What’s something you buy which is cheap/basic that is really good?

[Earbogeys]

Mine is bars of unscented soap from (predictably) Aldi, and also Waitrose own salt and vinegar crisps.

What gems are in your life?

I think talc is only dodgy on your neither regions. Makes its way upwards to your ovaries I think I read. Its fine for feet, under boobs, armpits etc. Does that make it safe for me as I've "lost" my ovaries?

@LoisLane66

I was looking for rice in M&s and ended up buying 'ordinary' long grain rice as I dont know/ can't see the difference between that and Basmati rice. It looks the same. I figured out that the smaller grained rice is for rice pudding but other than that, I've no idea which rice to use for what dishes. Hopefully, some ladies in here will be able to tell me as you're from across the globe.

I much prefer the taste/texture of basmati to long grain. Long grain seems chewier. If you don't mind then just buy whichever one is cheaper.

@LoisLane66. Basmati rice, is white or brown and has a distinctive flavour. Shorter grain rice can be used for savoury cooking but also can be used for rice pudding although usually you would use the proper pudding rice which is best for rice pudding. There is another rice called Aborio rice which is specifically used for making paella as it turns creamy and delicious.
Go into an Indian shop and you will find many varieties, my favourite for cooking basic simple curries is to use a local rice which is red in colour, it tastes nutty and wholesome. A health food shop also has varieties of long grain and short grain, brown and white. I don’t think it matter which you use, just a matter of preference.
And then, I think Japanese rice is another learning curve which I know nothing about, sorry!

Tesco own brand cheese puffs are tasty... I put them in little bowls sometimes if I have friends round and you can get a big bag for around 60p! Also Aldi own brand Belgian truffles are yum and are as good as expensive brands - not sure though if they only stock them at Christmas and Easter but I guess you could stock up if you want!

I bought some (rather nice) goat milk soap , not to replace shower gel , but to give it a try
I keep dropping the bloody bar , I cannot hang onto it for love nor money . It is noisy and if it lands on my feet , it hurts

I know their a mitt things for it to go in, but for me showegel is still my go to .
I'll use the soap up , it is nice

So this is the opposite of what this thread is about but Felipe I had to share it. In Asda the other day I came across an item which really aroused my curiosity, it was in a tetrapak type packaging and not in the milk chiller but with other types of milk, believe it or not it was Camel’s milk. When would this be used, is it good for allergies maybe. It was not cheap, about £3.00 but I just got to thinking of the work and air miles generated by a small drink sized portion of Camel milk. I bought it as I was curious about the taste. Not yet tried it though.

Felt not Felipe

My OH and I met a couple on holiday last year.He worked for a company that supplied both Elemis and Aldi’s own Caviar range of skin care ...you’ve guessed it ...same ingredients !

[quote Ineke]@LoisLane66. Basmati rice, is white or brown and has a distinctive flavour. Shorter grain rice can be used for savoury cooking but also can be used for rice pudding although usually you would use the proper pudding rice which is best for rice pudding. There is another rice called Aborio rice which is specifically used for making paella as it turns creamy and delicious.
Go into an Indian shop and you will find many varieties, my favourite for cooking basic simple curries is to use a local rice which is red in colour, it tastes nutty and wholesome. A health food shop also has varieties of long grain and short grain, brown and white. I don’t think it matter which you use, just a matter of preference.
And then, I think Japanese rice is another learning curve which I know nothing about, sorry![/quote]
Arborio rice is used for risotto, not paella! 😊
Paella rice is usually bomba,
redondo or albufera.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget you’re just out of practice . I find shower gel slips off the fingers too easily and goes straight down the drain.

@MostIneptThatEverStepped
Thanks for that. 💐
I've made a note of it so I can buy the right rice for the recipe. 🙂

When I couldn't find arborio rice for my risotto I bought pudding rice - I thought any short grain rice would do. (Anyway, I can't tell the difference.)

I use arborio rice for rice pudding.

You can use pudding rice for sushi as well

[quote LoisLane66]@MostIneptThatEverStepped
Thanks for that. 💐
I've made a note of it so I can buy the right rice for the recipe. 🙂[/quote]
No worries. A lot of supermarkets will label packs as risotto rice or paella rice anyway, which makes it easier!

@bossybloss

My OH and I met a couple on holiday last year.He worked for a company that supplied both Elemis and Aldi’s own Caviar range of skin care ...you’ve guessed it ...same ingredients !

Well I'm doing a special trip to Aldi to stock up on caviar now!

@Hairyfriend

Oxo peelers. I hate using any other peeler.

@Hairyfriend

I love Oxo products - seems like everything they make is practical & superior.
I bought their one-handled can opener years ago and it’s still perfect. No sharp edges either.

@flashy44 I pass the factory en route to work, it looks open. 🤷‍♀️

The Aldi Caviar face creams are great but just because they're made in the same factory as Elemis with 'the same ingredients' doesn't mean they are identical products. I use the day cream and it's as good as my old Clinique one for a third of the price. Don't bother with their Vit C face serum though as it's very sticky and doesn't sink in.

Aldi cinema popcorn is the best popcorn I've ever tasted, cheap as chips, low calories and a fine sized bag of them. I will cry if they ever discontinue them!

Sainsburys My Skin Matters range. The micellar water is £2 for a big bottle and is fab, I've also got day cream with spf30 which was £4.

What do you use micellar water for? I use it for cleaning buffing up suede. Is it for humans as well?

@RosesAndHellebores

What do you use micellar water for? I use it for cleaning buffing up suede. Is it for humans as well?

Yes it's for removing make-up and cleansing your skin.

Love all the Aldi recommendations, I have a store right opposite where I work so I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow lunchtime!

Aldi biscuits are great. Their chocolate oaties are indistinguishable from Hobnobs, as are their Lotus Biscoff dupes. I prefer their version of Jammy Dodgers, although they are more raspberry jammy rather than strawberry.

I think a lot of these tips might be down to personal preference. I like Sainsbury’s baked beans, but DDs insist on Heinz.

A couple of my favourites are Asda mattifying facial sun cream, which actually doesn’t make my oily skin look shiny and is the only kind I’ll use on my face. It’s one of those I always think I should bulk buy in case it’s discontinued, and about a third of the price of branded ones. Also Creightons Frizz No More Curl Cream is great for defining DD2s unruly ringlets without crispness, which she hates.

I use water for that - with a little soap.