FAQ'S
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The answers to all the questions you may have
Why did you decide to make recipes using only Aldi ingredients?
Because I desperately want to create something helpful for you... and me.
I love cooking but I don't love spending a fortune or a lifetime doing it. Like most people I know, I would shop at Aldi for all kinds of things, and be really happy with being able to save so much money. Then I would go to another shop and pick up all kinds of things that I couldn't get at Aldi. The thing is, we all do that. The same people I saw at Aldi would be wandering the aisles of another shop too. And we would all spend double the money for a fraction of the ingredients.
But what if we didn't have to do this? What if I used my professional training as a chef and my creativity and made it work for all of us. One stop shopping for all your ingredients. Being able to cook from scratch and create exciting meals that your family will love. The idea lit a spark in me and I fell back in love with cooking and creating. And if I'm doing it for myself, it's only fair that I share it any and every way that I can.
Do you have nutritional info on your recipes?
YES!!
It's built into the recipe card that I use on the website and while I'm not sure it's 1000% accurate, my feeling is that I would rather give you a ballpark estimate of nutrition than none at all. If you are on a restricted diet, please use software that you know and trust or consult your doctor.
Are your recipes healthy?
All the recipes use whole foods that your Nan would recognise, so maybe!
"Healthy" is a pretty subjective term these days. Most of these recipes are intended for everyday cooking and eating. Are there some indulgent recipes? Of course! Because what is life without the odd slice of drizzle cake or homemade biscuit. My intention is to share simple but creative meals that get you excited about flavour and cooking. Using plenty of vegetables, lean meats, and whole food options are at the top of my list when creating recipes for Savvy Bites.
Do you have any culinary training? Why should I trust your recipes?
Trust me. I'm a professional. No, really. I am.
I get it. There's a million recipe websites out there. You don't want to spend money on ingredients or time in the kitchen unless you know that you're making a recipe you can trust. Have no fear. I've been a professional chef for over 10 years and have spent my years making all the mistakes so that you don't have to. Every recipe is created with simplicity in mind. Most are easy enough for a novice to take on but are comforting and delicious enough that experienced cooks will want to add them to the family recipe binder.
Why didn't your recipe work for me?
I'm not sure. But, I'd love to help find out.
Troubleshooting recipes are a pet passion of mine and I love nothing more than helping you figure out what went wrong and to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Firstly, start by reading the recipe ingredients and method from the top. Often the error is a missed step, ingredient or quantity error that you'll spot right away. Baking powder instead of bicarb or vice versa is a very common one and will have drastically different results.
If you can't find the problem after assessing the recipe method and ingredients, then please feel free to ask me. The best way is if you leave a comment on the recipe. That way if anyone else has had the same issue then we can all learn together.
Do you subscribe to any particular diet like paleo, keto or slimming world?
Nope. But anyone following a special diet is more than welcome here.
I just try and make sure that I get my 5 a day (at least) and eat lean protein from animals and vegetables, gluten, dairy and everything else under the sun. While those diets work really well for some people, they just don't work for me. I love it when people modify my recipes to fit in with their lifestyle and dietary choices.
I'm just getting into cooking and I'm not sure where to start. Do you have any tips and tricks to help me get started?
I sure do!
Welcome to the amazing world that is cooking! You're going to love it! I've listed my top 3 tips to get you started and have some amazing freebies to help you along the way.
- Start by meal planning. This will save you loads of time and money. You can grab the handy meal planner here.
- Learn how to stock a pantry with all the essentials so that you can make store cupboard meals on the fly with minimal fuss.
- Start to learn about what you need for kitchen basics. Don't worry. It's not a big list.
Want to learn more? Visit the About page.
This website has been a godsend. Not only have a cut my shopping bill, but at the same time produce healthy meals for my family. If I could be greedy and ask for anything else would be for a section on fridge fillers. With 3 teenage boys that are always hungry, I’d love recipe ideas for snacks that you can pop in the fridge that my boys could helps themselves too as and when they want it instead of the expensive yogurts, sausage rolls, chicken wings, crisps, cakes. Which in turn I hope saves me a fortune.
Hi Ruth! You've made my day/ week with your comment. I'm so thrilled when people really find the website and recipes helpful. And yes! Your wish is my command. I'll start working on some ideas. In the meantime, these flapjacks https://savvybites.co.uk/easy-healthy-flapjacks/ may help to fill the gap for them. But with 3 teenage boys, you may want to double the recipe! Leave it with me and I'll start putting something together. But please bear with me. There is so much I'm working on at the moment. But I will get there! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. It is so appreciated! 🙂
Do you have any recommendations for catering for allergies in an Aldi-only shop? Two members of our household are allergic to dairy and I often end up buying the dairy-alternatives from the more expensive supermarkets.
Hi Laura, I'm not sure if you're based in the US or the UK, but I've just looked for both. If you're in America it looks like they have lactose free whole milk which will work for any recipe where you need regular milk. Coconut milk can be used in many recipes instead of single or light cream because it got 24% fat content which is the same as single cream. Whipping cream or heavy cream is the place where I'm not seeing many options for you. In the cheese department, they have vegan mozzarella which can really be replaced in almost every recipe. It melts well and tastes like the real thing. Use that in place of cheddar in most recipes and you won't notice much of a difference.
If you're in the UK you can get the same choices of soy and oat milk or coconut milk for higher fat content. Strangely, I'm finding it difficult to find vegan cheese on the UK website. But when I do my shop this week I'll find the options and report back to you. They have so many plant-based options they must have some plant-based cheese that I'm not seeing. I'll let you know. And I'll work on making a list of recommended products because other people will have the same questions. I hope that helps a little for now and I'll be sure to create a list of plant-based and free-from products that people can use when they shop. 🙂
Hi
Can you do a baguette recipe please
I love all I have made from here up to now
Thanks
Marlene
Hi Marlene. Absolutely I will. I'll be sure to get it done in the next few weeks. Thanks so much for asking. Requests are always welcome and appreciated. They really help when I'm running out of creativity and wondering what I should make! Thank you!
How do I know how much kale to include in the recipe when it isn't listed under the ingredients?
Any amount you feel comfortable with. Kale and spinach wilt down so much so you really can't go wrong putting in a lot!
Hi Deborah, I just wanted to say how great your recipes are. Also, your meal plans have made food shopping so easy! I’m looking forward to seeing what other recipes you put on here, and I don’t know if it’s possible but a lunch plan for work would have me super interested! Many thanks for your website and knowledge
Thank you so much, Danny! Comments like this make my day. I'll be working on a couple of lunch plans for work/ back to school near September. Stay tuned!
Where can I find the pantry stocking guide please? Love the website and the whole concept. Look forward to you adding lunches and dinners!
Hi Pam! Thanks so much for leaving a comment. I must admit I haven't finished the pantry stocking guide yet, but you've lit a fire under me now and I'll get it finished in the next couple of weeks. Once it's done, I'll send it to you directly, so you don't miss it. 🙂