ALDI Chefs Cupboard Instant Gravy Mix Traditional Roast Meat Flavour

Are we really saving with cheaper items? Is this Chefs Cupboard mix meant to be gravy or broth? – My wife has decided to try this brand from Aldi. Like everyone in these times we all need to try cheaper products where possible. This review is about the Chefs' Cupboard Instant Mix Roast Meat Flavoured Gravy 120g. My wife spent hours preparing a beautiful roast for her family. Meal was served and she said "I don't know what is wrong with this gravy but it won't thicken up, even after nearly doubling the ingredients!" I asked her if she used the exact measurements with measuring utensils? She said "No, you know me I have always estimated and it has never been an issue." I told her maybe best trying it with the measuring utensils next time, now you can imagine the look I got from that...... Ooops!!

Well today was the next time she cooked another roast meat meal and she suggested that I make the gravy. Apparently because I am pedantic and precise, anyway she could be right. I made the gravy 3 times as the label is all wrong which says *Place 30g (approximately 2.5 level tbsp.) *Add boiling water to make up 250ml *Stir briskly with a fork for 1 minute until smooth.

1st attempt : Used 30g and kneeled on the floor to see the water level get to 250ml, stirred for 1 minute and still very lumpy so I thought maybe I wasn't stirring briskly enough. 3 minutes later it was as smooth as possible. This turned out to be a gravy colour but the consistency of a broth. So I said to my wife "Maybe I should try it with 2.5 level tablespoons (which is actually 42.6 grams not 30 grams) just incase that is what they meant.

2nd attempt : Used 42.6g and kneeled on the floor to see the water level get to 250ml, stirred for 4 minutes until smooth again. Barely made a difference but was a little bit less transparent.

3rd attempt : Had to open another tin. I used 65g (twice the amount and half of the can) and kneeled on the floor to see the water level get to 250ml, stirred for 4 minutes until smooth again. This has now given the gravy that was worth pouring over my meal. The taste is just as good when you add over twice the ingredients.

Ok, there is a chance like everything on the shelves now that companies are cutting corners but not testing the product and changing the labels. When someone like myself complains like I have here they will say "Well this is a cheaper option, if you want it as thick we will have to put the price up." However there is no need to put the price up at all because: A. if it is more expensive then the well know proven brand then why buy a less known brand, B. We are already paying for a tin and just want what you promise on the label.

Yes the Aldi shelf dollar value with the labelled 16 serves, definitely make it look like you are going to help the budget. As you know buying 100 items a week and you can save at least $1 on each item, that works out to be $5200 per year, so it makes a difference to our household.

Well this has made me think about what else we are meant to be saving money with. If you need twice the ingredients then we are paying twice the price to get what is on the label.