Wednesday 28 December 2022

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 1


Well here we are, into the final week of 2022 and the first week of 2023. We've had a lovely time visiting the family in Hastings but unfortunately, we're kicking off the new year sick again. Fingers crossed that'll be the last time for a while - it seems non-stop. I need to refill the fridge so it's ready to deal with New Year's Eve but also going back to school/work. Time to get back into routine - boo !

Thursday

lunch - probably something on the ferry

dinner- chicken burgers & pasta 

Friday

lunch- battered fish, mash and green beans

dinner - chicken fajitas (with guacamole, tomato salsa, rice)

Saturday - New Year's Eve

lunch- pasta carbonara

dinner- party nibbles - maybe pizza, sausages, olives, cherry tomatoes or whatever I pick up when I go shopping

Sunday 

lunch- probably leftovers


Monday

lunch- provençal chicken with pasta

dinner - cottage pie

Tuesday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- chicken or pork korma with rice

Wednesday

lunch- stuffed baked potatoes (cheese, beans, bacon, onions)

dinner- chilli con carne & rice

Thursday

lunch - catching up with friends for lunch for me, fridge diving for whoever is at home

dinner- chicken in BBQ sauce with pasta

Friday

lunch- leftovers or fridge diving

dinner - Sophie's home for the weekend so Deliveroo or she can cook !

Saturday

lunch- chicken & mushroom risotto

dinner- spicy pork chops with crispy fried potatoes & ratatouille

Sunday 

lunch- roast chicken, roast potatoes, veg & gravy

dinner- flaky pastry cheese & ham parcels with mash & beans

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

Sunday 11 December 2022

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


Into the final working week of the year and I must admit, I'm looking forward to a break ! Every weekend for the past few weeks, we've been going Christmas shopping so a couple of weeks of total downtime is much needed. This week will be mainly winding down the fridge and freezer.

Monday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - leftover baked potatoes with mince/onions/mushrooms

Tuesday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- fish, rice & peas

Wednesday

lunch- we'll all be rushing about doing an eye test so I'm guessing McDonald's or something quick

dinner- Mexican pork with rice (or maybe in tacos)

Thursday

lunch - Christmas dinner at school for me, fridge diving for whoever is at home

dinner- cheese & ham puffs, mash & carrots

Friday

lunch- leftovers or freezer diving

dinner - pasta carbonara

Saturday

lunch- leftovers or Deliveroo

dinner- spaghetti bolognese

Sunday 

lunch-  freezer diving

dinner- leftovers or toast

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

Tuesday 6 December 2022

November 2022 Degustabox review

 

When the postie dropped off this month's Degustabox a couple of weeks ago, I hastily opened the box and pulled out the contents card to see what this month's theme would be. Something to do with Christmas maybe? Winter warmers to add some much-needed internal central heating ? Well, there doesn't actually seem to be a theme this month. Nothing on the card anyway. Hmmm maybe I should make up my own theme ? Let's go for Liven up the Leftovers and Sweet Treats ! There are some interesting looking spices and sauces that I'm looking forward to getting creative with, especially with all the festive leftovers that will undoubtedly be cluttering up the fridge very soon.


The first product will be swiftly gobbled up by Juliette (I've put them aside to stuff in her Christmas stocking) - Bett'r Peanut Butter Cups (RRP £2.99). They are a vegan and gluten-free alternative to Chocolate Nut Butter Cups and they look very tasty.


Double Dutch Double Lemon (RRP £1.20) is a tasty option to drink on its own or with alcohol (Pimms, vodka or whatever else you may fancy over the festive season). It is made with lemon, lime and quassia, which adds more piquancy than the traditional quinine. This is said to not only improve the flavour but also help with digestion - definitely a plus point with all the over-eating at Christmastime !  It is made with all natural ingredients, contains no artificial sweeteners and is low in calories and sugar. Dubbed "bottled sunshine", it offers a refreshing, tasty drink option, with or without alcohol.

Filippo Berio Truffle Pesto (RRP £4.99) is one of the few offerings from the brand that I haven't tried yet. Made with black summer truffles, it can be stirred into pasta and topped with parmesan, added to risotto or pizza or even used to make a decadent sandwich - that all sounds like some great ways of using up the leftover turkey after Christmas ! (Other Degustabox subscribers received a jar of Filippo Berio Tomato & Ricotta Pesto, which I have tried before and the whole family loved it.)


Green Sour Cherry and Orangeade (RRP 2 x 99p) are part of a range of drinks that offer a healthier and more natural option, using plant-based Stevia and real fruit juice to deliver a refreshing, fruity taste. They contain no aspartame and no added sugar. The kids loved the sour cherry while I preferred the orangeade. Available at Sainsbury's, Ocado, Holland & Barrett and Amazon.

 

Heineken Silver (RRP £1 per can, £6 for a multipack - only available in a multipack) is an extra-refreshing lager, with a lighter tasting and low bitterness profile. It is made using ice-cold lagering at -1° C to produce its unique taste. It is made with natural ingredients and has a 4% abv. I'll be putting these out with the Christmas drinks over the festive period.

Halos Chocolate & Orange Flavoured Mini Doughnuts (RRP £1.50) are orange doughnuts coated in milk chocolate then topped with gold and bronze sugar sprinkles. They are steam baked, not fried, to give a lighter eating experience. There are seven in a bag so I get to secretly munch on the extra one ! Yum !

 

Heinz Made For Veggiez Chilli & Miso Sauce (RRP £2.50) is one of a range of sauces, influenced by world cuisine and designed for coating, cooking and dipping veggies. Many people opt for veggie dishes in January, inspired by Veganuary, whether to cut down on calories, for ethical reasons or to lower the cost of the weekly shop. This sauce is a great way of adding extra flavour and excitement to mealtimes, during Veganuary and beyond. Available in Morrisons and Ocado.

The Jelly Bean Factory 36 Mix Pouch (RRP £1.50) is one of my favourite sweet options so I was keen to discover the new mix. I couldn't really tell any difference from the previous mix to be honest, but I loved all the flavours. Each bean has to be savoured one at a time which is a real test of patience and resistance ! Hmmm ! Available on Amazon.

  

Nando's Peri-Peri Seasoning Flavour Shaker (RRP £2) is one a new range of seasonings, designed to bring some zing to anything from garlic bread, pasta and roasted veg to stir fries. Having never eaten at Nando's, I can't tell you how well it relates to the flavour of their in-house dishes, but it is very tasty. Also available in Lemon & Herb or Garlic & Herb. Perfect for adding some oomph to your festive leftovers !

Pot Noodle Fusions Chilli Chicken Flavour (RRP £1.39) are ideal as a snack for hungry teens after school or as a quick lunch option. The Fusions range, which also includes Katsu Curry and Thai Green Curry, offers big flavours inspired by exotic cuisine. Perfect if you have very little time (or very little motivation) and need to fill your belly !

Tea Rex Fresh Infusions (RRP £3.85) is one of a range of products, made out of just fresh fruits, roots and leaves. Even the 100% recyclable tubes are made of sugar cane, not fossil fuels, so they are sustainable. They are totally simple to use - just squeeze and infuse in hot or cold water, using a traditional teapot, cafetière, tea strainer or infuser. You need to squeeze in 1 heaped teaspoon (10g) per cup for a good strength cup but flavour is a personal thing so you can make it stronger or weaker by how much you squeeze and how long you brew. We got Lemon, Ginger & Turmeric, but the range also offers The Real Earl Grey, Rhubarb & Redcurrant, Rooibos & Blood Orange and Turmeric & Black Pepper. Sophie is a big fan of infusions and fruit teas, so she's keen to try out the other flavours in the range.

 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 4 December 2022

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


Last week was the start of the conseils de classe - the end-of-term meetings for each class, with all the teachers, parents and pupil reps and the head or deputy head each time, to look at abilities, efforts provided and discipline problems. As always happens, I get home late, the kids are hungry and food ends up being whatever the quickest option is. The Laughing Cow stuffed chicken, therefore, turned into chopped chicken in a Laughing Cow and cream sauce, but it was a huge success and so simple to make. Sophie came home for the weekend so we went off plan again, as she cooked some fabulous chicken, mozzarella and guacamole bagel burgers and convinced us to opt for Deliveroo. This week is another one packed with after-school meetings so we'll probably need quick meal ideas.

Monday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - Provençal chicken, rice and ratatouille

Tuesday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- paprika chicken with pasta & green beans

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- pork satay stir fry with noodles

Thursday

lunch - lunch with a couple of friends for me, fridge diving for whoever is at home

dinner- Mexican chicken with rice

Friday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - pasta carbonara

Saturday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- I'll put Deliveroo on the plan as I usually end up getting my arm twisted !!

Sunday 

lunch-  tartiflette (stinky reblochon cheese, bacon and onions over baked potatoes)

dinner- leftovers or toast

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

Thursday 1 December 2022

Book review : Let It Rain - Marcela Mariz


Looking at the front cover of Let It Rain by Marcela Mariz, my first thought was that it would appeal to a young adult audience - maybe late teens and twenty-something women. However, it turned out that as a woman in my fifties, I loved it and felt like it was focusing in on my own memories of growing up in the eighties and nineties. I loved all the little flashbacks to my formative years and the references to various song lyrics frequently had me humming eighties classics all day long !

The story focuses on Mandy Olsen, a 26-year-old woman who lives and breathes the eighties. Her choices of music, her lifestyle reminiscent of a Brat Pack movie and her favourite clothing (yes, she still wears legwarmers and probably also has batwing jumpers and mismatched fluorescent socks !) all hark back to the time of her life when she was the happiest. Sadly, those times didn't last.

Now an adult, she is back at her old high school, this time working in the office. The atmosphere seems very reminiscent of teenage years though, with the "cool clique" and their mean comments and low-level bullying taking on the outsiders, including Mandy. Her deep dark secret is about to be revealed and ridiculed : she still lives as if she is in the 1980's, back in the time when her life was carefree and fun and her favourite people, her mum and her best friend Joshua, were still around to support her.

Author Marcela Mariz explains that "the inspiration for Mandy came from a family friend. She was the most high-spirited and cheerful person I knew. She had this idiosyncratic way of dressing and talking, even her house was decorated as if she was still living in the 1960s. I was always fascinated by her. But when I got older, I discovered she had some heartbreaking losses in the 60s. So she preferred to pretend she was still living in the best years of her life. Behind her joyful smile, she hid a profound sadness."

As in all the best movies from the eighties and nineties, the underdog ends up coming out on top and it is heartwarming to see Mandy face her demons and turn her life around. When her life seems to be at its lowest point, she finds some much-needed support from some new friends and a few shocking discoveries reveal that life back in the eighties maybe wasn't the best time for everyone. 

It's an enjoyable read, especially if you can relate to your own memories of growing up in the eighties, but younger readers will still find Mandy's tale relevant and life-affirming.

star rating : 4/5

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B7QC5H6J
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (1 Aug. 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 303 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8839798373

 
 
Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest opinion.

Sunday 27 November 2022

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


I tried out some new recipes last week and the creamy paprika pork and turkey à la king were swiftly gobbled up - I even managed to sneak some peas and carrots in with the cream so they were eaten too, which is always a bonus ! This week, I'll be trying some more recipes from the same website, as they have the perfect balance of tasty but quick and simple. Just what is needed after a long day at work !

Monday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - leftovers (assuming they didn't all get used up at lunchtime)

Tuesday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- cottage pie

Wednesday

lunchham & cheese puffs with mash, peas & carrots (as they didn't get made last week)

dinner- Laughing Cow stuffed chicken with rice & salad (the other dish from last week that didn't get made as I was using up leftovers)

Thursday

lunch - leftovers


Friday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - pork, veg & noodle stir fry

Saturday

lunch- oven-baked pork chops with potatoes and veg

dinner- fish, chips & peas

Sunday 

lunch-  sausagemeat & mushroom ragu with pasta

dinner- leftovers or toast

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

Sunday 20 November 2022

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


This week, the chicken thighs with sun dried tomatoes were popular but the kids' favourite meal was the meatball subs again, especially as I had bought some ciabatta-style rolls. I think they'd happily eat these every week ! The chicken pie was a surprise big hit too - Pierre declared it's his favourite meal ever, whereas I just see it as using up the leftovers ! The weekend meals changed again as Sophie came back home again (she keeps jumping in the car with her friend when he drives back for the weekend !) so we went off plan. I didn't go shopping this week as my card has hit its limit (I can still get money out of the bank but can't use my bank card as I hit my spending limit, paying for the roof repairs and getting a new washing machine and tumble drier) so I'm working with what is in the freezer this week. It's good to have a clearout anyway as I had no idea what was left in there !

Monday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - steak (or beefburger for Pierre) with potato fritters and ratatouille

Tuesday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- chilli con carne with rice

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers

dinner- creamy paprika pork with pasta & leeks

Thursday

lunch - ham & cheese puffs with mash

dinner- Turkey à la king with rice

Friday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - Hungarian goulash  with ebly

Saturday

lunch- Laughing Cow chicken with green beans & rice

dinner- pizza or deliveroo or fridge diving for leftovers

Sunday 

lunch- roast chicken, roast potatoes, veg & gravy

dinner- leftovers or toast

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

Sunday 13 November 2022

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


This week was a bit hectic as I was catching up on all the tests and homework that got put back, due to my time off sick just before the holidays. Instead of having it all planned so that I had two weeks to mark everything, I ended up only having the weekend to clear it all. Luckily Friday was a bank holiday - phew ! We ended up going off plan this week, as Sophie came home for the long weekend so we went to a local Chinese restaurant (a belated birthday meal), cooked up some of her favourites and used up leftovers that she brought back. The meatball subs were a big hit so I bought some posh ciabatta-type rolls to make them again. They're quick and simple to throw together too so it's a definite win-win !

Monday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - there's some leftover chicken so either a chicken pie with mash and veg or pasta with chicken, depending on how much is left after lunch

Tuesday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home


Wednesday


dinner- Crispy sesame beef with noodles (and I'll throw in some carrots, red peppers and onions with the beef)

Thursday

lunchlunch with friends for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- fajitas 

Friday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - spicy meatballs with peppers, onions, tomatoes & couscous

Saturday

lunch- maybe a takeaway, maybe leftovers

dinner- 2-ingredient pulled pork (with potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker)

Sunday 

lunch- I think there will be leftover pulled pork - Pork Carnitas Tacos sounds good, with rice & guacamole

dinner- leftovers or toast

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

Sunday 6 November 2022

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


Next week we're back to school so I'm glad to say, I'm back to feeling pretty much 100%. Hopefully that will continue once the work routine kicks in ! Aaagghh, I've just remembered, the clocks went back during the holidays so it'll be dark when the alarm goes off tomorrow - boo ! I think we'll need an easy week of meals to get back into routine. Friday is a bank holiday so at least we get a long weekend :)

Monday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner - Mini Italian meatball subs (or maybe Tex-Mex meatball subs - I'll let the kids decide) with wedges and coleslaw

Tuesday

lunch- canteen for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- chicken pot pie & mash

Wednesday

lunch- leftovers or salad

dinner- blanquette de veau (veal stew) in the slow cooker with rice

Thursday

lunchlunch with friends for me, fridge diving for those at home

dinner- chicken burgers with creamy mushroom pasta

Friday

lunchPeppery herbed turkey tenderloin with mash & carrots

dinner - I spotted some Chinese nibbles and banh bao in the freezer - sounds good to me

Saturday

lunch- maybe leftovers, otherwise spaghetti carbonara



dinner- leftovers or toast

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

Sunday 30 October 2022

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 44


Into our second week of school holidays and I must admit, I'm enjoying lazing around. I'm feeling better than last week but I still have very little energy so I'm hoping that picks up before I go back to work next week. Last week's menu plan was used but was cut back as leftovers made two meals out of every one that I posted. Also Sophie headed home on Sunday as the grandparents are up visiting on Monday so she took over cooking and went off plan. Some things are therefore reposts from last week that didn't get made. Here's this week's plan.

Monday

lunch- Chinese restaurant with Mike's mum and dad (and aunt and uncle)

dinner slow cooker potato soup 

Tuesday

lunch- sausages (and mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomatoes) with pasta

dinnermici (Romanian kind of meatballs) with rice & cauliflower cheese

Wednesday

lunch- chicken tacos 

dinner- baked potatoes (with onions, mushrooms, bacon, beans & cheese)

Thursday

lunch - couscous (with pork, red peppers, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, chickpeas)

dinner- sweet & sour chicken & noodles

Friday

lunch- beefburger, ratatouille & rice

dinner - spaghetti carbonara

Saturday

lunch- let's throw a joker in here for using up the leftovers that are probably packing out the fridge

dinner- Korean BBQ chicken (a bottle of sauce from a recent Degustabox) with pasta

Sunday 

lunchtartiflette (stinky cheese bake with potatoes, bacon and onions)

dinner- leftovers or toast

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

Friday 28 October 2022

Book review : Christmas in Newfoundland 2 : Memories and Mysteries - Mike Martin


Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

There's something about that song in particular that really brings out the essence of Christmas in my mind. It's not one specific memory. It's more like a layering of festive feelings and mental snapshots of Christmases past. I can remember singing it at primary school assemblies in the run up to the Christmas holidays. I can hear the delicate, seemingly fragile notes echoing around the old town church as the school choir sang during a carol service. I can remember it playing on a CD (or probably a cassette back then !) in the background as we giggled and squealed and ripped open our childhood presents that we'd been desperately trying to define by touching the packages under the tree for the past few weeks. I can picture it on the CD player in the kitchen as I rustled up another batch of mince pies, peppermint cremes and cinnamon cookies. Mike Martin's book is very similar in that it layers up stories and specific memories that give a real sense of Christmas through the years in the small town of Grand Bank.

Fans of the Windflower series will enjoy catching up with the main characters from the books. We watch Winston, Sheila and their two daughters in the run up to the big day, dealing with the girls' bad behaviour (as a parent, I couldn't help but smile, both at the overexcited little girls and their parents' clever way of dealing with it). Eddie Tizzard has to deal with the bad weather and try to make it home in time for Christmas with his wife and their new son. Herb Stoodley, all-round good guy and provider of multiple muffins and cheesecake at The Mug Up, has a bigger delivery on his hands in the middle of a snowstorm and comes out as a touching, sensitive hero.

But there is more to it than that. You will also get a general overview of Christmas past, with delicate hints of Newfoundland lore thrown into the mixture. The youngsters of Grand Bank back in the 1950's and 60's, dreaming of getting their hands on a new pair of ice skates so that they could go back down to the lake and play hockey with their friends ... the Mummers going round from house to house sharing a drink and a song and waiting to see if they would be recognised ... Tibb's Eve, marking the (for some very welcome !) start to Christmas drinking.

This is a heartwarming, nostalgic collection of festive-themed stories, perfect for getting into the Christmassy mood in the run up to the big day. Old-timers (like me and the generation before me) will enjoy a peek back into the family-focused festive memories of their own childhoods, but younger readers will do well to look back on times past, relive the uplifting feelings of spending time with your friends and neighbours and maybe put the technology away for a while to create some satisfying memories of their own for years to come.

RRP : $19.95 

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ottawa Press and Publishing (26 Sept. 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990896030
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990896033
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 1.02 x 21.59 cm


Disclosure : I received a review copy of the book in order to share my honest review.

Wednesday 26 October 2022

October 2022 Degustabox review : Movie Night


You might have noticed it's all gone a bit quiet here on the blog lately. I've spent the last couple of weeks running about between doctors, even spending a night in hospital. It turns out it was a lung infection so I'm on antibiotics and should be better soon. Sophie has stepped in, cooking and cleaning like a total star while I've been lying on the settee recovering ! Perfect timing for the latest Degustabox to arrive, offering some simple meals to prepare and some tasty snacks to fill our cupboards (and stomachs !).


You can't beat a bowl of soup as a quick and tasty meal when the temperatures start to fall, so I was pleased to discover Knorr Crofter's Thick Vegetable Soup and Knorr Super Chicken Noodle Soup (RRP 2 x 90p) in the box. With everyone worrying about fuel bills skyrocketing and looking for cheap ways to fill tummies, 90p for four bowls is a great price. Add a slice of bread on the side (or cheese on toast if you're feeling a bit decadent) if you're feeling extra hungry. It's quick to prepare - jut add water and bring to the boil in a pan - and the texture is better than I expected (we usually make our own soup or buy it in bottles or packs ready-made and it compared quite well). The kids loved adding a topping of spices, grated cheese and dried onions to the veggie soup and the chicken noodle soup was a big hit.


Ballymaloe Original Relish (RRP £2.20) is a lovely tomato relish that we've tasted before, maybe in a previous Degustabox ? Created by Myrtle Allen, Ireland's first female Michelin star chef in 1964, it is a tried-and-tested recipe made in small batches using only 100% natural ingredients. It adds a delicious hit of sweetness that goes well in ham sandwiches, cheese on toast or just on the side of the plate (or mixed into mash or rice, if you follow the kids !).

Nature's Heart Sea Salt & Pepper Crunch (RRP £2.25 - other Degustaboxers got Smoky BBQ or Chilli & Lemon Crunch) is a snack made of crunchy edamame, peas, broad beans and seeds. As well as providing one of your 5-a-day portions, it is high in protein (12g per 50g) and fibre (7g per 50g). It can be nibbled straight from the bag but is also good sprinkled over salad for some extra crunchy texture.


Nick's Peanuts n' Fudge (RRP £1.50) is, just as the name suggests, a peanut bar with creamy fudge, wrapped in milk chocolate. It tastes very sweet and "normal" so I was surprised to learn that it contains no added sugar. It is also gluten free and contains no palm oil.

 

Shaken Udder Milkshakes (RRP 2 x £1.59) are always a big hit with the Madhouse kids who love the rich flavours and the creaminess of the drinks. We got Vanillalicious (made with real vanilla beans) and Chocolush (made with Belgian chocolate) which were both declared delicious. They are a great source of protein and calcium, contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, are gluten free and suitable for vegetarians. Best of all - they taste great ! Close inspection of the flyers in the box revealed a voucher for another free bottle - bonus !


Dalston's Real Squeezed Cherry / Rhubarb Sparkling Water (RRP 2 x £1.25) are drinks born in an East London nightclub and made by chefs. They promise full flavour fizz made with real fruit that's better for people and the planet. They are low in calories, free of refined sugar and artificial ingredients, carbon neutral and farm friendly. The kids enjoyed the original and natural flavours. Available at Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Asda, Ocado and amazon.

 

Brixton Brewery Reliance Pale Ale (RRP £2) declares itself to be as bold and fresh as the South London neighbourhood it is proud to call home. It is described as a drink that is perfectly balanced, easy-going and full of flavour. I love the brightly coloured can but I'm not a fan of beers so I've passed this on to a friend.

Dorset Cereals Dark Choc & Hazelnut Muesli Crunch (RRP £3.69) is utterly delicious, both in a bowl with milk or grabbed by the handful as a snack straight from the box ! It is made from the brand's signature muesli grains, tumbled with light and crispy granola clusters, deluxe dark chocolate curls and cocoa caramelised hazelnuts. The tastes and textures work really well together and the whole box disappeared in record time !


Kit Kat Chunky Caramel (RRP 2 x 70p) is this month's Product of the Month and I had to chop them in half because everyone wanted a taste. The usual crispy wafer is topped with runny caramel before being covered in milk chocolate. It tastes just as good as it sounds and we had to say, going back to the traditional Kit Kat would be a step down. Delicious ! 


Starbucks Salted Caramel Signature Chocolate (RRP £4.25) had the kids going "oooh" as soon as they spotted the Starbucks logo ! Inspired by the drinks they sell instore, Starbucks have created a caramelly hot chocolate powder with a hint of salt to prepare at home. Simply stir with warm milk for the ultimate indulgent tasting experience. You get ten sticks of hot chocolate powder in the box so it works out more expensive than regular hot chocolate, but top with squirty cream and a biscuit on the side for a cheaper alternative to a trip to your local Starbucks ! The kids were very impressed.

 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.

Saturday 22 October 2022

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 43


I'm back ! Did you miss me ?! Last time I blogged, the Norwegian group was about to go home, Sophie was back home from England and Juliette was on a school trip to Ireland. Things were busy on all fronts, which was why I assumed I wasn't feeling great. Then I kept feeling like my lungs were closing up overnight so I headed to the doctor's, who gave me a couple of inhalers and sent me for a lung x-ray. I didn't even have the time to go back with my test results before I was carted off to hospital in an ambulance when my lungs got so tight, I could hardly breathe. After a day in hospital, a week off work and a dose of antibiotics (and paracetamol three times a day - I thought paracetamol was just pain relief ?!), I'm starting to feel a bit better (but still coughing and short of breath) so I guess their diagnosis of lung infection was right. After two days back at school (tough going but I survived !), I'm just starting two weeks off on holiday - phew ! Time to recover ! Today we got a new fridge delivered (the old one flaked out) and dashed about sorting out Sophie's new flat - she's off to live in Lille in a few days. What did I say about relaxing ?! While I've been chilling out at home, I've bookmarked lots of new recipes to try out, depending on how I feel.

Monday

lunch- chickpea & roasted cauliflower stew with couscous (beefburger & couscous for Pierre and Juliette)

dinner - cauliflower cheese (pasta carbonara for Pierre/Sophie - probably half and half for Juliette !)

Tuesday

lunch- mici (Romanian kind of meatballs) with mash & salad/tomatoes

dinner- chicken cacciatore with rice

Wednesday



Thursday

lunch - Sophie's moving day so we'll probably all head to Lille for the day

dinner- final family dinner for a while in a restaurant?

Friday

lunch- battered fish, ebly & peas

dinner - chilli con carne & rice

Saturday

lunch- chicken tacos

dinner- pizza & garlic bread
 
Sunday 

lunch- tartiflette

dinner- spaghetti bolognese

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

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