Asda Archives – A Keen Cook

While doing a online shop at ASDA, i came across a 3 for £3 offer while looking for some veg.

I’ve never really bought a ready prepared meal like this, just wok it and done! Anyway wanting to try a meat free meal i took this as a very easy way to try a meal before trying to replicate it from scratch.

This is what i purchased,

ASDA Good & Balanced Wholewheat Noodles
ASDA Grower’s Selection Rainbow Vegetable Stir-Fry
ASDA Grower’s Selection Sizzlin’ Singapore Stir Fry Sauce

All 3 packets suggested 2 servings which made life even easier, and the cooking well, it was as simple as 1, 2, 3!

Heat 5ml oil in a wok and stir fry the veg for 5 mins, put to one side.
Heat 5ml oil in a wok and stir fry the noodles, put to one side.
While the wok was hot, pour in the sauce, remove from the heat and re-add the veg, fry for a further minute then Serve.

Once done this meal contained
Stir-fry

Catalog image taken from Asda Direct

March 28th, a nice sunny day, Nothing completes a sunny day better then a BBQ.

Out in the garden i’m uncovering my oil drum BBQ i got from Argos last year, what a mess it was, the cover that came with it was all ripped and the drum part rusted as if left uncovered. It was only £40 at the time though so one cant complain too much. To view it click here.

Anyway that left me pondering with what BBQ to buy next, with a £200 budget i set out on the internet researching which BBQ to buy and came across a good selection from many retailers.

What i did notice is that Asda, Tesco, The Range, Argos, Amazon, Ebay all sell the “The Big American Grill” but with a slight feature change but higher price, the one from Asda has built in utensil hooks while The Range comes with a small chimney attached. All with a slightly different name, Tennessee, American & Toronto.

Asda being £99 and on display in my local store gave me a chance to check it out rather then hope for the best.

The Big American Grill is made from a thicker metal then other BBQ’s even those from B&Q the grills are enamel coated perfect for easy clean and non stick.

Specs taken from Asda website:

“Capture the essence, practicality and fun of classic American barbecuing with the Big American Grill, designed for up to 10 people. Youll be able to create slow cooked, authentic barbecue food with the lid down and make use of the large 58 x 42cm grill for classic barbecuing. The sturdy design, including a front door for adding more charcoal, gives this grill a truly stylish look.

58 x 42cm cooking grill
Hardwearing, easier clean porcelain enamel cooking grill
Height adjustable charcoal tray
Warming rack
Hinged lid
Height adjustable charcoal tray for temperature adjustment
Access door for loading charcoal without disturbing your cooking
Temperature gauge
Folding side shelf
Base storage shelf
Removable sliding drawer ash catcher
Ideal for up to 10 people I think more like 20 people if your cooking smaller items such as burgers.
Suitable for use with all types of lumpwood, briquette and instant light charcoal”

As i said above the estimate for 10 people seems far under calculated, a 58×42 grilling area is huge. Just think thats 20 burgers at once. Or even 10 burgers 10 sausages and room for corn all at the same time. Never mind reloading and cooking the next batch.

Once i knew that this was the BBQ to go for i went to my local branch, picked it up and got it home and thats where the fun began.

The instructions say 2 hours to assemble with 2 people. Looking at the parts i thought no way will it….. It did! 2 hours from start to finish and that was a struggle, the instructions are not very clear and i think some steps are the wrong way around. If your reading this and are about to buy one. assemble the main body first then attack the legs to the body, then go back to step 1 in the book will save you loads of time.

Once assembled i noticed that one of the grill plates was damaged but a quick call to CS @ Asda and a trip to store with only the damaged part i received a replacement from another box.

The grill certainly looks the part and is very strong feeling once up. The hooks are perfect for hanging tools but the “front door” seems a gimmick, i cant think when you would use it. Unless smoking?
If you have a suggestion for the door please comment below.

Im due to use it properly for the first time soon and will follow up with another review then.

A bargain at £99!