This week's Lidl find. Fennel Salami & whole Camembert

SUPPER PLATTER OF BAKED CAMEMBERT, FENNEL SALAMI, ARTICHOKES and FRESH BAKED BAGUETTES (serve with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc, Angus and Julia Stone album, Candle [a night-light in a jam jar will be fine] and Napkins.) 

LIDL FINDS OF THE WEEK: FENNEL SALAMI £1.99 

                                                    BOXED CAMEMBERT £0.89

                                                    PART BAKED BAGUETTES £0.39

                                                    ARTICHOKES IN OLIVE OIL £1.59

                                                                               TOTAL £4.86 saving 49% on Waitrose

One of mine and the hubby's favourite suppers is a gooey, unctuous baked Camembert and a selection of cold delicatessen meats. All served on a wooden board with several freshly baked baguettes and a bottle of white Sauvignon; it's a holiday on a plate.

WAITROSE £3.84 120g

LIDL £1.99 120g

I've told many people about the joys of this kind of supper and it's the kind of food that Lidl excel at. Their cold continental meat selection is not only brilliant value but it is excellent quality too. The hubby's favourite is Fennel Salami which they stock. It's hard to get hold of in other main-stream supermarkets. The only stockist of the Big 4 I could find were Waitrose. 

As well as a supper dish, this would make a great sharing platter for informal entertaining. Pile the bread baskets high, triple the Camemberts and add a packet of their Serrano or Mortedella meats (also at £1.99 per 120g pack). Char grill some courgettes, Red Peppers and Aubergines and you have a decadent informal supper for six for under £12.00.

TIP: Do not be tempted by the low fat Camembert as it doesn't cook down like the full fat. 

PREPARATION & COOKING. (start to table 20mins or about 4 Adele songs)

You will also need 2 x garlic cloves and some sprigs of Rosemary. 

STEP ONE: Soak the lid of the Camembert box. Remove the wax paper packet of cheese from box, turn over and open up the bottom but not removing the paper. Stud the cheese with Rosemary sprigs and fresh sliced garlic. Pour on a drizzle of olive oil and spank with Thyme. Leave the Thyme on top so that it infuses. Place paper wrapped cheese back in the box with the open side upwards.  Tuck the paper back over the cheese and replace the lid. Place on a baking tray and put into a pre-heated oven for about 20-30 mins until it wobbles delightfully under your finger. 

STEP TWO: Chuck the part-baked baguettes in the oven. Arrange meats on a wooden board, leaving a designated spot for the Camembert. Drain the artichokes and place in a pile on the board.  Transfer butter into a small serving pot and place on board. 

Remove Cheese and baguettes and place on candle lit table. (Forget individual plates and cutlery - sharing off the same platter is good. Napkins are an essential for the messy fingers and cheesy chins)

PRICE COMPARISON: PRICES ARE BASED ON THE CHEAPEST ONE AVAILABLE IN STORE 

Firstly Lidl part baked baguettes £0.39p for a pack of 2. (Tesco 54p, Asda 78p, Sainsburys {Basics} £0.45p  Waitrose 99p)

Whole boxed camembert was £0.89 (Tesco £1.50,  Asda £1.50,  Sainsburys {basics} £1.49, Waitrose EDV £1.79)

Fennel Salami 120g £1.99 (Teso N/A, Asda N/A, Sainsburys N/A, Waitrose £3.84)

Bottled Artichokes (Tesco £1.99, Asda £2.98, Sainsburys £1.99, Waitrose £3.29)

TOTAL COST: (with equivalent 120g Italian Salami added)

TESCO:  £6.53

SAINSBURYS £6.71

ASDA:  £7.46

WAITROSE: £9.91

(with standard Italian Salami120g)

LIDL £4.86  saving £5.58 Waitrose,  saving £2.60 Asda, saving £1.85, saving £1.67 Tesco