Kind Aldi customers have donated over 1000 unused pairs of socks since Boxing Day
Sock Amnesty boxes will remain in store until the end of the month
Aldi is reminding customers that they can help the homeless by donating unwanted and unused socks in store until the end of January.
The supermarket’s ‘Not Socks Again?! campaign launched on Boxing Day and kind Aldi customers and colleagues have already donated over 1000 pairs of new socks to support the work of three homeless charities: Simon Scotland,Aberdeen Cyrenians, and Trust in Fife.
Sock Amnesty boxes will remain in stores across Scotland until the end of January where people can drop off any unused socks they received for Christmas. Aldi is also donating £250 to each charity to further support the vital work they do in the community.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, commented:“A massive thank you to all our customers and colleagues who have donated socks to this campaign so far.
“With one week to go, we wanted to remind people that they can still put any unwanted, new and unused socks to better use and they will find our Sock Amnesty boxes in store until the end of the month.”
This thoughtful initiative builds on Aldi’s commitment to supporting communities across Scotland. Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund has supported over 458 local clubs with more than £240,000 worth of donations.
Aldi is also Kiltwalk’s official ‘Supermarket Partner’ and in 2019 was responsible for fuelling over 20,000 Kiltwalkers across events in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Dumfries.
Meanwhile, since July 2019 Aldi has helped over 200 charities provide over a million meals to vulnerable people across Scotland through its partnership with community engagement platform, Neighbourly. The supermarket is also set to relaunch its popular Supermarket Sweep programme later this year in support of local foodbanks.
Everything you need to feed a family up to six for a little over £3
Aldi are now selling some of the nation’s favourite dishes to help customers celebrate Burns Night on a budget.
With prices starting at just 99p, Aldi’s Burns Night range has something to suit everyone, whether they are cooking a big feast for their household or celebrating the big day solo on the sofa.
Aldi has partnered with some of its top local suppliers, including Simon Howie, McIntosh of Strathmore and We hae meat, to bring the best of Scotland’s larder to your Burns table.
Customers can pick up everything they need for a traditional Burns supper, including haggis, neeps and tatties to feed a family up to six for only £3.12.
Comfortably feeding two to three adults, Aldi’s best-selling Macaulay’s Haggis (454g) is available in store every day and customers can choose from the traditional meat option or a delicious vegetarian alternative for only 99p (offer available 14th – 25th Feb). Also available in store is the popular Specially Selected Chieftain Haggis (£2.69, 908g), the perfect centrepiece for any Burns Night table, and feeds up to six hungry mouths.
Aldi’s weekly Super 6 deal on fresh vegetables includes Maris Piper Potatoes (79p, 2.5kg) and Swede (35p each), to make the all-important tatties and neeps to accompany your haggis.
For anyone looking for a modern twist to a traditional Burns supper, Aldi’s Specially Selected Haggis En Croute (£3.49, 470g) has returned to stores after flying off the shelves last year. There’s also Jumbo Haggis Pigs in Blankets (£2.29, 400g)from Ayrshire butcher We hae meat, Simon Howie Haggis Bon Bons (£1.99, 240g) and Haggis Olives (£2.99, 400g), Bells Steak & Haggis Pies (99p, 2 pack), and a Haggis Pakora Platter (£2.79, 350g).
If you would prefer to put your feet up and have a delicious Burns Supper prepared for you, why not try Aldi’s McIntosh of Strathmore Burns Box (£3.49, 900g) meal kit for two, complete with everything you and your partner need to celebrate Scotland’s national poet without lifting a finger (apart from popping it in the microwave)!
Finally, no Burns Night would be complete without a dram of Scotch and customers can choose from a range of high-quality Scottish Malt whiskies, including Aldi’s award winning Highland Black 8-Year-Old Scotch Whisky (£14.00, 70cl) and Glen Marnoch Islay, Speyside and Highland Single Malt Whiskies (£16.49, 70cl).
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “From hearty family meals to delicious haggis dishes with a modern twist, Aldi’s 2021 Burns Night range offers customers the whole package when it comes to creating the ultimate Burns Supper.
“With celebrations having to be a bit different this year, it’s all the more important that we have things to look forward to and enjoy, and there’s nothing better than delicious, comforting Scottish produce to get into the spirit of Burns.”
Aldi’s Scottish Burns Night range is available from all 96 Scottish Aldi stores. You can find your nearest Aldi store here.
The Full Burns Night range includes:
MacAulay’s Haggis (99p, 454g)
MacAulay’s Vegetarian Haggis (99p, 454g)
Specially Selected Chieftain Haggis (£2.69, 908g)
Specially Selected Haggis En Croute (£3.49, 470g)
Simon Howie Gluten Free Haggis (£1.99, 454g)
Simon Howie Haggis Olives (£2.99, 400g)
Simon Howie Haggis Bon Bons (£1.99, 240g)
Bells Steak & Haggis Pies (99p, 2 pack)
Bells Steak & Haggis Pie (£2.99, 400g)
McIntosh of Strathmore Burns Box (meal kit for two) (£3.49, 900g)
Lauchlan Burn Skinny Haggis Olives (£2.79, 350g)
MacSween Whisky Cream Sauce (£1.19, 150g)
Mash Direct Mashed Neeps & Tatties (£1.89, 750g)
McIntosh of Strathmore Vegetarian Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (99p, 340g)
New minimum hourly rates for Store Assistants of £9.55 nationally, rising to £10.57
All Scottish store colleagues to receive hourly pay increases
New minimum hourly pay exceeds the Living Wage Foundation’s latest recommended pay rates
Aldi is one of the only supermarkets to offer paid breaks, which means its colleagues remain the best-paid in the sector
Aldi is recruiting for 335 new store colleagues in Scotland in 2021
Aldi has recognised the amazing contribution of its store colleagues by giving them a New Year’s pay rise and increasing its minimum hourly rates from 1 February 2021.
All of Aldi’s 1,500 Scottish Store Assistant colleagues will benefit from the pay rise, with Aldi paying a minimum hourly rate of £9.55, up from £9.40.
The new rates of pay are also boosted by the fact Aldi is still one of the only UK supermarkets to pay for breaks taken during shifts, which means Aldi colleagues remain the best-paid in the sector. When paid breaks are included, Aldi’s minimum hourly pay rate for store colleagues, based on an average six-hour shift, will be £10.11*.
These changes mean that Aldi store colleagues across Scotland will earn a minimum of £0.83 more per hour than the current National Living Wage.
The pay rise follows bonuses that were awarded to store colleagues in April and December 2020, in recognition of their efforts throughout the pandemic.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Aldi UK and Ireland said: “I want to express my sincere thanks to every single Aldi colleague, who stepped up when it mattered and helped us succeed in our most important mission of all – feeding the nation.
“That is down to our people. Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day. It has never been more important to ensure that our colleagues are rewarded fully for their immense contribution during a challenging period for everyone.”
This year will see Aldi open its 100th Scottish store in Scotland. Currently, the retailer has 96 Scottish stores stocking some of the finest and best value locally sourced food and drink.
This year it will invest a further £20 million in four new stores, which include Hermiston Gait in Edinburgh, Thornybank Industrial Estate in Dalkeith, Portlethen Retail Park in Aberdeen and J24 Retail Park in Govan, while a new store in Gateside Commerce Park, Haddington will open to replace the existing store.
To support this growth, Aldi is recruiting 335 store-level positions in Scotland this year. For the latest vacancies, please visit https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/.
Range also includes Vegan broccoli and cauliflower crisps perfect for Veganuary and naturally sweetened soda from iconic Scottish company, Bon Accord
All products available as Specialbuys while stocks last
Aldi has launched a range of delicious new products that have been developed and manufactured in Scotland following the supermarket’s search for the country’s Next Top Product.
Working in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, Aldi’s search to uncover exciting new products was relaunched early last year as part of the supermarket’s support of local suppliers and their commitment to increase the range of Scottish products sold in store.
Previous winners and now long-term suppliers of Aldi include Inverness-based Cobbs Bakery and Orkney’s Argo’s bakery. After winning the competition for their Orkney Caramel Shortbread, Argo’s Bakery went on to win Own Label Product of the Year at the 2017 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and Bakery Product of the Year at the 2018 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
Fans of Scotland’s other national drink can pick up a pack of Iron Brew flavoured Jelly Babies (99p, 200g), developed by Greenock-based Golden Casket.
Health-conscious consumers trying Veganuary can pick up a packet of broccoli crisps (69p, 22g / £1.29, 78g) with Cheese or Sour Cream & Chive from Aldi’s new Fife-based supplier, Grower’s Garden. Available in snack size, or as a sharing bag, these are made using their own farm-fresh vegetables grown in the East of Scotland. These gluten-free and vegan-friendly crisps are broccoli like you have never had it before!
Or why not try Aldi’s new gluten-free and vegan-friendly Cauliflower Crisps in snackable or shareable bags (69p, 22g / £1.29, 80g). Created by Kilmarnock-based Nudie Snacks using wonky looking cauliflowers that would otherwise not be used, customers can choose from Cheese & Caramelised Onion or Katsu Curry flavour.
To wash everything down Aldi customers can now choose from a range of naturally sweetened soft drinks from iconic Scottish company, Bon Accord.
Founded in Arbroath in 1903, Bon Accord was a much-loved brand across Scotland until it closed its operations in 2000. After 16 years, the Great-Great-Granddaughter of one of its founders reimagined the brand and brought it back with a range of juices that have been naturally sweetened with coconut nectar and real fruit juice.
Choose from Cream Soda, Rhubarb Soda, Pink Grapefruit Soda, or Ginger Beer (£1.29, 275ml).
Also launched this week is a range of Scottish Savoury Biscuits baked to perfection by Turriff-based supplier, McKenzie Biscuits.
These light savoury biscuits are made from a unique and award-winning recipe developed by the McKenzie family at their bakery in North East Scotland, and customers can choose from two delicious flavours: Plain, or Rosemary. Or why not try their Oat & Honey Biscuits (99p, 150g), perfect with a cup of tea on a cold January afternoon.
For anyone with a sweet tooth there’s new Confectious Fudge flavoured with Strawberry and Lemonade Gin (£1.29, 150g) created by Aldi’s long-term supplier, Aldomak.
Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive James Withers commented: “It’s great to see these fantastic new products from some exceptional Scottish companies launching in Aldi today.
“Last year was incredibly tough for the food and drink industry and 2021 will continue to be challenging, so I’d encourage everyone to look out for these outstanding new products when they next visit their local Aldi and help support these incredible suppliers.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We’re committed to supporting independent Scottish suppliers and bringing their quality products to our stores.
“It was a privilege to judge Aldi’s Next Top Product search last year and I’m excited that our customers in Scotland can now try these delicious new products, knowing that they are backing Scottish suppliers when they shop at Aldi.”
Aldi’s ‘Next Top Products’ are now available from all 96 Scottish stores while stocks last. You can find your nearest Aldi store here.
Shoppers hunting for the best deals often head to Aldi to pay as little as possible for their weekly shop – but the supermarket is now making groceries even more affordable.
All of Aldi’s 912 UK stores will soon mark down perishable products such as bread, meat and fruit and vegetables by 75% before stores close on their last day of life.
Aldi currently reduces the price of some products on their best-before or use-by dates, but is now offering bigger discounts, which are marked with a red sticker.
The move will give savvy customers a bargain while cutting waste, as Aldi works towards a target of halving food waste by 2030.
The time that items are reduced will vary by store, and all products will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi, said: “Aldi is already known for its low prices, but these discounts will help some shoppers to cut their grocery bills even further – all while helping us reduce food waste.
“Customers should look out for the red stickers when shopping at Aldi, but shoppers need to be quick as I’m sure the products will prove popular.”
Local charities across Edinburgh and the Lothians have helped Aldi donate around 6,644 meals to people in need this Christmas Eve.
The supermarket paired up its stores with local charities, community groups and food banks to make the most of unsold fresh and chilled food after stores closed on 24th December.
Around 210 tonnes of food were donated throughout the UK, with more than 500,000 meals donated and over 750 UK causes benefitting from the initiative in total.
The donation is Aldi’s largest to date and helped 10 charitable causes across Edinburgh and the Lothians at a time when more people are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity due to Covid-19.
This year, for the first time, the initiative will also extend to New Year’s Eve, when Aldi expects to donate a further 200,000 meals to charitable causes across the country.
Aldi has also worked with partner Neighbourly to prioritise donations to charities and community groups focused on feeding children over the school Christmas holidays.
The festive food donations are part of Aldi’s successful partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations. Thanks to this, all of Aldi’s 900 UK stores now donate surplus food to good causes seven days a week, all year round.
Luke Peech, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, said:“We’re proud to support good causes across Edinburgh and the Lothians this festive period, helping them to provide fresh and filling meals over the Christmas period.
“The feedback has been overwhelming and we’re really pleased to have extended the initiative, so we can do what we can for those in need within the community in what was an incredibly tough year for so many.”
Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added:“Sadly, this festive season has been the busiest on record for the nation’s charities and food banks. I’m sure Aldi’s donation has been a lifeline for many.”
Aldi encourages customers to donate unwanted Chrsitmas socks to people who need them most
This December Aldi will launch a thoughtful new initiative encouraging customers to donate any unwanted or extra unused socks they received as Christmas gifts to charities supporting homeless people across Scotland.
Every year millions of people receive socks for Christmas and they are often a gift that no one really wants or needs. However, they are one of the things homeless charities always run out of over winter and Aldi’s ‘Not Socks Again?!’ initiative aims to put these gifts to better use by donating new and unused socks to local homeless charities.
Aldi’s ‘Sock Amnesty’ boxes will be in stores across Scotland from 27th December to the end of January where people can drop off their unused Christmas socks to help keep homeless people warm this winter.
Aldi has linked up with three charities across Scotland who will benefit from the initiative; Simon Scotland,Aberdeen Cyrenians, and Trust in Fife, who work tirelessly to provide care and support for the most vulnerable people in society.
Hugh Hill, Director of Services and Development at Simon Community Scotland, said: “As you can imagine, Scottish winters are absolutely freezing, and we often just don’t have enough socks to go round.
“We’re so pleased that Aldi has launched this initiative and we’re so grateful to Aldi and their customers for helping to keep the people we support warm this winter.”
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said:“We wanted to do something to support homeless charities this Christmas who are working day in day out to support the most vulnerable people in society.
“One thing that homeless charities say they are always looking for is socks, so we thought, why not allow our customers to donate any unwanted socks they are given as a Christmas present to people who will really value them.
“Aldi will also contribute a £250 donation to each charity in the hope of helping the most vulnerable during winter.”
Aldi’s Sock Amnesty boxes will be in store from 27th December and customers are invited to drop off any unwanted, new and unused, socks which will be donated to the charity in their local area.
This initiative builds on Aldi’s commitment to supporting communities across Scotland. Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund has supported over 458 local clubs with more than £240,000 worth of donations. Aldi is also Kiltwalk’s official ‘Supermarket Partner’ and in 2019 was responsible for fuelling over 20,000 Kiltwalkers across events in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Dumfries.
Since July 2019 Aldi has helped over 200 charities provide over a million meals to vulnerable people across Scotland through its partnership with community engagement platform, Neighbourly.
The supermarket is also set to relaunch its popular Supermarket Sweep programme next year in support of local foodbanks.
Aldi has just reduced the prices of a collection of its award-winning gins from a variety of Scotland’s most-loved distillers. With flavours ranging from festive to fruity, Aldi’s gin selection proves to be the true spirit of Christmas.
Whether you are searching for your next tipple to add to your drinks cabinet, or on the hunt for the best present for a gin enthusiast, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for at your local Aldi with these great festive savings.
Award winning gins reduced from 17th December are:
Eden Mill Botanical Range Passion Fruit/Plum & Pink Grapefruit Gin 70cl – Was: £15.99 Now: £14.00
Eden Mill Botanical Range Original Gin/Chilli & Ginger Gin 70cl – Was: £15.99 Now: £14.00
Eden Mill Botanical Range Mulled Gin 70cl – Was: £15.99 Now: £14.00
Aldi has teamed up with three renowned Scottish chefs to inspire people to try an exceptional range of Scotch Galloway Beef joints this Christmas.
Tender and full of flavour, Galloway beef is rarely available in supermarkets and Aldi’s trio of joints offer incredible value for money.
Aldi’s Scotch Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint (£14.99 per kg), Scotch Galloway Beef Rump Joint (£8.99 per kg), and Scotch Galloway Beef Joint wrapped in Ayrshire bacon (950g, £10.99) will make the perfect centrepiece for your festive meal.
The supermarket has partnered with chefs from across Scotland to show customers how to re-create restaurant quality festive feasts using each of the joints from the comfort of their own home.
Each joint will be showcased in three video recipe guides created by renowned chefs Chris Walker, owner of the Selkirk Arms Hotel in Kirkcudbright, 2019 Masterchef finalist, Jilly McCord, and Craig Wilson, owner of Eat on the Green in Aberdeenshire, that will premiere on Aldi Scotland’s Facebook page this weekend.
Based in Dumfries & Galloway – the home of the Galloway breed – chef Chris Walker has developed a recipe using the Scotch Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint, which he serves with a hazelnut, mushroom and mustard crust and a mushroom and Port wine jus.
He commented:“Galloway Beef is the ancient native breed of my local area, so it was very exciting to be asked to help promote these fantastic quality Scotch Galloway Beef joints.
“One of the things that makes Galloway Beef stand out is its depth of flavour and tenderness. So I’ve developed a recipe that locks all those juices and flavour inside the joint, coating it in a stuffing-style crust that creates a mellow, festive accompaniment to the dish.
“Galloway has a reputation for being one of Scotland’s best kept secrets, and the beautiful flavour of Galloway Beef is also a hidden gem. I’m delighted that we can now share that local secret with the rest of Scotland, in the hope that everyone will appreciate the texture, the taste and the very special nature of Galloway Beef this Christmas.”
Travelling north, Masterchef finalist Jilly McCord has created a winter warming dish with the flavours of a classic Boeuf Bourguignon paired with the delicious Scotch Galloway Beef Joint wrapped in Ayrshire bacon – a real Auld Alliance. Served whole and beautifully pink in the middle, this dish is enjoyed with creamy mashed potatoes and lashings of the beautifully rich sauce.
Finally, the trio is rounded off with Aberdeenshire’s Craig Wilson, aka The Kilted Chef. Craig has developed a recipe using Aldi’s Scotch Galloway Beef Rump Joint, which he roasts with rapeseed oil, fresh thyme, sea salt, cracked black pepper and Orkney Brewery’s Clootie Dumpling Ale (or any Innes & Gunn beer) for a scrumptious festive centre piece.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said:“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our customers these three fantastic cuts of one of the finest types of beef Scotland has to offer at our everyday amazing prices.
“Scotch Galloway Beef is of the highest quality and enjoyed in restaurants around the world, and we wanted to show our customers exactly how some of Scotland’s top chefs would cook it this Christmas.
“Chris, Jilly and Craig have created three deliciously indulgent recipes that our customers can easily follow at home using quality produce stocked in our 96 Scottish stores.”
Aldi is the biggest retailer of Scottish origin beef* and regularly tops NFU Scotland’s ‘shelf watch’ surveys, which means customers are guaranteed to find the highest quality, locally sourced meat all year round at Aldi stores in Scotland.
Dorothy Goldie, Breed Secretary of Galloway Cattle Society, said: “By championing the Galloway breed over Christmas Aldi is providing people with an opportunity to experience the rich flavour of one of Scotland’s oldest and most environmentally sustainable native breeds.
“We are absolutely delighted to be working with Aldi and Scotbeef, and we’re looking forward to knowing that Galloway Beef will be the centrepiece of festive dinners across Scotland.”
The Scotch Galloway Beef Sirloin Joint, Scotch Galloway Beef Rump Joint and Scotch Galloway Beef Joint wrapped in Ayrshire bacon, which was recently commended at the Christmas Quality Food Awards 2020, will be available from Aldi stores in Scotland from 19th December.
In a small bowl, mix together crushed hazelnuts, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic, French mustard and olive oil to make a paste, add finely chopped mushrooms and blitz in a blender
In a large oven-proof skillet, sear the beef joint in a dry pan over high heat until golden all over. This does several things; it adds colour and flavour to the outside of the meat by crisping it up. Secondly it helps seal in the moisture.
Let it cool slightly and cover evenly all over with crust mixture using French mustard as a base to allow the crust to stick to the joint. Transfer back to the skillet. Leave whilst you prep the potatoes
PREP THE ROAST POTATOES – 10 MINUTES
Peel 1kg Maris Piper potatoes and cut each into 4 even-sized pieces if they are medium size, 2-3 if smaller (5cm pieces).
Drop the potatoes into a large pan and pour in enough water to barely cover them.
Add salt, then wait for the water to boil. As soon as the water reaches a full rolling boil, lower the heat, put your timer on and simmer the potatoes uncovered, reasonably vigorously, for 2 mins.
Meanwhile, put 100g duck or goose fat or 100ml olive oil into a roasting tray and place in the oven at 180
Drain the potatoes in a colander then shake back and forth a few times to fluff up the outsides.
Sprinkle with 2 tsp flour and give another shake or two so they are evenly and thinly coated.
BEEF & BLANCHED POTATOES INTO THE OVEN FOR ROASTING – 1 HR 10 MINS
Carefully put the Galloway Beef joint into a roasting tray and Bake in a 325°F (180°C) oven for 40 minutes covered in tin foil and then a further 10 minutes without the tin foil to crisp up the crust.
Roast the potatoes for 15 mins, then take them out of the oven and turn them over.
Roast for another 15 mins and turn them over again. Put them back in the oven for another 10-20 mins, or however long it takes to get them really crisp and golden. The colouring will be uneven, which is what you want.
Remove the beef joint from heat and transfer the roast to a cutting board cover with foil for at least 20 minutes while you make the sauce.
MAKE THE SAUCE – 15 MINUTES
Heat 20g butter over medium high heat with any pan juices, add the 100ml of port and reduce, add the button mushrooms and cook until softened and starting to colour, about 5 minutes then add 500ml of beef stock.
Add a bay leaf and let sauce reduce and thicken slightly, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Thicken with cornflour if needed. Leave in a saucepan until ready to serve
PREP THE CARROTS – 15 MINUTES
Peel the carrots and remove both ends. Slice the carrots diagonally into 2-inch-long batons or carrot sticks. Just remember to use the same cut for all the carrots, and keep them to about the same size so they cook evenly
Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
Add the carrots and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots start to soften, about 5 minutes
Stir in the orange juice and maple syrup. Cook until the liquid reduces to a glaze, about 15 minutes, while stirring occasionally to coat all the carrots.
Taste and season carrots with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve immediately.
PREP THE CABBAGE – 5 MINUTES
Remove all the tough outer leaves from the cabbage.
Cut the cabbage into four, remove the stalk and then cut each quarter into fine shreds, working across the grain.
Put 2 or 3 tablespoons of water into a wide saucepan, together with the butter and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, add the cabbage and toss over a high heat, then cover the saucepan and cook for a few minutes.
Toss again and add some salt, freshly ground pepper and the knob of butter.
BRING THE WHOLE DISH TOGETHER & PLATE – 5 MINUTES
Re heat your saucepan of gravy
Carve the Beef and plate
Add your roast potatoes, cabbage and carrots and ladle the gravy on top and serve immediately.
Pot Roast Beef a la Bourguignon with creamy mashed potatoes
by Jilly McCord
This is a great warming dish with the flavours of the French classic Boeuf Bourguignon paired with delicious Scottish Beef – a real Auld Alliance. The joint of Galloway Beef will remain whole and beautifully pink in the middle. Slice and serve with creamy mashed potatoes and lashings of the beautiful rich sauce. Add some green beans on the side for a bit of colour.
For the Pot Roasted Beef
Prep time – 15 minutes
Total cooking time (including resting) – 1hour 15minutes
Take a large cast iron pan and heat the oil until very hot. Sear the beef joint – browning on all sides. Remove from the pan and keep aside.
Now sauté the finely chopped onion and celery until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for around a minute before adding the tomato puree and herbs. Cook gently in the pan for 2 minutes, then up the heat and add the red wine and de-glaze the pan. Simmer the wine and reduce by around a third. The add the beef stock dissolved in around 500ml of water. Place the lid on the sauce and cook in the oven for around 30 minutes. At the same time, place the potatoes in the oven to bake.
Now chop the streaky bacon into lardons, peel the shallots and wipe the mushrooms with a damp cloth to ensure they are clean. Take a frying pan and heat to a high temperature. Fry the bacon until the fat has rendered and it is becoming quite crispy. Add the shallots and the mushrooms to the pan and colour on all sides.
Remove the sauce from the oven and place the beef roasting joint and the fried shallot mixture around the side of the casserole. The liquid should come around half of the way up the roasting joint. Remove the lid from the cast iron dish and place back in the oven to cook the meat. This should, take around 45 minutes. If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 55C for medium. Once the beef is cooked, remove the joint from the sauce and wrap in foil to rest for around 15 minutes (keep the sauce warm on the hob or in the oven).
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Total cooking time – 1hour 15mins
1 kg Maris Piper potatoes
150g butter
150ml warm milk
Bake the potatoes in the oven for an hour until very soft. Scoop out the flesh and put through a potato ricer or mash with a masher until smooth. Place the mash in a pan and gradually add the butter and warm milk, whisking all the time until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
To Serve
Once the beef has rested, slice the whole joint into thin slices and place on top of the sauce. Finish with a little chopped parsley and serve with the creamy mashed potatoes and some green vegetables. I chose fine French green beans which are also available in Aldi stores.
Boozy beer beef with honey and chilli glazed root vegetables
by Craig Wilson, Eat on the Green
Ingredients:
300ml The Orkney Brewery Clootie Dumpling Ale (or any Innes & Gunn beer)
1 Galloway rump of beef
300 ml Beef stock (using Aldi Beef Stock melts)
5g Fresh thyme
1 clove of fresh garlic
3 tbsp Aldi Scottish rapeseed oil
600g Rainbow carrots
400g Parsnips
1 Red onion
1 Fresh chilli
1tsp Chilli flakes
1 tbsp Honey
Good grind of cracked black pepper
15g sea salt
Method
Get a large roasting tray, place the beef in the tray.
Crush the garlic and place in a bowl with the rapeseed oil, fresh thyme, sea salt, cracked black pepper and 3 tbsp of the beer. Mix together then rub all over the beef joint.
Place into the oven at 220 degrees Celsius fan for 15 mins
For the vegetables, roughly chop the parsnips, red onion and carrots.
Once the meat takes on a good colour, remove from the oven and scatter the vegetables around the meat, add the beef stock and the rest of the beer into the tray.
Cover with foil, reduce the heat of the oven to 200 degrees fan and put beef back in for around 1 hour.
Once ready, take out of the oven, remove the foil and take the vegetables out and put into another tray. Add the honey, the fresh chilli and the chilli flakes then put back into the oven at 200deg fan for 15 minutes.
Wrap the beef in foil and place onto a board and leave to rest. Pour the juices from the tray into a pan and reduce by 50% on a high heat, for a delicious, flavoursome gravy.
Carve the beef and serve with the vegetables, to finish pour over the lovely, flavoursome gravy.
WHAT: The perfect Christmas roast dinner delivered to your door by Deliveroo, from Aldi and top chef Neil Rankin
WHEN: Available to order via Deliveroo on 12th December, for delivery on 13th December
PRICE: £5 donation to food charity Neighbourly
Aldi has announced ‘Christmas on a Plate’, the perfect roast dinner delivered to your door by Deliveroo, in collaboration with top chef Neil Rankin.
The launch comes as the supermarket’s research reveals 36% of Edinburghians are planning more than one Christmas dinner this year, despite nearly one in ten Edinburgh residents saying cooking a roast dinner is too stressful. Aldi’s ‘Christmas on a Plate’ is a delicious alterative, helping to take the pressure off cooks this festive season.
The partnership with Great British Menu star Rankin and Deliveroo sees a Christmas dinner delivery roll out across Edinburgh on Sunday 13th December, giving customers the chance to order a perfectly cooked roast in return for a £5 donation to food charity Neighbourly.
With the option to order either traditional turkey or a vegan meal, the roasts have been expertly curated by Rankin and will include tasty side dishes and ingredients from Aldi’s Specially Selected range.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director for Buying at Aldi, comments: “After a year unlike any other, we want to give our customers a treat by taking the stress out of cooking at home, which is why we’ve partnered with Neil Rankin and Deliveroo to create Christmas on a Plate.
“Our research has shown that people will be celebrating in many different ways this year, but one thing is for certain – the nation is still gearing up to enjoy an amazing Christmas dinner and that’s where we’re best placed to help, with beautiful food at great value.
“We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy quality food not just at Christmas, but every day of the year, and that’s why all proceeds of our initiative will go to Neighbourly, supporting local charities and communities.”
Aldi’s ‘Christmas on a Plate’ roasts will be available for the cost of a £5 charitable donation per meal from Deliveroo’s app.
Customers will have the option to also donate more money to the Neighbourly charity on the page if they do not wish to order an additional meal.
Customers will need to keep their eyes peeled for the order page, which will launch at 12PM on Saturday 12th December for pre-order the following day.
Shoppers will need to be quick, as always with Aldi’s limited-edition products, once it’s gone, it’s gone.
