This is a quick little review of Lidl's brand Italiamo Fresh Tagliatelle Pasta and Chopped Tomatoes with Peppers and Chili. Nothing screams quick weeknight dinner quite like pasta and jarred sauce, but unfortunately the results are often underwhelming despite doing the job of filling the household bellies. :) With little additional effort, you may be able to elevate your easy weeknight dinner idea and if that's the case, why wouldn't you give it a shot?! The swap out for fresh tagliatelle pasta and a quick homemade meat sauce made all the difference over here. Fortunately in Portugal fresh pasta at grocery stores like Lidl is very affordable. This package was 85 euro cents and served 2 of us perfectly. Easy Tagliatelle with Meat sauce "Recipe":Ingredients to make this at home:In a well heated frying pan primed with oil, simply fry up your ground meat with some salt and pepper. Add a squeeze of tomato paste (the tubes are the best!!) and cook it through before adding the can of chopped tomatoes. This particular can included peppers and chili which added a nice little kick. The fresh tagliatelle pasta needs just 3 minutes in boiling water to cook and guys, that is literally it. I did not even toss the two together, I just piled this super easy meat sauce on top of the fresh pasta, drizzled with olive oil, a little grind of crushed red pepper, a festive shake of the garlic powder and dinner was served!
But if you are wondering what goes well with fresh pasta and meat sauce, a salad I always a great choice. Our colorful side salad was loaded with a combination of arugula, spinach, and iceberg with chopped red and green peppers, cucumbers, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and feta cheese crumbled on top. Simply dressed with olive oil and lemon juice for a light, bright touch! COST: |
Still, if you love Piña coladas you'll love the pineapple-coconut lassi too! The coconut flavor is prominent so you must love coconut to enjoy this beverage. Lassis are a yogurt based beverage popular in India so if you're feeling exotic why not swing by your local Lidl and see if you can still nab one of these delights?! |
COST: .99 EURO
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WOULD YOU TRY a lassi?
DO YOU THINK THEY WERE A GOOD VALUE?
These lassi beverages were purchased at Lidl, a grocery store in Portugal. If you're looking for information on current Cost of Living in Portugal and opinions of Americans in Portugal, check out these posts:
Lidl Portuguese Grocery Reviews:
Lidl Review: VITASIA ASIA STYLE GYOZA SPICY PORK AND KIMCHI FILLING
Cooking Instructions: VITASIA ASIA STYLE GYOZA SPICY PORK AND KIMCHI FILLING
Btw, 200 C is approximately 400 degrees F.
Modo de preparação:
- Na frigideira: adicionar um pouco de óleo à frigideia, juntar o produto e fritar em lume médio durante 2 minutos até que a parte de baixo atinja uma tonalidade dourada. Acrescentar um pouco de água e cozinhar o produto durante mais 3 minutos.
- Na panela a vapor: adicionar um pouco de água à panela e aquecer. Assim que a água começar a ferver, colocar o produto na panela a vapor e cozinhar durante 6-10 minutos.
- Na fritadeira: aquecer a quantidade necessária de óleo, de forma a que o produto fique coberto ao fritar. Aquecer o óleo a 160°C, colocar o produto congelado e fritar durante aprox. 3 minutos.
- No forno: pincelar o produto com um molho à escolha e cozinhar a 200 °C durante 15 minutos.
- Na fritadeira de ar quente: cozinhar o produto durante 8-12 minutos a 180 °C. Virar a meio do tempo.
- Na panela: cozer o produto durante 3 minutos em água.
I really didn't have any sauce in mind so I just laid them in a single layer on a Nordic Ware quarter sheet tray and spritzed them with some spray oil and popped them in.
Between these Gyoza and the Dim Sum at Lidl, the Gyoza were the clear winner for us!
COST: 3.29 EURO
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WOULD YOU TRY THESE Gyoza?
DO YOU THINK THEY WERE A GOOD VALUE?
These Gyoza were purchased at Lidl, a grocery store in Portugal. If you're looking for information on current Cost of Living in Portugal and opinions of Americans in Portugal, check out these posts:
Cost of Living in Portugal:
MORe Lidl Portugal Reviews:
Glazed Donut .39
Quick take on the glazed donut: "I liked it."
How would you describe it? "Good fluffy texture, nice fried donut-y taste. The glaze wasn't too sticky. It was a good price - pretty good for a donut I think!"
Sprinkle Donut .59
Quick take on the sprinkle donut: "Less good (compared to the glazed), a little gummier. The donut taste wasn't as good as the glazed. Maybe the sprinkles detract, I'm not sure. Just get the glazed." Did you dislike it? "No." So overall decent, just not as good as the glazed? "Exactly." |
When I followed up with the first bite of the glazed donut I was surprised how airy it was, as you could see in the photo. The donut sprung back up whereas with the sprinkle donut it stayed squished down, hence the "gummier" description. I assumed the base donut experience would be identical on these, but actually no!
Unfortunately I missed a cross section pic of the sprinkle donut (or "argola party" as the sign says in Portuguese lol) so this can only mean one thing: I will have to try another one and add the photo so you can see the difference ;)
More donuts to come. Stay tuned! ;)
These Donuts were purchased at Lidl, a grocery store in Portugal. If you're looking for information on current Cost of Living in Portugal and opinions of Americans in Portugal, check out some of the posts above!
Lidl Review: Vitasia Chinese Style Dim Sum with Meat and Ginger
Cooking Instructions: VITASIA CHINESE STYLE DIM SUM WITH MEAT AND GINGER
- In a pan - cook with plenty of salted water for 4 minutes under low heat, turning them carefully. Drain and serve with the sauce of your choice.
- In a steamer - Steam for 5-6 minutes, drain and serve with sauce of your choice.
- In a frying pan - Fry the dim sum in hot oil for 1-2 minutes. Drain and serve with sauce to taste.
Tap the photo below for nutritional information of Lidl's Dim Sum.
Modo de PREPARAÇÃO
- Na panela: cozer o produto em água abundante com sal durante 4 minutos em lume brando, virando cuidadosamente. Escorrer e servir com um molho a gosto.
- Na panela a vapor: cozer o produto durante 5-6 minutos. Escorrer e servir com um molho a gosto.
- Na frigideira: fritar o produto em óleo quente durante 1-2 minutos, escorrer e servir com um molho a gosto.
We opted to prepare them via the first method and then I wanted to fry them off a bit after they were cooked with some toasted sesame oil. I quickly aborted that mission as they were sticking to the pan I was using (whoops, forgot to let it get back up to temp first - rookie move) and proceeded to plate.
I really wasn't sure what molho (sauce) I would want with "meat and ginger" Dim Sum, so besides the toasted sesame oil, we had a splash of soy sauce.
For us, these were a pass. They were fine, it was an easy little snack after a midweek meeting, but nothing I would seek out again.
VITASIA CHINESE STYLE DIM SUM WITH MEAT AND GINGER Ingredients
Cost: 1.99 euro
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WOULD YOU TRY THESE DIM SUM?
DO YOU THINK THEY WERE A GOOD VALUE?
These Dim Sum were purchased at Lidl, a grocery store in Portugal. If you're looking for information on current Cost of Living in Portugal and opinions of Americans in Portugal, check out these posts:
More Lidl Reviews:
Aldi Reviews:
Aldi Review: Appetitos Caramelized Onion and Gouda Mini Puff Pastries
In this post:
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Aldi Frozen Appetizer Description:
NUTRITION FACTS AND PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONs
How to prepare Aldi's caramelized onion and gouda cheese puff pastry appetizers: In a conventional oven:
Some readers have recommended cutting down the bake time by using an air fryer! |
APPETITOS Caramelized Onion and Gouda MINI PUFF PASTRIES REVIEW
Shown here: Aldi Appetitios Caramelized Onion and Gouda Puff Pastry Bites on the cast iron skillet about to go in the convection oven!
Confession: These were so good that I never got a pic of them out of the oven. I ate one as a tester and then another as a tester. Before I knew it they were gone! Flavor and texture are excellent and the puff pastry is perfect! These would be great to pick up for your next wine and app night in - Netflix and chill! Definite BUY on this! $4.79 on Instacart |
Aldi Review: APPETITOS CRANBERRY FETA MINI PUFF PASTRIES
In this post
Aldi Frozen Appetizer Description: Flaky all-butter pastry topped with creamy feta cheese filling and cranberry sauce |
Nutrition Facts and Preparation Instructions
How to prepare Aldi's cranberry and feta mini puff pastries:
In a conventional oven:
Some readers have recommended cutting down the bake time by using an air fryer! |
APPETITOS CRANBERRY & FETA MINI PUFF PASTRIES Review
Personally, I preferred the more savory caramelized onion and gouda puff pastry appetizers over these, although they were good. The combo of both flavors provides your guests variety in easy appetizers!
Tip: To reduce cleanup, try baking on silpat!
Aldi Review: Buona Italian Style Gravy & Sliced Beef
I ordered the Buona Italian Style Gravy & Sliced Beef at Aldi via Instacart and I believe the 4 lb container cost about $16.99. Be mindful that this container has a lot of liquid inside ("gravy"). Still it fed 2 adults for 4 meals - not bad!
Chicago's original italian style gravy & Sliced Beef"Chicago's original Italian beef from the nation's leading family owned restaurant brand is now available in your grocer's freezer. The Buonavolanto family cooks up the world's best all-natural Italian style gravy and sliced beef made from our original recipe. No shortcuts, no MSG, no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors. Just slow-roasted, perfectly seasoned perfection. Three generations of Buonavolantos invite you to enjoy the same Italian style gravy and beef that millions of people have made famous at our family's restaurants since 1981." #buonabeef |
Italian Sliced Beef Recipe Ideas
Add To Cart: Italian Beef Seasoning |
Buona Beef Ingredients, Nutrition Facts, cooking instructions
- Beef gravy - beef drippings, water, natural flavors, spices
- Seasoned Beef - Beef, water, salt
Just heat and serve.
The best way to heat, of course, is on the stove top.
Thaw the beef completely in your fridge overnight, then pour the contents of the container into a large saucepan and heat over medium until the meat reaches a temperature of 180 degrees.
Use a cooking thermometer to ensure safe reheat temperature!
You may be interested in...
Buona Italian Style Gravy & Sliced Beef Review
Alternatively get some shaved/sliced beef raw and season it up just how you like. One benefit of that is not having this huge container around in your fridge or freezer.
Yes, I'm sure you've been in this very situation before unless you're one of those people who do not like sweets ... or joy. In which case that is definitely a sad existence and I am sorry to even let myself imagine it for a moment. On the other hand, If you're.a person who does not like sweet treats, but you do still like joy then I support that totally and at times I may even admire you all the more for it! :p
At any rate - we have found a solution for you at Aldi in Portugal!
Espiga multicereais Chocolate
I don't truly know the correct translation of the name Espiga Multicereais Chocolate to English.
Multicereais in Portuguese means multi-cereal, as in multigrain in English. Espiga apparently can mean "ear", "cobb", or "spike".
And obviously Chocolate means... chocolate. ;)
No, my friend, this is the real chocolate-y deal. :)
But remember, this chocolate pastry is HEALTHY. I mean look at all those little seeds and grains on top! There are bits of oat, flax seed, and who even knows what else - all you need to know is it's healthy. ;)
To note, the majority of "chocolate" pastries in Portugal tend to have Nutella slant.
Aldi Portuguese Pastry Review: Espiga MultiCereais Chocolate
We love this chocolate pastry from Aldi in Portugal. It's a 5/5 for us. A great and super healthy reward for surviving the weekly grocery shopping trip. Jokes aside, the multi-grain element genuinely adds another layer of complexity to the flavor profile that we really enjoy. The nutella-but-thicker filling makes this entire pastry a bit heavy. You see, when you get half way through eating it, it's so delicious you want to finish it off. But once you finish it off you may feel like you ate just a bit too much. |
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And you should definitely enjoy it with a cafezinho (a little coffee, in cute-portuguese speak)
Aldi - please don't read this and make it smaller. That would be no bueno, er... mau. muito mau. Se faz favor, não faça isso. We like it how it is! Obrigada bjs. :) ❤
How much is the multi-grain chocolate filled pastry at aldi in Portugal?
The Espiga Multicereais Chocolate pastry is currently .99 euro cents in summer 2024 which is approximately $1.08 USD.
Not too shabby, eh?
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Our Delonghi Espresso Machine
We saved up for a Delonghi that was a nice balance between a solid espresso shot with some optional manual adjustments and the convenience of automation for busy days which, let's face it, is every day. If you're looking for a new espresso machine check out the Delonghi Magnifica on Amazon and compare the price to the Delonghi site to see who has the better sale price on Espresso Machines.
BTW. The cost of these machines is generally much cheaper in Europe than in the US. One of the few appliances where that is true - showing how culturally essential coffee is to the Portuguese people.
Step 1: Wash, peel, & dice sweet potatoes. Mix maple syrup with chili flakes to taste.
Step 2: Mix Panko with Seasoning, Butter, and Oil
Step 3: Spread Sour Cream on Chicken & Press Panko Mixture On Top. Bake 8 Minutes
Step 4: Toss Green Beans w/ Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil. Add to tray and bake 12-15 mins.
Plate it up! Hello Fresh Spicy Maple Chicken Recipe Review
Hello Fresh Spicy Maple Chicken Close Ups
More Cook With Me
Hello Fresh Meal Kit Recipe Reviews Here
Honest Thoughts on Hello Fresh Meal Delivery Service
- Convenient way to have balanced meals during extra busy times in life.
- Inspiration for when you’re in a cooking rut.
- Great for anyone new to cooking to build confidence in their abilities!
- The recipes teach simple yet versatile cooking techniques that you will carry with you in your own cooking.
- Easy to re-recreate and modify.
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Oh, Hey!
We're Justin and Marissa
We love to travel and eat!
Traveling Through Food is a place to share some of our adventures in travel and food so you can find inspiration for your next big trip whether it's around the world or down the freezer aisle at the grocery store. :p
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