Aldi's Version of Ben & Jerry's, but for half the price! - Swirlin' Strawberry ($1.99)

Swirlin' Strawberry -  Aldi $1.99

For someone who doesn't like cheesecake, I'm sure eating a lot of it. 

Swirling' Strawberry seems to be an Aldi-fied version of Ben & Jerry's (surprisingly un-funly-named) "Strawberry Cheesecake." This was released, along with Peanut Butter Cup, and I'm not entirely sure what do make of these, are they just seasonal offerings? or new permanent additions?

As we saw earlier this week, I wasn't a fan of the new "Peanut Butter Cup," and to be honest, I'm not too thrilled about the idea behind this one either. Originally I was really scared that these two new flavors would phase out one, or all, of the previous flavors which I absolutely love, but now these flavors seem to be disappearing without being restocked. So I guess these were seasonal switch ups? 

That's the problem with Aldi, you never know what's coming, going, and if something will never see the light of day again. (I lovingly refer to products like these as "Aldi Unicorn items." They're rare, and elusive, and you aren't sure if you'll ever see them again or if they even existed in the first place.)

Seasonal offering or not, I couldn't resist trying both of the new ice creams, I mean they're only $1.99 a pint! So, frugal curiosity wins again! Will this flavor balance out the disappointment of the previous pint?

More Aldi Knock-Off Ben & Jerry's flavors? - My Peanut Butter Half

My Peanut Butter Half -  Aldi $1.99

It's peanut butter ice cream time! 

Aldi's line of premium ice cream pints has two new flavors! They've added Swirling Strawberry (strawberry cheesecake), and this new peanut butter one. Just like the three original Aldi offerings: Make Fudge Not War, Brookie Dough, and Thank You Cherry Much, these new flavors are dupes for popular Ben & Jerry's flavors (Peanut Butter Cup & Strawberry Cheesecake) only these cost half as much. 

I'm happy to see this line expanding, but I personally wasn't excited by these two new flavors. They aren't as globally appealing as the other three, but for two bucks? I'll check 'em out anyway!

Maryland and Boardwalk Style Crab Cakes - Aldi $4.99 each

Maryland and Boardwalk Style Crab Cakes - Aldi $4.99 each

I never knew Boardwalk style crab cakes were a thing. For 29 years I have gone down to the Jersey shore and walked the boardwalk, and not once have I ever seen an ad for crab cakes. Live crabs? Sure! But boardwalk style crab cakes? Never. (Then again, Wildwood is a special, pizza-filled, Doo-Wop snowflake.) I mean, I knew Maryland style was a thing, so it makes sense that there are other varieties, but not once have I ever heard of board walk style crab cakes. Am I alone in my noob-ish-ness? (I get the feeling that I am.) Welp, time to get educated!

FYI: I think I just set a new record for most amount of musical reference links used in a single paragraph on this blog. Click them and enjoy some tunes!

Aldi's Version of Ben & Jerry's? - Possible Cherry Garcia Dupe

Thank You Cherry Much Ice Cream Pint - Aldi $1.99

A while ago, Aldi started offering three permanent flavors of "Super Premium Ice Cream" and it's pretty obvious that this is their attempt at a house-brand Ben and Jerry's. Just look at it!

Chocolate Filled Belgian Waffles - Aldi

Chocolate Filled Belgian Waffles - Aldi

Torn between breakfast and dessert? Why not both?

Even though I visit Aldi twice a week and thumb through their circulars like a budget-obsessed-food-junkie (which I am), I still find new and unknown products every grocery trip! Like these filled waffles.

I spotted these in the freezer section, and they came in two flavors: chocolate and cherry. I was most excited for the cherry, since I'm a fruit-topped-waffle fan, but if any of you are Aldi shoppers like me, you know that if you don't buy something when you first see it, you're going to miss out. (One of the few issues I have with Aldi is their limited specialty stock.) So, rather than have lingering foodie regret, I grabbed a box of each.

First up, we have the (possibly) fudge-filled chocolate version!

Blueberry Lemon and Strawberry Shortcake Toll House Cookies

Toll House Limited Edition Cookies - Walmart $2.50 (each)

I don't buy grocery store cookies very often, because I'm a cookie snob.

As you can tell by this blog...I eat a lot of pre-made junk food, but I also like cooking and baking. If you follow me on Instagram, you see a lot of the stuff that I cook in my kitchen that isn't quite blog-worthy, but I take a lot of pride in making my baked goods from scratch in my own kitchen. So when it comes to things like pre-made cookies you just break apart and bake, I critique things really harshly because nothing tastes as good as real cookies baked from scratch at home, but, there are some exceptions...

Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit & Veggie Bars - Aldi

Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit & Veggie Bars - Aldi

Thursday was Bastille Day, and I originally wrote up a macaron review to celebrate, but after the tragedy that occurred in France I thought it was in poor taste to post it. I didn't want to be like, "Oh hey, look at my blog 'cause it's Bastille Day" considering how many people lost their lives, so I canceled the scheduled posting and it'll go live another day. My updating schedule was thrown off due to the sudden schedule change, but today it's back on track with some organic fruit bars!

Aldi released these fruit and veggie bars last summer, and even though I bought them, they never made it to the blog. Thankfully they returned this year!

Appetitos Green Bean Fries - Aldi

Appetitos Green Bean Fries - Aldi

BOO! I'm the ghost from Meatless Mondays past! 

Well that was a weird opening. Blame it on my not getting much sleep. I'm writing all these reviews tonight (Friday) and scheduling them to post while I'm at the Summer Fancy Food Show in NY, so hello from the other side the past! I'm sleepy. Let's eat some fried green beans!  

Appetitos Avocado Fries - Aldi

Appetitos Avocado Fries - Aldi

Avocado slices. Covered in breading and served with ranch dipping sauce. You're not fooling anyone Appetitos. Just because it's avocado doesn't mean this is healthier than breaded anything else...but I am curious as to how this will work out.

Taking vegetables and turning them into "fries" isn't a new concept, companies and restaurant chains have been doing this with green beans for years, but avocado slices? They're so soft and creamy. Can they even hold their shape for dipping? Time to investigate!

Fusia Frozen California Rolls - Aldi

Fusia Frozen California Rolls - Aldi

I was both intrigued and slightly horrified by this product when I saw it in Aldi's circular last week. A few people tried to talk me out of it after I posted it on Instagram, but I decided to go ahead and do it anyway. ('Cause I'm such a rebel.) That's right, I'm about to review frozen sushi from a low-budget grocery store. Fingers crossed that this goes well and I don't get food poisoning!