The Unofficial Aldi Cookbook by Jeanette Hurt: Review

If you’re from the Midwest or even the East Coast, I’m sure you’ve heard of Aldi. That unique grocery store originally from Germany.

When I’m visiting family in the Midwest, I have the ability to shop at this chain but here in the West Coast they are few and far between.

However, they are up-and-coming here and the closest one is about an hour and a half from me; actually quite near a friend of mine‘s home. So when we stop to visit, I also take the moment to stop into Aldi’s.

The store is very unique and offers a huge range of interesting and different labels than we may be used to in a major grocery store. They were ahead of their time in terms of environmental green culture.

The stores that I were in had very little rhyme or reason where items were stocked. You would find tomato sauce and tomato paste with the bread, for instance. While odd, it did make you have to look at every item. So maybe that was smart.

Today they’re laid out a little bit nicer. Better lighting. Fresher vegetables. I feel it is a much better shopping environment. With a wealth of organic and healthier options, it is an experience and a great way to save money by shopping at Aldi‘s.

The Unofficial Aldi Cookbook by Jeanette Hurt

With that experience comes an unofficial cookbook filled with fan favorites that you can find at this award-winning grocery store. The author of this cookbook grew up shopping Aldi’s and as an adult she still shops there today.

She took the time to lay out a great cookbook filled with some delicious recipes, all made with items found at the store. From appetizers to desserts, you can plan your entire meal right from this cool cookbook.

Check out the Cannoli Dip Recipe

CANNOLI DIP
My sister Karen makes this incredibly addictive dessert dip packed with all the good flavors of a cannoli. It’s so delicious you’ll have a hard time not eating the whole thing in one sitting!

Yield: 3 cups or about 12 (¼-cup) servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup Special Emporium whole milk ricotta cheese or other ricotta cheese of your choice
1 (8-ounce) package Happy Farms cream cheese or other cream cheese of your choice
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (10-ounce) package chocolate mini-chips
graham crackers, cookies, or fresh fruit, to serve

Directions:

1. Place the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a food processor fitted with a standard blade. Blend on low for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.

2. Stir in the chocolate mini-chips. Serve with graham crackers, cookies, or fresh fruit.

Notes
If you have some sweet brandy, chocolate liqueur, or Tuaca (a vanilla-and-spice-flavored sweet Italian brandy), add 1 tablespoon for extra flavor.
If you’re looking to make a slightly healthier version, you can sub low-fat cottage cheese for the ricotta, and you can sub Neufchâtel cheese for the cream cheese. It’s still scrumptious!

This also makes a toothsome filling for a layer cake.

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

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.