our household. 

My kids both enjoy The Fishmonger salmon.

Matt Ng

This half side of salmon is typically a better value than buying individual filets, and my kids wolf it down.

It's boneless, though I always like to double-check the fish before giving it to my kids. It also comes with the skin on, so I scrape the scales off with a knife.

I roast the salmon in the oven and serve it with an Asian-inspired dip made with soy sauce, ginger, scallions, and sesame oil. The sauce's salty, umami flavors pair well with the flaky fish.

If you ask me, the Nature's Pick British Brussels sprouts are good at any time of year.

Though many kids don't like the vegetable, mine enjoy the Nature's Pick British Brussels sprouts.

Matt Ng

I know, kids and Brussels sprouts don't often mix. However, I transform this much-maligned vegetable into an irresistible snack.

First, I halve the sprouts and top them with chopped bacon bits and cashews. Then, I cook them in the air fryer for 12 minutes and finish the dish with diced feta. It's truly a game changer. 

I make an easy tzatziki sauce with the Brooklea Greek-style natural yogurt.

This Brooklea Greek-style natural yogurt is a staple for my homemade dip.

Matt Ng

I combine the Brooklea Greek-style yogurt with lots of minced garlic, olive oil, dill, and shredded cucumber to make a quick, simple tzatziki sauce.

It's great with almost any salad or as a dip for tortillas.

I combine the Ready, Set ... Cook! rice noodles with my leftovers. 

The Ready, Set ... Cook! rice noodles are great for when I need a quick meal.

Matt Ng

These thin, delicate noodles don't need much seasoning or prep work and are perfect for when I don't have a lot of time on my hands.

I cook these noodles with oil, add any accompaniments or seasonings, and continue frying them for about two minutes.

I either combine them with peanut butter and whatever veggies I have for a quick bite, or add gochujang paste and ground beef to make Korean-style noodles.

My eldest child loves cucumbers, so we always have a few in the pantry.

I use cucumbers to make a refreshing side dish or snack.

Matt Ng

I like to make a cucumber salad with soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame seeds. It's so refreshing as a side dish or snack.

If I want to mix things up, I sometimes chop a cucumber to go with crispy duck and pancakes.

We love Mediterranean-inspired food, so the Ashfields 20%-fat British lamb mince is another staple for us.

I make meatballs with the Ashfields 20%-fat British lamb mince.

Matt Ng

I pick up a package of this mince when I want to make lamb meatballs.

If I have more time and feel like switching things up, I'll stretch a package of the lamb mince to make a shepherd's pie.

Click to keep reading Aldi diaries like this one.

Read the original article on Business Insider

from Business Insider https://ift.tt/Onp9H8j