What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 10

Last week, we finally got around to going to the travel agent's to book this year's summer holiday. We'll be heading off for two weeks in Marrakech, Morocco, which should be lovely but apparently very hot. Juliette's boyfriend will be coming with us which should give the kids a chance to spend some time doing their own activities, such as the giant pool slides, while I flake out with a book under the poolside parasols. Sounds good to me ! Using things out of the freezer is turning into a great way of saving money at the moment, which is perfect timing with the holiday to pay for. We'll do more of that this week as there is still plenty in there. Here's the plan for this week.

Monday

lunch- I'll eat in town with Sophie (fridge diving for Pierre)

dinner - leftover roast gammon with rice and carrots

Tuesday

lunch- battered fish with mash and veg

dinner- pasta carbonara

Wednesday

lunch- some sort of spicy veggie concoction for me and Sophie

dinner- roast beef with gravy, roast potatoes and peas

Thursday

lunch-something in town with Sophie (fridge diving for Pierre)

dinner- sausages, mushrooms, canned tomatoes and onions with pasta

Friday

lunch- school canteen (Pierre and Sophie can fend for himself)

dinner - leftovers

Saturday

lunch- steak pies with mash and veg

dinner- the kids will probably want some kind of takeaway (Pepe chicken, I would imagine)

Sunday

lunch- Moroccan-style grilled chicken breasts with couscous and tomato/chickpea sauce

dinner - leftovers or soup

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

Sublime Butter Flavoured Butters review

 

Here at The Madhouse, we get through vast quantities of butter. I blame it on the Breton heritage of the kids - I can remember their Breton grandmother on one visit sticking a chunk of salted butter in the middle of a pile of chips on each plate to provide extra flavour ! - but before this review, I had never sampled flavoured butters. I have been known to make homemade garlic butter in the past but when this selection of butters arrived from Sublime Butter, we were blown away. 

 The flavoured butter category is growing every day, but it was actually Sublime that created the category around seven years ago. They received the Dairy Innovation Award for doing so. While many flavoured butter brands work with supermarkets in mind (meaning they start from a low cost and work backwards), Sublime set out to create products that even the best chefs would enjoy. Each one of their award-winning flavours is made with just cream (from grass-fed British dairy) and salt. No unpronounceable stabilisers, fillers or E numbers. From there, they develop tantalising flavours for every culinary need. 

Without further ado, we jumped in and started sampling several of the flavours that we received. I decided to keep things simple and just have a first taste on a square of plain white bread, but they could also be eaten on fine artisanal or homemade bread, melted on steak or vegetables or stirred through pasta, rice or mashed potatoes.

We started at the beginning with flavour number 1 - the simple pink Himalayan salt. This is a neutral flavour that can be used in place of our regular supermarket brand salted butter, adding rich finesse and opening up the taste buds without overpowering the flavour of whatever you eating. Delicious on a simple slice of bread, the Sublime Butter website also proposes recipes to use it, including The Ho's Turkey Gravy (it comes from the chef's name, nothing rude !) and Sublime Lemon and Thyme Shortbread.

The next one that we tried - number 17, Chimichurri - is my absolute favourite. Based on the Argentinian sauce, it contains oregano, coriander, lemon and garlic and provides a versatile blend that can be spread, smeared or drizzled over a variety of meats and vegetables. We tried it and loved it on pan fried chicken fillets, pork chops, pasta and simple plain rice. It provides a lovely, rich flavour that takes all the hassle out of creating complicated spice blends or sauces. Pierre said he'd happily eat a bowl of plain rice or pasta with a slice of this butter melting on top every day and we have indeed tried this as a simple but popular way of using up leftovers.

Number 9 - Red Chilli, Smoked Salt and Lime - offers a more robust flavour with a distinct kick of heat. Perfect for adding an extra boost of flavour to Mexican style food, for anything from prawns and salmon to chicken and beef, it will takes things up another level. I love the flavour of this one but it did leave my tongue feeling decidedly tingly !

Number 11 - Lemon, Caper and Dill - offers a classic blend of citric, sour and mellow flavours. While we enjoyed it simply on bread, this one can be used to brighten up fish and seafood but also meat dishes. This is a good one to get experimental with, as the punchy flavour is very versatile.

Number 5 - Garlic and Herb - is a classic combination that is rich, pungent and packed full of flavour. It will liven up meat or fish dishes but is also delicious smeared on bread, stirred through mash or as an instant pasta topping. You can have a gourmet-tasting meal on your plates in ten minutes flat with absolutely zero effort.

The other flavours that we got to sample are number 19, Béarnaise butter, perfect on steak; number 12, Truffle, Parmesan & Black Pepper (Sophie's favourite, on toast, as a quick snack); and number 11, Lemon, Caper & Dill, perfect with fish.

Thay also have a Ridiculous range, defined as butters that push the very limit of what butter can be. If money is no object, you may like to try Number 55 - British Isles Lobster, Devon Crab, Caviar, Sicilian Lemon & Fennel, which has been described as the finest butter in the world, and to support this idea, it won the Golden Fork for London in 2021; number 78 - Cinco Jotas Jamon Ibérico, Carabineros, Pedro Ximénez & Spanish Saffron; number 88, The Xo, Hokkaido Scallops, Jinhua Ham & Birds Eye Chilli; and number 100 - Langavulin Smoked Barbary Duck, Morello Cherry & Grand Marnier Centenaire. Just running through the ingredients list gives you a good idea of how serious they take their flavours and it is unsurprising to see that a stick of these refined butters will cost £40-£60.

 These butters are fantastic as gifts for foodies that have tried everything or anyone who likes trying unusual and innovative flavours.

RRP : £4.50 for 90g

for more information : https://sublimebutter.com/

Disclosure : We received the products in order to share our honest opinion.

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 9

I haven't done a menu plan for the past two weeks as we've been on half term holiday and went to Hastings to catch up with the family, which was lovely. We came back midweek so I've been cooking my way through all the things in the fridge without a plan, which was simple enough as I haven't been at work, but once I'm back into routine, it's easier to go back to having a plan. We've got all of Sophie's food from her flat to work through and the freezer is stuffed full, so I want to start using up whatever is lurking in there. I didn't even go shopping this week but I might have to go and grab a few essentials midweek. Sophie and Juliette are heading off to see a concert in Paris so I'll just be cooking for me and Pierre from Wednesday until the weekend. Here's what is on the plan for next week.

Monday

lunch- I'll eat in town with Sophie (fridge diving for Pierre)

dinner - cheese spread-filled pastry puffs with mash and frozen veggies

Tuesday

lunch- sausages, pasta and green beans

dinner- pancakes filled with fried eggs, ham and cheese (or chicken burgers, rice and ratatouille if we ended up eating them on Sunday night)

Wednesday

lunch- halloumi (can't remember the recipe but it's on instagram on Sophie's phone - otherwise air fryer halloumi with salad would do)

dinner- steak, rice and frozen veg

Thursday

lunch-school canteen for me (fridge diving for Pierre)

dinner- pasta carbonara

Friday

lunch- school canteen (Pierre can fend for himself)

dinner - steak, baked potatoes and peas

Saturday

lunch- crispy shredded chicken with rice

dinner- Fray Bentos chicken pies with mash and carrots

Sunday

lunch- roast gammon, roast potatoes and veg

dinner - leftovers or soup

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

Degustabox February 2025 review

We're into the middle of February already, which means we've been celebrating Valentine's Day and also Juliette's birthday. It seems unbelievable to me that she's now twenty years old. How can I be old enough to be the mother of a twenty-year-old ?! Another smaller cause for celebration this week was the delivery of the February Degustabox. The theme of this month's box is Home Comforts, which sounded good to me. Here's a look at what was in this month's box.

This month's Product of the Month is Cheez-It Snap'd Double Cheese (RRP £2) which Sophie immediately got excited about because they were our snack of choice on our holiday to Alaska a few years ago apparently. I didn't really remember them (probably because they were being passed around in the back seat of the car and the grown-ups didn't get a look in!) but I tried one and the flavour did remind me of something I've tasted before. They have a lovely crunchy but soft and melty texture and the bright orange flavour shows you just how punchy and tasty the seasoning is going to be. They are baked with 100% real cheese, which I suspect is healthier but just as tasty as the original American version that we tried. We'll definitely be buying these again. Available in all major supermarket chains.

Kelloggs Chocos Caramel Flavour Coco Pops (RRP £3.50) are another brand new breakfast option that are a twist on an old classic. As well as the new sweet caramel flavour, which we all loved, the traditional coco pops shape has been swapped for a crunchy shell shape. Not everything is different though - they still turn the milk brown ! A tasty way to start the day or perfect as a mid-afternoon snack for the growing teens (and twenty-somethings !) in the family. Available at Tesco, ASDA and Morrisons.

Aagrah Lahori Tikka Mix (RRP £1.50 - other Degustaboxers got Peshwari Tikka Mix, Seekh Kebab Mix or Punjabi Tikka Mix) are authentic Indian spices that are perfect for creating a tasty, exotic meal. Perfect for marinades, grills or curries, each blend is crafted for quick, easy and delicious meals. The suggested recipe is simply sprinkling the spice mix on lamb chops or diced lamb before frying, but you can also add the spices to oil to create a marinade that you can use in an Airfryer or on a barbecue. The Lahori Tikka Mix has a medium spice rating but there are numerous other options and spice levels on their website. Available at Tesco, Morrisons, Farmshops and online.

Knorr Beef Gravy Pots (RRP £2.25) are a quick and convenient way of knocking up a pot of gravy to go with your Sunday dinner or alternatively for adding a nice hit of concentrated flavour to stews or casseroles as they are bubbling away on the hob. They are rich, juicy and gluten-free with an authentic flavour that will add richness to any red meat dishes. Available at all major supermarket chains.

Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (RRP £1.50) can be diluted with water or milk and enjoyed straight from the can as a light meal, but I also love using it as a base for chicken casseroles and pies. It brings great taste but also a lovely rich, creamy consistency that makes any homecooked meal seem like you have slaved over it for hours. You might like to try Chicken and Leek Filo Pie, Chicken Spaghetti Bake or American classics Chicken & Mushroom Hotdish and Green Bean Casserole. Available in all major supermarkets.

Mutti Polpa (RRP £1.53) is a unique product that combines the finely cut pulpy part of the tomato with the juice, giving the great taste and bright red colour of fresh tomatoes. Perfect for upgrading anything you're cooking with tomatoes, whether that be tomato soup, bolognese sauce or chili con carne. Available in all major supermarket chains.

Aqua Libra Sparkling Water Infused With Raspberry and Blackcurrant (RRP £1.30) is a fruity drink made with just sparkling water, natural fruit flavours and a dash of lemon. It contains no sugar, sweeteners or anything artificial. Each can contains less than 5 calories. It's great if you're looking for a healthier option, although you may find it a bit sharp if you're used to drinking regular sugar or sweetener-filled drinks. Available at Tesco, Ocado, Sainsbury's and Amazon.

Pringles Hot Blazin' Fried Chicken Flavour (RRP £2.50) is the latest addition to the Pringles Hot range, which is made up of five flavour variants, offering varying levels of intensity. This one is just one chilli rated and they appealed to me, despite my wimpy capacities for eating spicy food ! They have a nice little kick that does start building up, the more you eat, but they have a lovely chicken flavour that makes it all worth it ! The kids loved them and declared them not very spicy at all. Available at all major supermarkets.

Kadoya Roasted Sesame Oil (RRP £4.50) is commonly used in East Asian cuisine, including Japanese, Chinese, and Korean styles, and it is lovely for adding a rich, nutty flavour to your dishes. Here are some tips from the producers for using it : 1. You can use the oil as it is by drizzling it on salads, soups, and noodles. 2.The flavor is elevated when warmed, so we also recommend using it as a finishing oil on stir-fries, warm soups, or noodle dishes. 3. It is also excellent for making dressings. Sesame oil pairs well with ingredients like ponzu, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. 4. It is useful for masking unpleasant odors of fish or meat, so we also recommend using this oil in marinades. (Sesame oil is often used in poke bowl sauces.) I'm already a big fan but I'll definitely be trying some of those ideas out. I've previously used it successfully in several recipes, including Sweet & Sticky Chinese Chicken & Veg, Japchae and General Tso's Chicken. Available at Ocado.

Ibis Rice Cakes (RRP £1.89) are organic wholegrain rice cakes, made with no salt and no sugar, just pure brown rice. They are light and crunchy with a mildly nutty flavour that can be eaten with your favourite toppings or on their own. Their wildlife-friendly farmers are committed to the strictest environmental standards and paid a premium for their crops, lowering carbon emissions, preventing deforestation and protecting over 50 endangered species in the bio-diverse forests of Cambodia. All Ibis Rice products are 100% organic and made from a variety of Jasmine rice voted 'World's Best Rice' 5 times running at the World Rice forum. All ingredients are grown in Cambodia where the products are made and packed, further supporting the local community. They are great if you fancy a healthy snack or lunch option. Available at ibisrice.co.uk, Planet Organic and many independent retailers. 

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 :

http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - website

http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook

http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter

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.

Krafted Connex : The All-in-One Cable Adaptor Hub review

These days, it seems like everything is connected. Whether you have phones, tablets, laptops, cameras or multiple other devices, they all need charging. It can often be hard to find the right cable for each device, especially if one breaks and you need to find a replacement quickly. If I had a pound for every time I hold out a cable to the kids for them to sigh "no, that's not the right one, Mum" ! Well, help is at hand with this nifty little gadget from Krafted : The All-in-One Cable Adaptor Hub.

It folds up like a Swiss army knife so it takes up minimal storage space and won't snag on things if you're storing it in a bag or a coat pocket. (Who am I kidding? Teenagers don't seem to wear coats any more but it can fit in a hoodie pocket too !) I love the fact that there are no pesky wires getting constantly tangled up and wrapping around things. Inside a durable ABS shell, flexible silicone rubber connector arms and nickel-plated steel reinforcers allow you to charge one or even multiple devices simultaneously. The current flow adapts to the input power for optimal charging and can be used for standard charging, PD charging and data transfer. I have no idea what that actually means but the kids nodded their heads wisely and looked impressed ! It's a handy little gadget to keep at hand for recharging anything and everything as needed with zero hassle.

The Connex is available in both black and jade for just £29.99 at Kraftedtech.com.

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

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 6

Into our last week of school before the holidays. It's come around really quickly this time as it's only five weeks since the Christmas holidays, but we'll pay for it at the end of the year as we'll have a longer final term before the summer holidays. Pierre is having fun at the moment gadding about taking photos at various football matches and really enjoying it, which is good as it's what he's planning on studying and following as a career. Sophie is still busy emptying her flat and filling up every corner of our house to stash everything ! Juliette is still at college and having fun renovating her flat with her boyfriend. Here's what's on the menu this week.

Monday

lunch- I'll be eating at school as I have a meeting just before lunch (fridge diving for the kids)

dinner - chicken cordon bleu with pasta and parsnips

Tuesday

lunch- Chicken and tomato spicy rice one-pot

dinner-  sausages, mash and beans

Wednesday

lunch- something out of Sophie's diabetes cookbook

dinner- beef bourguignon with potatoes and carrots

Thursday

lunch-something in town with Sophie

dinner- Chinese chicken stir-fry with noodles

Friday

lunch- school canteen (Sophie and Pierre can fend for themselves)

dinner - pork curry with rice

Saturday

lunch- chicken burgers, spicy rice and sweetcorn

dinner- pasta carbonara

Sunday

lunch- steak, baked potatoes and green beans

dinner - leftovers or spaghetti bolognese

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

Degustabox January 2025 review

We're into a brand new year and I find myself contemplating what 2025 will bring us. I have made no new year's resolutions this year and we haven't booked this year's holiday yet so we can't even look forward to our future adventures. The postman helped us get off to a good start though when he dropped off the first Degustabox of 2025. Here is what was hiding away in the January 2025 box.

Deliciously Ella Apple & Almond Breakfast Bakes (RRP £1.50) are a totally different breakfast option that are perfect when you are running late and need something to eat on the way to work. They are made of oats, apple pieces and a creamy almond centre and I appreciated both the taste and the texture. They are naturally high in fibre and made with 100% natural, plant-based ingredients. They're great as an occasional treat to keep in the cupboard as a fallback plan when time isn't on your side. Available at Ocado, Tesco, Sainsbury's and deliciouslyella.com.

 

Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (RRP £3 - other Degustaboxers got Bonne Maman Crunchy Peanut Spread) is a delicious, rich spread that is perfect on a slice of toast or just a slice of bread as a quick snack or breakfast. It can also be jazzed up into a quick and simple dessert that the whole family will enjoy (extra bonus points for doubling up with fresh fruit), for example Strawberry and Chocolate Spread Tart or Chocolate and Pear Tart. You may even like to try the more sophisticated-looking but ultra quick Chocolate Spread Palmier Biscuits that look much more complicated than they really are. Available from most major supermarkets.

Dorset Cereals Oat Granola (RRP £3.69) is a simple granola made with crunchy golden oats and sunflower seeds. It's perfect as a blank canvas for adding extra ingredients, whether that be raisins, blueberries or even chocolate chips. It can be topped with milk or yogurt if you want to switch things up a bit. Available in Waitrose, Ocado, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

Kind Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Bars (RRP £1.49) are another tasty snack option, combining the smooth texture of peanut butter with the added decadence of dark chocolate. They contain 50% nuts and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. They are high in fibre and gluten free. They taste great and feel like they are one of the healthier snacking options out there. Available in most major supermarkets.

 

Explore Cuisine Organic Green Lentil Penne (RRP £3.50) is made from organic green lentils and brown rice, both of which are gluten free. The texture and cooking time is similar to regular pasta, so I mixed it 50/50 with regular pasta and the kids were none the wiser ! It's a simple way of adding some plant protein into classic family meals. Available at health food stores and online on amazon.

Jimmy's Iced Coffee Oat BottleCan (RRP £2) is a dairy-free but creamy blend of oat milk and bold single-origin Rainforest Alliance Arabica coffee. Perfect if you are looking for a tasty burst of energy to kick off the day or as a mid-morning boost. Available in Tesco or online.

Tilda Long Grain Rice Pots (RRP £2) are this month's Product of the Month. They are a quick and simple way to prepare rice, taking just 60 seconds in the microwave. This makes them perfect for accompanying leftovers or as a quick side with fajitas, chilli, curry or whatever else you have planned for dinner. One pot is one serving, making things even simpler. Available at Tesco, Ocado and Sainsbury's.

 

Koko Dairy Free Unsweetened Milk (RRP £1.80) can be used in hot and cold drinks, as well as sweet and savoury cooking, in place of regular milk. It is made from coconuts and avoids the 14 major allergens so it is perfect for anyone who is avoiding real milk, due to allergies or ethical issues. It tastes surprisingly like regular milk, which is definitely a good thing in my opinion. Available in most major supermarkets.

Linwoods Health Food Cold Milled Flaxseed (RRP £4) is organic, gluten-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians. It can support cholesterol levels, energy, muscle growth and even your immune system. It is simple to use - you just sprinkle a couple of spoonfuls over your meal. It is cold milled to preserve nutrients and allow for easy absorption. Available in major supermarkets and health store chains, as well as online on linwoodshealthfoods.com

 

 

Mission Protein Plant Powered Wraps (RRP £1.75) are a simple way of adding protein to your diet. Each wrap contains 10g of plant-powered protein and they can be used in anything from breakfast burritos, taco lunches and fajitas dinners, not to mention cold wraps in your lunchbox. They taste the same as regular wraps so you're getting the added protein as a fuss-free extra. Available at Tesco.

Tick Tock Rooibos Tea (RRP £1.90) is the original version of the famous redbush tea. With a light honeyed sweetness, high levels of antioxidants and low levels of tannins, it is recognised around the world as a superfood. If you're looking for a bargain, you can get a box of 40 teabags for £2.35 so the bigger box works out much cheaper. Available in all major supermarkets.

Vidrate (RRP £2.25) was created to help you drink more water and was the first zero-sugar product of its kind made with natural ingredients and added vitamins and electrolytes. There are now 13 natural flavours to discover, including the three in the Degustabox : Strawberry & Lime (standard sachet), Boost Guava (90mg caffeine) and Night Time Mixed Berry (for sleep - taken before bed). It's a great way of giving your body a boost, both from the extra water and the added vitamins. Available in Boots and Whole Foods Market.

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 :

http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - website

http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook

http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter

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.

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 5

I can't believe we'll be into February by the end of the week. Where is the time going ?!! This week, I'll be heading off on the train to a training session in a town about an hour and a half away on Monday morning, to find out all about the new International Section opening in our school next year. I'm probably going to be picked to teach it and we have 6 hours per week to teach literature in English, on top of their normal English lessons. It's going to be tricky finding simple texts to use with the students whose English level is pretty basic in their first year at our school. I'm thinking Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (using the dvd to help with comprehension) and a simplified version of Oliver Twist to start off with, but I'm hoping to get lots more ideas on the course. Then on Friday, I have a two hour meeting at another school to talk (again) about setting up the new section. Lots of running around but it's making it all clearer for next year, which is a good thing. Here's the menu plan for this week.

Monday

lunch- I'll be eating at the school where my course is being run (fridge diving for the kids)

dinner - sausages with mash and beans

Tuesday

lunch- chicken burgers with rice and ratatouille

dinner-  veal with pasta and roasted parsnips

Wednesday

lunch- super smoky bacon and tomato spaghetti

dinner- chilli con carne with rice

Thursday

lunch-something in town with Sophie

dinner- pasta carbonara

Friday

lunch- school canteen (Sophie and Pierre can fend for themselves)

dinner - baked potatoes with bacon, cheese and beans

Saturday

lunch- Deliveroo

dinner- Amatriciana chicken traybake

Sunday

lunch- Pastitsio (Greek Lasagne)

dinner - leftovers

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

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 4

Our menu plans are a bit hit and miss at the moment as we tend to go and grab a couple of Too Good To Go bags at a local supermarket towards the end of the week. Last week we got loads of four cheese pizzas and lots of mini hamburgers. Pierre has just had his braces retightened so he wanted to avoid things that needed a lot of chewing for a few days. That gave us the chance to use up some of the tins of soup that have been filling up my food cupboard. Here's what we have on the plan for this week.

Monday

lunch- something in town with Sophie

dinner - Monterey chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans

Tuesday

lunch- pasta carbonara (with fatty pork slices from Too Good To Go)

dinner-  sesame pork roast (in the slow cooker with Too Good To Go pork) with rice

Wednesday

lunch- Frittata (spinach/sausages/courgette) (p84 Diabetes cookbook) (didn't get made last week as Sophie went back to Lille)

dinner- leftovers

Thursday

lunch-something in town with Sophie

dinner- chicken burgers in buns with Airfryer chips

Friday

lunch- school canteen (Sophie and Pierre can fend for themselves)

dinner - spaghetti bolognese

Saturday

lunch- minced beef fajitas with guacamole

dinner- probably something from Too Good To Go

Sunday

lunch- roast dinner

dinner - leftovers

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

What's Cooking At The Madhouse ? menu plan week 3

We've all settled back into our school routines. Sophie is moving back home so she's doing multiple trips to her flat and bringing it all back home. Cue lots of interesting recipe books and a million seasoning sachets and pots of herbs and spices that we can start working our way through. We've got a new Air Fryer cookbook to go with the air fryer that I got for Christmas, plus Sophie has just brought back her Diabetes cookbook, so we've got lots of new things to try out. Here's what's on the plan for next week.

Monday

lunch- something in town with Sophie

dinner - beef casserole (with carrots/onions) with mash

Tuesday

lunch- chicken satay with rice

dinner- chicken burgers with potato Christmas trees (hanging about in the freezer)

Wednesday

lunch- Frittata (spinach/sausages/courgette) (p84 Diabetes cookbook)

dinner- Mediterranean chicken (with tomatoes/courgettes) with pasta

Thursday

lunch-school canteen

dinner- Spanish chicken and rice

Friday

lunch- school canteen (Sophie and Pierre can fend for themselves)

dinner - Quick sausage pasta sauce (p90 Diabetes cookbook)

Saturday

lunch- Swedish meatballs with Ikea sauce and mash

dinner- Deliveroo (assuming Juliette and her boyfriend will be home)

Sunday

lunch- chicken roast dinner

dinner - chicken soup

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

Degustabox December 2024 review

 

Just before Christmas, we received our final Degustabox delivery of 2024. With Christmas and New Year on the way, it was great to receive a selection of snacks and cupboard staples to stock up the kitchen and help see us through our festive nibbles and creative use of leftovers. Here's what was in the December Degustabox.

 

Tilda Sticky Rice (RRP £1.54) is a new addition to the range of time-saving microwavable rice pouches. This one provides the perfect sticky rice taste and texture needed for making poke bowls and sushi. We have tried making sushi a couple of times (here and here) here at the Madhouse and this 90-second rice would make the whole process quicker and simpler. I've put this aside for the girls to have fun with at a later date. Available at all major supermarkets.

Ryvita Thins Sour Cream & Chive (RRP £2.19) are delicious crispy, crunchy snacks that can be nibbled on their own or eaten with a dip - spicy salsa or creamy dips would work well with this flavour. The smooth creaminess and zingy chives flavour combine to create a delicious taste sensation. They are high in fibre and baked full of goodness so you can even feel good about eating them ! Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon.

 

Fanta Mentos (RRP £2.50) are a combination of two products that I love so these were sure to be a match made in heaven. The sweet citrus flavour is delicious and I love the chewy texture of the sweets. I prefer the individual tubes of Mentos to the sharing pouch bag but the sweets inside were still a big hit. I'm sad to see that these are a limited edition flavour so don't miss out. Available at all major supermarkets.

Maggi 2-Minute Masala Noodles (RRP 65p) are a quick and simple lunch option that I can see Pierre nibbling on. He usually buys Chinese-style noodles so these Indian recipe noodles will make a nice change. These spicy noodles include vegetables and are suitable for vegetarians, but you could also add in some chopped-up leftover cooked chicken to make a heartier meal. Available at all major supermarkets.

 

Jayish V Gallery Vodka (RRP £4 for the miniature bottle) is a range of fabulously flavoured premium vodka spirit drinks. Five times distilled to bring you the purest of the pure crystal clear vodka every time. We got Very Berry flavour which was enjoyed as part of our New Year's Eve celebrations. I would say it is a brand that is particularly appealing to female and/or youngish drinkers who don't really like the taste of alcohol as it is a very fruity, appealing flavour. Other flavour options (there are eight available in total) include Marshmallow, Toffee Fudge, Mango Crush and Cucumber. Definitely worth looking into for an enjoyable night in. Available at vgalleryvodka.com

Human Nature Caramelised Onion Flavour Pea Snacks (RRP £2 - other subscribers got Hot Jalapeno and Lime Lentil, Smoky BBQ Pea or Cheese Flavour Lentil) are delicious, crunchy snacks that have an intense onion flavour and a texture that seems to melt in the mouth. Human Nature is a vegetarian brand on a mission to make wholesome foods that positively contribute to social and environmental causes. They aim to offset more than twice their carbon emissions by removing ocean-bound plastic, planting trees, creating eco-friendly jobs, and donating to 1% for the Planet. Available at humannaturefood.com

Knorr Fiery Spicy Stock Pots (RRP £1.90) are another option from the quick and convenient range of cooking aids. I love the simplicity for adding flavour and thickening up cooking juices but we did find these ones slighty too spicy. I toned them down by adding some creme fraiche at the end of the cooking time.  They can be used in soups, stews, casseroles, pasta dishes and more. They are suitable for vegetarians and vegans and are perfect for adding some oomph to slightly bland dishes. Available at Waitrose, Ocado and Asda.

 

Get More Vits Multi Vits (RRP £1.10) is a Sparkling Lemon & Lime drink that is sugar-free, low calorie and high in vitamins. Each drink contains a daily dose of vitamins B, C and D, so it's an easy way to get your daily dose of vitamins. B Vitamins support energy release by converting food to energy in the body, vitamins C and D support the immune system, and vitamin D also supports healthy bones, teeth and muscles. It is a simple and tasty way of giving your body some health-boosting nutrients.

Get More Vits Recovery (RRP £1.25) is a Cranberry flavoured sports drink. It is advertised as the perfect drink to rehydrate during or after exercise or illness and I drank this when I was unwell just before Christmas. It contains Sodium, Potassium & Magnesium electrolytes which aid hydration, whilst B Vitamins support energy release. As well as helping your body regulate itself, it tastes great.

Forest Feast Salted Dark Chocolate Cashews (RRP  £1.50) are slowly roasted to a golden finish then dunked into dark Belgian chocolate, sprinkled with salt and dusted with cocoa. They taste just as divine as they sound and we gobbled up the whole packet in record time ! I was slightly unsure about mixing cashews and chocolate but it's a combination that really works well. Available at Tesco, forestfeast.com and Fine Food independents.

 

Garofalo Ditali Soup Pasta (RRP £2.60 - other subscribers got Semi Di Melone Soup Pasta) offers an authentic Italian experience. It is perfect in hearty soups or light broths but the kids ended up cooking this and serving it with bolognese sauce which worked just fine too. It is made from high quality durum wheat which has a great al dente texture and the short tube shape is perfect for holding onto sauce and seasoning.

Dorset Cereals Simply Nutty Muesli (RRP £3.40)  is a blend of rolled and toasted flakes with dates, hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds. It contains no added sugar, uses wholegrain wheat and oats and is high in fibre. It is free from added preservatives, colours or artificial flavours and is suitable for vegans. You could do a lot worse if you're looking for a new, healthy way to start the day for 2025.

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.