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I can't believe we're at the end of November already ! Temperatures have dropped dramatically, we're busy scouring the shops for Christmas gifts and we've already got the Christmas tree up. Foodie choices have shifted towards soups, casseroles and other winter warmers and our regular Sunday afternoon entertainment is now watching a film cosily snuggled under a blanket on the settee. When this month's Degustabox arrived, I was looking forward to lots of tasty treats to devour in the run up to Christmas. Here's what was hiding in this month's box.
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Forest Feast Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds (RRP £1.50) are as delicious as they sound. The almonds are oven roasted with their skins on before being drenched in Belgian dark chocolate, sprinkled with salt and dusted with cocoa. This gives them a delicious sweet-salty flavour which is very moreish. One nibble is never enough ! They are a lovely treat that are both vegan-friendly and gluten-free. They are available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon and Fine Food independents, in both on-the-go 40g packs and 120g share packs.
Double Dutch Lemon (RRP £1.20) is a bold flavoured citrus drink that has been dubbed bottled sunshine. It is a combination of lemon, lime and quassia, which offers more piquancy than the traditional quinine. Its bright sparkly taste can be enjoyed on its own or as a mixer with Pimms, vodka or whatever other cocktails you may be enjoying over Christmas.
Nissin Demae Ramen Chicken (RRP 65p) are perfect for Pierre who loves tucking into instant noodles when he's on his own for lunch. They are quick and simple to prepare and Pierre loved the flavour, which is reminiscent of Japanese ramen dishes. Other Degustabox subscribers received Tonkotsu Pork flavour, which sounds deliciously different. They can be enjoyed as they are, livened up with leftovers or incorporated into other dishes, including soups and stir-fries. Available in major supermarket chains.
Heinz Spicy Parsnip Soup (RRP £1.70) is perfect for a quick meal when you are fighting off a cold or you need a break from all the festive over-eating. The sweet parsnip flavour is topped off with a combination of warming spices including chilli and red pepper. It's comforting and perfect for beating the chill on a cold winter's day. Made with no artificial colours or preservatives, it is available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Iceland, ASDA and Ocado.
Kelloggs Rice Krispies Honey Multigrain Shapes (RRP £3) are a new choice at breakfast time that turned out to be very popular here at The Madhouse. The box proclaims that they are a daily source of vitamins and iron and they contain 30% less sugar. We decided that they are great as a festive breakfast as the shapes seem to include Christmas trees, stars and gingerbread men. The honey flavour was a big hit too. Available in the major supermarket chains.
Plantastic Tomato & Chargrilled Pepper Creamy Pasta Sauce (RRP £2.80) is a rich and indulgent sauce made with coconut milk instead of dairy options. Absolutely perfect for those on a veggie diet, it's a great product to stash in the cupboard for whenever you may need a rapid meat-free meal but can also be added to leftover chicken or turkey for those who do eat meat. Also available in Spicy Cajun Tomato and Caramelised Onion & Sweet Potato flavours. You can pick it up in Tesco or Morrisons.
Kühne Gourmet Gherkins with Herbs (RRP £3.55) are the perfect accompaniment for livening up the endless post-Christmas turkey sandwiches so they have been tucked away until next month. They add a lovely crunch and sharpness that perfectly accompanies dishes such as leftover meats and potato salads. Gourmet Gherkins, which also come in Honey or Chilli varieties, are the winners of a Great Taste award. Available at Waitrose and Ocado.
Knorr Vegetable Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are a quick and simple way of adding depth of flavour to anything from soups and casseroles to chilli and gravy. Just plop the contents of a pot into your cooking, allow it to melt and stir it through. It's that simple and you don't have to worry about getting a perfectly smooth consistency as you do with stock cubes. They are gluten-free and can be used in vegetarian, vegan and meat-based dishes. They are available in all the major supermarket chains.
Love Corn Smoked BBQ Crunchy Corn (RRP gift) is a little gift that was missing from last month's box but it was well worth the wait ! We love the flavour and the totally moreish crunchiness of the snack. It is made by roasting whole corn kernels off the cob and it is totally delicious.
SlooOW Stone Oven White Baguette ( RRP £1.60) is a partially-baked loaf, made with 100% natural ingredients, that just needs to be finished off in the oven at home to provide you with an authentically flavoured, fresh bread stick with an appealingly crispy crust. The bread is given more than 24 hours to rise which presumably explains why it tastes so good. It can be enjoyed on its own to accompany a meal, slathered with garlic butter or filled with tuna, ham or maybe some leftover turkey. You'll be amazed by how fresh it tastes, straight from the oven. It's available at Tesco and Co-op.
PhD Smart Bar Cookies & Cream (RRP £1.50) is a half-sized bar but it's the perfect size for on-the-go snacking. Containing 10g of quality protein and only 1.1g of sugar, the super soft protein centre coated in gooey caramel and protein crispies is utterly delicious and Pierre gobbled it up in seconds ! Available at PhD.com.
Saving my favourite (and the Product of the Month) for last, Terry's Chocolate Mint (RRP £1.50) is a new twist on the old favourite, the Chocolate Orange. Whack it, peel it and tuck in, as with its orange cousin. I love chocolate oranges but the flavour of this new tasty treat makes it another winner. Available in the major supermarket chains and perfect for stuffing in your kids' stockings.
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.
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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.
