May 21, 2014

Get Refreshed for The World Cup with Lidl

May 21, 2014/ Claire Spence

It's no secret I've been working with Lidl NI the past 12 months, bringing you posts with bargain and new, exciting products. This however is not a sponsored post.

Over the past year I've gone from visiting Lidl about once a month, to choosing it as my 'big shop' location every fortnight with a couple of visits in between for fresh fruit & veg (& their bargain, beautiful smoked salmon with mustard and dill which I'm addicted to for breakfast).

If you follow me on Twitter (@rudedoodle) or Instagram you'll see me giving shout outs about what's new in store, as one of my top reasons for shopping Lidl is they get a brand new range in weekly, so there's always specials to try.

Next up, this Thursday, is their World Cup collection. I'm a sucker for a big event and will be getting some tshirts for the family. I was in store today and they've already got some World Cup themed food in- yes! Plus party packs with plates, cups, plastic cutlery, football whistles etc. for £3.99

I didn't buy these today, but I'll be buying them once the event starts.

Now the days are getting warmer there are some interesting options for keeping hydrated. Many flavours of iced tea, including some zero calorie options. Beautiful with ice and a slice of lemon.

One of their themes this week is Mexican food, so as well as a selection of spices for 69p each, salsa, taco kits and fajitas, they also have this unusual cactus drink, which someone like me couldn't resist trying at £1 for a litre.

And what about this water jug? So stylish and looks far more expensive than it's £3.99. There are matching tumblers and salad bowls in two sizes too. All come in either green, clear or deep pink. Lovely for BBQs.

Finally here are the rest of the World Cup items which should hit stores on Thursday.

January 28, 2014

Is January EVER Going to End? Lidl Bargains to Tide You Over to Pay Day.

January 28, 2014/ Claire Spence

Seriously, January? Christmas was about twelve weeks ago and it's STILL JANUARY. Overdrafts are emptying, tinned cans are being used up for dinners like it's the the end of time, takeaways are but a fleeting lustful thought as we tuck into baked potatoes or stew.

Hopefully your payday is this week, but here are some every day bargains from Lidl which will save you money on your weekly Big Shop, money left over for their equally well priced wines as a farewell-to-January treat.

The veg is noticeably cheaper, and the same, or better quality than the big chain stores.

Chocomoons cereal has a special place in my heart as I was addicted to it when I was pregnant with our son. Eat three bowls in a go. An online friend, Nick, decided to do his big shop at Lidl last week after reading my Lidl Deli post. He says he saved around £30 off his bill, and that the big test would come when his two children tried the cereal. They loved it!

The pre-cooked wings and legs are like the packs you get in M&S. Handy if you can't be bothered cooking. Sit with the tv on and a bowl of wings on your lap. Don't forget the kitchen roll for your hands!

These salsa and sour cream pots are identical to Doritos branded ones. The Lidl version of Cheesestrings are nicer than the real ones, for me.

The fresh meat and fish selection in store is vast. They use local producers, which helps our local farmers. Both these packs cost £3.59 each. You'll also find some exotic meats, like partridge and veal. Keep an eye on the freezers.

Go forth and save money!

January 15, 2014

12 Reasons Why Lidl Should Become Your New Local Deli in 2014

January 15, 2014/ Claire Spence

Everyone is too broke to be snobby about Lidl anymore. But take a trolley around the cut price supermarket & you may be pleasantly surprised at the range of products available. One of the reasons I visit Lidl once a month, is to feed my habit for loving the new and unusual. Each visit to my local Bangor store brings a new selection of treats I haven't seen elsewhere. As well as European foods, Lidl NI offer great priced local produce, their meats are especially good quality.

Here are 12 products that may tempt the foodies amongst my readers to try their local Lidl store.

1. Pear Balsamic Vinegar, also available in Apple.

2. Jalepeno pepper relish. This would be awesome on crackers with mature cheddar.

3. Irish Pea and Ham Soup. This is amazing, one of my repeat purchases. Probably not a suitable soup if you're on a diet (such as the Limmy porridge and soup diet) as it's made with cream.

4. Lemon Curd Yoghurt.

5. Devon Style Toffee Yoghurt. These are 59p each. If I've been at Lidl before you there will be no toffee variety left because I LOVE them. They have little toffee pieces through it.

6. Toffee Spread

7. Coconut Spread. If you follow me on Twitter you'll know I'm addicted to this stuff. You know the white versions of Ferrero Roche? This tastes like the inside of those. I currently have three jars of this stock piled.

8. A big pile of smoked salmon for £2.69, yes please.

9. Smooth Irish Cheddar with Seaweed. SEAWEED!

10. Black Forest Ham. This is a Parma ham style meat and at a fraction of the price you would pay in a deli or posh supermarket.

11. Honey cure bacon

12. Lardons. I honestly can't get these anywhere else. Super handy for in omelettes or pasta dishes.

November 15, 2013

A Lidl Bit of Christmas Magic

November 15, 2013/ Claire Spence

Last night my boys and I attended a Lidl Christmas launch event in James Streer South, Belfast. Lidl's top chef Ian Orr supplied us with a savoury and sweet buffet of delights, all straight from the supermarket shelves. He also served up a starter of crab claws, and a main meal with traditional turkey with roasted chestnuts.

The desserts all got a definitive thumbs up from little Michael. I've already a mental shopping list of the delights we tried made. The deluxe collection arrives in store around 25th November.

August 12, 2013

So You've Never Been to Lidl? 25 Things You Might Not Know You Can Get There. PLUS: WIN £20 to Spend In-store!

August 12, 2013/ Claire Spence

Lidl isn't just a grocery shop that sells discount, European food. It's also the equivalent of a kid in a toy shop for me. Why? Because I love trying food products I haven't tried before, and besides selling brands you do know at low prices, Lidl also imports European ingredient and dishes you don't get in the big, main supermarkets.

Pushing your trolley down the aisle you'll discover those biscuits you remember buying all the time that fortnight in France. Or the pâté you remember your hotel having in the breakfast buffet when you holidayed in Spain. That's what I like about Lidl, you can relive the tastes of your holidays, as well as stock up on well-known brands at a discount.

If you haven't visited Lidl before because of its bargain-chain status, think again. Their luxury range will go head to head with M&S any day.

Lidl gave me some vouchers to play around with and I spent £54.31 on this tasty, little haul.

family size luxury crips 99p. Sun dried tomatoes 99p

American style ice cream in a variety of flavours £1.99

jar of feta £1.79   Smoked bacon £1.99.  Lardons £1.79 — jar of feta £1.79 Smoked bacon £1.99. Lardons £1.79

sirloin steaks £6.59.     Salami £4.49 — sirloin steaks £6.59. Salami £4.49

pistachio fudge £1.79.  Irish yoghurt (this is the most amazing yoghurt range I've ever tasted) 59p — pistachio fudge £1.79. Irish yoghurt (this is the most amazing yoghurt range I've ever tasted) 59p

Kinder bars £1.68. Kinder eggs £1.71. Babybel cheese £1.74

juice £1.29 each own-brand Oreos £1.19

clementines £1.99.  Spring onions 73p.  Cucumber 29p — clementines £1.99. Spring onions 73p. Cucumber 29p

So how would you like to win £20 Lidl vouchers to go and explore your local branch for goodies? Simply tweet, "I've entered @rudedoodle's World of Kitsch competition to win Lidl vouchers" once and you'll be entered to the draw. Winner will be picked at random after the closing date at 1pm on 19th August 2013.

Maybe, like me, you'll fall in love with this little animal shaped waffle maker, in store now for only £9.99 You can't beat that.