All the supermarkets have brought out their Christmas lines, and with them, too many options to choose from! It’s overwhelming to see all the different mince pies, simple starters and gingerbread houses that are on offer at each store.
So, we’ve condensed it for you. Bringing you the best of the best, the creme de la creme of supermarket shops – we’ve got the top three from Coles, Woolies, ALDI and IGA, and why they’re worth the spend.
Meet the taste testers
- Jade Coull, Senior Content Producer, is a journalist that specialises in food news and culture, from MKR to David Beckham’s jam.
- Sophie Al-Bassam, Managing Editor, has been in the media industry for more than 20 years and her signature recipes are chocolate brownies and Moroccan chicken tagine.
- Sarah Murphy, Senior Food Editor, has been working in the food space for 14 years and she can usually be found in the BHG Test Kitchen experimenting with new recipes.
ALDI Christmas Range
ALDI has got you covered for all the different parts of Chrissy lunch. If you’re going for easy, traditional and delicious, the ALDI Christmas range should be your go-to this year. From bite-sized appetisers to fancy seafood mains, there’s something quick and affordable to whip up, no matter the type of food you enjoy.
The best part is, it’s already available in stores! Senior content producer, Jade Coull, had the privilege of getting to taste them all! Here are her top picks:
01
Mini turkey Kyivs with cranberry and camembert
from $6.99
Best for: starters that require no prep
These bite-sized turkey kyivs might just be the most delicious starter I’ve had. The coating was perfectly golden and crisp, with a centre that oozed camembert, cranberry and turkey. It’s a flavour combination made in heaven with an ideal balance of savoury and sweet. I know they’ll be an absolute crowd-pleaser this Christmas.
02
Split rock lobster with French-style sauce
from $29.99
Best for: showstopper main
Lobster is one of those dishes I’ve always considered overpriced and intimidating to cook at home… until now. ALDI’s recipe tastes like something straight out of a 5-star restaurant with buttery, delicate meat and a rich French crumb and sauce. The best part is it’s only $29.99 for 2 servings.
03
Chocolate caramel deluxe pudding bombe
from $6.99
Best for: decadent dessert
If you’re a dessert lover who can’t resist something decadent, this is for you. The outer layer is light and fluffy, giving way to a thick, velvety caramel centre that melts in your mouth. I had mine with a side of vanilla ice cream to cut through the richness.
Steph de Sousa rates ALDI Christmas food range
And, if that doesn’t convince you to take a look, Steph de Sousa (a.k.a @steph_cooks_stuff) has got her own favourite options from ALDI’s spectacular Christmas range. From Bao buns to Irish cream ice cream to a TURDUCKEN roast, there’s a huge selection that can cater to any Christmas tradition.
Check out what she thinks is worth heading in-store for:
Coles Christmas Range
The Coles Christmas Range is not yet in stores, but our Managing Editor, Sophie Al-Bassam, managed to get a sneak peek. With tables upon tables of delectable dinner and desserts, her standouts crossed into the vegetarian and even a cheeky alcoholic drink!
You’ll be able to shop this range in stores on November 5, but for now, here are the standouts to remember:
1. Coles pulled ham with smokey maple glaze
I’ve never seen pulled ham before, and it was so full of flavour, I kept going back for more! The smokey maple glaze was perfect for giving it that Chrismassy feel.
2. Coles Finest Dukkah spiced cauliflower
I loved the thought of a veg main with all the hard work taken out of it. All the components are there, which makes it so easy to pull together.
3. Libertas limoncello spritz
I love anything lemon-flavoured, and this spritz is ready to pour straight into your glass, no cocktail mastery required. And at only 9% alcohol, it’s a refreshing drink without packing too much of a punch.
IGA Christmas Range
IGA has got desserts down pat. If you’re the type to make all your dinner from scratch, but sweet is where you fail, then head straight to IGA come Christmas time. This food line is beginning to hit stores right now, but it’s definitely encouraged to check your local store to see if your favourites are in stock. If they’re not, you can always ask to have them ordered in!
Our food editor, Sarah Murphy, got to taste-test and decide on her favourites early, and by God, there are some strong contenders. Here’s what she loved best:
01
Yarrow’s espresso martini mince pies
from $9.50
Best for: a twist on the traditional
The coffee flavour in these pies really surprised me, it was smooth and delicate and didn’t overpower the traditional fruit mince flavour either. If you love espresso and fruit mince pies, you’ll love this clever twist.
02
Jon Jon gluten-free Christmas pudding
from $15.30
Best for: GF pals
It’s always great to see more gluten-free options to add to the dessert table at Christmas! This traditional pud is ready in under 2 minutes with a zap in the microwave as well.
03
Yarrow’s mini lemon tarts
from $7.50
Best for: satisfying your sweet tooth
I love the little size of these tarts, they’re the perfect bite-sized dessert to serve up for Christmas dessert, and they would work perfectly for a special treat with a cuppa. They have a cute star pastry cutout on top, which makes them feel extra fancy, and I thought the lemon curd was the perfect level of freshness and zing. If you’re looking for a quick hack, I think these would be amazing topped with some fresh meringue, then torched for a cheat’s lemon meringue pie!
Woolworths Christmas Range
Woolies is the last of the pack to release their Christmas range, but that’s definitely not to say they’re the least! All of their dessert products for Christmas will be available from October 31 onwards – an official goodbye to Halloween – while the rest of the range will be ready in the lead up to Christmas.
While we haven’t had a chance to taste-test any of their Christmas dessert range, there are definitely a couple we have our eye on, including the gingerbread cheesecake and the decadent (and very on-trend!) gold Dubai-inspired chocolate and pistachio tarts.
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