I've been enjoying your vids, and glad I found your channel. I've had ready meal soss and mash in the past, mainly when I've seen them reduced, and I know I'm going to be lazy. But knowing I can make six helpings, allowing two soss per person, for about three quid all in...I simply cook while making other things, then freeze separately.
Be nice to see you try the Lidl version for £1.35, it also comes with 3 sausages :) . I just put some frozen peas and a couple of mushrooms under the peel back lid and add another 2 minutes to the cooking time in the microwave
Got my lad the Asda one, and with the addition of butter black pepper small tin of peas and HP sauce he said it was "Bangin", which you'd say was Spot on.
Hi mate Absolutely love your channel so much 😁 I wanted to ask you, where did you buy your dinner plated with the lip all around? Ive been trying to find some like this for ages. Thanks x
It's so interesting to watch these videos about, for me, rather exotic dishes. Sausages and mash is not to be found in my native country of Sweden. I suppose we're stuck with our meatballs and mash instead 🤣 Thank's for a great UA-cam channel!
the top layer keeps the air out but is not food safe, the second layer which is food safe (but not airtight) protects the food from the top layer. The science of packaging is fascinating.
I agree with you about the "peel seal" test. Oh I do enjoy your posts! The problem is I watch them before brekkie and I could quite happily eat one for brekkie!!! ❤
Hey, I eat the spaghetti carbonara from Asda all the time and I originally was eating the extra special one because I figured it must be better. I'm telling you that the Asda Italian Spaghetti Carbonara is EXACTLY the same but you get 20 grams more and it's THREE pounds cheaper per kg which works out to a one pound savings per meal. I think the only thing extra special about the more expensive one is the black plastic dish it comes in. Seriously. Anyway, I didn't see it on your channel and wanted to let you know my findings. I'd be interested to know if you think it's the same, too. Cheers!
I've been meaning too try Asda carbonara but never brought one. Is that the spaghetti meal in the green sleeve packet? If they are nice I'll try one. Because I'm a long distance lorry driver and sleep in my cab I have a fridge freezer, microwave and even a coffee maker in there, all fitted out by the manufacturer designed for away living. Even though we get a allowance for food you start eating KFC and McDonald's everyday it gets expensive. Plus you get bored of them very quickly and they're no good for you. Where as microwave meals you have the variety and chosen carefully they're not all bad for you.
@@matty6848 Hey! Yes, it's the one in the green sleeve packet. I love them! Of course, I add salt, pepper, and garlic granules to really jazz them up. I've even eaten them after I've frozen them and they aren't bad. You just have to stir them more because they are a little more watery from the thawing process. I wouldn't say carbonara is good for you, but it's certainly tasty! Also, the Tesco versions are basically the same, BUT the large family size (1.5Kg) pasta bake is absolute crap. The penne is basically mush. I do NOT recommend. 😜
@@Maeda_Miakoda_Gaming thanks I’ll definitely try one then. As a long distance lorry driver microwave meals are a life saver for me. I do have a gas camping stove in my cab, but it’s so easy and convenient just to pop a meal into the truck microwave for 4/5 mins and I have a decent hot meal😋
My dad puts sweet chilli sauce in Aldi’s spaghetti carbonara, I've tried it and it's actually nice. He also dips sausage rolls into egg mayonnaise (which is like normal mayo but extra eggy). I swear my dad was put on this earth to destroy all British cuisine (I know that spaghetti carbonara isn't British but who cares)
I can't help but think that you can make it yourself . The mash will be mass produced along with the sausage . We had just essentials sausage it was nice but it all depends on budget. I wouldn't buy it I would make my own . Meals like that are OK if you work nights and in winter there ideal . Personally I wouldn't buy . But good review as usual
Yes agreed, but if your in a hurry or just need a quick microwave meal at work rather than boring sandwiches their a good little alternative. I buy microwave meals purely for work as it’s cheaper than buying food at work everyday and it means I can have a hot meal, instead of dull, cold sandwiches.
I agree on the whole there where their 'yellow' ? budget range is really good. Itself its going up though !! Possible star of the asda yellow show the 8 fish fingers, were 69 now 80 but very good.
for that price Heck 97% sausages are £3 for 6 and mash potato made at home is like two potatoes onion gravy you can get in a jar to mix for loads of meals it would be cheaper and have more taste and less waste, and probably more healthy
I often get the JE sausage & mash, I like it, especially for the price. I’ve had my Asda delivery,the JE chocolate is real nice & only 30p, even the 19p toilet rim block is decent. I never thought I’d say it but Asda is my preferred shop over Aldi now 🙂
@@coolerkin yeh, its a shame because it was very convenient , You can add from favourites but mine seems to glitch & all the items overlap?! Strange but never mind 😆
I was just curious so I added up the just essentials items separately. 8 sausages, 2.5kg of potatoes, 200g pot gravy granules and 1 kg onions comes to a grand total of £3.32! 83p a portion if using 2 sausages and most prob some gravy, onions and potatoes left over. I know there is cooking to take into consideration but you definitely get more for your money to do it yourself.
Thanks for the honest review 👍 I think I will go for yhe dearer one, I do appreciate your reviews and you making the time to reply, spot on that is 🥳👍😀
We like to DIY quick meals, normally with Instant Mash Potato 180g £0.90 [ if you feel lazy just essentals Mashed Potato 400g £0.71], asda 8 Cumberland Pork Sausages 454g £1.50 and Smart Price Garden Peas in Water 300g £0.24, with Onion Gravy Granules 200g £0.80. Just bang the cumberland in the airfryer, add hot water to the mash and gravy and nuke the peas and tinned just essentals sweetcorn with it to. Feeds 4 for about £3.50, If i get to make supper it is lots of frozen mixed veg finished with butter and gralic granules to bulk things out.
Mash, sausage and onion gravy is one of my favourite comfort foods. I have tried quite a number of the ready meal variety and they never fail to disappoint. The usual culprit for me is the mash which is almost always reconstituted potato powder, (think Smash), which to me tastes like cardboard. If one is one a tight budget then making your own sausage and mash is much cheaper and far better when you consider that a family of 4 would require 4 packets of meals. You would be left with potatoes and onions etc to make more meals for the family. Some of the family sized ready meals do make financial sense. It all depends on your needs and preferences. That said I am happy you ate that so I don't have to. 😂
I did a costing of the items separately. 83p a portion (4 portions total with leftover pots etc) £3.32 for a very hearty meal for a family of 4. I do bulk buy my foods though. £2.99 for 10kg of local potatoes!
Hi Gareth, it had no taste to the sausage and I have tried it and agree with you. Give the Granola Just Essential a go Gareth. I like it and only over £1.
Hi Gaz.Hope You and Your Family are all well Mate.I did a Sausage Casserole for my Mum and used some Homepride Sausage Casserole in a Jar.It's really good 👍
Hi Gareth, my wife asked me to message you about baked beans, have you compared the difference between Heinz v Aldi, she has gone off Heinz baked beans as a lot more sauce in them. The Aldi baked beans taste a lot better, what do you think?
Cheers Gareth great review mate. Both look ok , I love a bit of cheese in my mash potatoes. Sausage contains a lot of rusk by the looks of it . Cheers Gareth thanks buddy.❤👍❤👍❤👍
I was on the verge of buying these as I was getting bored with my normal hotpot ready meal . So nice one for doing this and I shall be buying the cheap one .👍
Hi Gareth would love to see you doing comparisons of the same budget meal from a few of the supermarkets budget ranges like u have done before. Would also love to see you do some blind taste comparisons and see if you can tell the difference between the cheaper and more expensive products
Fills a hole when you're at work. I saw something new in my sainsburys. Snacksters eastern grill shawarma chicken flatbread also they do doner kebab. They were with burgers etc.
They could probably make the cheaper sausage taste better by adding extra salt and herbs possibly a bit of sugar as well. Most things taste better with salt and sugar. There’s nearly 4x the sugar in the more expensive one!
And you can actually see where the extra money has gone with this one can't you Gaz?... The extra Pork content does seem to be more noticeable here in the overall taste of the more expensive Sausages... Sometimes when reviewing these Asda Just Essentials products... And putting them up against a more expensive item... Most of the time there's no discernible difference between the two... But there is with this one unfortunately... But i'm sure that some would still be happy with either of them... But for those that want at least a half decent Sausage... They'll go for the more expensive one... Many thanks for the review Gaz... All the best... Cheers mate. 🍺
I generally spend a bit more when I buy sausages these days. I'd rather pay more and have perhaps a little less, but enjoy my food. Great to see the reviews though. I'm finding this channel really helpful. Please keep up the good work!
Great comparison Gareth, I'll be honest though and admit I just dont buy these at all. And when it comes to sausages I have to go for my butchers ones as he does the best tasting and quality...they're not massively overpriced and I only buy what we need so doesn't cost me too much. I can appreciate that someone living on their own may find these useful and budget friendly, it all depends your own circumstances.
The important thing with sausages is to avoid the ones with preservatives containing nitrites in. Nitrates can cause polyps, which a lot of us have in our guts, to turn cancerous.
Best one I have found so far is the Morrisons there basic one. Tried the Tesco one once oh my it tasted like salt and mash was tasteless. Although like most instant mash it’s easy to add flavour using either butter, pepper, dash of mustard.
I’d eat either I reckon.i know I’ve had the cheaper one a few times,mashed potatoes I found the most tasteless but that’s my tastebuds lol. As you say you can always pimp it up with butter or whatever you like. *Fantastic comparison* 👌👌🙌🔥🥰
I'm just watching this now as we've just had a change from Co-Op to Asda for our local express store so I bought one of these to try (the more expensive one) and I have a habit now of checking whether you've reviewed it! 🤣 Needless to say, I thought it was shite and definitely not worth it now as I paid £3.30 for it! 😲 The equivalent from Aldi, which is cheaper, is way more tasty. Much better sausages and also the gravy. Haven't been impressed with many of the Asda ready meals I've tried so far. Especially given the price increases. I know making your own is way better anyway but, as someone who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s, I do like to get a good old microwave meals for the nostalgia factor when I'm feeling lazy!
Great review as always. Obvs in this case the more expensive one gets the highest score, but if things are tight, pimping up the cheap one with a bit of butter and some salt and pepper might make all the difference and a saving of £1.30. Many have commented about making it yourself which is fine if you have the time, but again, if money is tight, and for those who are really struggling maybe living on their own, and have prepayment gas and leccy meters where energy is a lot more expensive, you are talking grill plus one ring for about 15 - 20 minutes so maybe not quite as cheap as it first appears overall.
I have a pre payment meter and living mainly on my own apart from when I have my lads every other weekend it’s actually worked out cheaper for me as you genuinely only pay for what you use. rather than those on estimated bills or those on smart meters that everyone swears are more expensive and ripping people off. Plus living on my own I have a small two bedroom flat that heats up really easy. I only have to put the central heating on for 15/20 mins and the flat is lovely and warm. When I lived in my old house with the ex wife and kids my gas and electricity bills were through the roof. Now I’ve brought this flat, it’s cheap as chips. When I don’t have my boys I switch the radiator off in their bedroom which means I only have my living room, bedroom, bathroom too heat up as the kitchen is right next to the living room that gets heated up just fine without even having the radiator on. Yep I’m a tight arse, especially with my bills😂
Love your reviews mate, but I think people just cant be bothered to cook real food. I make my own bacon, smoked salmon, pies, pasties, bread, stock. As a pensioner it keeps me busy, and I have the satisfaction of making cheap, but top notch meals. Got to bottle 30 litres of beer tomorrow!
Yes as a pensioner. But when your working 60/70 hours a week I like I do as a long distance lorry driver plus staying away in my cab those microwave meals are a god send. Just pop them into the truck microwave for a few minutes and their done. It’s either that or you end up spending a absolute fortune at the motorway services for cheap, crap mass produced food like McDonald’s or KFC etc. I buy a weeks worth from Aldi or Asda, pop them into the truck fridge freezer on the Monday, which means I can tuck into a half decent hot meal every night without spending 10/15 pound at the services. Then it’s onto my bed with a decent book or film to watch on my Tablet and drift off too sleep with a full belly🙂
Thanks mate now I want sausage and mash but at 20 past ten at night its not going to happen. I reckon I could make one of those (2 sausages, mash, onion gravy) from scratch for less than the Asda Essentials price. The only packaging waste would be the little plastic bag the sausages come in from the butcher as the potato peelings go on the compost heap.
I reckon to save money the sausages are not browned off, otherwise they would have a slightly crunchy texture even when put in gravy. Having now tried a number of Asda's JE frozen ready meals I can honestly say that I am surprised that are quite good. I do pimp them up though, Adding cooking bacon (90p) to the macaroni cheese/Spag Bog AND I defrost them before cooking adjusting the cooking time accordingly.m saves energy.
Was in asda before debating the asda chicken meatballs in tomato sauce vs the Fray bentos ones, but was thinking if only Bald Foodie Guy did a review on these.
If you read the Ingredients it's actually alright. It's a long list but actual proper Ingredients. Usually the packaging is just filled with a gas to preserve it.
This is not difficult to cook yourself , but if your restricted by time and want a hot quick dinner you can’t go wrong . I’ve bought all supermarkets bangers and mash for me they taste pretty much the same 👍🏻 so I’m governed by price , appreciate the review , didn’t realise the price was that different 👍🏻
Yes agreed. Im a long distance lorry driver and when staying away in my cab those microwave meals are a life saver. Simply pop them into the truck microwave serve up on a plastic plate and I’m well away. Beats eating crappy McDonald’s and KFC every night at the services which are massively expensive and bad for you. I can’t even stomach KFC anymore just way too salty for me. And McDonald’s is just completely bland and tasteless🤢
@@thornbird6768 they are expensive. Domt get me wrong we get a daily allowance for lunch and tea but you have the hassle of putting your expenses in then you have too wait another bloody month too get that money back. Plus when your eating out 4 nights a week, its gets really expensive. I just try all the frozen meals, Asda do a nice frozen king prawn curry and rice for 2 quid, and that gives you a decent little tea. Or the frozen beef or chicken dinners only £1.50 each. What I do as they're tiny I double up two of them so it makes like a proper size cooked dinner, or buy extra thinly sliced beef in gravy pouch and add that. 5 mins later a proper cooked dinner in my cab. I also like asdas own toad in the hole, basically buy my microwave meals separately put the receipt in and my firm pay it back as food expenses. Occasionally I'll treat myself especially if the newer services have the food atriums where they have chinese noodle bar, idian food stall, or some other specialty food. That's for Thursday nights, my last night out before going home Friday. Then it's up on the bunk with Netflix on my I pad curtains closed, earphones in for movie night. Love it in my cab, especially when it's raining hard outside or really windy like gale force winds which rocks the cab, but sends me off too sleep. As for the night heater it's brilliant. It could be minus 10 outside and there i am just t shirt and shorts in my cosy cab 24/25 c warm as a bug in a rug😂
Next thing to compare would be the essential range soups? The veg soup l recall was good. It was 20p when Heinz* was 75p. (Probably £4 now knowing prices are sky- rocketing in the UK, l live abroad now.) What l do know is l could never eat only one l would mix 2. (If you boil them they lose all their flavour weirdly.) I used to mix 2 flavours eg tomato and chicken. I also used to put a tin of mixed veg / tin sliced carrots into the Oxtail soup to make a decent sized serving. *People say Heinz make the cheap range too, but that could be a rumour. Stop I can get Knorr packet soups here, the cup a soup is very good esp in Winter when its cold here at night. (No other packet soups beat Knorr imho.)
I often get the Morrisons equivalent cheap one, think their's is called Savers, I find to fix the mash as soon as it comes out the microwave check a knob of butter in and stir it right through. Total improvement. Sausages are always a let down with these things though.
A lot of the Aldi ones peel off like that second one, so frustrating, the amount of burnt fingers and messy kitchen tops I get trying to get to the blummin contents, gaah.
Hi gaz. Good review on sos n mash. Getting the seal of the essentials was like me getting undressed when Im missed!. . Theres so many cheaper options to compete with top brands we have to try them, and in a lot of cases can be a suprise how good they can be! All best gaz. Steve.👍
Love Bangers n mash, not tried either one yet......Salt n Pepper on have to...... butter to taste for the Mash and am sure you could get it just how you like it :) also love Bangers Mash n Beans..... beens fried in the same fat as the sausages.
I never bother pricking the seal. I just peal the corners up about a Centimetre. But if the seal is bad you're stuffed as demonstrated by Gareth. I've never had one on a Micro meal though. But they have always been frozen??
Get the frying pan and sauce pan out.cook your own ..2 X value sausage 20p.2 X potatoes 25p gravy 10p.butter 10p total. 65p.👍😀great video as normal.mate👍 .must say these meals are great if you a fast no fuss meal 😀
@@Matt19matt19 no excuse. You can cook extra and pack the rest in a glass container with a lid What do you think ready meals are? It's pre made. Made in bulk for later consumption. When I ever do a stew or anything I always do bulk and then freeze the rest. I have a large chest freezer in addition to my fridge freezer. Means less cooking and washing. You only got to use chopping board/chopping knives etc once. Only got to cook once. I think reheating in microwave is a price to pay for the lack of the aforementioned washing of pots pans /etc and frying/boiling etc
Cooking for 1 tho so I would be left with loads of sausages potatoes full pack of butter and gravy that I now need to use before it goes off so more expensive to buy
I love the Iceland Bangers and Mash 400g For £1 you get 3 Sausages for the price it's fantastic. Great review as always take care to you and your family.
Love this channel. I don't eat ready meals but love watching the comparisons and bald foodie guy is 'spot on'!
Thank you
I've been enjoying your vids, and glad I found your channel.
I've had ready meal soss and mash in the past, mainly when I've seen them reduced, and I know I'm going to be lazy. But knowing I can make six helpings, allowing two soss per person, for about three quid all in...I simply cook while making other things, then freeze separately.
Thank you pal
Totally agree
I do Linda McCartney sausages,mashed potato and onion gravy very nice,don't eat pork. Thanks again for a lovely video xx
Thanks xx
Be nice to see you try the Lidl version for £1.35, it also comes with 3 sausages :) . I just put some frozen peas and a couple of mushrooms under the peel back lid and add another 2 minutes to the cooking time in the microwave
Thats my fav too.
Lidl my local at Rothwell never seen Sausage and mash.
Yes. Though i do shudder a bit at the way Lidl & Aldi are Geobbels family companies ( yes THAT Geobbels )
Got my lad the Asda one, and with the addition of butter black pepper small tin of peas and HP sauce he said it was "Bangin", which you'd say was Spot on.
Cheers Byron
Another good honest review as always. I am glad to see your sub numbers are going up. The bonus is the changing art gallery on the fidge.
Cheers pal
Hi mate
Absolutely love your channel so much 😁
I wanted to ask you, where did you buy your dinner plated with the lip all around? Ive been trying to find some like this for ages. Thanks x
Asda, thanks very much x
It's so interesting to watch these videos about, for me, rather exotic dishes. Sausages and mash is not to be found in my native country of Sweden. I suppose we're stuck with our meatballs and mash instead 🤣 Thank's for a great UA-cam channel!
Cheers Tony, you're welcome
Consider doing a video on what you had for school dinners or packed lunch at school
the top layer keeps the air out but is not food safe, the second layer which is food safe (but not airtight) protects the food from the top layer. The science of packaging is fascinating.
cheers pal
Bit late to this video but thanks for that explanation. I always wondered why some did that while others would peel nicely
Hey Gareth. Do you think it’s cheaper to do it.ya sen two sausage one large spud & gravy ?
I agree with you about the "peel seal" test. Oh I do enjoy your posts! The problem is I watch them before brekkie and I could quite happily eat one for brekkie!!! ❤
Haha thank you kindly. Yes maybe watch later lol
Another great honest review I get these I'm on a low budget it's still a hot meal
Cheers Philip
Hey, I eat the spaghetti carbonara from Asda all the time and I originally was eating the extra special one because I figured it must be better. I'm telling you that the Asda Italian Spaghetti Carbonara is EXACTLY the same but you get 20 grams more and it's THREE pounds cheaper per kg which works out to a one pound savings per meal. I think the only thing extra special about the more expensive one is the black plastic dish it comes in. Seriously. Anyway, I didn't see it on your channel and wanted to let you know my findings. I'd be interested to know if you think it's the same, too. Cheers!
cheers you're welcome
I've been meaning too try Asda carbonara but never brought one. Is that the spaghetti meal in the green sleeve packet? If they are nice I'll try one. Because I'm a long distance lorry driver and sleep in my cab I have a fridge freezer, microwave and even a coffee maker in there, all fitted out by the manufacturer designed for away living. Even though we get a allowance for food you start eating KFC and McDonald's everyday it gets expensive. Plus you get bored of them very quickly and they're no good for you. Where as microwave meals you have the variety and chosen carefully they're not all bad for you.
@@matty6848 Hey! Yes, it's the one in the green sleeve packet. I love them! Of course, I add salt, pepper, and garlic granules to really jazz them up. I've even eaten them after I've frozen them and they aren't bad. You just have to stir them more because they are a little more watery from the thawing process. I wouldn't say carbonara is good for you, but it's certainly tasty!
Also, the Tesco versions are basically the same, BUT the large family size (1.5Kg) pasta bake is absolute crap. The penne is basically mush. I do NOT recommend. 😜
@@Maeda_Miakoda_Gaming thanks I’ll definitely try one then. As a long distance lorry driver microwave meals are a life saver for me. I do have a gas camping stove in my cab, but it’s so easy and convenient just to pop a meal into the truck microwave for 4/5 mins and I have a decent hot meal😋
My dad puts sweet chilli sauce in Aldi’s spaghetti carbonara, I've tried it and it's actually nice. He also dips sausage rolls into egg mayonnaise (which is like normal mayo but extra eggy). I swear my dad was put on this earth to destroy all British cuisine (I know that spaghetti carbonara isn't British but who cares)
I like the ones from Iceland mate. They £1 and have 3 sausages..
Cheers pal yes will try them ones.
I can't help but think that you can make it yourself . The mash will be mass produced along with the sausage . We had just essentials sausage it was nice but it all depends on budget. I wouldn't buy it I would make my own . Meals like that are OK if you work nights and in winter there ideal . Personally I wouldn't buy . But good review as usual
Thank you
Yes agreed, but if your in a hurry or just need a quick microwave meal at work rather than boring sandwiches their a good little alternative. I buy microwave meals purely for work as it’s cheaper than buying food at work everyday and it means I can have a hot meal, instead of dull, cold sandwiches.
@@matty6848 yes it is each to there own I suppose
I think Asda are doing a good job helping people on low budgets.
yeah i think ASDA are doing a good job too, definitely ASDA are the winner....
I'ts ASDA vs. ASDA -.-
I work at ASDA. dont open till 7.00am so give the guys a chance to put the fresh stock out . for best results
No they are feeding them crap that will take many years off their lives.
I agree on the whole there where their 'yellow' ? budget range is really good. Itself its going up though !! Possible star of the asda yellow show the 8 fish fingers, were 69 now 80 but very good.
@@mentalasylumescapee6389 How did you escape ? I want to get out myself to enjoy these luxury essential ranges in the shops.
for that price Heck 97% sausages are £3 for 6 and mash potato made at home is like two potatoes onion gravy you can get in a jar to mix for loads of meals it would be cheaper and have more taste and less waste, and probably more healthy
Gareth, they both look delicious. Love Bangers and Mash with Onions. Great video, thank you 👍👏😉
I often get the JE sausage & mash, I like it, especially for the price. I’ve had my Asda delivery,the JE chocolate is real nice & only 30p, even the 19p toilet rim block is decent. I never thought I’d say it but Asda is my preferred shop over Aldi now 🙂
We use them toilet blocks too lol they do the job. Try the je pine disinfectant, it's great for cleaning the bathroom and smells good.
Will do, nice1 👍
Have you noticed that they've changed the app where you can't order a few items from different previous orders..
@@coolerkin yeh, its a shame because it was very convenient , You can add from favourites but mine seems to glitch & all the items overlap?! Strange but never mind 😆
@@tormentedsoul906 yeah I did phone customer services to see if it was a glitch on my app but unfortunately they were as useless as a chocolate teapot
I was just curious so I added up the just essentials items separately. 8 sausages, 2.5kg of potatoes, 200g pot gravy granules and 1 kg onions comes to a grand total of £3.32! 83p a portion if using 2 sausages and most prob some gravy, onions and potatoes left over. I know there is cooking to take into consideration but you definitely get more for your money to do it yourself.
Thank you 👌👌
Cheers Bob
Do either of these and then shove it in a giant Yorkshire pudding. Think they're about 60p in Asda. Nom.
Thanks for the honest review 👍 I think I will go for yhe dearer one, I do appreciate your reviews and you making the time to reply, spot on that is 🥳👍😀
Cheers Jean, all the best.
I think that you get a better texture with the sausages if you do them in the oven not microwaved
Great honest review but homemade is better 🤗 Thanks Gareth 👍
cheers Sam
A Christmas card in October? Someone getting their Crimbo prep ‘Spot on!’
Cheers pal 👍👍
That's a good comparison there. Very interesting. You've proved you pays your money and takes your chance
Thank you!
💕👍Nothing better then a product passing the ‘Seal Peel Test’!! 🤭The things I get happy about as an adult😊
Haha me to Emma we got the same sense of humour x
I love it too. 😂
There will be a meeting of the ASDA board of directors tomorrow, only point of their schedule 'the SP-test' and i guess heads will roll!!
We like to DIY quick meals, normally with Instant Mash Potato 180g £0.90 [ if you feel lazy just essentals Mashed Potato 400g £0.71], asda 8 Cumberland Pork Sausages 454g £1.50 and Smart Price Garden Peas in Water 300g £0.24, with Onion Gravy Granules 200g £0.80. Just bang the cumberland in the airfryer, add hot water to the mash and gravy and nuke the peas and tinned just essentals sweetcorn with it to. Feeds 4 for about £3.50, If i get to make supper it is lots of frozen mixed veg finished with butter and gralic granules to bulk things out.
💕👍I love these comparison videos, especially when it’s a value range and own brand range being compared 👍💕
Cheers Emma x
Thanks Gareth. Quite an eye opener mate xx
You're welcome
Is that a Christmas card already!?
🤣😅🤣😂🤣
Mash, sausage and onion gravy is one of my favourite comfort foods. I have tried quite a number of the ready meal variety and they never fail to disappoint. The usual culprit for me is the mash which is almost always reconstituted potato powder, (think Smash), which to me tastes like cardboard. If one is one a tight budget then making your own sausage and mash is much cheaper and far better when you consider that a family of 4 would require 4 packets of meals. You would be left with potatoes and onions etc to make more meals for the family. Some of the family sized ready meals do make financial sense. It all depends on your needs and preferences. That said I am happy you ate that so I don't have to. 😂
Cheers pal
I did a costing of the items separately. 83p a portion (4 portions total with leftover pots etc) £3.32 for a very hearty meal for a family of 4. I do bulk buy my foods though. £2.99 for 10kg of local potatoes!
You have a light flickering in the background I noticed it on your last video. Can't beat Sausages and Mash.
Hi Gareth, try the Richmond Irish recipe sausages v Aldi Irish recipe sausages. Be interested to know your opinion.
Have I not done that comparison
@@BaldFoodieGuy i thought that was the asda essentials v richmond. sorry.
These products are not available in my country but I still enjoy watching anyway.
Cheers Henry
Hi Gareth, it had no taste to the sausage and I have tried it and agree with you. Give the Granola Just Essential a go Gareth. I like it and only over £1.
Cheers Mark good shout
"So it's..." "... considerably more" ;-) Top man :)
Haha yes
Hi Gaz.Hope You and Your Family are all well Mate.I did a Sausage Casserole for my Mum and used some Homepride Sausage Casserole in a Jar.It's really good 👍
Sounds great! Cheers Darren. 🍻
Hi Gareth, my wife asked me to message you about baked beans, have you compared the difference between Heinz v Aldi, she has gone off Heinz baked beans as a lot more sauce in them. The Aldi baked beans taste a lot better, what do you think?
Yes I've done a bean comparison, be in playlist comparison
Iceland also do a sausage and mash for £1.00. Very nice it is..Not tried either of the ones in your vid, though. Great review again. Cheers!
thanks
@@BaldFoodieGuy 😀
To be honest Gareth, they both look good from this side of the screen 😉
Cheers Gareth great review mate. Both look ok , I love a bit of cheese in my mash potatoes. Sausage contains a lot of rusk by the looks of it . Cheers Gareth thanks buddy.❤👍❤👍❤👍
Sounds great!
Could you do M&S and Waitrose with the comparision? get them taste buds vibratiing! 😀
Sometimes your taste buds need to adjust to the cheaper option, but some things are just too far economised making them just not appetising
Hi. I’m a new viewer. These videos are great. Strangely addictive. Nice smile too 😀
Glad you like them!thanks for views
Great show as always .you cheer up up every time thanks
You're welcome 👍👍😊
I'd be having carrots and garden peas with mine yummy, brown sauce too.
Love your videos. Keep up the good work.
Cheers well do
I was on the verge of buying these as I was getting bored with my normal hotpot ready meal . So nice one for doing this and I shall be buying the cheap one .👍
Hi Gareth would love to see you doing comparisons of the same budget meal from a few of the supermarkets budget ranges like u have done before.
Would also love to see you do some blind taste comparisons and see if you can tell the difference between the cheaper and more expensive products
cheers Helen
Fills a hole when you're at work.
I saw something new in my sainsburys. Snacksters eastern grill shawarma chicken flatbread also they do doner kebab. They were with burgers etc.
They could probably make the cheaper sausage taste better by adding extra salt and herbs possibly a bit of sugar as well. Most things taste better with salt and sugar. There’s nearly 4x the sugar in the more expensive one!
Reheating pre-made mash in the oven with some butter and salt is the best. It goes all fluffy
Or pan fried with cabbage for bubble and squeak😋
Hello mate making a pan of scouse tonight watch your food reviews 😀 spot on thanks dude! Great content 👌 👏 👍
Scouse 😋
@@tormentedsoul906 steak onions carrots potatos 🥔 lovley gravey packet of vegetable soup to throw in buns spot on 👍
Oh an musrooms an garlic 👍
Mushroom & garlic in scouse? Do you put veg soup in yeh? 🙂
@@tormentedsoul906 yea mate just 1 pkt of veggy soup also can you add vege stock 😁 ... very nice 👌 👍 🙏
Mate, I love the way you try the basics version, and say 'yeah it's alright', then your face says I'm going to puke, the meal is rubbish.
Not tried the budget sausage meals, normally go for the higher price ones as the sausages let them down.
And you can actually see where the extra money has gone with this one can't you Gaz?... The extra Pork content does seem to be more noticeable here in the overall taste of the more expensive Sausages... Sometimes when reviewing these Asda Just Essentials products... And putting them up against a more expensive item... Most of the time there's no discernible difference between the two... But there is with this one unfortunately... But i'm sure that some would still be happy with either of them... But for those that want at least a half decent Sausage... They'll go for the more expensive one... Many thanks for the review Gaz... All the best... Cheers mate. 🍺
Cheers Rick have a good Sunday pal, all the best mate
I generally spend a bit more when I buy sausages these days. I'd rather pay more and have perhaps a little less, but enjoy my food. Great to see the reviews though. I'm finding this channel really helpful. Please keep up the good work!
Will do cheers
Agree with you completely there. There are some rum looking, gristly, low meat ones out there.
Hi love, me and Hubby love your channel and all the hard work you put into it ❤️
Thank you both will do x
Great comparison Gareth, I'll be honest though and admit I just dont buy these at all. And when it comes to sausages I have to go for my butchers ones as he does the best tasting and quality...they're not massively overpriced and I only buy what we need so doesn't cost me too much. I can appreciate that someone living on their own may find these useful and budget friendly, it all depends your own circumstances.
Yes you're welcome James. Can't beat a butchers 👍👍
Nicely put ❤
The important thing with sausages is to avoid the ones with preservatives containing nitrites in. Nitrates can cause polyps, which a lot of us have in our guts, to turn cancerous.
Best one I have found so far is the Morrisons there basic one. Tried the Tesco one once oh my it tasted like salt and mash was tasteless. Although like most instant mash it’s easy to add flavour using either butter, pepper, dash of mustard.
Thank you
I’d eat either I reckon.i know I’ve had the cheaper one a few times,mashed potatoes I found the most tasteless but that’s my tastebuds lol. As you say you can always pimp it up with butter or whatever you like. *Fantastic comparison* 👌👌🙌🔥🥰
Thank you Glenda very kind of you.
Asda is my preferred shop has been for a few months now great on the wallet and not that bad at all .
Great video. On the subject of sausages, could you do a review of walls microwave sausages 👍
Great suggestion! I've done that one 👍😋😋
@@BaldFoodieGuy 👍👌
I'm just watching this now as we've just had a change from Co-Op to Asda for our local express store so I bought one of these to try (the more expensive one) and I have a habit now of checking whether you've reviewed it! 🤣
Needless to say, I thought it was shite and definitely not worth it now as I paid £3.30 for it! 😲 The equivalent from Aldi, which is cheaper, is way more tasty. Much better sausages and also the gravy. Haven't been impressed with many of the Asda ready meals I've tried so far. Especially given the price increases. I know making your own is way better anyway but, as someone who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s, I do like to get a good old microwave meals for the nostalgia factor when I'm feeling lazy!
Thank You Gareth for another fine sausage review. "Pimp Your Sausage". 😂😂😂😂 more sausage reviews please !!!!
You're welcome mate, hope your well bud.
Always enjoy your videos Gareth.... But they don't half make me hungry 😂.... Mash 'pumped out of a pump' I'm not hungry any more actually Gareth 😂
Cheers Sam xx
Great review as always. Obvs in this case the more expensive one gets the highest score, but if things are tight, pimping up the cheap one with a bit of butter and some salt and pepper might make all the difference and a saving of £1.30. Many have commented about making it yourself which is fine if you have the time, but again, if money is tight, and for those who are really struggling maybe living on their own, and have prepayment gas and leccy meters where energy is a lot more expensive, you are talking grill plus one ring for about 15 - 20 minutes so maybe not quite as cheap as it first appears overall.
He said it was the sausage that tasted strange, can’t pimp that much.
I have a pre payment meter and living mainly on my own apart from when I have my lads every other weekend it’s actually worked out cheaper for me as you genuinely only pay for what you use. rather than those on estimated bills or those on smart meters that everyone swears are more expensive and ripping people off. Plus living on my own I have a small two bedroom flat that heats up really easy. I only have to put the central heating on for 15/20 mins and the flat is lovely and warm. When I lived in my old house with the ex wife and kids my gas and electricity bills were through the roof. Now I’ve brought this flat, it’s cheap as chips. When I don’t have my boys I switch the radiator off in their bedroom which means I only have my living room, bedroom, bathroom too heat up as the kitchen is right next to the living room that gets heated up just fine without even having the radiator on. Yep I’m a tight arse, especially with my bills😂
Thank you
Love your reviews mate, but I think people just cant be bothered to cook real food. I make my own bacon, smoked salmon, pies, pasties, bread, stock. As a pensioner it keeps me busy, and I have the satisfaction of making cheap, but top notch meals. Got to bottle 30 litres of beer tomorrow!
Yes as a pensioner. But when your working 60/70 hours a week I like I do as a long distance lorry driver plus staying away in my cab those microwave meals are a god send. Just pop them into the truck microwave for a few minutes and their done. It’s either that or you end up spending a absolute fortune at the motorway services for cheap, crap mass produced food like McDonald’s or KFC etc. I buy a weeks worth from Aldi or Asda, pop them into the truck fridge freezer on the Monday, which means I can tuck into a half decent hot meal every night without spending 10/15 pound at the services. Then it’s onto my bed with a decent book or film to watch on my Tablet and drift off too sleep with a full belly🙂
Cheers Robin
Another great review!! Hope you have an amazing week too!!
Cheers pal
Have you tried the stewed steak in a tin Asda's essentials it's great cupboard stock £1-75 bargain
I sometimes buy that, and a pack of puff pastry, then make steak slices. They taste very similar to Greg's.
Thanks mate now I want sausage and mash but at 20 past ten at night its not going to happen. I reckon I could make one of those (2 sausages, mash, onion gravy) from scratch for less than the Asda Essentials price. The only packaging waste would be the little plastic bag the sausages come in from the butcher as the potato peelings go on the compost heap.
Cheers Simon
You have me starving now Gareth, brilliant comparison 🖒
Cheers pal
I love all this kind of food, can you please try Baxter's soup, v Heinz, soup
I reckon to save money the sausages are not browned off, otherwise they would have a slightly crunchy texture even when put in gravy. Having now tried a number of Asda's JE frozen ready meals I can honestly say that I am surprised that are quite good. I do pimp them up though, Adding cooking bacon (90p) to the macaroni cheese/Spag Bog AND I defrost them before cooking adjusting the cooking time accordingly.m saves energy.
Was in asda before debating the asda chicken meatballs in tomato sauce vs the Fray bentos ones, but was thinking if only Bald Foodie Guy did a review on these.
ive not yet pal cheers
I'm more concerned of the additives that must be pumped into the essentials to be best before 19th Nov!
If you read the Ingredients it's actually alright. It's a long list but actual proper Ingredients. Usually the packaging is just filled with a gas to preserve it.
This is not difficult to cook yourself , but if your restricted by time and want a hot quick dinner you can’t go wrong . I’ve bought all supermarkets bangers and mash for me they taste pretty much the same 👍🏻 so I’m governed by price , appreciate the review , didn’t realise the price was that different 👍🏻
Yes agreed. Im a long distance lorry driver and when staying away in my cab those microwave meals are a life saver. Simply pop them into the truck microwave serve up on a plastic plate and I’m well away. Beats eating crappy McDonald’s and KFC every night at the services which are massively expensive and bad for you. I can’t even stomach KFC anymore just way too salty for me. And McDonald’s is just completely bland and tasteless🤢
@@matty6848 In cab microwave 👍🏻 I haven’t enjoyed KFC for years and Burger King has gone right downhill 🤮 and you’re right bloody expensive 😡
@@thornbird6768 they are expensive. Domt get me wrong we get a daily allowance for lunch and tea but you have the hassle of putting your expenses in then you have too wait another bloody month too get that money back. Plus when your eating out 4 nights a week, its gets really expensive. I just try all the frozen meals, Asda do a nice frozen king prawn curry and rice for 2 quid, and that gives you a decent little tea. Or the frozen beef or chicken dinners only £1.50 each. What I do as they're tiny I double up two of them so it makes like a proper size cooked dinner, or buy extra thinly sliced beef in gravy pouch and add that. 5 mins later a proper cooked dinner in my cab. I also like asdas own toad in the hole, basically buy my microwave meals separately put the receipt in and my firm pay it back as food expenses. Occasionally I'll treat myself especially if the newer services have the food atriums where they have chinese noodle bar, idian food stall, or some other specialty food. That's for Thursday nights, my last night out before going home Friday. Then it's up on the bunk with Netflix on my I pad curtains closed, earphones in for movie night. Love it in my cab, especially when it's raining hard outside or really windy like gale force winds which rocks the cab, but sends me off too sleep. As for the night heater it's brilliant. It could be minus 10 outside and there i am just t shirt and shorts in my cosy cab 24/25 c warm as a bug in a rug😂
Next thing to compare would be the essential range soups? The veg soup l recall was good. It was 20p when Heinz* was 75p. (Probably £4 now knowing prices are sky- rocketing in the UK, l live abroad now.)
What l do know is l could never eat only one l would mix 2. (If you boil them they lose all their flavour weirdly.) I used to mix 2 flavours eg tomato and chicken. I also used to put a tin of mixed veg / tin sliced carrots into the Oxtail soup to make a decent sized serving.
*People say Heinz make the cheap range too, but that could be a rumour.
Stop
I can get Knorr packet soups here, the cup a soup is very good esp in Winter when its cold here at night. (No other packet soups beat Knorr imho.)
Cheers pal look in my comparison playlist 👍
@@BaldFoodieGuy l will just found it thx
@@BaldFoodieGuy l must say thx for replying personally a lot of sites don't bother now. ♥️
I often get the Morrisons equivalent cheap one, think their's is called Savers, I find to fix the mash as soon as it comes out the microwave check a knob of butter in and stir it right through. Total improvement. Sausages are always a let down with these things though.
Cheers pal
I’ve bought these but they not for me mate, but each too there own!
A lot of the Aldi ones peel off like that second one, so frustrating, the amount of burnt fingers and messy kitchen tops I get trying to get to the blummin contents, gaah.
The ones that dont peel are the worst lol love the plates never seen them before can I ask where you got them from x
Asda 👌
@@BaldFoodieGuy thankyou 😊
You should do some kershaws meal reviews as they are 1.75 in herons and B&M . The liver onions and mash is good as is the big breakfast
Hi gaz. Good review on sos n mash. Getting the seal of the essentials was like me getting undressed when Im missed!. . Theres so many cheaper options to compete with top brands we have to try them, and in a lot of cases can be a suprise how good they can be! All best gaz. Steve.👍
Peel seal failed, going to be a rough night 🤣🤣👍
Love Bangers n mash, not tried either one yet......Salt n Pepper on have to...... butter to taste for the Mash and am sure you could get it just how you like it :) also love Bangers Mash n Beans..... beens fried in the same fat as the sausages.
Cheers Phil all the best mate
Great review. I've had the more expensive version and I believe it is in the 3 meals for £7 deal. So it works out at £2.34 each if you buy 3 meals.
Cheers pal
i used to go mental..........."that`s the wrong word mental, i`m just going to give it a couple of PRICKS " 🤦♂🤦♂
That mash is quite nice, with some mustard put in half way thru cooking....🤪
6 Richmond sausages
Tin mushy peas .lidl
Big carton mash .lidl
Bisto gravy
All for £2
I applaud Asda for this but bangers mash onion gravy & peas made from scratch for two is so much better for hardly any money.
I really thought it'd gone off the mash more.
People may have to get used to the cheaper ones, the way things are going!! Kx
I never bother pricking the seal. I just peal the corners up about a Centimetre. But if the seal is bad you're stuffed as demonstrated by Gareth. I've never had one on a Micro meal though. But they have always been frozen??
Cheers Richard👍👍
For me its Iceland's Bangers and Mash
At last you have found a meal where the most expensive one seems like it might be worth the extra moolah!
Get the frying pan and sauce pan out.cook your own ..2 X value sausage 20p.2 X potatoes 25p gravy 10p.butter 10p total. 65p.👍😀great video as normal.mate👍 .must say these meals are great if you a fast no fuss meal 😀
I'll remember to pack my frying pan for work tomorrow. Also a camping stove. I was going to take one of these to work with me.
I get where you're coming from. I abhore ready meals. I almost always cook everything fresh
(Including homemade butter and cream cheese)
@@Matt19matt19 no excuse. You can cook extra and pack the rest in a glass container with a lid
What do you think ready meals are? It's pre made. Made in bulk for later consumption.
When I ever do a stew or anything I always do bulk and then freeze the rest.
I have a large chest freezer in addition to my fridge freezer.
Means less cooking and washing. You only got to use chopping board/chopping knives etc once. Only got to cook once.
I think reheating in microwave is a price to pay for the lack of the aforementioned washing of pots pans /etc and frying/boiling etc
... and a fiver to cook if you got the leccy meter topped up.😂😂😂
Nah you are right we all need to simplify things and tighten the old purse strings.
Cooking for 1 tho so I would be left with loads of sausages potatoes full pack of butter and gravy that I now need to use before it goes off so more expensive to buy
I always keep Aldi sausage n mash in, gorgeous
Love bangers n mash going to try with them cathedral city cheesy beans
I love the Iceland Bangers and Mash 400g For £1 you get 3 Sausages for the price it's fantastic. Great review as always take care to you and your family.
Cheers Pal, all the best mate