Lidl - recommendations

zom · 29-01-2012 12:43am #1

Did any of you realize that Lidl is changing the line of Kanpur Garden sauces? In the end of 2011 I found in Rathmines branch that all of them changed into new look/ingredients. Pity because taste changed as well - to WORSE... I spotted my favorite one - Rogan Josh as shown on the pictures (yellow one is old one):

Same barecode, same price:

But unfortunately different ingredient composition:

I wonder why they did it? If it was question of price I was ready to pay more - there were quite good sauces, now they all taste the same - same as any cheapest sauces from anywhere. No longer going to buy them, or perhaps it's only at Rathmines? Can anyone confirm how are the other Lidls?

slowburner · 02-02-2012 11:54am

If I'm right in saying that the label lists ingredients in order of quantity, then it seems that the newer sauce has a higher proportion of water.
1st place in the new sauce and 3rd in the old.
More water = less flavour
More water = lower cost.

zom · 30-04-2014 1:10pm

I am little confused as I can't find any of that souses anymore! I checked few Lidls in my area and they all have none of Kanpur Garden products. In fact usual place where these sauces were displayed are completely rearranged...:(

Nekarsulm · 30-04-2014 7:23pm

Was in Lidl here in Cavan this evening. No Korma's, or any other Indian sauce. There are, however, signs on the shelf advising that a problem with the supplier has briefly interrupted supply.

cobham · 24-08-2015 7:11pm

There seems an active Aldi thread so I thought to start one for Lidl.

I like their big tubs of Greek style yogurt, potato in a vacuum pack with cream sauce (dauphinoise?) that has a long shelflife in fridge. I also get their washing powder "Formil" and look out for the special offers on gluten free products several times a year.

Fakman87 · 24-08-2015 9:59pm

Funnily enough I just came on here to start this exact thread

vicwatson · 26-08-2015 6:53pm

Their grated Mozzerella for I think 0.89 cent 200g Lovilio brand, is great for pizza and speaking of which....

They have a 3 pizza box for 3.19 (frozen brnaded Alfredo), ok I wouldnt eat them straight out of the box as they are like cardboard but......throw a bit of extra sauce, extra mozzerella, ham or whatever other toppings you like and they are smashing !! Nice crispy base.

L1011 · 27-08-2015 12:38pm

Bakery products are generally all pretty good, something Aldi doesn't have. Their cheese range is all pretty decent.

Spirits are all good for the price - bourbon and the slightly higher abv% vodka particularly but they also have liquers and similar on special from time to time.

Their themed food weeks can turn up some very good stuff cheap - the Spanish week a while ago had frozen tapas products, most of them in reusable ceramic ramekins which have come in handy a few times since.

Own brand ice creams are all good, the white magnum clone can lose chocolate a bit too easily though.

Some basics are dirt cheap, cheaper than Aldi even in many cases. Dried herbs, kidney beans, tinned tomatoes, that sort of stuff. All better quality than the Tesco Everyday Value equivalents that are often dearer.

Dizzyblonde · 27-08-2015 3:46pm

Their little tubs of cream cheese are amazing - I think the brand is Polish Taste. It's light and fluffy and much nicer than Philadelphia etc.

MissFlitworth · 27-08-2015 4:26pm

Their pretzels are great. At the moment they have a Mediterranean food event on and the manchego & jamon iberico they have in stock is properly lovely. Free range chickens they stock for around a fiver are great chickens. Big blue tubs of bourbon vanilla ice cream are delicious. As is their strawberry ice cream & the mini magnums mentioned. Feta is good too and their standard olive oil is my day to day olive oil. Also buy all nuts there. Good creme fraiche/cream.

Lidl is where we do our shop every week, pick up all cheeses & dairy, fruit & veg, pastas, paper products etc. Some things I pick up elsewhere, either on impulse or otherwise, but I buy most of my groceries in Lidl.

caviardreams · 27-08-2015 7:21pm

Nuts in lidl are unreal - Pecans are often out of stock though

Whistlejacket · 27-08-2015 10:27pm

Pretzels are unreal. Plus I have a cast iron pan that I got there for 30 euro, it's fantastic.

Spanish Eyes · 28-08-2015 8:04pm

Extra mature and Vintage Cheddar. OMG and so inexpensive. Slice it and bag it up. It won't last long!

Cavabel cream spread with peppers and chillies.

There are loads more, just can't think at the moment,

BUT, the mature cheddar cheese sourdough loaf is just so gorgeous. Try it.

Others will be back with more but the above are must haves for me.

(and the wine....he he).

quaalude · 02-09-2015 3:50pm

I went to Lidl Ranelagh yesterday, there are some things I like to pick up there over other stores.

The baking section is great - you'll find big bags of almonds there for half the price of Tesco, and ground almonds the same.

Vanilla and almond essences (not extracts) are cheap and nice for adding to everyday baked treats (I may make too many baked treats if I need to carefully examine the price of essences!)

Seeds are big in my house - I always pick up pumpkin and sunflower seeds there. And brazil nuts.

I like the teas - there's a berry one that's so fruity and vibrant.

Not food - but dental floss is a total bargain, 2 packs for half the price of one in Tesco.
(I need it after all my baked treats, and the gorgeous 74% cocoa Lidl chocolate).

P. Breathnach · 03-09-2015 1:24pm

quaalude wrote: »

... the gorgeous 74% cocoa Lidl chocolate.

You're a wimp. We go for the 81%.

So, apparently, do a lot of our neighbours, because it disappears fast from the shelves.

quaalude · 03-09-2015 3:20pm

P. Breathnach wrote: »

You're a wimp. We go for the 81%.

So, apparently, do a lot of our neighbours, because it disappears fast from the shelves.

I prefer the 74% one alright - it has a fruitiness that I just love. One square satisfies perfectly.
The 81% one is nice, but I've found myself having a square and I still want something sweet afterwards!
The 74% has a better balance of cocoa flavour and sweetness, in my opinion.

Kat1170 · 11-09-2015 9:42pm

Their Mackerel in tomato sauce is very nice. Has a kind of peppery taste to it. Team it up with a pumpkin square (bread) for a delish' lunch.

huskerdu · 12-09-2015 8:56pm

quaalude wrote: »

I prefer the 74% one alright - it has a fruitiness that I just love. One square satisfies perfectly.
The 81% one is nice, but I've found myself having a square and I still want something sweet afterwards!
The 74% has a better balance of cocoa flavour and sweetness, in my opinion.

I agree. The 74% is the right balance for me, too.

P. Breathnach · 13-09-2015 10:26am

huskerdu wrote: »

I agree. The 74% is the right balance for me, too.

So who is buying all the 81%, then? I was looking to replenish my stock last week, and all the good stuff had been cleaned out. As I rooted through the display in the hope of finding even one bar, another shopper came up behind me saying to his companion that he hoped they could find some of the 81%. No chance.

the beer revolu · 13-09-2015 11:03am

I love the 81

newacc2015 · 15-09-2015 1:54am

Their own brand Irish organic yoghurt is Glenisk. Their own brand prepacked chicken is Green Food, which is really good. Their own brand ice cream which is 2.5 litre in a red tub is incredible. Its made with real cream and not milk powder like HB. Their own brand Chocolate spread is excellent. Their fresh orange juice in the fridge is better than Tropicana. All their prepacked meats are pretty good quality.

IMO their cheese selection is better than Aldi. Eg Lidls Gorgonzola is amazing. Their Irish Cheddars are hit and miss depending on their maturity strength. Their tiramasu is amazing, when its instock. Its from Italy and is the right amount of Cream Cheese/wine

MissFlitworth · 15-09-2015 3:46pm

Agh! Lidl have (mini) Bratwurst in this week! And Gruyere! *runs hysterically towards the pork products & cheese*

I'm going to buy myself some beer & mustard and pretend to be at Oktoberfest.

0lddog · 17-09-2015 9:54pm

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Agh! Lidl have (mini) Bratwurst in this week! And Gruyere! *runs hysterically towards the pork products & cheese*

I'm going to buy myself some beer & mustard and pretend to be at Oktoberfest.

I havnt been able to find any of the Gruyere. Has anyone ? ( & was it worth the hunting ? )

MissFlitworth · 17-09-2015 10:32pm

I got some

It was delicious. Very gruyere-y indeed.

Couldn't get the Nuremburg bratwurst (little ones) but got some Thuringen (giant) ones & some Käsekrainer. We're having a very sausagey Friday

lookitsme · 19-09-2015 4:44pm

newacc2015 wrote: »

Their own brand prepacked chicken is Green Food, which is really good.

I am not a fan of their chicken breasts. they feel so firm when they are raw and can be tough once cooked. I would be interested to know what they are injected with.

I like their chorizo it is very nice its a great ingredient to have in the fridge. the smoked rashers are also nice but have a good bit of water in them.

lidl multigrain hoops are nice

newacc2015 · 19-09-2015 4:45pm

newacc2015 wrote: »

Their own brand prepacked chicken is Green Food, which is really good.

lookitsme wrote: »

I am not a fan of their chicken breasts. they feel so firm when they are raw and can be tough once cooked. I would be interested to know what they are injected with.

Im talking about their cooked chicken for sandwiches etc. Its really good

bennyob · 20-09-2015 2:40pm

Keep away from the new recipie ham slices. Horrible stuff with a rubbery texture. Warren & Sons its called.

gingergirl · 20-09-2015 2:47pm

They recently had jars of aubergine caponata that was just delicious, couldn't get enough of it, it was only for a limited period though

katydid · 20-09-2015 10:15pm

Greek week coming up. Some great Greek stuff. I'll be stocking up on tins of vine leaves.

Selfheal · 20-09-2015 11:45pm

Won't be long now before all their lovely German Christmas stuff comes in. The Marzipan dark chocolate logs are sensational- great value too!

katydid · 21-09-2015 12:12am

Selfheal wrote: »

Won't be long now before all their lovely German Christmas stuff comes in. The Marzipan dark chocolate logs are sensational- great value too!

I LOVe the Spekulatus biscuits. Can't wait to see them!

Pretzill · 21-09-2015 12:17am

I wouldn't be a fan of most of their bakery items - I find their bread very dense - however that cheesy sourdough loaf comes into it's own cut thinly and griddled or fried - delicious!

Boskowski · 21-09-2015 12:35am

Lidl has half decent bread but since most of the others have cr@p it's a winner.

I like the chunky smoked salmon and the pepper mackerel. Their Hereford rib eye steaks are really good. So is the fresh moz and the Greek yoghurt and the little herb pots. Seafood chowder is excellent. Bottles of ice tea and sparking water. Olive oil.

Periodical offers can be hit and miss but some of the stuff can be great too. Look out for 1kg bags of good coffee beans. Or mini kabanossi especially the chilli ones. Also sweet chilli sauce, soy and more exotic sauces and bits and bobs can be picked up once or twice a year.
Not mad on processed foods in general but I make an exception for Flammkuchen during French week.

Spuds are good, onions, avocados, all the fruit and veg is decent.

Detergents, glass cleaner, dishwasher tablets and jacks roll all very good.

Baking section you pick up loads of stuff for a fraction of the price elsewhere like almonds are flour, syrup, baking chocolate. Free range eggs.

Shenshen · 21-09-2015 3:40pm

katydid wrote: »

Greek week coming up. Some great Greek stuff. I'll be stocking up on tins of vine leaves.

Stocked up on kalamata olives yesterday

Shenshen · 21-09-2015 3:41pm

MissFlitworth wrote: »

I got some It was delicious. Very gruyere-y indeed.

Couldn't get the Nuremburg bratwurst (little ones) but got some Thuringen (giant) ones & some Käsekrainer. We're having a very sausagey Friday

They've got Austrian Bergkaese on offer right now - I got some yesterday, and might be back later to get some more. Very nice stuff indeed

katydid · 21-09-2015 4:17pm

Shenshen wrote: »

They've got Austrian Bergkaese on offer right now - I got some yesterday, and might be back later to get some more. Very nice stuff indeed

Their Semmelknödeln are lovely. Very herby, and quite dense. I'm used to dumplings made with suet and self raising flour, which are lovely and light, so the texture was a bit strange. But nice; I had a brisket in the oven with gravy,and I threw them in for twenty minutes towards the end.

MissFlitworth · 21-09-2015 4:18pm

Is there any type of cheese you could compare that to Shenshen? I was eyeballing it when in there yesterday but wasn't sure what it would taste like or whether it would be worth buying. I'm a fan of cheese that tastes like cheese and not milky rubber and didn't want the disappointment if it turned out to be the latter!

Alun · 21-09-2015 4:24pm

katydid wrote: »

Their Semmelknödeln are lovely. Very herby, and quite dense.

They've got Semmelknödeln ??????? (Put's on coat and heads to Lidl post-haste!)

katydid · 21-09-2015 4:30pm

Alun wrote: »

They've got Semmelknödeln ??????? (Put's on coat and heads to Lidl post-haste!)

They had last Thursday here in Waterford...

Spanish Eyes · 21-09-2015 5:28pm

Pretzill wrote: »

I wouldn't be a fan of most of their bakery items - I find their bread very dense - however that cheesy sourdough loaf comes into it's own cut thinly and griddled or fried - delicious!

The mature cheese sourdough is fantastic. I go once a week, buy four loaves, eat one and freeze the rest (sliced and bagged). OMG. That is my fix.

But I went today and they didn't have any. The Tiger loaf looked like it but it wasn't. I asked the baker and he said no. All gone. Feck.

Shenshen · 21-09-2015 10:08pm

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Is there any type of cheese you could compare that to Shenshen? I was eyeballing it when in there yesterday but wasn't sure what it would taste like or whether it would be worth buying. I'm a fan of cheese that tastes like cheese and not milky rubber and didn't want the disappointment if it turned out to be the latter!

Hmm... tricky. I would say like a cross between Emmental texture and Appenzeller taste, or Gruyere. It does taste nice and strong, not too far off an Appenzeller. But it's not quite as crumbly, a little more springy.
That's the best I can do to describe it - go on, give it a try. It doesn't cost that much

Shenshen · 21-09-2015 10:10pm

katydid wrote: »

Their Semmelknödeln are lovely. Very herby, and quite dense. I'm used to dumplings made with suet and self raising flour, which are lovely and light, so the texture was a bit strange. But nice; I had a brisket in the oven with gravy,and I threw them in for twenty minutes towards the end.

Heh, I hadn't seen those!
But I would generally prefer to make them rather than buy them, they're so easy to do anyway. And the hubby doesn't like them, I finds them too stodgy.

Best way to have them is with a creamy wild forest mushroom stew. Mmmm... I hope the mushroom lady will be at the Midleton farmer's market on Saturday, and I hope she'll have chanterelles!

katydid · 21-09-2015 10:12pm

Shenshen wrote: »

Heh, I hadn't seen those!
But I would generally prefer to make them rather than buy them, they're so easy to do anyway. And the hubby doesn't like them, I finds them too stodgy.

I just wanted to try them. I have to say I prefer my own suet ones. But they were interesting...

Spanish Eyes · 21-09-2015 10:17pm

I will say it again. The Vintage Cheddar is the best. And so inexpensive.

Leave it to get to room temp for a bit, and you will not be disappointed.

It's called Rathdaragh, and it's a block with a black label. Gorgeous.

stampydmonkey · 21-09-2015 10:18pm

Anyone a fan of the inferno pizza. ...the only food that makes me physically sweat...both eating and on its way to food heaven ; ). Its masochistically delicious

Kat1170 · 21-09-2015 10:23pm

stampydmonkey wrote: »

Anyone a fan of the inferno pizza. ...the only food that makes me physically sweat...both eating and on its way to food heaven ; ). Its masochistically delicious

Have to say for an out of the packet pizza it is quite hot alright :eek:

VickieVexed1 · 21-09-2015 10:36pm

Before discovering the delights of Lidl, I would only use Heinz ketchup and baked beans. IMHO, Lidl's Kania ketchup and Kampo Largo beans are just as good...if not better than Heinz.

katydid · 21-09-2015 10:39pm

VickieVexed1 wrote: »

Before discovering the delights of Lidl, I would only use Heinz ketchup and baked beans. IMHO, Lidl's Kania ketchup and Kampo Largo beans are just as good...if not better than Heinz.

I saw a taste test on TV the other day where Kania Mayonnaise came out tops in a blind testing, above Hellmans and other (British supermarket) own brands.

Pretzill · 21-09-2015 11:08pm

katydid wrote: »

I saw a taste test on TV the other day where Kania Mayonnaise came out tops in a blind testing, above Hellmans and other (British supermarket) own brands.

I must try that because I have yet to find any other brand as nice as Hellman's - the other German stores

mayo is not to my liking.

Also +1 on the cheddar mentioned earlier and my OH will not accept it's Christmas without a couple of Stollens or mini Stollens (I'm also quite partial to their spiced wine - add a splash of brandy and it's Christmas in a warm glass!)

MissFlitworth · 22-09-2015 11:08am

Shenshen wrote: »

Hmm... tricky. I would say like a cross between Emmental texture and Appenzeller taste, or Gruyere. It does taste nice and strong, not too far off an Appenzeller. But it's not quite as crumbly, a little more springy.
That's the best I can do to describe it - go on, give it a try. It doesn't cost that much

Sold! Will grab some the next time I'm in.

Pretzill · 23-10-2015 6:48pm

Found out during the week that Lidl are no longer baking the cheesy sour dough loaf

Typical something I like and they stop making it - did pick up a packet of their specially selected rosemary crackers which are very moreish though.

Lidl - recommendations

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