Hummus, Potato Gratin and a “Chocolate Cloud”: Askal Chef John Rivera’s Favourite Products at ALDI

Last year was a big one for chef John Rivera. The former Lume head chef opened his highly anticipated Filipino restaurant Askal and bar Inuman on its rooftop, and also expanded his ice-cream business Kariton with several new stores across Melbourne and Sydney.

With so many hours spent in the kitchen at work, Rivera likes to keep home meals as easy as possible for his family. That’s when a quick trip to ALDI comes in handy. “We’re a young family, I’ve got two young kids. Money is tight right now for everyone, and we don’t have a lot of time to cook … When we do, we need it to be quick and easy and simple,” he says.

“That’s what’s great about ALDI – it’s affordable, it’s price-friendly, it’s family-friendly, and you can get some really amazing, tasty stuff to feed your family and take care of your wallet.”

Rivera took us through the aisles and shared his eight favourites from the affordable supermarket: from heat-and-eat family dinners to “naughty” desserts for when the kids are in bed.

Ready, Set...Cook! Boneless Butterflied Marinated RSPCA Approved Chicken

Every month, Rivera gets together for a family catch-up with his parents, cousins and their families for a potluck. For an easy option that doesn’t require too much prep, the group is fond of chucking this chicken – which comes with either a Greek-style or spiced mango marinade – straight on the barbie.

“We’re all kind of in the same boat with young kids so we try to outdo each other with what tasty item we can bring, and lie to each other about how we cook it ourselves,” he says. “But knowing full well like, ‘Hey bro, pretty sure that those chicken wings or barbeque ribs are from ALDI.’”

Seasons Pride Potato Gratin

For the ideal side dish to bring to the potluck, Rivera opts for this French-style gratin thinly sliced potatoes covered in layers of rich cream and cheese.

“Being so time-poor and having toddlers, you can just pop one of these in the oven,” he says. “It’s got cheesy potatoes, it’s creamy, the kids just smash it.” To add some more veggies to the kids’ plate, he suggests serving it with some peas.

Choceur Hazelnut Praline Chocolate

When it comes time for dessert, Rivera admits he can’t resist chocolate. “I can give up any other sweet apart from chocolate,” he says. “Everyone in the restaurant that I work with knows that I’ll go home at night and I’ll smash a choccy after dinner, doesn’t matter what kind of day it is.” This particular slab is filled with a decadent hazelnut praline. “Luckily my kids aren’t allergic to nuts so I can have this in the house.”

Belmont Chocolate Cloud

Continuing his love for chocolate treats, Rivera suggests trying a childhood favourite from New Zealand. “I moved here when I was 12, so 20 years ago, and a lot more Kiwi treats are coming over here now.” The fluffy treat has a biscuit base and marshmallow centre coated in a thin layer of smooth milk chocolate. “That’s another naughty treat I’ll have after dinner, preferably when my son’s asleep,” he jokes.

Boysenberry Crowns

Another childhood dessert Rivera is excited to see stocked at ALDI are these boysenberry ice-cream cones. “It’s a very, very popular flavour in New Zealand, and that just gives me a lot of nostalgia,” he says. “One of my businesses is a gelato store, so I just always need to have ice-cream of some sort in the freezer.”

Blackstone Chips

As for snacks, Rivera’s go-to are chips from Blackstone, his favourite being the Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar. “I love salt and vinegar chips, but sometimes the vinegar is just way, way too harsh,” he says. In contrast, the Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar chips from Blackstone are “are really nice, elegant and soft.” If you’re feeling fancy, you can also try Blackstone’s new Black Edition deli-style flavours, such as parmesan and prosciutto , or truffle and olive oil.

Deli Originals Fresh Hommus

Dips aren’t just for date night though, this classic hummus has proven to be a favourite of Rivera’s kids. It’s been a hit at ALDI too, winning the People’s Pick in both 2022 and 2023.

“Our one-year-old loves all things bread, so we slather a whole bunch of hummus and butter and all that stuff on it, and she loves it,” he says. “It’s also a great way to sneak in more vegetables.”

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with ALDI.