The Unofficial ALDI Cookbook

ALDI started out as Albrecht’s grocery store in 1913 in Germany. Eventually, the Albrecht brothers took over from their mama, and they turned it into Albrecht Discount, or ALDI, for short.  My experience with Aldi goes way, way back.  See my Dad emigrated from Germany as an adult, so my grandparents still lived there until they passed. Every third year or so, our summer vacations would be spent in Germany.  While we there, that of course meant accompanying Oma to ALDI to help her choose groceries. 

In 1976, ALDI opened its first store in the United States in Iowa. Today, the company’s on track to become the third largest grocery chain in the United States, with more than two thousand stores open now.  Here in America though, I didn’t have the opportunity to shop at ALDI until we moved to Texas.  Fortunately I have one just two miles from our home, which means I’m there quite a lot, LOL!

I think the best part about ALDI isn’t just the savings they offer on their basic offerings, but also their limited special items.  You have to be so quick on them though because once they’re gone, they’re gone! I always make sure I check out the “upcoming ALDI finds” on their website so I know when to stalk my local store for the goods.

Now fans of ALDI, can celebrate their love of their favorite grocery store with a cookbook dedicated entirely to some of the favorite products available there.  Introducing The Unofficial ALDI Cookbook: Delicious Recipes Made with Fan Favorites from the Award-Winning Grocery Store. 

With an easy one-stop-shopping trip to your local ALDI, you can grab ingredients to serve up tasty nibbles alongside bottles of wine from ALDI’s great international selections.   The cookbook covers everything from beverages to desserts, and you’ll see star products featured like ‘red bag chicken’  (if you’re not an ALDI shopper it’s often compared to Chik-fil-A!), Chef’s Cupboard and Winking Owl.  Of course you don’t have to use those exact brands, it just makes your menu planning and shopping trips easier!

Case in point; last week I made a pit stop at ALDI and picked up some Fremont Fish Market frozen salmon filets and Dijon mustard to make the Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard Sauce recipe in the Entrées chapter of the cookbook. 

I got the Burman’s brand, because ALDI didn’t have the Stonemill.  No biggie.  I also had the rest of the ingredients at home already, so didn’t need to buy those.  My daughter and I LOVED this recipe.  It turned out so well, and I really appreciated having detailed instructions, as I’m always intimidated when cooking salmon since it’s one of those “if you don’t get it right it’s awful” types of food 😉  The recipe included side ideas as well.  So I paired it with rice as suggested, and also added a cucumber salad.

It didn’t look ‘just’ like the photo (my attempts at recipes never do!), but it tasted amazing so I call it a win.

I’m really looking forward to trying more of the recipes in The Unofficial ALDI Cookbook.  The next one on the list is the Cannoli Dip.  If you’re a frequent ALDI shopper and enjoy using cookbooks, this one is for you!

The Unofficial ALDI Cookbook: Delicious Recipes Made with Fan Favorites from the Award-Winning Grocery Store [978-1-64604-124-4, $17.95, Ulysses Press, February 23, 2021]