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It's all in the bag--for less!

The first time I visited an Aldi store, the only thing I purchased was a bag of pretzels. I think it may have been that it was all I felt safe with at that time. I wasn't convinced that there could be any real quality behind such low prices. My husband's favorite snack at that time was pretzels, and he was quite picky about them. He not only loved those pretzels, he wanted to go back and get more.

Since then, 17 years ago, I've shopped nearly exclusively at Aldi. With their product lines rapidly expanding to include more healthful items and gourmet foodstuffs, I expect it will soon be the only place I will buy food at, save for a few items like local produce and a specific coffee that my husband enjoys. I just don't see the need to spend more when the quality is equal to, or better than, big-name brands. Really.

Having recently bought top-quality, unsalted almonds at $3.99 for 12 ounces (which happen to be very addictive right out of the bag), and IQF (individually quick frozen) chicken breasts at $5.99 for 3 pounds, it's very hard to go back to paying much higher prices at the other local stores. Depending on what state you live in, Aldi offers several wines, also.

There are many items that my kids will eat only if they are the brands that Aldi offers; barbecue chips, yogurt tubes (Moo Tubes at Aldi), microwave popcorn (I concur with them that Aldi's is the best I've had), freeze pops and seedless red grapes. The grapes are from local farmers, but I can't get that particular farm's grapes at other local stores--I don't know why that is.

One of the most exciting things that Aldi is now offering on their website is the Aldi Meal Planner. The Meal Planner has a cookbook, a calendar and a shopping list maker. Simply search for recipes by several criteria, including special diets like gluten-free, sugar-free or vegan, and once you find what you're looking for add it to your shopping list and there you have it! All ready to print and shop. For someone like me, who refuses to shop without a menu and list, this is a really awesome utility.

Bottom line is, whether you're a food snob or not (my degree in Culinary Arts hasn't stopped me, yet), on a tight budget or have plenty of money, Aldi is worth a look.

Here's a recipe I make all the time with ingredients purchased at Aldi.

Easy Chicken Quesadillas

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 packet taco seasoning
12 flour tortillas
1 c each shredded cheddar cheese and shredded Monterey Jack cheese- more or less, depending on your tastes.

Place chicken in large skillet and cover with water.
Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer, cooking until
chicken is falling apart and most liquid is absorbed.
Shred chicken well.
Sprinkle seasoning packet over the chicken and mix well.
Place approximately 1/4 cup of chicken on one tortilla; spread to edges.
Top with cheese to taste-about 1/3 cup.
Top with another tortilla.
Heat-turning once-in a large non-stick pan on medium-high heat until
well browned on both sides and cheese is melted.
Serve with salsa, sour cream, and sliced black olives.
Makes 6 quesadillas.