I always like the month of May because as well as being the month of bank holidays, it also usually signals the start of the warmer weather. While the temperatures may not be as high as in the middle of summer, the hours of sunshine invariably shoot up which is perfect for putting a spring in your step. I've switched over to my warmer weather clothes and have put the jumpers to the back of the cupboard which is also lovely. What would be in this month's Degustabox to welcome in the new season?
The first thing I pulled out is bound to be a big hit here at The Madhouse: Batchelors Cook With Noodles (RRP £2.25). Pierre always loves noodles when he's making a quick lunch at home by himself because they are so simple to prepare and I also love adding lots of extra ingredients to make a more complex meal. They're great for using up leftover cooked meat (chicken, pork, beef - whatever you have) and you can add whatever veggies you have in the fridge (red and green peppers, onions, carrots, mangetout, courgette). They're a great way of getting the kids to gobble up their vegetables, especially if you hand out chopsticks for everyone to play/eat with - we always cheat and use the ones that stay attached at the top which are much easier to use. They're quick to prepare (just 3 minutes for the noodles) and each pack contains four blocks of noodles, complete with a seasoning sachet with each one. They work out as a really good value meal if you're counting the pennies too.
Frobishers Sicilian Lemonade (RRP £1.79) is a lovely thirst-quencher for the warmer weather. Sicilian lemon juice is blended with juniper and lemon oil for a lovely vibrant, sharp taste. The delicate bubbles that fizz on your tongue with each sip make the whole drinking experience even more pleasurable. Available in WH Smiths.
Kellogg's Rice Krispies (RRP £3.30) are this month's Product of the Month. They have been a family favourite for many years, including in our house, enjoyed either straight from the bowl covered in milk to release their snap, crackle and pop or covered in melted chocolate and golden syrup as rice krispie cakes. They always take me back to school cookery sessions when I was in primary school ! At the moment, Kellogg's is partnering with professional football clubs up and down the country to offer 7 to 14 year olds the chance to play in the footsteps of their heroes. With access to professional coaches, they will learn from the best. Sounds like a great activity during the long summer holidays.
Kettle Sweet Chilli & Sour Cream Crisps (RRP £2.40) are delicious. They have the fiery hit of chilli and paprika but the flavour is tamed down by the cooling creaminess of sour cream. It's a match made in heaven for wimps like me who can't handle the heat of regular chilli flavoured crisps ! Kettle chips are cooked in small batches and made using nothing artificial. Available in Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and ASDA.
Maldon Kalahari Desert Salt (RRP £2.50) is a naturally coarse salt, selected by the seasoned experts at Maldon from the vast southern African desert. It's ideally suited to scattering on meat that is going to be grilled or barbecued to add a subtle flavour. Part of the new Merchants range, this is one of the finest salts from around the world.
Mr Porky Crispy Strips (RRP £1.25) are a unique snack from the Great Taste award-winning brand. They have the same taste as regular pork scratchings but they have the bite of crispy bacon rinds, so if you like your bacon crispy, these will be a big hit. They have a high protein content so they are perfect before or after a gym workout or to combat a mid-afternoon slump, but they can also be enjoyed with a drink as an evening snack.
Nescafe Azera Americano Instant Coffee (RRP £6.25) is a quick and simple way of creating a rich and velvety coffee, carefully crafted with a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. As we head into summer, you might prefer to try a Nescafe Azera iced coffee. For recipe inspiration, you can head over to their
website or Instagram @nescafeazera
PhD Nutrition Milk Choc Hazelnut Smart Bar (RRP £2.50) is a great-tasting snack bar that is high in protein and low in sugar. A soft and squishy protein centre is coated in gooey caramel and protein crispies, offering the perfect combination of great taste and satisfying texture. Each bar contains 22g of protein, which will make gym bunnies like Pierre squeal in delight ! Available at PhD.com and amazon UK.
Sacla Char-Grilled Aubergine & Roasted Garlic Pesto (RRP £3.35) is a versatile veggie-friendly product that is great for keeping in the back of the cupboard in case you need to knock up a meat-free option at short notice. Made with aubergines ripened under the Mediterranean sunshine and sweet roasted, smoky garlic, it can be used in roasted vegetable tarts, coated on chicken skewers, stirred through dips or in Pasta alla Norma, the Italian dish that inspired its creation. Available in Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose, as well as Ocado and Sacla online stores.
Swizzels Squashies Strawberry & Cream Flavour Drumsticks (RRP £1.15) are a new product that we all loved, both for the soft and squishy texture and also the fruity flavour. Strawberries and cream is an iconic flavour of the very essence of summer so these are perfect for chewing on, even if it's raining ! If we do get some much needed sun though, at least they aren't made of chocolate so they won't melt. Win-win !
Very Lazy Jerk Paste (RRP £1.99) is a simple way of bringing the taste of the Caribbean to your kitchen. The fiery heat and flavour of Scotch bonnet chillis, allspice and black pepper will set your tongue on fire but at least you can judge how much to add to your dish, adding in some cream to combat the spiciness if you so desire. Perfect with chicken wings, vegetables and rice or for jazzing up the leftovers from a Sunday roast. The Madhouse kids have become slightly addicted to Jerk chicken sandwiches !
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.
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