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THE WORLD’S YOUR OYSTER WITH ALDI THIS VALENTINE’S DAY!

• Aldi serves up its most sophisticated food range yet with the launch of Fresh Oysters

• Atlantic Oysters will hit shelves on the 11th February at an astonishing price of just £3.99, the cheapest supermarket oysters available

• Aldi offers some pearls of wisdom from the nation’s favourite foodies on how best to eat them

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Aldi has bolstered its exciting seafood range with the launch of Specially Selected Oysters!

At the phenomenal price of £3.99/360g for a pack of six, which works out at just 66p each, the brand new Specially Selected Oysters are the cheapest supermarket oyster offering on UK shelves – proving you don’t have to sacrifice the best quality for price.

Food for thought: alternative retailers such as Waitrose and Ocado are selling live oysters at £1 each – that’s 35% more expensive than Aldi!

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “The launch of the Specially Selected Oysters is incredibly exciting for Aldi – it is the first time we’ve sold fresh oysters in store. We’re thrilled to give our customers such a premium offering at such amazing prices and know this will resonate with seafood lovers looking to add something very special this Valentine’s Day.

“We’re also proud to be working with a trusted UK supplier in Scotland to ensure the finest quality, whilst continuing to support the best of British”. 

The launch also provides valuable support for British oyster suppliers that have been hit by the restaurant industry closing due to Covid.

The supplier behind Aldi’s new launch, Scottish Shellfish, said: “We’re pleased that Aldi has chosen to work with us and support co-operative, independently-owned farms such as ourselves. Joining forces with Aldi is a brilliant opportunity for all involved, including customers who will be able to experience sustainably sourced oysters at a price that beats any fancy restaurant!”

The legend goes that Oysters are famous for their powers of seduction – but people are still chewing over how to eat them.

With a plethora of urban myths and no seemingly ‘correct’ way to slurp, Aldi asked some of the nation’s favourite foodies how they eat theirs. And here’s what they said!

Food stylist and photographer @catherinefrawley shares three serving suggestions to help the nation this Valentine’s:

1. Lemon & Tabasco, serves 6 (keeping it simple)

Catherine says: “Lemon and Tabasco, simplicity, at its best,. Clean and shuck the oysters and keep it simple with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of tabasco.”

These go wonderfully with a glass of Veuve Monsigny Champage (£12.99) too.

2. Chilli, Red Onion and Lime, serves 6 (Spice it up)

Ingredients:

• ¼ red onion finely chopped
• ¼ green chilli finely chopped (extra slices for garnish)
• 1 tbsp White Wine Vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• Squeeze of lime zest to garnish

Method:

1. Clean and shuck your oysters, place on ice, mix all the ingredients together and spoon a little on each oyster. Garnish with lime zest.

3. Baked Oysters with Buttery Herby Breadcrumbs, serves 6 (for those feeling fancy)

Ingredients:

• Rock Salt
• 2 tbsp of soft butter
• 2 tbsp of breadcrumbs (plus a sprinkle more)
• 1 tsp chopped parsley
• 1 tsp chopped corriander
• Juice of half a lemon
• Black pepper to taste
• Zest of 1 lemon

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C Fan. Cover a baking tray with rock salt to keep the Oysters balanced in the oven.
2. In a saucepan add 1 tbsp of butter and the breadcrumbs, melt and allow the breadcrumbs to brown a little.
3. In a bowl add the other tbsp of butter and herbs and a squeeze of lemon and a twist of pepper. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add a 1/4 tsp of the herb mix and another 1/4 tsp of the butter breadcrumb mix to each Oyster, sprinkle over a little more bread crumb and then bake for 8-10 mins until the butter is bubbling and bread crumbs are browning.
5. Remove from the oven, add the lemon zest and serve immediately.

Not sure what else to serve them with? Amy, the foodie behind lifestyle account @skinnyjeansandbakedbeans serves up hers with Aldi’s Red Onion and Rosemary Sharing Bread on sale now (£2.99/300g) as a scrumptious starter. Amy says: “There really is no reason to miss out when you can pick this up with your weekly food shop and help share some love with your lockdown lover”.

Aldi’s Specially Selected Oysters are on sale from 11th February. RRP £3.99/360g.