SHOCKING Price Difference FRESH COTTAGE PIE Comparison

[@mawgrim1]

Cooking your own is always cheaper, but as a disabled person I am unable to do much real cooking right now, so these ready meals are a life saver. It’s good to know which is the tastiest and best value. I have a local Aldi, so I’ll definitely get one of their cottage pies in.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Yes can't beat homemade

[@duckweedy]

@@BaldFoodieGuy Of course now have to consider energy costs if you make your own. Is it cheaper taking energy costs into account?

[@Dystopianutopiabuilds]

@@duckweedy you'd need to make multiples at the same time and freeze them for it to be the best economy. I used to put a shepards pie a lasagne and a fish pie in the oven all at the same time to keep the costs down.

[@RalphHeron-d6w]

Iceland mince hotpot or lasagne, quite nice and not silly money.

[@tommitchell5315]

Prices are going up at a alarming rate. Even better reason to watch your reviews. Much appreciated.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Much appreciated

[@lesliecarter8322]

Tom come to Australia, food is twice the UK costs. One of those cottage pies would cost you 3 quid here.

[@Jamb1967]

Call me tight ... But all I can think about is how much cheaper ( and better ingredients) a home made batch of pies would be

[@jackwaycombe]

To be honest, mate, I don't think you'll make a cottage pie with butcher meat, decent veg and potatoes, as cheap as a supermarket ready meal, even at current quite outrageous prices. But - with quality ingredients - you WILL get a pie that isn't ... how can I put it ... CRAP!!! Doesn't even need to take that much longer, in terms of personal time. Tip for the really keen. Chop the taties small, so they're ready to mash in 10 minutes. DON'T stint on the butter - and bugger the doctors - these days I use garlic ghee. A tablespoon of Bailey's Irish Cream - most of it will cook off but you'll still get a hint. When the whole thing is in the oven, pull it out 5 minutes early, shred some parmesan over the top and put it back. You'll never touch supermarket crap again. And you won't want to swap your plate with King Charlie...

[@Dazzwidd]

oooh garlic ghee! I agree with what you're saying to a fair extent, but you can be smart and make it economically better and food quality better. Takes smarts and a love for cooking. Bought Frozen meals are good to a point. Your own meals frozen are another subject

[@alanwoollett2628]

I enjoy your comparison videos, but feel you should include a more accurate price comparison when items vary in price. This is done by pricing by amount per unit weight (100g). Great work but watch the waste line!

[@Niclouyat]

​@@jackwaycombeI love your comment bugger the doctors 😂 I think the same as you❤

[@jackwaycombe]

@@Niclouyat 15+ years ago, my doctor gave me 2 years tops if I didn't mend my ways. 2 years later he was dead, in his mid-50s. I'm now 80 - not a well man by any stretch. But still alive enough to know there has to be more to my life than not being dead yet. If I'm afraid of anything these days, it's of finding myself under the wheels of a bus, thinking "Bugger - I could have that pork pie after all !"

[@MarkSiosal]

Great to see your channel growing so much Gareth. Been watching since you were at a few hundred followers if I remember correctly. No messing...just great, straight to the point stuff. All the best.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you pal

[@terrykemp8131]

I'm with you Gareth. Aldi was the best , followed by Tesco. Asda Essentials are offering inferior quality by comparison. The supermarkets are getting greedy by continually making profit from the population that are struggling financially. There seems to be no limit to the tactics being used, in order to make a few more pounds for their shareholders.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

cheers Terry

[@futureskeletons66669]

The prices keep going up and the quality and quantity lessen. They can't mask inflation anymore. They've pushed it as far as the can, so expect to see 'other meats' enter the processed food-chain soon.

[@DianeBonner-g3d]

I love Aldi food hate tescos

[@colinblackshaw971]

Hi Gareth, glad you commented on the Asda just essentials prices , as its shocking its every week they sneak the prices up, seems a market thing to me , got everyone buying it now increasing prices ,

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Very true!

[@roybatty4687]

AI just checked a year later in May 2024 they have gone up from £1.45 to now £2.21. Shocking.

[@juniperjane9582]

Proper brew, that 👌 Had the tesco and aldi cottage pie many a time, when there's a yellow label on them 😉 cottage pie is one of those things that is always better homemade, better gravy and plenty of grated cheese on top before it goes in the oven

[@barbaraharris7004]

Always keep the water that has cooked your potatoes and vegetables ,the potato water often has a thick paste that helps to naturally thicken your gravy. Sweet potatoes, carrots, swede and parsnips the liquid really flavours a meal especially if meat juices are added.

[@theresaheywood9479]

That's exactly what I do.A lot of taste and goodness in the water

[@KimmyWood]

It can be high in oxalate though. Not good for everyone

[@brianherring6393]

I've had the Tesco one and found it to be good my wife made cottage pie for tea tonight she uses ground skirt mince from the butcher's a real winter warmer and cheaper than buying two Tesco's

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Sounds great! cheers Brian.

[@iansims2984]

Your right about the Asda yellow range rising in price as when they first brought the cottage pie out it was £1.20 so has gone up by 25p in the last few months. The hands down winner is definitely the Aldi one for bang for the buck. Another great comparison Gaz 👍

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Ian yes going up fast in price. Have a good weekend pal.

[@john07973]

No surprises about Asda ramping prices up they're owned by the same pair of brothers as fuel profiteers EuroGarages

[@elainemagson213]

I live n France so can never buy these products - but I wouldn’t miss an episode because Gareth makes me smile!

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Oh thanks Elaine that's very kind of you. I went to France in Summer, I've got a France playlist, some videos of my time there if you would like to watch them, will be in my France playlist 👍👍

[@mch2ly648]

Glad to hear you use the water from your peas in your gravy. I have always used the water from my mash potatoes in my gravy. It definitely adds to the flavour

[@gemmawilson3226]

I always use my vegetable water for gravy, that is how gravy used to be made years ago, but don't think many do these days. Its a shame as a lot of the vitamins end up in the water.

[@manickbarry]

Alway use the veg water for gravy 🤩

[@lynnpurfield9430]

I think the Aldi ready meals are the best for quality. Check out their fish pie, it's lovely and has big chunks of fish. I rarely buy ready meals or processed but like to have days off making from scratch so I like to try out different ones.

[@pineapplepetegunn1071]

I found that with the essential range. A couple of weeks ago a cheese and bacon quiche was £1.40. Next week £1 70! That's not much but still bad if you're on a budget

[@daveyjones18]

All the prices on this video changed again just a week later. The asda cottage pie is now £1.60 That's an inflation rate of 15% *PER WEEK* 😱

[@bizbizley]

🎵And when she saw the size of his cottage pies it very near turned her head….🎵😂😂(Ernie, song by Benny Hill 1971) 😀

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

haha brilliant

[@scouseofhorror104]

🎵 And he drove the fastest milk cart in the west! 😅

[@ldaniel5177]

I’ve only ever had the Asda essential one so this was really interesting, thank you and I don’t mind your longer videos x

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

You're welcome x

[@naomilim2378]

don’t stop doing these comparison vids.. really helpful

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

You're welcome

[@christineconnor4413]

Good video. Just done my shopping at Aldi - Again prices have gone up. Bread now 79 p - doesn't seem 5 mins ago it was 39 p !!!! just basic stuff going up . 😳

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Christine

[@ajsutton6426]

I prefer homemade, but for a quick meal I like the fresh Aldi family one for a fiver paired with some veggies, not full of gristle like most are. I put a bit of butter and white pepper on top of the mash near end of cooking, makes a tad bit of difference.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers pal 👍👍

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

horsemeat is always cheaper

[@barbaraaldam204]

I can't bring myself to buy these ready meals with all the additives. I batch cook in a slow cooker,divide into portions and freeze. A batch of savoury mince and a pan full of mashed potato doesn't take long to prepare. But your comparisons are invaluable for people who not willing or unable to make their own

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

I understand

[@Tara-zo8dv]

Great programme 👍 helping to Make the right choices when buying ready-made meals comparisons are to supermarkets are spot on thank you for being real xxx

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

You're welcome 😊

[@rjames83]

I use my pea water for my gravy as well 😂. Making my kid a nice homemade cottage pie tomorrow, this video has literally made me want to start cooking it now 😋

[@Lucid.dreamer]

These are really practical comparisons. And, of course, we love cottage pie and shepherd's pie. Basic needs met. Cheers.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

thanks

[@adrianwood4661]

Hi It's cheaper to get a tin of minced beef and a bag of mash get at least 3/4 ready meals for just under £2

[@matty6848]

Yes true but these are just for convenience. They're brilliant for work. Especially for me being a long distance lorry driver. I keep them in the truck fridge freezer, then bang them in the cab microwave a few minutes and its done. Beats paying extortionate prices at the services for cheap unhealthy crap like McDonald's and KFC.

[@lochamb1234]

@@matty6848 Exactly Matt, I was going to say something similar. All of these ready meals serve a purpose. My partner works continental shifts and night shift if he hasn't made food to bring in, he always has frozen ready meals as a back up. He says nicer and far cheaper than work canteen

[@nikkijayne4451]

3/4 meals out of one tin lol. Maybe for under 5 years. Youd prob find cheaper. If you bought fresh and batch cook n freeze.

[@adrianwood4661]

@@nikkijayne4451 yep you don't get a lot of meat in them that's why probably 3/4

[@leighmonty13]

Definitely and just make it all up and freeze ready for when you want it

[@AliSkarsgard]

Hiya Gaz…is it wrong that I watch these then make my shopping list 🤣 I will be making cottage pie tmro😁 Thanks again for another down to earth & ace review - Happy Friday to you and yours xx

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

thanks Ali, have a good weekend x

[@DaStig]

The top two both looked nice. I do love a nice mash. But I hate a plain mince! Mince was used as a go to for every British mother in the 70's 80's and even in the 90's. When done right it is amazing.

[@mohara1000]

just a wee tip gareth when ever i have a ready meal i follow the instructions for microwave cooking example 7 mins ect and then i transfer said meal to the airfryer for the final 5 mins and it gives the impression of being in the oven for 40 mins it is dependent on the size of your airfryer but i find the smaller size meals fit in my airfryer nicely saves a lot of time and energy keep up the good work mate

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you will try it next time 😊👌👌

[@jubeaumont6305]

TRIPLE PEEL-SEAL FAILURE !!! really do appreciate these videos mate cos I am skint and will happily walk to 3 different supermarkets to do my bit of shopping to get the cheapest things and save 3 or 4 quid and you test the stuff I'd usually get anyway so I really do appreciate the info.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Yes totally failure 🤣👍😭😭

[@suenoyes7073]

Aldi one seems to have a lot of oil on the plate

[@zekbaker4727]

I always make my gravy from the vegetable juices, especially when making Sunday dinner with all the popular veg juices and roast tin goodness..

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

yes as do I, spot on

[@2daredevils765]

I popped into Aldi earlier. The cheese you compared days ago has gone up 20p! Food inflation is getting silly, even at the best value shops. Keep it up, videos are getting better.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

thanks

[@christianjamesmiller8388]

@@Scooby_Doobie_Doo it goes up 20 but then it’ll go up another 20p and so on and so on

[@cracknoir8397]

Vegies are the staple for any pie gravy Onion celery and carrots but I have made cottage pie with sweet potato and potato mash 1/2 and half added frozen peas in there as well

[@terryansell6641]

I never thought I enjoy your Webb site but I do from New Zealand

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Terry thank you

[@richardpoynton4026]

You can get bags of frozen mashed potato, which I keep a stock of. I sometimes go to my nearest Tesco and check the ‘discounted items’ fridge and there is usually a tray or two of beef mince, or steak mince or lamb mince (nothing wrong with it, just has to be used immediately). Can get that for half price or more. So I can make a home made cottage/shepherds pie for about £2, which will also have any leftover veg in, and it’s gorgeous! I’d never go back to pre-made ones again…. Also, meat content of mine will always be over 50%! No contest, really.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Brilliant cheers Richard, have a good weekend 👍👍

[@gracereeve4683]

I always have a bag of mash in my freezer. Saves a lot of time peeling,cooking etc. Aunty Bessie is the best and cheapest of them all. Maybe store bought meals are fine but thy don't taste like home mash. Enjoyed watching your show and will be back . Mollie.x

[@lj1957-s7t]

I was just thinking that myself

[@gillianbarlow-livinginthew6318]

I like the longer videos Gareth. I personally like the Tesco Cottage Pie as the mince is bigger and it’s not very peppery. The Aldi one is ok but just a tad too much pepper for my taste. I tried the Bisto Pigs in Blankets gravy the other day, would be interesting to know what you think of it?

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Oh yes I've heard about that gravy 👍👍

[@markboon341]

Love your down to earth reviews. Comparisons like these are very useful in these trying times. Cheers.

[@herberthartwig8544]

Absolutely love cottage pie/shepherds pie, but nothing tastes better than home made.

[@jeffatkins6890]

Proper coverage , I’ve enjoyed all of the down to earth talk

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

cheers Jeff

[@HuSiaCat]

Your videos are brilliant for this time.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you very much!

[@corringhamdepot4434]

Where I live the council "meals on wheels" service has been replaced by 2 different well known national companies. That deliver frozen meals. I tried them a few years ago, and found them much more expensive for about the same quality as a supermarket brand. For example one currently has a 400g cottage pie for £4.65. That includes peas, carrots and onion gravy.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers pal 👍👍

[@raphaelandrews3617]

As I am on a low income , I am always looking for bargins/ Why I watch your reviews/saves me having to try out loads of stuff, (saving time and money. Thank You Garrth)👏 I have noticed a lot of Asda foods have no seasoning, no salt/seasoning lack taste, so you are correct.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Glad you like them!

[@lennymaunton3183]

Asda are crafty with the just essentials prices, they started cheap on almost all the products to suck us in buying them, then of course they creep the price up once there selling well, can’t beat a homemade cottage pie, and can work out cheaper for a family, great review again mate

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

cheers Lenny

[@susandavis4821]

Morning Gareth thank you for the cottage Pie revisited vlog, I haven't seen the original vlog yet but will watch in time. I have never bought cottage pie always make my own but looking forward to your test. Really enjoyed this vlog glad you liked the Tesco pie. Thank you

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

You're welcome 😊

[@glennanderson7795]

The store selection must have taken you a wee while based on your previous comments! The new (for me) usual sharp observations of weight, percentages, ingredients, and ease of the "seal & peel" tests have got to be a unique examination, invented and presented only by you! The progs. are compulsive, entertaining, and essential viewing, as there is nowt like this anywhere! I've never tried using my pee water but will give it a try and report back. Would you ever consider doing a live whisky comparison? You don't look like a boozer, but with a few of your soldier mates would be interesting to saddos like me! I will share your site with as many people as I know. Looking forward to Frki.18/11/22 at 8pm. Enuff smoke blowing from me, just a tad concerned with the cross-contamination mentioned! VBW x

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers pal great comment 👍👍

[@nicktucker4243]

I'm glad that you've never tried using your pee water, that would be disgusting! 😝 I would suggest that you try using your pea water though, as Gareth said, it helps to add pleasant sweeter flavour. 😋

[@SuperLittleTyke]

I'll choose the Aldi cottage pie next Tuesday - if it is actually in stock. I find more and more products are out of stock in Aldi, Tesco, and Lidl. Morrisons and ASDA are better with stock replenishment. For example, I wanted to try the Stockwells baked beans and sausages, but the local Tesco didn't have them.

[@SuperLittleTyke]

@Richie Reports UK It's just that having watched Gareth's review of the Stockwells label, plus three others, I was keen to see for myself. I doubt they will equal Branstons. But I'll have to wait until I get to a large Tesco, because our local one, while bigger than an Express, is still tiny in comparison.

[@Slycockney]

Another excellent review. These ready meals are great if you are a bit short of time, especially if you can just get one out of the freezer.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you kindly

[@davidgrant8824]

Hi Gareth, I noticed that you feature ASDA more amongst the big 4 supermarkets and I can see why. I bought all the long life ASDA Just essentials, Tesco Stockwell/Growers Choice and Sainsbury Hubbards Foodstore items for the local foodbanks and found the following: Sainsburys 20 items £13.49, Tesco 32 items £19.72, Asda 45 items £24.61. Asda should be congratulated.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers David 👍👍

[@theenglishman3368]

I noticed tesco and morrisons prices are going up much quicker than asda

[@mimib2468]

New subscriber... I need to stop watching your videos when I'm hungry 😂 so many food cravings now... Think you're doing a fantastic job Gaz!! You're doing the work for us all and it's much appreciated! Thank you!!! ✨

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you kindly and welcome to the channel. I appreciate it 😁👍👍

[@lunevalleyparanormal]

Only ever made my own so never tried any of these However that brew is just how I like it 👍🏻😄

[@keithdunn9026]

i tried the cottage pie & your right its very bland but a bit of brown sauce sorted it right out ,i recently tried the just essentials beef steak £2,25 & it was spot on , done in the air fryer with chips & onion rings

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Keith 👍👍

[@paul67]

Mmmm. Crying out for mushy peas, bit of beetroot and a cheeky chunk of unsliced bread. Thanks pal.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Yummy

[@jeffcook3747]

I love cottage pie, Gareth! We actually call it shepherd's pie here in the US although it's made with beef and not lamb. Lamb isn't nearly as popular here as beef. Cottage Pie is an amazing dinner and comfort food, especially in winter

[@matty6848]

We have sheperds pie as well in the UK. The only difference between the two is cottage pie is made with Beef and sheperds pie is made with lamb meat. Basically the same dish but different meat.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

yes like Matt says with beef or lamb

[@shaunmorrissey7313]

Shepherd's pie made with lamb, hence the reference to shepherds, If it's not lamb, then it's called cottage pie.

[@Grentastic]

@@misolgit69 no

[@alanthomson1227]

I be,ie e in some parts of South Korea and China they have German Shepherds Pie .

[@katrinarees9397]

Oh I wish you would try the luxury slow cooked cottage pie from Iceland it's a frozen one but its lovely 😋

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Yes I've done that one 😊👍

[@Grentastic]

Hi G. Nice to see you taking such consideration with the gravy..... it can make or break a meal, sometimes. :) Keep up the good work

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Yes definitely, carrot juice is tasty 🥕👍👍

[@darrenluck5382]

Another great video! Love the high sided dinner plates, where are they from please?

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Darren, asda

[@michelleharding5180]

Great to see a cottage pie comparison,its a winter comfort for me ,thanks ,will you be comparing mince pies soon ,❓

[@Dunco3550]

That Tesco one looked lovely and rich, I'm sure I've had the Aldi one before but I wasn't overly impressed because I seem to recall that it was too bland for my liking 👍

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

It's so good!

[@frankprice7575]

Great vid, cracking idea for the gravy with the pea water........

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Frank

[@philkirk5970]

Love your vids. In these cost conscious times wise food shopping is essential and it shows just how much big brands rip us off. Have you thought occasionally about cooking a simple homemade version and including it in the comparison. I’ve started making some dishes and freezing 3 or 4 portions. It really brings the price down to comparable with the cheapest bought version AND tastes better than it would even from M&S! What’s more I’d love to see your cooking skills! Thanks and keep doing what you are doing.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

cheers Phil, kind of you to say

[@sandradent65]

That's what I do for my husband, I make various meals and freeze a few portions. They come in handy when you can't be bothered.

[@martinparker9249]

i live on a boat so dont have an oven or microwave so i made may own mashed potato on my stove and then poured half a can of Princess minced beef n onion into a frying pan cooked til bubbling the layered my mash on top with a little cheese.....TOP DRAWER !!! PLUS you still have half a can left for something else !

[@sandradent65]

@@martinparker9249 good idea. It'll make a tasty meal

[@Chris-td4yd]

Cheers mate It’s always a pleasure to watch your channel & I totally trust your judgment. 🥂🇬🇧

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Much appreciated

[@matty6848]

Hi Gareth with the Asda essentials range price going up that's exactly what supermarkets do to get the custom. They introduce new products at a drop down price and actually sell at a loss at the beginning, then once they have enough people buying they're products they slowly increase the price in the hope that most won't notice. Most don't notice that the cottage pie they brought two weeks ago for £1.50 is now £1.60 and so on. I only know this because my cousin works in marketing for Morrisons and that's what all supermarkets do.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Matt, yes I've had a few managers from big supermarkets explaining the same thing. Never mind nothing we can do is there. Cheers mate, have a good weekend pal 👍👍

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Yes, but with food price inflation now at around 14% (it's higher than the average inflation of 10.1%) prices are going up all the time. However, I see some products and wonder why they have gone up, too. I think some retailers are using inflation to justify some price increases where it isn't warranted. I was surprised to see the Just Essentials sausages have increased to £1.20, whereas the ASDA Farm Stores sausages a year ago were 80 pence. They were pretty much the forerunner of the JE sausages, just packaged differently now.

[@wolfman011000]

One thing i do is us an old order and import it as a current order, it can be shocking at the change pricing in just 4 weeks, bloody horrifying when using a 12 month old order the prices and the amount of items no longer even stocked, i read an article where it stated asda has slashed there range by about 40% in the past year favouring more profitable SKU's.

[@manoo422]

Tesco have very recently put up all their similar range/size ready meals to £3.00 they have been £2.50 for years!

[@SuperLittleTyke]

@@manoo422 I do so little shopping in Tesco nowadays that I hardly visit once in two weeks. The latest what I call a scam is the way Tesco highlights the Clubcard price in yellow, so that your eyes tend to be drawn to the lower price. You only realise your mistake at the till.

[@bblair2627]

The Aldi one id imagine tasted the best but the traffic light results in it were a bomb-scare in comparison

[@michaeltb1358]

One of my pet hates is peel off film which doesn't. Surely it is not so difficult to do it right, but relatively few packs do peel cleanly.

[@markchawner1586]

Well ! ... We think alike ! I had Cottage Pie tonight but it was the Bisto version .... And, it wasn't bad. 12 mins in the Microwave and then 10 mins in a already hot Oven. Have to say I thought the Tesco one looked delicious before cooking. When cooked, the Gravy looked so rich and meaty. I'll try the Aldi one now next week. Great review, Gareth .... You didn't once Mince your words .... 😎😂😉👍👏

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

haha cheers Mark

[@andrewhayes7055]

A lot of reds in the Aldi one. I make a huge cottage pie that can be portioned up into 8 individual meal size portions then freeze them, do the same when making Lasagne.

[@winslowpippleton7157]

The Aldi salt content is crazy for a 300 calorie meal...WTF

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Yes it is

[@elastronaute1198]

It's not 300 calories its 525 calories... considerably more than the other two, partially because it's larger in size, but also more beef and so more fat I imagine. Yes more salt but that is how to make things taste nice.

[@ChuckFickens1972]

For the "seal peel" I've found put things like that in the oven with the seal on and then peel them after they've been in for couple of minutes, they come right off cleanly and a couple of minutes in the oven with the seal on makes not difference to the cooking.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Good tip thank you

[@janicedickinson231]

Another great comparison. Keep them coming and have a fantastic weekend xx

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you x have a good one x

[@jeantootell2670]

Hi Gareth, thanks for your review, I'm surprised you liked the aldi one best I will give it a try, just a suggestion but wouldn't you find it easier to put your phone down and position it, rather than holding it on a selfie stick? Then you would have both hands free to try the food, might make it easier for you, you probably wouldn't drop any then, only trying to help, thanks again 😉

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Great suggestion!

[@milliewilkie1969]

agree about Aldi same as the Cod in Batter tried every make of Cod in batter and it beats them all

[@shandywarhol4444]

All the goodness from veggies goes into the water, so you do right to use it Gareth!! 👍Kx

[@happydog3422]

You can get buttery mash on the others, when they're at the defrosted or warmed up stage put littleblobs of butter on and mix in then put back in. (Not too much otherwise it'll turn sloppy)

[@nicolavallely8076]

I do a vegetarian one with veggie mince onion and veggie gravy with mash and cheese with sliced tomato,yummy xx blimey you are not having much luck with peel and seal tests,hope you don't get nightmares though xx

[@martindunstan8043]

Hey Gaz✌️not only was that super informative it was also hilarious mate😂😂I was in hysterics with the seal peal ordeal 😂 I'm exactly the same I'm glad I'm not the only one, you go have a lie down I feel your pain 😂great comparison 👍✌️(🍻🤔) ☕

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Haha cheers Martin, yes isn't it a pain when it doesn't come off 😭👍👍

[@martindunstan8043]

@@BaldFoodieGuy drives me insane 😂 but I'm like it with everything, pull here, tear here etc and if it doesn't 😠first world problems 😂✌️

[@Allataria]

I'm pretty sure the reason the essentials and budget ranges suffer such a large price increase when prices go up is because they are made at such a tight margin in the first place. They have cut every single corner to make you a meal at £1.50 and then shaved a bit more off the corners. A slight increase in the price of ingredients when you are at the very bottom of the price range will HAVE to be passed on as the supermarket has no wiggle room.

[@jhamilton7373]

Agree totally. These meals must be made down to a price and not to a standard. I just thought....if a meal is costing say around 2 pounds to the end consumer and they have to pay someone to make it, pay for packaging, chill it, transport it pay for staff in the shop to sell it and the costs of running a shop and making a profit, how much money goes into the actual food? I commented above that these meals barely exist in Australian where I live and I am here in holiday and the supermarkets are full of this stuff. I saw people with trolley loads of of it. I can't believe people pay a premium for what is essentially bad and highly processed food when making at home is so much better and cheaper. I calculated that I could make about 10x the portions with all fresh ingredients for about the cost of those 3 poor meals. I could freeze them and know exactly what's in them.

[@brelshar4968]

Can't beat home made shepherd's pie.. served with a portion of brussel sprouts. Lovely.

[@Rondawwg]

I always make a larger one, then freeze it in portions.

[@davidjohnston5692]

I just make my gravy granules from the kettle mate boil kettle put some water in measuring jug put gravy in and stir a lot easier lol

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Better with veg juices though 😊

[@TheSpacepigeon]

Ahhhhhhh just had the ASDA one delivered earlier haha. Keep up the good work my man!

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

cheers will do

[@archiebald4717]

Very easy and cheap to make from scratch.

[@negan1445]

One of my favourite foods is my mums homemade cottage pie 😋, Bisto ones are ok aswell though.

[@gedgriffiths9767]

I like your videos mate. It's not scientific but just down to earth advice. I also think you care, you made me think about people on there own at Christmas. Keep up the good work. ✌️👍

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cool, thanks

[@tysondundas1947]

Is it fair to compare the Asda basic range against the other 2 being the next level up?

[@wendyrichards7458]

Cottage pie is wonderful ,my go to comfort food .£3 for one is a lot though when you think you can make enough for 4 for around £5 .It's a lot of faff I know and of course takes longer to cook .It's a shame the Asda one isn't up to much since not everyone has the facilities ,inclination or physical ability to cook that sort of thing .Good to know Aldi's is at least still reasonable and worth eating .

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Wendy

[@sandraheaton4929]

We are having aldi fresh cottage pie & veg for tea tomorrow Gareth ours is the bigger cottage pie it was £4 something just can't remember exactly it could have been £4.49 I always make my gravy with the vegetable water it does make lovely gravy, good review Gareth keep up the good work yeah the prices are rocketing in all the supermarkets

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

thanks will do

[@helenswan705]

You have encouraged me to get into my own kitchn and make a decent veggie one, with some decent mash.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Oh delicious 😋👌

[@RoderickGMacLeod]

@Bald Foodie Guy Gareth, Could you tell if the mash was made from fresh potatoes or instant?

[@35geordielad]

"fresh" that's an understatement

[@terrybarton8388]

Don’t you mean overstatement?

[@garyl5128]

I can remember the Asda Smart Price Cottage Pie was always under £1 (as were a lot of their ready meals) and it didn't seem that long ago it was still only 90p, so it's gone up considerably and is why I stopped buying it. Their chips in curry sauce is still only 90p though. I agree - the Asda definitely needs salt and pepper or it can be a bit bland.

[@Matt19matt19]

You're confusing chilled for frozen. The frozen cottage pie is still 90p

[@garyl5128]

@@Matt19matt19 It doesn't seem to come up on my online list, just the £1.40 one so I thought it had just gone up in price. Having Googled it, it is still there as you say, just not available in my area by the looks of things, which is disappointing because I've been buying it for years. It still shows as a favourite and I can add it to my list, just can't add it to basket and buy it. Bummer. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@NOWThatsRichy]

Just watched your intro video on Weetabix taste tests. You should do a 'blind' test on some of them, as many of the own brand versions, Tesco & Aldi, for example are actually made by Weetabix, but about half the price, the ways to tell, are by comparing the size & shape of the outer box & also looking at the date & batch codes on the end of the boxes if these are the same style as Weetabix, then it is Weetabix inside the box! Also the ingredients are identical too. Weetabix also have copyright & patents on the oval shape of the actual biscuits, only difference is the own brand ones will be in a plastic wrapper, whereas Weetabix is in a paper wrapper. I've had all the various brands over the years, since I was a kid & they all taste exactly the same! In the winter I love them with hot milk & flavoured with a spoonful of honey, or mix in a spoonful of hot chocolate powder.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you

[@shanty4590]

There all jumping on the band wagon for putting prices up & just for the hell of it as they think we will still pay for it 🤔 great vid BFG keep up the great taste testing 👍

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers will do 👍👍

[@benthebossjackson4388]

Just found ur channel, absolute love the content! :) great videos and great fun

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Thank you kindly Ben.

[@PUNKinDRUBLIC72]

Loving the poppy dude, NEVER FORGET! 🇬🇧♥️

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers

[@jhamilton7373]

Hey, love this channel (just subscribed), I find it really interesting. Just as an observation as someone from Australia visiting the UK, I am astounded by how you guys here buy things like this. It all looks pretty gross to be honest. Went to Tesco last week and 2 whole aisles of this type of garbage in the chilled and frozen. People walking around with trolley full of it. How hard is it to peel potatoes and cook some meat folks? I even saw pre made mash and pre cut veg...why? Can't you Brits its cook or something? This stuff just doesn't get sold where I live, we make stuff from fresh ingredients. I have seen frozen lasagne in Australia and the odd frozen Chinese and we call them 'loser meals'. I love seeing what not to buy and total respect for you risking yourself all in the name of research. Surely heating all this stuff up in plastics and all the preservatives must be awful for you? Anyway good luck and thanks for the entertainment and research it's been a culture shock. 😀

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers James great comment thankyou very much. Much appreciated 👍👍

[@petehefferon8192]

Such a cracking bloke 👍🏻. As I was watching this the mrs said if I wanted anything from the shop..I said yeah a cottage pie. Another helpful review mate Have a nice weekend

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Cheers Pete, enjoy your cottage Pie 👍👍

[@tommiekinsella5027]

Your videos are so entertaining and useful lots of my mates here in Ireland watch your videos a lo keep up the good work

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Glad you like them!

[@mrrmarshall1940]

The seal peal crack makes me laugh like, I think everyone can understand the frustration 😆

[@johndavis7944]

Hi Gareth. There's enough cottages there to make a small village. A slightly longer video than average, but well worth the effort to compare the three cottage pies. Great review mate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, you made me laugh especially with the Seal Peel failures. Oh No, Oh No! 😂 I hope you don't lose any sleep over it. Cheers Gareth 👍🤤😂😂

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

haha yes john, a hamlet lol not cigar lol

[@johndavis7944]

@@BaldFoodieGuy Hahaha. Very good. I had to google that. Now I get it 👍😉 Yes a Hamlet... Not a cigar or a village. 😀

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Loved your review, no Aldi here in NI sadly. We do have Lidl.

[@BaldFoodieGuy]

Sorry to hear that, we dont have a lidl, wanna swap lol

[@adrianwood4661]

I keep the containers and use them for the air frier and meals

[@jshaw4757]

Seal peel nightmare there Gareth I felt that one 😩😩