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WANDERING Around the Asda Christmas showcase in London, it was impossible not to get in the festive spirit – even though it’s still September.
I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to try the supermarket’s festive range before it lands in store – and there were lots of show stoppers I’m sure are going to be very popular this Christmas.
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I got to try this year’s Christmas dinner essentials, indulgent desserts and delicious party food.
Although Christmas is still a few months away, all the major supermarkets reveal their festive treats at this time of year.
Asda’s Christmas food has not yet hit shelves, but it will be appearing in stores gradually over the next few months.
The party food will be available from early December, while joints of meat and other essentials for the big day will be available the week before Christmas.
Walking into the showcase, one of the first things that caught my eye was the Pigs in Duvet Wreath.
The party essential is sure to be popular with adults and children this festive season and comes with 15 pork sausage rolls and a delicious cheese fondue dip.
The sausage rolls were flaky on the outside but the pork inside was soft and not at all grisly.
Meanwhile, the three cheese fondue was rich and indulgent.
The supermarket is also releasing a Festive Fondue Kit which includes breadsticks, chorizo, salami, cheese and onion twists, gherkins and cherry tomatoes and a cheese fondue bake.
I think this would be the perfect item to serve if you have your friends round for festive drinks or a Christmas party.
Asda has not yet said how much the wreath or fondue set will cost, but Richard Harding, senior innovations chef, said the supermarket is focusing on great value products this year.
Many of the items on offer will be less than £10, while most of the party food will be available as part of a three for two deal.
On another nearby table I spot another sausage treat that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
The Asda Footlong Sausage Roll has a beautiful herby and salty outer crumb but is packed full of sausage meat.
I think it would comfortably feed six people, making it the perfect Boxing Day snack after the big day.
Next to it was the Asda Fish, Chip & Mushy Pea Stacks, which would please even the fussiest of eaters.
The tasty morsels are like a mini chip shop dinner and include a mini piece of battered fish, a dollop of mushy peas and one chip.
Every pack will include around ten of the stacks, so all the family can enjoy one.
Another snack inspired by Friday night dinner is the Mini Battered Sausages with Chip Shop Curry Dip.
The mini sausages are covered in a fish-and-chip-style batter and come with the same curry dip you’d get at your local chippy.
Or if you prefer to tuck into a curry on a Friday night then you will enjoy the Exceptional Butter Chicken Mini Naans.
The bites are made from a mini naan bread which is topped with a scoop of butter chicken.
All the party food is perfect for busy parents or people on the go this Christmas, and can be cooked in the air fryer.
The team tells me all the packaging will come with air fryer cooking times, so you don’t have to guess how long they need.
Plus you can chuck all the items in at once as they all need to be cooked at the same temperature – which is perfect if you’ve got family coming round.
Christmas day delights
Meanwhile, when it comes to the big day I’m sure families won’t be disappointed this year.
If you’ve got little ones then I think they’ll enjoy eating their Christmas Dinner out of the Asda Christmas Tree Yorkshire Puddings.
These Yorkshires do exactly what they say on the tin and are big enough to hold a full roast dinner for your child.
As always the supermarket is offering the usual turkey dinner, pies and joints of beef.
But families that prefer gammon will enjoy tucking into the Exceptional Slow Cured Rack of Pork “Chop”, which is topped with truffle butter and a Parmesan crumb.
The joint wasn’t chewy or overly salty and I liked that it can be served in different portion sizes for kids.
Meanwhile, when it came to show-stopping desserts there was one that stood out from all the rest.
As the name suggests, the Exceptional Melt & Reveal Dessert comes with a hidden secret that I’m sure will delight everyone around your Christmas table.
The dessert comes with a hot chocolate sauce, which melts the crunchy outer shell of the chocolate bomb to reveal a mountain of profiteroles inside.
The dessert looks gorgeous on the stand and the edible pearls on top make it both eye-catching and delicious.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
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