| Cost of living / food shopping 14:35 - Dec 12 with 12680 views | clive_baker |
I've been playing around with buying some supermarket own brand alternatives lately. I shall go full Martin Lewis with you now and reveal my findings:
Tesco Chocolate Digestives. Get on them. Only 55p and bl00dy lovely. Actually better than the branded alternatives, more chocolate to biscuit ratio. Don't buy the Molly's ones though, they're rank.
Tesco Oat Milk. Passable but not as nice as the branded one I get. £1.20 instead of £1.80 doesn't justify the trade IMO.
Marmite - Don't mess with the GOD. Bought a supermarket alternative, had it once on toast and can't see myself eating it again. Absolutely fecking rancid. Literally tasted like salt on toast.
I don't mess about with Mayo or Salad cream, I'm sorry the stakes are far too high with that.
Bran Flakes - Switch. No brainer. No discernible difference. £1.10 instead of £3 for the branded alternative that sounds like Mellogs.
Dry Pasta. Commodity product, who buys branded pasta? 41p for 500g vs. £1.50. No brainer, switch.
Nappies. Fred & Flo absolutely fine (I've always bought these anyway to be fair). Not sure why you would pay twice as much for something that'll get covered in p1ss and sh1t and end up in the bin after a few hours.
Anyone got any more hacks in your shopping basket? |  |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:32 - Dec 13 with 1307 views | unbelievablue |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:07 - Dec 13 by Dubtractor |
I've never tried making pasta.
There's a new year's resolution for me! |
It's fun, gets easier every time*, and is absolutely delicious. Simple too:
00 flour
Semolina flour
Eggs
Salt
*although things like temperature, egg quality etc. can cause variance |  |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:37 - Dec 13 with 1292 views | clive_baker |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:29 - Dec 13 by ElephantintheRoom |
Never buy branded cheese
I suspect the good folk who make Tesco marmite simply change the packaging from marmite over to own brand. |
They certainly don't unless while doing so they also remove every ingredient and replace it with salt. It's horrendous.
Marmite is a Unilever product and they don't tend to get involved with any 3rd party manufacturing, so it's almost certainly made in an entirely different factory to a very different recipe.
There are examples of own brand products that quite literally are the same product as branded alternatives, but that doesn't mean it's true of all of them and actually isn't true of many. And even if it's made in the same factory often the recipe and ingredients are different. The same distillery (G&J) in Warrington makes some premium gins (Thomas Dakin, Ophir) as well as Hortus for Lidl (very decent own brand gin btw, although actually not much cheaper than Gordons anyway) although it's a vastly different and cheaper recipe. Not saying that will be obvious to the taster btw. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:38 - Dec 13 with 1288 views | leitrimblue |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 21:27 - Dec 12 by monkeymagic |
I really don’t consider myself an expert on any matter but suggesting any rival can match a Tunnocks product is an astonishing claim. Their caramel wafer bars are a reason to live. |
No company/chef or living human could ever match their teacakes |  | | |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:38 - Dec 13 with 1290 views | Tractor_Buck |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:29 - Dec 13 by ElephantintheRoom |
Never buy branded cheese
I suspect the good folk who make Tesco marmite simply change the packaging from marmite over to own brand. |
Nah, Tesco 'Vegetable Extract' is Vegemite. Very nice but a totally different product. |  | | |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:39 - Dec 13 with 1285 views | clive_baker |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:32 - Dec 13 by unbelievablue |
It's fun, gets easier every time*, and is absolutely delicious. Simple too:
00 flour
Semolina flour
Eggs
Salt
*although things like temperature, egg quality etc. can cause variance |
Do you need to put flour on the work surface and use a rolling pin like they do on the TV? Sounds like a messy ball ache tbh. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:42 - Dec 13 with 1276 views | jeera |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:39 - Dec 13 by clive_baker |
Do you need to put flour on the work surface and use a rolling pin like they do on the TV? Sounds like a messy ball ache tbh. |
That's the spirit. |  |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:47 - Dec 13 with 1260 views | Churchman |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:07 - Dec 13 by Dubtractor |
Oddly, tomatoes were one of the few things that did well in my garden last year. |
Again, i think I over watered them and I’m not sure the variety chosen was the best either. |  | | |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:47 - Dec 13 with 1258 views | unbelievablue |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:39 - Dec 13 by clive_baker |
Do you need to put flour on the work surface and use a rolling pin like they do on the TV? Sounds like a messy ball ache tbh. |
Yes, you lazy bar steward. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:11 - Dec 13 with 1227 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 21:30 - Dec 12 by BlueBoots |
If you look at the packaging of certain goods, there is usually a production code number. Compare the code on a supermarket regular own brand with the code on their value / basic range of the same product (e.g Spaghetti) - if they match, you're getting the same goods, but in different packaging... |
I kind of find this very hard to believe.
Someone mentioned earlier about the same factory making crisps for multiple brands but this doesn't mean they are the same recipe, in fact far from it. Each retailer will have their own recipe and this will be subject to non disclosure clauses and the fires of hell will be unleashed should these recipes be disclosed.
As for production codes - surely these are Batch Codes and the manufacture would not run the same batch for different packaging.
I would say it's more likely to be a factory number. |  |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:26 - Dec 13 with 1211 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 10:19 - Dec 13 by usm |
Something's just aren't transferable
Heinz Tomato Ketchup
Daddies Brown Sauce
Maynards Wine Gums
Lurpack Butter
Yorkshire Tea (apparently according to the current Lady USM)
Radox Shower Gel / Bath Gel |
I'm with you on the Yorkshire Tea but PG Tips would do as a sub if necessary - although one of my northern pals advises that it is impossible to have Yorkshire tea in Suffolk because we don't have Yorkshire water.
I can understand your feelings on ketchup and brown sauce but I don't really use them so they didn't make my original hit list. Same goes for baked beans although when I used to have some i admit they were always Heinz and my grandkids get through a lot and they are always Heinz. There was another brand that was ok, was it Branston?
Fairy Liquid - that's another one, everything else is false economy.
All in all though i think Aldi have the closest to the brands and I am continually amazed at how close their product packaging is to the branded market leaders.
Lidl may also be as good as Aldi but I rarely shop there because the local ones are a bit small - cracking fresh bread and pastry section though.
Callis was bemoaning Aldi bread earlier but I think it's the best around, especially their brown seedy one. They also do a like for like Bounty bar and Milky Way. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:37 - Dec 13 with 1194 views | Sarge |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 20:22 - Dec 12 by stonojnr |
I think the branded pasta tends to cook better holds the sauce better as it tends to be thicker and rougher in texture so you get more of a flavour combination, but most people in the UK probably dont cook pasta properly anyway, or at least not as Italians would do it, so its not worth the extra. |
This.
Bronze die pasta is better, and the cheap own brand stuff is all Teflon die. Premium own brand pasta is sometimes bronze die but I find that’s usually more expensive than the likes of De Cecco. Most of the time though it makes little difference, particularly if the pasta is overcooked or overly-sauced. |  | | |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:49 - Dec 13 with 1182 views | unbelievablue |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:37 - Dec 13 by Sarge |
This.
Bronze die pasta is better, and the cheap own brand stuff is all Teflon die. Premium own brand pasta is sometimes bronze die but I find that’s usually more expensive than the likes of De Cecco. Most of the time though it makes little difference, particularly if the pasta is overcooked or overly-sauced. |
Really are some easy hacks which I wish I knew when I was at Uni.
- Use some of the starchy pasta water for the sauce (helps stick, + taste)
- Never use olive oil in the water (god knows where that came from)
- Make sure water is boiling before adding
- Lots of salt once boiling
- Cook for less time than stated if adding to a sauce (e.g. 8 mins rather than 10) | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:53 - Dec 13 with 1175 views | J2BLUE |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:49 - Dec 13 by unbelievablue |
Really are some easy hacks which I wish I knew when I was at Uni.
- Use some of the starchy pasta water for the sauce (helps stick, + taste)
- Never use olive oil in the water (god knows where that came from)
- Make sure water is boiling before adding
- Lots of salt once boiling
- Cook for less time than stated if adding to a sauce (e.g. 8 mins rather than 10) |
Here are some easier hacks
1) Boil some dry pasta
2) Open a jar of Dolmio
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:54 - Dec 13 with 1171 views | unbelievablue |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:53 - Dec 13 by J2BLUE |
Here are some easier hacks
1) Boil some dry pasta
2) Open a jar of Dolmio
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Dolmio is utter sh1te. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 12:39 - Dec 13 with 1128 views | Dubtractor |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:37 - Dec 13 by Sarge |
This.
Bronze die pasta is better, and the cheap own brand stuff is all Teflon die. Premium own brand pasta is sometimes bronze die but I find that’s usually more expensive than the likes of De Cecco. Most of the time though it makes little difference, particularly if the pasta is overcooked or overly-sauced. |
De Cecco is the pasta we use, and it is very good stuff. |  |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 12:40 - Dec 13 with 1116 views | clive_baker |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 12:39 - Dec 13 by Dubtractor |
De Cecco is the pasta we use, and it is very good stuff. |
Triffic player. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:06 - Dec 13 with 1078 views | Funge |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 00:20 - Dec 13 by monytowbray |
Some more braindump…
International food stores - If you aren’t using places like Raja on Cavandish St (named because it’s my nearest) you’re missing out. I guess as a vegan and keen cook I’ve always loved such places but stuff I usually get there include…
- Herbs and spices.
- Cooking pastes like indian/thai curry and miso.
- Chillis and peppers (always a million times better than supermarket ones)
- Canned or dried stuff like beans, chickpeas, lentils, jackfruit and banana blossom (the latter two supermarkets often add a vegan-essential markup because they are exploitive bellends)
- Tofu and sometimes tempah (much better value for money again)
- Sauces, if you like hot sauces and condiments they’re usually well stocked.
- Naan bread (for some reason every supermarket one has milk in it yet ones in international stores don’t - and you usually get better value.
- Ramen noodles (assorted cheaper brand Super Noodles if you want to be specific)
- Rice (basmati and sushi for me)
- Onions and potatoes (loads more bang for your buck and seem to last longer/taste fresher than supermarket stuff)
Other stuff I will often grab are Okra, Plaintain and Ackee if I am cooking something that benefits such ingredients. Sometimes you’ll find good freezer stuff too - I have some Gyozas and fake meat oriental style ribs in my freezer that are both tasty.
Funge will vouch for Raja too, as I once bumped into him in there!
Go East in town is also another good spot for things like inari pockets, alas I’d say it’s not cheap it is good for specialist stuff. [Post edited 13 Dec 2022 0:21]
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Yes MT!
Raja is the best shop in Ipswich. Totally agree with all of the above.
EDIT - the fresh green chillies in there are berserk good. [Post edited 13 Dec 2022 15:49]
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:11 - Dec 13 with 1072 views | Sarge |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 11:49 - Dec 13 by unbelievablue |
Really are some easy hacks which I wish I knew when I was at Uni.
- Use some of the starchy pasta water for the sauce (helps stick, + taste)
- Never use olive oil in the water (god knows where that came from)
- Make sure water is boiling before adding
- Lots of salt once boiling
- Cook for less time than stated if adding to a sauce (e.g. 8 mins rather than 10) |
What I’ve learned recently is if you’re making a sauce that really relies on the pasta and pasta water (like carbonara) then limit the salt you put in the water. Salt inhibits starch gelatinisation which makes it harder to create creamy sauce.
When I make carbonara I use no salt in the pasta and instead the saltiness of the bacon and cheese takes care of it. | | | |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:12 - Dec 13 with 1069 views | J2BLUE |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:11 - Dec 13 by Sarge |
What I’ve learned recently is if you’re making a sauce that really relies on the pasta and pasta water (like carbonara) then limit the salt you put in the water. Salt inhibits starch gelatinisation which makes it harder to create creamy sauce.
When I make carbonara I use no salt in the pasta and instead the saltiness of the bacon and cheese takes care of it. |
Fook me this is getting deep | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:17 - Dec 13 with 1060 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:06 - Dec 13 by Funge |
Yes MT!
Raja is the best shop in Ipswich. Totally agree with all of the above.
EDIT - the fresh green chillies in there are berserk good. [Post edited 13 Dec 2022 15:49]
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I third that.
Raja is brilliant, no question. I could spend hours in there.
Also, a couple of small places on Norwich Rd are worth a visit, especially for the lamb - however I've recently switched to what was Morrisons local on St Mathews whenever I'm passing - for meat.
I'm hoping to visit this place next week - apparently is blooming massive and open to the public.
https://www.matcomegamart.co.uk/ | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:18 - Dec 13 with 1057 views | unbelievablue |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:11 - Dec 13 by Sarge |
What I’ve learned recently is if you’re making a sauce that really relies on the pasta and pasta water (like carbonara) then limit the salt you put in the water. Salt inhibits starch gelatinisation which makes it harder to create creamy sauce.
When I make carbonara I use no salt in the pasta and instead the saltiness of the bacon and cheese takes care of it. |
Happily I don't really like Carbonara. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:40 - Dec 13 with 1035 views | Dubtractor |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:17 - Dec 13 by Lord_Lucan |
I third that.
Raja is brilliant, no question. I could spend hours in there.
Also, a couple of small places on Norwich Rd are worth a visit, especially for the lamb - however I've recently switched to what was Morrisons local on St Mathews whenever I'm passing - for meat.
I'm hoping to visit this place next week - apparently is blooming massive and open to the public.
https://www.matcomegamart.co.uk/ |
I used to pop into raja all the time as I walk past it every day, or I did before wfh anyway, but not been in there in ages. It is indeed a great shop, and cheap too. Plus they sell cock flavour seasoning, which makes me chuckle. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:57 - Dec 13 with 1017 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:40 - Dec 13 by Dubtractor |
I used to pop into raja all the time as I walk past it every day, or I did before wfh anyway, but not been in there in ages. It is indeed a great shop, and cheap too. Plus they sell cock flavour seasoning, which makes me chuckle. |
Thanks
That has answered Mrs Lucans Christmas present conundrum. | |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:57 - Dec 13 with 1018 views | hype313 |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:17 - Dec 13 by Lord_Lucan |
I third that.
Raja is brilliant, no question. I could spend hours in there.
Also, a couple of small places on Norwich Rd are worth a visit, especially for the lamb - however I've recently switched to what was Morrisons local on St Mathews whenever I'm passing - for meat.
I'm hoping to visit this place next week - apparently is blooming massive and open to the public.
https://www.matcomegamart.co.uk/ |
4th for Callis's Raja shout, brilliant shop.
Also for pasta, Tavernetta on St Nic street does some truly great pasta, and I was very much of the opinion that the cheapest was no different, not anymore.
Beans, Aldi beans win hands down for me, although their Coffee Beans are not great.
And no own brand chocolate touches Cadburys.
Everything else is fair game to go own brand IMO. |  |
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| Cost of living / food shopping on 14:01 - Dec 13 with 1012 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Cost of living / food shopping on 13:57 - Dec 13 by hype313 |
4th for Callis's Raja shout, brilliant shop.
Also for pasta, Tavernetta on St Nic street does some truly great pasta, and I was very much of the opinion that the cheapest was no different, not anymore.
Beans, Aldi beans win hands down for me, although their Coffee Beans are not great.
And no own brand chocolate touches Cadburys.
Everything else is fair game to go own brand IMO. |
You need to try an Aldi Bounty - they come mini size in bags of about 20
Ditto Milky Way
I don't however eat a lot of chocolate but I have found Cadburys to have become a bit greasy over the years.
Mind you it might be my taste buts - for the past fortnight everything tastes metallic, even Golden Virginia | |
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