Just before Christmas, we had an early moment of excitement when the postie dropped off the December Degustabox. What would be hiding inside? Winter warmers, festive nibbles or maybe some completely new and unexpected things to finish the year in style? Well, this year's box didn't have a specified theme so it offered a little bit of everything.
Starting off with the Product of the Month, we discovered two tins of Heinz soup (RRP 2 x £1.70), which are always perfect as a quick warming lunch or evening meal in autumn and winter. The French Onion Soup is a variety I have never tried, despite really enjoying the flavour of homemade French Onion Soup, and this tin didn't disappoint, offering the rich flavour of onions, perked up with a hint of red wine. This is delicious topped with a slice or two of grilled bread topped with cheese. The Spicy Parsnip Soup was another new variety to me and I really enjoyed it. The sweetness of the parsnip flavour is given a little boost with the addition of a warming spice combination of red pepper and chilli. The soups are quick and simple to warm up, on the stove or in the microwave, and contain no artificial colours or preservatives. They are also low in fat, low in sugar and vegetarian, so they are ideal for tying in with meat-free or healthy meal plans in the New Year. Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA and Ocado.
Alpen Delight (RRP 2 x 59p) is a new brand of snack bars that offer the perfect balance of healthy and tasty. Each bar is made with creamy rolled oats, wholegrain wheat flakes and crispy rice, blended with added extras and covered in smooth chocolate. We got the Raspberry Rocky Road and Chocolate Caramel & Shortbread varieties which were both a big hit here at The Madhouse. Each bar is high in fibre, contains 92 calories and contains a third less fat than most traditional cereal bars, making it a great compromise if you're looking to improve your food choices in the New Year. Available in all major supermarkets.
Dr Will's Sweet Mango Sriracha (RRP £3.50) is one of a range of all-natural condiments that were sent out in this month's Degustabox. Other subscribers got Tomato Ketchup, Bacon Ketchup, BBQ Sauce or Vegan Mayo, which I would have preferred as I find Sriracha too spicy. The whole range offers "more flavour, less sugar" and is made up of store-cupboard basics with no added sugar and nothing ultra-processed. Available in Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Co-op, Selfridges, Whole Food Markets and more !
Eisberg Sparkling Rose Alcohol-Free Wine (RRP £4) is a vegan-friendly option for New Year's Eve that has the added advantage of being lower in calories. Eisberg starts off as a regular wine before having the alcohol gently removed, which quite probably explains why it tastes just like drinking normal wine. Available in Tesco, Morrisons, Co-op, Ocado and Amazon.
Get More Vits Multivitamin Squash (RRP £2.50) is a delicious fruity squash that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. We got Summer Fruits, which we really enjoyed, while other subscribers got Orange, Mango and Passionfruit. The squash contains 20% fruit juice, no added sugar and, as an extra benefit, each serving contains 50% of your daily dose of vitamins, including vitamin D. Available in Tesco and ASDA.
Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Granola Barista Edition (RRP £3) is a granola variety made for coffee lovers, which I am unfortunately not. Alongside milk chocolate curls and sliced almonds, the granola is infused with an aromatic coffee flavour. The crunchy nut granola is great for breakfast and offers a high-fibre option that contains no artificial colours and flavours.
Tony's Chocolonely Littl' Bits (RRP £3) is a different way to enjoy the brand's delicious best-selling bar. Crunchy caramel and buttery cookie bits are covered in a thick layer of creamy milk chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt. Your tongue goes through all the different flavour experiences, from creamy and chocolatey to salty. Utterly delicious and simple to share amongst the whole family in the practical sharing bag. Available in all major supermarket chains.
Knorr Beef Gravy Pots (RRP £2.25) is a quick and simple way of producing a rich and flavourful gravy that tastes like it's been made from scratch. Just fling one in a gravy boat, top with boiling water and stir for a few minutes until it melts. That's it ! Also great for adding to casseroles to create a tasty sauce for red meat dishes. They are made with quality ingredients and slowly simmered meat juices which provide a delicious and authentic flavour. Available in Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's and Ocado.
Maggi Chicken Flavour Noodles (RRP £2) are perfect for providing a quick and simple lunch or snack option for ever-hungry teens (Pierre, I am looking at you !), but are also great for using up leftover turkey and vegetables in a simple stir fry. They are low in saturated fat and suitable for vegetarians (as long as you leave out the turkey trimmings!). All you need is some boiling water and three minutes and they are ready to eat. I find that noodles are a great way of getting vegetables into the kids without any complaints, as well as making a nice change to the usual rice, pasta or potatoes. Available in ASDA, Iceland, B&M, Poundland and Lidl.
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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