"Summertime, and the livin' is easy, fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high" ... and so are the temperatures right now. At the start of the month, we had a lovely ten-day cruise around Scotland and Iceland where temperatures only got up to about 10-12°C so the temperatures back in England were a bit of a shock ! We've been cooling down with endless cold drinks and ice creams but we've still felt like we're melting. When the postie dropped off the latest Degustabox, I was keen to see what summertime snacks and meal ideas would be hiding inside.
First out of the box were Apple & Raspberry and Apple & Blackcurrant SqueezeIts ( RRP 69p each). The squeezy, soft bottles remind me of drinks we used to have back in the eighties during my childhood. The drinks tasted of plastic more than anything else but I'm pleased to say, these ones taste much better. The advertising tag line is "Unique shape. Bold colours. Unbreakable." They always seem quite flimsy to me but I'm mainly thinking back to the eighties version so I'll take their word for it. They are made with high-quality ingredients, including fresh mountain spring water. Particularly appealing to kids and tweens, these are a great way of keeping children hydrated over the summer. Available in Iceland, Home Bargains, B&M, Heron Foods, Farmfoods and many more.
Knorr Aromat (RRP £1.90) g is a finely balanced blend of herbs and spices, carefully selected to bring out the best in your cooking. It's incredibly versatile - you can use it just like salt and pepper, either whilst cooking or at the table as a condiment. I've added it to rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, chicken breasts, pork chops and various plates of food once served. It adds a lovely boost of flavour perfect for jazzing up leftovers or slightly bland food. Available in major supermarkets.
Nong Shim Shin Ramyun Chicken Flavour (RRP £1.20) are Korean spicy noodles. In fact, "Shin Ramyun" is the English transliteration of the Korean words for "spicy instant noodles" and they are the best-selling instant noodles in South Korea. They come with a little sachet of soup base and another of vegetables to sprinkle on top. Pierre loved these eaten on their own but I would have added some leftover chicken and maybe vegetables (mushrooms ? carrots? onions?) to add some extra texture, flavour and vitamins. Available in major supermarket chains.
Get More Vits Raspberry & Blueberry Multivits 330ml and Mango & Passionfruit Vitamin D 500ml (RRP 85p and £1.25) are two fruity drink options that the Madhouse kids (or I should say teens) loved (and so did I, from the taste I got). As well as tasting great, they have a lot of plus-points : they are sugar-free, low calorie, made with UK spring water and natural fruity flavours, plus they contain a daily dose of vitamins. Available in most major supermarkets.
Ueshima Coffee Company Iced Latte (RRP £2) is a new product from the inventors of the world's first canned coffee. Back in 1969, in Japan, the founder, Mr Ueshima, sought a drink that could be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. His range of coffees, crafted the Japanese way for exceptional flavour, was his answer. It's perfect for sipping on a warm summer's day. Available on www.ueshimacoffeecompany.com.
Skittles Giants Gooey (RRP £1.25) are like a souped-up version of the regular Skittles sweets. Available in five fruity flavours, each giant sweet has a soft, citrus, gooey centre to add a big, zesty flavour burst. Utterly delicious ! Available across major supermarket chains.
Peppa Pig Little Butter Biscuits (RRP £1.50) are a delicious take on the classic snack that will appeal to kids with their Peppa Pig themed packaging. The biscuits are rich and crumbly but, as they are made with fibre and free from artificial colours, they're a more wholesome choice. Available in Iceland.
Cadbury Brunch Light (RRP £1.35 - we got Orange while other Degustaboxers tried Honey & Oat) are a tasty snack option with a big advantage - they only contain 93 calories per bar ! They are packed with oats, crispies, bran flakes, a twist of orange zest, a drizzle of honey and, all importantly, they are dipped in smooth, irresistible Cadbury milk chocolate. Even more good news, they are vegetarian friendly. Perfect if you want a guilt-free chocolate treat. With five bars in a pack, they work out as good value too. Available in major supermarket chains.
This month's Product of the Month, Tilda Garlic & Herbs Rice (RRP £1.54) is a simple and convenient accompaniment that can be popped in the microwave and prepared in just 2 minutes (or in a pan in 3 minutes if you don't have a microwave). The rich flavour goes great with chicken, fish, pork chops, steak or whatever else you're eating. The whole range of rice pouches are ideal for teens being left on their own at lunch time and in need of a simple food that can be prepared quickly. Available in Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Ocado.
Just Live A Little Raspberry, Coconut & Cashew Granola (RRP £1.50) is a tasty breakfast option that appealed to the kids, made with golden gluten-free toasted oats, loaded with zingy raspberries, coconut, toasted cashews, pumpkin seeds, crisped rice and a dollop of almond butter. It can be enjoyed with coconut yoghurt and fresh fruit or you might like to try the Frozen Yoghurt & Granola Bark recipe at justlivealittle.com. Available at Amazon and justlivealittle.com
The final item was Annabel's Deliciously English Strawberry Chilli Chutney (RRP £4.50 - other Degustaboxers got Rhubarb & Mango Chutney), which is a lovely chutney that marries the sweetness of strawberries with a discernible kick of spice. It's a tongue-tingling accompaniment to salads and sandwiches or can be eaten alongside pork chops, chicken and steak. You can also stir a spoonful into rice or mashed potatoes to take them to another level. This product was awarded Highly Recommended at the recent Great British Awards. Available at annabelsdeliciouslybritish.co.uk
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.
