When I visited the Good Food Show last November I picked up one of these spice kits from Bit Spicy to make an Indonesian Korma. My Mum and I tested basically every sample they had and bought a selection for my Dad but I wanted one for myself and I love a good korma.

It's relatively easy to make but it does take some time. I'm not going to go through the whole method with you but you would need approximately 2 hours to make it and you cook the chicken separately then add it to the sauce. 

The flavour of this korma is like no korma I've had before! It's not mild at all and has a very good kick of spice to it and it has a more yellow colour than your normal curry. I had mine with chicken but it also suggests prawns which I would love to try! 

As I was browsing their website I noticed they do spices for other foods as well, not just curry so I'm keen to try their Mexican range, we all love some good fajitas now don't we!

I'm going to the Good Food Eat Well Show in a few weeks so hopefully they will be there again so I can pick up a few more spice packs!

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December Degustabox

Hello everyone! I’ve had a bad week already and it’s only Tuesday, however today my second Degustabox arrived, how exciting is that! It seems like only a few weeks ago that I received my first degustabox and it was, or one of, the most exciting things I’ve received in the post!

I loved the surprise element of it and here’s my post on the November box in case you missed it!

My favourite thing in the box would have to be the fajita flavour shots, I ate fajitas all of last week…I’m excited to try the chutney as well but I’m taking that home for Christmas!

So here is what I got in my December box…

First up is Oats+Chia from The Chia Co. At first I was quite disappointed but I’ve just read a bit more about it and I’m quite interested in seeing how it tastes! This is a blend of wholegrain oats, chia, fruits and coconut oil. Then you just add water to get a smooth and creamy texture. Sounds good so far right? It also says that chia seed offers the highest combined plant source of omega-3, fibre and protein and is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Fun fact eh?

Next up is Pukka Herbs, in other words green tea with lemon! I got way too excited by this. It’s another brand of green tea that I get to try and my all time favourite is when it’s got lemon in it as well. Stay tuned!

The next 3 products are Bahlsen Choco Leibniz, Eisburg Alcohol Free Wine and Bonne Maman Orange Marmalade. All of which will be taken home for Christmas to share with my family.

When I first opened the box I was greeted by a large bag of salt and vinegar Popchips, personally these have nothing on the Kettle Chips I got last month but I’ll give these a chance as I haven’t had this flavour before!

Third to last (saving the best till last of course), are 4 cans of Gloworm mixer drinks. These come in some of the most intriguing flavours, Raspberry and Orris for Vodka, Cucumber and Apple for Gin, Pear, Spice and Lime for Rum and Ginger and Lemongrass for Bourbon. I only drink vodka so I might have to give a couple to my parents for them to mix or just have more with vodka! This is the first mixer of its kind, which are specifically blended to compliment a selection of spirits. They are sugar-free (IT’S A MIRACLE), they also have a lower caffeine content.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find another product from Kent’s Kitchen, the fajita flavour shots I was talking about are from Kent’s Kitchen and in this box I got a “Meal Kit” for Madras curry. Are they trying to set my mouth on fire?! I’m excited to try it though, a new kind of cooking that I haven’t tried before so it will be a nice new experience.

So last up is my favourite by far, Frylight Infuse Chilli oil. This is a way of getting the oil you need without pouring out too much. It comes in a little spray bottle, which is handy and can be used for all sorts of pan-fried or roasted food. It adds a great spicy kick, which is good for me, as I love having a spicy kick to food. Something that they pointed out on the information sheet in the box is that because it is controllable, you can custom flavour the heat level for each member of the family!

This month I paid £12.99 for the box, and for all of the products, they retail at £25.75, which is pretty good going by my standards! This means I paid half of what these products retailed for and that makes me very happy!

How great is this months box? Have I tempted you to buy your own Degustabox yet?

Degustabox

Hello everyone! I feel like I’ve been a bit distant lately and I haven’t given 100% into some of my posts. This is all about to change!

You don't need to tell me twice!

Now I wanted to get this post out sooner as I received this box last week, but I’ve been so busy and today I’ve been off work ill. So I thought I would use my time wisely and do some writing while I’m resting in bed!

About 3 weeks ago I signed up to Degustabox after reading several reviews of their previous boxes. I think it’s amazing, you get 9 to 14 surprises which Degustabox say can be completely new to the market and you receive a box once a month full of goodies. I got my first box for £7.99, and what an absolute bargain that is! However, starting from my next box it will be £12.99.

Needless to say I am thrilled with what I received and with some of the things I can’t wait to get cooking. Others I will share with my family for a Christmas treat, aren’t I so lovely?

I opened my box to be greeted with some cider, talk about winning! But before I get onto the food, there were a couple of recipe cards and some information on Cool Dawn, plus the retail price of all the products received.

So first up is Montano Cider, made from apples that are grown in the foothills of the Dolomites. On the website it says that the result is a golden, elegantly sparkling, medium-dry cider with a refreshing crisp finish. I’m going to be drinking this at the weekend (it’s been a long week), and it’s such a huge bottle…bigger than my head…so I will be enjoying myself a little bit! I’m also told that it’s available at Tesco and also in Strada restaurants.

Next we have Kettle Chips, one of their limited edition flavours for Christmas and I got Salsa and Mesquite, which I am so happy with because I love anything with a tomato flavour. Apparently this was one of the original flavours that the brand did back in 1988 so they’ve bought it back this Christmas. It combines the flavours of tomatoes, chillies, peppers and the aroma of barbecues. Maybe I’ll enjoy this with my cider at the weekend!

Now who doesn’t love finding a hangover cure? Cool Dawn is an effective herbal detox drink, which helps to prevent and cure hangovers. I know you’re already dying to know where you can buy these, so visit this website for more information.

I also found 5 stars in the box, which turned out to be 5 of Lindt Lindor My Melting Moment. They are one hell of a moment indeed! You’ve probably spotted these in the supermarkets, I know I tried one last year and they literally just melt in your mouth but they don’t last long so maybe buy a few if you need a good old chocolate fix.

From other reviews that I’ve read I think that this isn’t the first time a product from Kent’s Kitchen has popped up in the box. This month we got a pack of 4 flavour shots and mine was for fajitas. Which will most likely get used this weekend too. Are you seeing a pattern here? I’m so impressed with the look of these that you should definitely check out their website.

We’re almost at the end now, boo, and I’m sorry for such a long post but I hope you’re enjoying it!

I also got two little bottles of Pip Organic Cloudy Apple Juice which I think I’ll be taking to work with me to try get myself feeling much better again! They are not from concentrate, there are no added sugars, water, preservatives or additives, is this not the perfect juice to you?

Second to last is one of the new Branston Chutneys, which I got in Mediterranean Tomato. I was really hesitant at first but I’ve come round to the idea of it and I’m trying to think of what I can use it in. The suggestion on the Degustabox website is to use it with smokey meats, cheddar and biscuits, so I might try that. You can get it in shops now.

This is where the recipe cards come in handy, there are 2 recipes for this chutney, the first being chutney and cheese sausage rolls which don’t seem too bad but there’s also Mediterranean tomato bubbles and squeak cakes which sound so good! And this is completely perfect for Christmas; we always have bubble and squeak from our leftovers on Boxing Day!

So last, but without a doubt, not least, is the one thing that I’m looking forward to use the most. Two different curry sauces by Holy Cow! in Mughlai Korma Curry Sauce which sounds great and also Madras Chettinad Curry Sauce which I know is going to be spicy, not sure if I’m scared or excited about that one! So these are made with all natural ingredients, no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, they are gluten free and suitable for vegetarians and coeliacs. I am most definitely going to do a review about these when I get round to making it.

I also forgot that I got a Chai Latte sample, but I’m not too excited about this…

So there it is, what do you think? I found out I should get the December box in a couple of weeks so stay tuned for that one.

Do you get a Degustabox each month? Or do you think you might get one?

What I’m Currently Reading

Day 6: Show Us What You're Currently Reading

I don’t often buy food or cooking magazines but I really wanted some cooking inspiration for Christmas so I bought this Good Food Magazine and it comes with a 2015 recipe calendar which I’m excited to get out and use.

There are also a few other magazines I’ve been meaning to read but I just haven’t had a moment to do so.

As well, I actually have a whole pile of books to get through but some need my full attention and I have other priorities right now!

Not forgetting all of your wonderful blogs, don't forget to leave me your links for me to read them!

What I Love About The Current Season

The Weather

I’m probably the only person in England that sort of enjoys the weather at this time of year. Obviously not the torrential rain, that’s just too much but the cold mornings, getting dark early and even the light showers of rain. I’m a strange one, I know!

Comforting, Warming Food

You may, or may not, have noticed that the last couple of recipes that I’ve written are “comforting and warming”. This fits perfectly in with what I love about the season, they aren’t quite my dad’s stews or my mum’s crumbles, but they’re the best that I can do and they are just what I love to eat this season.

Spending Time With Loved Ones

Cringe! But these nights in with these people are just what I love to do and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Sundays

I’m not working too many of the following Sundays and it feels like they finally have meaning again! Having a lazy Sunday, wander around town or around Richmond Park are just a few ways to have the perfect Sunday. Topped off with a roast dinner of course!

TV

Oh my, the TV at this time of year is when it’s at its finest! X Factor, all the reality tv shows are back, I can’t get enough of them!