On a cold night, the kind that stays with us until the end of February, the last thing you want is to sit and think about what to cook. A few days ago, I had that predicament when I was coming home after a long day at the office in Seattle. I just passed an Aldi and it was open. I remembered that I didn’t have anything prepared at home and I definitely didn’t want to cook.
I walked into Aldi looking for something quick, but ended up getting a gourmet frozen selection that made me forget I was “surviving” and not at a five-star restaurant. If you are from the club of those who do not cook in winter, follow me down the yellow brick road of fans of the great American culture of ready-in-minutes food, as I show you several gems that I found in the supermarket.
I Walked Into Aldi, Grabbed a Shopping Basket, and Added These Delights
I started with the Specially Selected Pesto Macaroni & Cheese, which is only $2.75. As soon as I opened the package and prepared it according to the instructions, the aroma of the pesto enveloped me and transported me to Genoa, Italy, in a flash. The pasta was perfectly covered with a creamy sauce, balanced between the fresh touch of the pesto and the softness of the cheeses.
I tried the Truffle Porcini Mushroom version and was amazed: it was the perfect mix between the intense flavor of truffles and porcini mushroom, which filled the mouth with a deep and sophisticated flavor. With a glass of wine, I honestly felt like I was in a Parisian bistro.
Sandwiches in Minutes and Crab Cakes at the Touch of a Microwave Button
For lunch, I was looking forward to the Lunch Mate Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast. This hickory smoked turkey is a basic, but one of those that never fails. Being 100% produced in the United States, the quality feels unsurpassed.
I sliced them thinly and made a sandwich with whole wheat bread, mustard, and some fresh vegetables, and I honestly can’t explain how good it tastes and how easy it made lunch in less than 5 minutes. The texture is firm, but juicy and very succulent, and the smoke gives it that touch that makes each bite unique.
Now for a true winter treat that I can’t stop eating again and again: Bremer Bistro French Onion Soup. With the first sip, I knew this soup was something special. The caramelized onion melts into a dense and flavorful broth, topped with a layer of cheese that melts perfectly, almost as if my grandmother Martha had prepared it a day before.
Best of all, in a few minutes in the microwave I had a homemade soup that could easily pass as made from scratch. Served with a piece of baguette bread, it became the ideal comfort food for a cold night.
Every One of These Aldi Meals Is Under $7
To close with a flourish, I put the Specially Selected Maryland Style Handmade Crab Cakes in the freezer. I didn’t expect that something frozen could be so delicious when I had to prepare it: it’s comfort food in a couple of minutes, like if you were right in the coast of Maryland, having it fresh harvested from the sea.
The outer layer is crispy and perfectly seasoned Maryland style, while the inside is filled with soft, juicy crab meat. I decided to accompany them with a fresh salad and tartar sauce, and it was the perfect decision. Each bite was a mix of intense and marine flavors that transported me directly to a coast with fresh seafood. As the subheadline says, every one of these meals is under $7, so you can grab a bunch of them next time you’re at Aldi, and have them ready for those days when you don’t feel like cooking.
