Thursday, 26 December 2024

Degustabox Advent Calendar 2024 review

This year we received a Degustabox advent calendar to review and the first thing to say is, it's massive. It costs £44.95 but you really get the sense that it's worth it when you feel the weight of it. Now that we've counted down the days to Christmas, I can show you want was hiding behind the doors. There are some lovely discoveries and the whole family enjoyed sifting through the different products. Here's what we found hiding behind the doors.


Teapigs Spiced Winter and Everyday Brew - Perfect for starting the day off in style or having a warming cuppa during the day. The Spiced Winter Red Tea is everything festive in liquid form. Cinnamon, cloves and orange peel with a caffeine-free rooibos base, it can be enjoyed with or without milk. English breakfast tea is a top-quality version of "regular tea", just the way most tea-drinkers love it.

Vidas Drinks - Discover a new range of drinks that offer the perfect combination of healthy choices and great flavours. Made with 100% natural ingredients, no added sugar (all sugar comes from apple or grape juice) or nasty additives and under 60 calories per can. They're refreshing with lovely natural flavours.


 

Sweet Freedom Choc Pot Caramel - A smooth and creamy chocolate spread that contains no palm oil and provides 15 calories per teaspoon, which is better than the bigger brands. It's sweet (all natural sweetness from fruit, namely apple and carob) and delicious, simply smeared on a slice of toast (or a rice cake, if you want to be extra healthy) or used as icing for your favourite cupcakes.

Rock Stone Confection - A funky twist on the traditional seaside sticks of rock, these sweets celebrate different cultures and diversity from around the world with exciting, bold flavours. The first offering represents the Caribbean and includes Pineapple/Coconut, Caribbean Crush and Pink lemonade. If I were their marketing manager, I'd say they are rock-ing all over the world !

 

Cheez-It Cheese & Chilli - Thin, crispy snacks baked with 100% real cheese with no artificial colours or flavours. They are deliciously crunchy with a kick of chilli heat. Very tasty and everyone loved them.

Pringles Hot Kickin' Sour Cream - I love the taste and crunch of regular Pringles but I was worried these would be too spicy for my tastes. They do have a gentle level of heat in the background but the one chilli spice rating was perfectly acceptable. I love the robust sour cream flavour. Perfect with or without a dipping sauce.

 

Leon Tomato Ketchup - Leon set out to make fast food good food, perfecting the combination of great taste and healthy ingredients. This ketchup is a perfect example, with sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers and a little clove taking the tomato base to another level. A very satisfying, natural flavour. Just add chips for a tasty snack !

Filippo Berio Classic Glaze - I will be honest, I wasn't at all sure what to do with this product and, having read the description, I'm still undecided. It's a rich, thick syrup with a subtle, tangy flavour that is perfect with grilled meats. So far, so good. However, it can also be used in sandwiches, on pizza, even on fruit and ice cream. I haven't been brave enough to try those ideas yet so let me know if you have ! 


Lavazza Cappuccino - This Cappuccino is an iced ready-to-drink coffee. It is a blend of 100% Arabica with semi-skimmed milk and cocoa. It has a velvety, creamy texture and a satisfying balance of chocolate and coffee notes. Perfect for coffee lovers who want to try something a bit different.

 

Horlicks Chocolate - The signature malty taste of Horlicks is enriched with a hit of chocolate to create a rich and comforting drink, perfect for when you're cold or feeling under the weather over the winter months. It is enriched with 14 vitamins and minerals and its creamy texture makes it feel like a hug in a mug.

St Dalfour Apricot Fruit Spread - Made in Bordeaux, France, from 100% fruit, the fruit spread has no added sugar, using the sweetness from grape juice and other fruit juices to impart a rich, tangy flavour. It is a well-deserved winner of a 2-star 2024 Great Taste Award. Delicious in a sandwich, on toast, in a sponge cake or why not go French and slather it in a croissant ?

 

Billingtons Dark Brown Soft Sugar - I love the treacle-like aroma that wafts out of the bag when you open it up. This unrefined sugar is carefully produced to lock in the natural molasses of the sugar cane. Its rich, deep flavour is perfect in cakes and bakes, taking them to another level.

Ryvita Rosemary & Sea Salt Thins - These delicate, light, crunchy strips are perfect for dunking into your favourite dips or topping with cheese spreads or moist combinations like tuna & mayo. The snappy texture adds a delicious twist to fridge grazing and snack time.

 

Simply Cook Masala Lamb Chops - Simply Cook kits contain 3 pots of ingredients needed to cook 140+ chef-created recipes in 30 minutes or less. In this kit, you get Masala Paste, a Spice Blend and Mint Chutney, which combine with the meat, potatoes and vegetables on the recipe list to create a tasty, satisfying meal. Great for when you're running out of imagination for trying some new meal options.

Hilltop Blossom Honey - Hilltop promise that their rigorous testing standards guarantee that their jars contain honey that is as pure and authentic as that taken straight from the hive. The rich amber colour and delicious, sweet taste won a Great Taste award. Delicious on toast or drizzled over pancakes.


Knorr Chicken Gravy Pots - I love these gravy pots and invariably end up lobbing one into a casserole or adding to the meat juices from a roasting tin or the slow cooker then topping up with water to create a rich, delicious gravy. I've just noticed though that you're supposed to add one to a saucepan of warm water then bring to the boil. Maybe I should try that next time and see how it works out ! They are made with slowly simmered meat juices and make great tasting gravy without all the fuss.

 

Garner's Sweet Pickled Baby Onions - I'm so used to eating the small silverskin pickled onions from the supermarket that I had forgotten just how flavoursome the bigger, traditional pickled onions could be. These baby onions are pickled in a unique balance of malty vinegar, delicate spices and tangy sweetness. They are sharp but sweet and work great on the side of the plate with fish and chips, charcuterie boards, salads or even chopped up in a sandwich with cheese. They are the winners of a Great Taste award.

Clara's Wafer Rolls - These wafer rolls are a delight, either on their own or with ice cream. Their crunchy, crispy wafer shell and the sweet, creamy filling tucked away inside combine to create the ultimate sweet treat to nibble on, whatever your age.


Ballymaloe Relish - Ballymaloe Relish was created by Myrtle Allen, Ireland's first female Michelin-starred chef, over thirty years ago and her daughter Yasmin now produces the relish for markets worldwide. A mixture of tomatoes, sultanas and a carefully picked blend of spices, it can be used in sandwiches, burgers or cheese dishes, as well as added to a variety of home-cooked meals. Add a spoonful and see how it works out ! I've read that it works well in curries. It's guaranteed Irish, gluten free, fat free, vegan-friendly, made with natural ingredients and is a winner of a Great Taste 2023 award.

Truly Nuts Brazil Nuts - Whether covered in milk or dark chocolate, chocolate-covered brazil nuts are one of my traditional Christmas flavours. These Truly Nuts Sweet Talk Milk Chocolate and Deep Thought Dark Chocolate snack packs are perfect for nibbling on in front of a festive movie.

 

Rubis Chocolate Wine - It took me a while to get used to the idea of adding chocolate to chilli so you can imagine my reaction when I discovered Rubis Chocolate Wine, an infusion of Spanish Tempranillo grapes and precious essence of cacao, brought together to create an extraordinary taste sensation. The company claim it is "the perfect antidote to the ordinary everyday", "an unforgettable taste sensation - extraordinary in every way". Rubis Chocolate Wine is described as a luxury to sip and savour, when you need a moment to inspire your soul. I'm still awaiting the perfect moment to sample this but I am totally intrigued !

Explore Cuisine Organic Green Lentil Penne - Easily prepared in just 7-9 minutes, this simple pasta, made with clean, nutritious, organic and gluten free ingredients, is great as a store cupboard staple and could be perfect for using up some of the leftover Christmas turkey. Each 100g serving packs in 21g of protein and 6g of fibre so it's a simple way of adding plant protein to your diet.

 

Joyfull Fruit & Nut Crunchy Muesli - A tasty mix of roasted crunchy millets, oats, corn and wheat flakes with plenty of juicy cranberries, raisins, papaya and almonds to create a different fruity combination in every spoonful. A great way to start off the day.  

Cypressa Rose Harissa Paste - Combine the spicy smokiness of chilli with the floral undertones of rose water and you'll get an idea of the flavour of this rose harissa paste. You can stir a spoonful into chicken dishes, pasta sauces and soups to add an extra depth of flavour. Spice up your life !

The Degustabox Advent Calendar contains 24 full-sized products, perfect for sharing with your loved ones over the festive period. The products have a value of £55 but you can grab yourselves an advent calendar for £44.99. It's an enjoyable way of counting down the days to Christmas for the whole family to share but it would also make an original gift idea.


Disclosure : We received the product in order to share our honest review.

Sunday, 15 December 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 51


Into the last week at work before the Christmas holidays. We get our special Christmas lunch at the school canteen this week which will hopefully be good. I need to wind down everything in the fridge before we head off to catch up with the family for Christmas. I'll be hitting the freezer for the last couple of days instead of going shopping. Here's what's on the menu plan this week.

Monday

lunch- something in town with Sophie

dinner - pork chops with creamy leeks and pasta

Tuesday

lunch- leftover roast chicken and rice stir fry

dinner- roast beef (from a too good to go bag) with roast potatoes, carrots and onions

Wednesday

lunch- leftover roast beef with baked potatoes

dinner- turkey casserole with mash and carrots

Thursday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner-  leftovers

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - beefburgers with chips and baked beans

Saturday

lunch- leftovers and fridge diving

dinner- Deliveroo


***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 8 December 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 50


Menu plans are very hit and miss lately as we've been enjoying lots of fabulous too good to go boxes from a local supermarket that provide various unexpected meals, especially at the end of the week. This week, we got loads of fresh beefburgers - proper ones like you get at the butcher's - so they've been stashed in the freezer, plus a giant box of taboulé (couscous with mint, peppers and olive oil) that we've been working our way through. Yesterday we headed off to Lille to see Juliette's new flat, give her boyfriend his birthday present and check out the Christmas market, where we had a delicious melted raclette cheese, smoked ham and potato baguette. Sounds weird but it was actually lovely. This week, I'll make a menu plan but Sophie will take over on cooking duties as I'll be going to after-school meetings all week. It will be a week of freezer diving and probably more too good to go bags, if I know Sophie !

Monday

lunch- school lunch or possibly something in town with Sophie

dinner - creamy pork with rice and salad

Tuesday

lunch- pasta carbonara

dinner- steak (from the freezer) with carrots and mash

Wednesday

lunch- just me and Sophie so we'll have a fridge fry-up, using up whatever we find and focusing on the veg box in the fridge - it always comes out delicious so it's a new tradition

dinner- beefburgers  (from the freezer)and pasta with salad

Thursday

lunch- school lunch or possibly something in town with Sophie

dinner-  blanquette de veau (veal stew in the slow cooker - from the freezer - with carrots, onions, mushrooms) and baked potatoes

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - spaghetti bolognese

Saturday

lunch- beefburgers (from the freezer) with rice and carrots 

dinner- takeaway or deliveroo 

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - leftovers

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 1 December 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 49


I had a bit of a shock when I started writing this blog post. Week 49? How can that be possible ?! Only a few short weeks until the end of the year ?! It's the busiest time of the year (or at least each term) at school as we're busy filling in the pupils' reports and going to a conseil de classe class-meeting for each separate class. Luckily Sophie is home to help out with keeping everyone fed when I get in late and tired. We're still enjoying lots of too good to go bags from a local supermarket that offer interesting meal options for the end of the week. Last week we got a chicken kebab - slices of fresh chicken marinated in spices, with a cherry tomato, a slice of courgette and some onions on top, stuck on a stick with a square of wood on the bottom so you could stand it up to cook it. I couldn't work out how to cook it without the wood burning though so I stripped everything off, chopped it into chunks and cooked it in a frying pan. It was delicious ! Lots of other nibbly bits (cheese wrapped in smoked ham, olives, a steak and cheese sandwich, pear tarts ...) plus bits for main meals (curry-marinated chicken, gyros-marinated chicken, crab sandwich-filling, ...). Great for reducing landfill and improving tummy-fill so no complaints from me ! Here's what is on the cards for next week.

Monday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - chilli con carrne and rice (which didn't get made last week)

Tuesday

lunch- beefburgers with pasta

dinner- vegetable stuffing (from too good to go - basically sausage meat with spices) with rice and veggies

Wednesday

lunch- curry-marinated chicken (another too good to go offering) with rice and veg

dinner- steak (from the freezer) with gratin dauphinois (creamy baked potatoes) and salad

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner-  pork curry with rice

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - pasta carbonara (using up a thick slice of pork belly from, you guessed it, too good to go)

Saturday

lunch- kids' choice - we need to check out a new hamburger restaurant (like a French version of McDonald's) opening just down the road from our house

dinner- probably another too good to go box to pick through by now

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Saturday, 30 November 2024

Degustabox November 2024 review

 

Temperatures have decreased dramatically in recent weeks so, when the postie dropped off this month's Degustabox, I was hoping for ingredients for winter warmers and cheeky snacks for nibbling under the duvet in front of the telly. Would my wishes come true? Let's have a look at the contents below and find out !


Mission Wholemeal Wraps (RRP £1.59) are perfect for rustling up a quick snack (our favourite filling is banana and Nutella) or for adapting into a tasty lunch (filled with ham or chicken, mayonnaise and salad) or dinner (anyone for fajitas?!) These wholemeal wraps have a stronger, nuttier flavour than our usual white wraps that we all enjoyed and they have a higher fibre content. They would be perfect for using up the leftover turkey after Christmas. Available in Morrisons.


Monty Bojangles Pretzel Parade (RRP £3.95) are a new chocolatey sweet treat that was a unanimous hit here at The Madhouse. The unique combination of cocoa dusted truffles, white chocolate chips and pretzel flavour offers an original and unexpectedly delicious flavour. They would be perfect as a Secret Santa gift. Available in Ocado.

  

Moo Free Jingle Chums (RRP 80p) would be a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who is dairy intolerant. They are dairy-free and vegan friendly but they are perfectly acceptable even if you have no dietary issues. They taste great and we loved the cute festive character hiding under the wrapper. Altogether now, "we wish you a Moo Free Christmas" ! Available at Tesco, Asda and online at moofreechocolates.com.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic (RRP £1.85) is a perfectly festive drink to enjoy on its own, blended with orange juice on Christmas morning or jazzed up in one of the many cocktails over on the Ocean Spray website. It has a sharp, crisp taste that wakes you up and refreshes your palate. Don't save the cranberries for the sauce on the side of your Christmas dinner plate, get some in drink form too ! Available in all major supermarkets.

Eisberg Selection Pinot Noir 0.0% (RRP £8 - other subscribers got Eisberg Pinot Grigio 0.0%) is a soft and smooth alcohol-free wine with notes of redcurrant and sweet spice. It can be paired with roast pork and vegetable pasta dishes, but it is a perfect match with the Christmas turkey too. Ideal for pregnant or breastfeeding mums or anyone else who wants to avoid drinking, it comes in at just 18 calories per glass. Available at Morrisons, Club Soda and Amazon.


Knorr Hairy Bikers' Herby Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are another handy product from the range that we've been enjoying in recent Degustaboxes. These Herby stock pots are a quick and simple way of adding tons of flavour, whether you're cooking a meaty, vegan or veggie meal. Whether making risotto, pasta, soup, stew or casseroles, just pop a stock pot into the dish and add water if necessary to add a rich depth of flavour. Perfect for knocking up a quick dinner with the festive leftovers. It is lovely to see the dearly departed Hairy Biker Dave Myers on the packaging too. Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Asda.

 

Double Dutch Ginger Ale (RRP £1) is described by the producers as "liquid velvet with a kick". Natural ginger is mixed with a touch of cardamom to offer aromatic notes that round out the flavour with a silky depth. It can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with aged spirits like whisky or dark rum. It has an earthy, full-bodied flavour that will give you a nice kick. Available at Ocado, Amazon and on the Double Dutch Drinks website.

Blanco Niño Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips (RRP £2.95 - other subscribers got Chilli & Lime or Smoky Chipotle) are traditionally made tortilla chips using an ancient method called nixtamalisation. They have a lovely flavour and are gluten-free, vegan friendly and free from artificial ingredients. They use slow-cooked, whole, regeneratively-farmed, non-GMO corn and taste reassuringly fresh and natural. Available at Sainsbury's, Co-op, Ocado and Wholefoods.


Brain Blasterz Sour Wormz (RRP £1.29 - other Degustaboxers received Sour Boltz) offer the original dual flavourz - sorry, flavours ! - of blue raspberry-lemon-cherry cola and apple-strawberry. The vegan gummies have a pleasant chewy texture but I have to admit, I found them a bit too sour for my tastes. They are rated a level 3 out of 5 on the Sour Scale so I must be a wimp though ! Needless to say, the Madhouse kids loved them. 

 

Revolution Waves Raspberry (RRP £1) is a pleasant-tasting, fruity-flavoured, spring water drink that is free from artificial additives. It has an extra bonus - the range has added vitamins and minerals, so the raspberry variety includes vitamin D for boosting your immunity. Most importantly, it tastes great and is very refreshing. Available at Heron Foods and Wholesalers.

Ambrosia Plant Based Custard (RRP £1.95) is a great store cupboard staple, especially over the Christmas period. It is delicious served over Christmas pudding but my personal favourite pairing is with apple pie. It is Ambrosia's first ever plant based custard, made with natural flavours with added calcium and no preservatives or artificial colours. I personally couldn't taste the difference and we all gobbled it up. Available in Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 


for more information :

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.

Sunday, 24 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 48


This week, I'll be working my way through all the end-of-term school reports then the week after it will be after-school class meetings to discuss the pupils' progress and problems, class by class. That is the sign that the holidays are on their way - bring them on, I say ! We've been gaily buying Christmas presents every time we see them in the shops or on Black Friday deals online and we're getting there, slowly but surely. I can't tell you what I've bought but there are some crackers in there that should hopefully appeal to their recipients. We will be putting the Christmas decorations up this afternoon if all goes to plan. We've been grabbing lots of Too Good To Go bags lately, with everything from muffins to family-sized trays of lasagne, which have been going down well. I have a fridge full of salad and random pieces of meat now ! Here's this week's plan for food.

Monday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - roasted cod with garlic and herbs (from a Too Good To Go bag) with rice and salad (Pierre can have a chicken burger or leftovers)

Tuesday

lunch- leftover fish for me/another chicken burger for Pierre with baked potatoes and grated carrots

dinner- Mongolian beef with rice

Wednesday

lunch- I'm home alone so I will knock something up with whatever is lingering in the fridge (there is some choucroute (sauerkraut) from Too Good To Go which could be good actually)

dinner- sausages, mash and beans

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner-  chilli con carne and rice

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - chicken burgers with pasta

Saturday

lunch-  creamy pork and mushrooms with baked potatoes

dinner- pizza

Sunday

lunch- roast chicken, roast potatoes, veg, gravy

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 17 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 47


After last week's hectic schedule, I'm happy to have a quieter week this week. I still have Pierre's parent-teacher evening on Monday and a trip to the bank on Tuesday but that's it. I think we might get the Christmas tree set up next weekend. I know it's early but we'll be visiting family over Christmas so it won't get appreciated otherwise. We did several Too Good To Go bags last week so the fridge is packed with random things to use up. Here's the plan for the coming week.

Monday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - Nadiya's smoky meatball stew with couscous

Tuesday

lunch- leftover meatball stew

dinner- fish, rice and carrots

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- Pork, leek and rice stir-fry (minus the kale !)

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner-  chicken gyros with rice

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner sausage stew with mash

Saturday

lunch-  pasta carbonara

dinner- something created from too good to go (seems to be the new norm)

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - soup

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 10 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 46


Menu-planning at the Madhouse has got confusing lately. During the week, it's just me and Pierre. At the weekend, but often from Thursday night onwards, Sophie comes home for the weekend. On Friday, Juliette comes home for the weekend, accompanied by her boyfriend, but he works so only eats at home for about half of the meals. Shopping has become a logistical nightmare as I never know how many people I am buying for ! Menu plans still come in useful as a rough guide but we tend to veer off plan more frequently when someone requests something specific or we don't have enough ingredients for the number of people present. As an added complication, this week we have a bank holiday on Monday and parent-teacher evenings on Tuesday and Thursday. Here's what's on this week's menu plan.

Monday

lunch-  smoky bbq pork with pasta and sweetcorn

dinner - meatloaf with mash and carrots

Tuesday

lunch- breaded fish with rice and veg

dinner- fresh pasta (ravioli filled with ham)

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- gnocchi with creamy chicken

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- chicken cordon bleu with rice and ratatouille

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - chicken burgers with pasta

Saturday

lunch-  chicken fajitas

dinner- pasta carbonara

Sunday

lunch- spaghetti bolognese

dinner - bacon sandwiches

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Sunday, 3 November 2024

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 45


We had a lovely autumn half term and now we're getting ready to go back to school. Having put the clocks back, it's going to be pitch black when my alarm goes off at 6.15 tomorrow morning, which I'm not looking forward to. Only a month and a half until the Christmas holidays though so I can't complain. During these holidays, we had a lovely trip back to see the family then came back in time for Pierre to celebrate Halloween with his friends. He dressed up as a blood-soaked zombie and they came home with loads of sweets so he was very happy. I've already started Christmas shopping but I'm not feeling at all festive yet though. I'm sure it won't be long until they turn on all the Christmas lights in the streets and that always brings on the festive cheer. Here's what's on this week's menu plan.

Monday

lunch- school lunch 

dinner - chilli con carne and rice

Tuesday

lunch- chicken cordon bleus, baked potatoes and beans

dinner- bacon and tomato pasta

Wednesday

lunch- fridge-diving for me - time to use up the leftovers

dinner- chicken burgers and chips

Thursday

lunch- school lunch

dinner- the remaining chicken burgers with spicy couscous

Friday

lunch- school lunch

dinner - pork curry with rice

Saturday

lunch-  Deliveroo or McDonald's (kids' choice)

dinner- chicken pita with salad

Sunday

lunch- sweet & sour chicken and rice

dinner - bacon sandwiches

***Click on my Menu Plans tag to see all my other weekly menu plan blogposts.***

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Degustabox October 2024 review


This week the postie dropped off this month's Degustabox. Temperatures have been dropping lately so I was hoping for some winter warmers and decadent sweet treats to eat while tucked up under a blanket on the settee. Did it deliver? Read on and find out !
 

Nestlé Carnation Condensed Milk (RRP £2.39) is made with just two ingredients : fresh whole milk and natural sugar. It can be used in a whole host of sweet recipes, including fudge, cupcakes, cheesecake bites, Millionaire's Shortbread, truffles, chocolate chip cookies (check out the Carnation website for more ideas), or you could follow my mum's example and just dollop a spoonful in a cup of tea ! It makes the most decadent sweet treats that you could wish for. Available in all major supermarket chains.

Chewits Fruity Jewels (RRP £1.30) are a new type of sweets from the popular chewy sweets manufacturer that we love. They are supposed to be low in sugar and high in taste but 4 sweets provides 77 calories, with 100g providing 306 calories, so you might want to watch how many you eat. They do taste lovely though and we love the fruity flavours. Available at Tesco, Morrisons, The Range and Aldi.


Knorr White Wine Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are a great hack for adding a deep, rich flavour to your meals if you don't have a bottle of wine in your kitchen cupboard. Each pot is enriched with half a glass of full-bodied white wine, so they are perfect for perking up risottos, creamy chicken casseroles and stews. They're very handy to have in the cupboard if you don't regularly buy wine. Available in major supermarkets.


Márdel Alfajor de Dulce de Leche (RRP 2 x £1.50) are a sweet treat that are an iconic product of Argentina, now available worldwide. They are made of two soft cookies filled with Márdel dulce de leche (milk caramel) and covered with either a white or dark chocolate coating. They are very tasty and the kids loved the fact that these are described as a breakfast option, as well as a snack or a dessert. Available in international Latin shops.

 

Barilla Pesto Genovese (RRP £3.35) is this month's Product of the Month. It is made with 100% Italian fresh basil leaves from sustainable agriculture and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO. To best preserve the aroma, colour and original taste, all the ingredients are mixed cold and put in the jar in less than three hours. All you need to do is dollop some on freshly cooked pasta and stir it through for a tasty, creamy dinner that is as quick as it is simple to prepare. It's more expensive than supermarket own brands but the difference is in the flavour and the richness of the sauce. Available on Ocado, Amazon, Co-op and Morrisons (selected stores).

Brioche Pasquier Pancakes (RRP £2.20) are great as an indulgent snack, breakfast, brunch or lunch option. They can be eaten cold but we love them gently heated in the microwave. They can be topped with jam, cream, chocolate spread, marshmallow fluff or maple syrup and fresh fruit, if you fancy going American. They are wrapped up in packets of two which makes them ideal as a snack on the go or breakfast on the way to school when you are running late ! Available at Morrisons and Co-op.

 

Proper Corn Smoky & Sweet Paprika Popcorn (RRP £1.90) is one of a new range of savoury Propercorn flavours (other Degustaboxers got Tangy Chilli or Cracked Black Pepper flavours). The bold flavour comes from natural seasoning and we found it very satisfying. The butterfly popcorn is naturally high in fibre and, as a wholegrain, a source of magnesium and zinc. That all makes it a pretty healthy snack option. Available at Waitrose, Ocado and Sainsbury's.

Three Robins Little Smoothie (RRP £1.89) are a new range of smoothies, made with oat milk, real fruit and hidden veg in a handy resealable pouch. They are low in sugar and fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, so they are perfect as a healthy dessert or snack on the go. They are available in two flavours, Super Berry or Truly Tropical. Available to order on the Three Robins website.


SlooOW Rustic Multigrain Baguette (RRP £1.60) is an organic and 100% natural bread, rolled in grains, seeds and kernels. Baked to a traditional recipe and prepared with sourdough, it is perfect for a sandwich, with soup or alongside a BBQ. We smothered ours in garlic butter and grilled it to create a delicious, chewy garlic bread. Yum ! Available at Tesco and Hello Fresh.


Leaving the hardest to spell for last, Tarczynski Kabanos Extreme Piri-Piri (RRP £2.30) is a Polish dry sausage that is great as a savoury snack. As a high-protein option, I kindly passed this over to Pierre and he loved the spicy flavour. He wants to look out for these again, maybe in a slightly milder flavour option. Available in the world food aisle of most major supermarkets.

A subscription to Degustabox costs £12.99 per month including delivery, with each box having a value of much more than that, but the great news is, I have a discount coupon code for you which means you'll get the first box for just £9.99 - enter code PKUFE at the checkout. 


for more information :

Also now on Instagram @DegustaboxUK

Disclosure : We received the box in order to write an honest review. As a Degustabox blogger, I receive all of the products that go into the monthly boxes, but subscribers may not get exactly the same selection.
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