Degustabox February Box

 February is full of promise. The spring flowers are already out, our garden looks pretty with snowdrops and crocuses bringing a new hope of warmer days to come.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in February Box Degustabox?

We start with Bisto Smooth Peppercorn Sauce (£2.95) a new product from the well-known and much loved range. 

Like many British families, we buy Bisto gravy granules for a quick and easy gravy. Last month we tried Bisto cheese sauce, and enjoyed it, so we were quite curious to try the new product.

Simply add 4 level tbsp of Bisto instant pepper sauce to 250ml boiling water and give it a quick stir until the sauce thickens.

It's perfect for lamb chops or poured over steak. For a vegetarian dish, use the granules to cook a veggie Bolognese.

Each tub contains 19 individual servings. 

Typical values: 42kcal and 0.41g of salt per 50ml portion as prepared; no artificial colours or preservatives.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Wagamama Firecracker/ or Coconut +Lemongrass Curry sauce (£2.75)

You will receive one variety in the box. We got Firecracker curry sauce, which is a sweet and spicy sauce with sriracha and chilli. The label promises a bang to every bowl (and I'm taking their word for it. I haven't used this sauce, and will most likely pass it on a friend who enjoys extra spicy food).

The image of three peppers indicates a high level of spiciness. Recreate restaurant dishes at home, like prawn, chicken and tofu firecracker curry.

Nutritional values: 82kcal and 14g of sugar per 100g.

Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Ocado.

Truly Nuts! Brazil Nuts (£3.99) are sustainably-sourced Amazon-harvested nuts, available plain or coated in rich Belgian chocolate, combining high selenium and healthy fats.

You will receive one variety of three. We got Buck Naked Whole & Raw Brazil nuts, unflavoured, unroasted and unsalted.

I have chuckled on seeing a pack of brazil nuts in the box, as I was talking to my Mum just the other day, and she said they were her favourites. I told her I wish I could give her the pack. Most likely, I will chop the brazils and use as an ingredient in baking cookies or muffins.

Nutritional values: 690kcal and 14g or protein per 100g.; high fibre, source of selenium, vegan friendly, gluten free and non-GMO. Packed in the UK with brazil nuts from Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.

Available in TG Jones (former WHSmith).

Snyder's of Havover Pretzel Pieces - Honey, Mustard & Onion (£2) are American-style snacks.

These pretzel pieces come in big crunchy chunks. The flavour is bold, very mustardy. Other varieties come in such flavours as Hot Buffalo Wings, Cheddar Cheese and Jalapeño.

I'm not sure what the final verdict is. they are not bad, but I do prefer small thin pretzels. Perhaps we need to try different favours to find out our favourite. I imagine this snack would be great with a glass of cold beer.

Nutritional values; 532kcal and 7.4g of sugar per 100g.

Available in Amazon, Ocado and quality convenience stores.

Tuk in Foods Lime Pickle Bombay Trail Mix (£1.50 for 40g) is a flavourful snack, which offers a combination of cashew nuts, roasted corn, Bombay mix, almonds, mustard seeds and plenty of spice.

The resulting mix promises to boost your energy levels, and is packed with nutrients.

Nutritional values: 222kcal and 0.26g of salt per 40g pouch; 7g protein, high in fibre, source of magnesium and vitamin E.

Available in independent retailers.

I was super excited to see three bottles of Filippo Berio squeezable olive oil (£7.99) in the box. I have seen the new products on Insta and did think they looked fab.

You would only receive one variety in the box (as a regular blogger I got all three flavours to try).

This is the same quality olive oil you expect from Filippo Berio, only coming in a squeezable bottle format for easier drizzling and finishing touches.With an easy-pour cap you can dispense oil without a mess. Great for so many dishes.

There is a Classico olive oil, composed of refined olive oils and virgin olive oils, great for cooking meat or vegetables.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced from extra virgin olive oils from Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Excellent for finishing and dressing salads or pasta.

And Chilli flavoured olive oil, hot and fiery, will enhance any pizza or add a dash of heat to a pasta sauce.

Available at www.filippoberio.co.uk or on Amazon.

As a subscriber, you will receive extra goodies to those shown above.

What product did you find the most delicious?

Photo diary: Project 365, weeks 7 and 8, 2026

 Typically I finish Project 365 posts on Monday mornings, and would have done so with week 7, but last Monday morning we had a call from the son of our dear friends, telling us that his father died. We knew the end was imminent, and still, the news hurt. Our friend and his late wife were more than friends, they were part of our family, wonderful special people who kind of "adopted" us when we were a young couple. We got married from their house (while living with them). They helped and supported us in so many ways. I could never repay their kindness. A big part of our lives is gone with them.

Too upset, I kept crying all day.

Running into town on Sunday, I saw these white doves on the rooftops, and they made me think of the musical notes.

We recently bought an art poster from Postera for Eddie's room. It was his choice. I love the fonts of Hokusai's name, with the red sun instead of the letter O. He also has a huge Dune poster on one of the other walls, unframed. It's not a scene from the film, but an illustration from an old edition of the book.

I wasn't feeling well, and ordered McDonald's meals for my guys for dinner. Now we have two Friends toys from the collection, Monica and Chandler.

Abel & Cole delivery day, with one pot recipe for a vegetarian curry, with sweet potatoes, black beans, spinach, coconut milk etc. It was really tasty.

I read another book by Dick Francis, named Decider - my Mum recommended it enthusiastically. I didn't like it as much as To the Hilt. It is entertaining enough. The plotline is centred around the multi-million pound Stratton Park racecourse, which faces ruin in the hands of a squabbling family.

Lee Morris, architect by education and builder in real life (and also a father of six sons) who restores derelict houses, has inherited a small share in the race course (his mother was the ex-wife of one of the vile Strattons). The family can't seem to agree what to do with the Stratton Park, either to modernise it or sell to the highest bidder. One day Lee is approached by two gentlemen running the race track, asking to help preserve the race course. His eight votes could make a difference. Little does he know how quickly a simple request will escalate, putting him and his family in mortal danger.

The Strattons are a dysfunctional family and quite cartoonish too. Potential triggers: domestic abuse and violence. 

On Saturday Eddie visited our friends for dinner, I tagged along, and stayed for dinner as well. The guys played Catan. I watched and chatted. 

What else did we do this week? Watched Knowing with Nicolas Cage, a sci fi/dystopian thriller about a mysterious list of numbers that has predicted future disasters. I'm usually a fan of the genre, but I would not recommend this film. The ending in particular is absurd. Have you seen it?

A couple of years ago I was attending a book club at the local Waterstones. It was great fun, and I enjoyed it. Sadly the mid-week days were not super convenient, as that's when my husband is often away, which means I couldn't leave my guys on their own. I recently found out that the club is meeting on Sundays these days, and I'm considering of re-joining it. Not sure of the latest book choice, it's not really my genre. Perhaps I should wait until the next month.

Crocuses in town are looking much perkier than mine in the garden, which were left bedraggled after incessant rains. The snowdrops are almost all gone too. For some reason, there were not as many snowdrops as there used to be. I wonder if I can blame the rain?! Was it too wet for them? Typically our garden is carpeted with spring flowers, but this year it was less of a carpet and more of a scattering.

We have plenty of primroses though, yellow and white.

Painting a sketch with a strong brewed coffee. This was the initial stage, I have finished this piece by now, so it looks quite different. From 1 March I will be collaborating with Penandinkchallenge, creating a list of prompts for art journalling. I am very excited about it.

The fields nearby are still under water, though it is subsiding a little. You can pass through, probably even in big wellies.

Believe it or not, I started reading the third Dick Francis' book in a row, this time it's In the Frame (another recommendation from my Mum, who, as you can guess, is a big fan of Dick Francis). I managed to find the original 1976 edition from Amazon sellers for £3.50 with postage included.

The book cover design is a typical 1970s psychedelic cover.

The main character is an artist Charles Todd who loves painting horses. He travels to Australia to see his old mate who paints abstract art, and together they try to solve the conspiracy of racing, art and murder. 

The thriller starts dramatically, and the characters are very vivid. I'm half way through, and enjoying it immensely. 

It was my birthday on Saturday. Eddie and I went to Oxford, while my husband looked after Sasha. We had a late lunch at Itsu, and hit the shops at the West Gate centre, traipsing through the usual suspects, Uniqlo, T K Maxx, John Lewis etc. 

We happened to watch some Latin and modern dancing in the little square next to John Lewis. I liked the youngest group the best, they were performing a dance routine to Mamma Mia, and people around were singing along and dancing too. I might have wiggled my bum as well. 

I wanted to buy a patisserie cake to bring home. Sadly, all cakes at Paul's were of a mousse variety, and I didn't fancy any in particular. Eddie insisted we walked further up High Street to Saint Claire Valentine patisserie. When we came in, there were a couple of cakes in the window, alas, they were only for display. The chef happened to be there and we started chatting. I told him we were totally chancing it, and I was happy to buy a selection of delicious looking pastries. The  chef kindly offered to make me a cake, if we would wait.

There was a choice between Red Velvet or Joconde. We opted for the Red Velvet. We waited while enjoying a coffee and a pastry. It was the end of the day, everyone left. The staff were chatting to us, wishing me a happy 21st birthday, so sweet. Really lovely friendly people working there.

The house where the cafe is situated, is many centuries old, like most buildings nearby.

The cake was superb, with chocolate cream, and a layer of fresh strawberries inside. Truly, one of the best cakes I have ever had in my life, and I surely had plenty of cakes. So delicate, not too sweet, the flavours were balanced perfectly. We all loved it. Eddie declared that he wants a cake for his birthday in summer from the same patisserie.

Top marks for the cake and brilliant service. I was so touched that the chef made a cake for me personally.

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Photo diary: Project 365, week 6 2026

 Rain, rain, go away...

What a grey miserable week, weather-wise, it was, everything is soggy and wet. There is so much work to do in the garden, and it's impossible to do anything in the rain.

The Windrush has turned "burly".

At the same time you can see that nature is awakening, and spring is just round the corner. I have spotted a ladybird on the withered plant, and liked this juxtaposition of the bright red and the moldy grey.

The crocuses are out, though with the heavy rain most of them are lying on the ground, poor things. That's about the only standing crocus I managed to find in our garden.

On Wednesday morning I saw this jolly car with the stormtroppers, and they made me smile.

We haven't been able to walk through the fields in weeks, which upsets Sasha as he likes to walk there. I haven't even ventured near there. Eddie was curious enough to come close to take a photo.

In the last week I have been reading To the Hilt by Dick Francis. I haven't enjoyed a book in this genre so much for a long time. While not entirely about the British horse racing, there is still a horse-related plotline along the main mystery. 

The main protagonist Alexander Kinloch is an artist who lives in a remote bothy on a Scottish mountain. One morning he is accosted by four rough thugs who beat him up, demanding to know "Where is it?" Alexander is not sure what IT is supposed to be. Then a call from his mother brings him back to England. His stepfather Sir Ivan has had a heart attack after his brewery business is nearly ruined, with millions of pounds embezzled by someone trusted. And Ivan's racing horse Golden Malt is under threat. Al is asked by his stepfather to look into his business while he tries to recuperate. Al agrees to act as his Power of attorney. The cost of being a hero is very high, as he will find out.

I loved the pages where the artist describes the process of priming the canvas, painting techniques and ideas behind his artwork. Top-notch.

Alexander makes a likable character. Some of the sidelines are slightly preposterous, but still great fun.

Enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to plunge straight in another Dick Francis' book, Decider. It's one of my Mum's favourite books.

And I'd welcome any more suggestions of Dick Francis' books that you enjoyed and would recommend. 

How many times do I tell my guys not to buy flowers for Valentine's, as they are overpriced and more often than not, of inferior quality, as the vendors try to get rid of all their supply. But no, my husband still comes home with a rose. I put the log stem in an empty champagne bottle.

We had a nice dinner, and started watching A Complete Unknown, about the young Bob Dylan. He is portrayed as very talented but also self-centered and a bit of a jerk. Timothy Chalamet is good, and his singing voice is decent, but it is still like listening to a karaoke in comparison to the real Dylan's performance. 

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Grace by A.M.Shine

 

"...the island was dying long before anyone realised it. If there'd been some early symptoms of its sickness, then nobody had the good mind back then to see them. And now it was too late. Croaghnakeela had become a black heart festering in the bay, its inhabitants no better than maggots writhing in its salty air, waiting for dark wings to descend and devour them".

Grace by A.M. Shine is a dark, unsettling modern Gothic horror, rooted in ancient Irish myth.

Grace

A haunting, atmospheric modern Gothic horror tale based on traditional Irish mythology, from the author of smash hit The Watchers. Ancient evil is awakened on a lonely isle off the coast of Ireland.

TO LEARN THE TRUTH

WOULD YOU DESCEND INTO HELL?

Off the west coast of Ireland lies a lonely island, isolated and wilfully forgotten. Some say there hasn't been a child born on the island for thirty years. Other speak of strange deaths there, decades ago. But no one really know what happened. Locals believe that the dark times are behind them.

They are mistaken.

Grace, adopted at four years old, has never known where she came from. A mysterious phone call leads her back to the island where she was born - and where a terrible evil has been disturbed.

As the evil starts to spread, Grace finds herself dragged back into a living nightmare that threatens to engulf anyone who steps into its path.

Grace is perfect for fans of horror classics, Paul Tremblay, and Kealan Patrick Burke.

Beyond the reach of the mainland Ireland lies a god-forsaken island that maps barely remember. It's a haunted place lashed by the Atlantic storms, wrapped in an eerie silence. The locals avoid speaking of what's happened all those years ago, of a string of macabre unexplained deaths and of the locals, who were buried quietly in haste. There have been no children born on the island in the last thirty years. 

No one wants to mention the name of the old evil. Most prefer to exist in silence and alcohol-induced stupor which numbs the pain of loss. No one agrees on what's really happened, and they try to convince themselves that the darkness has passed. They are survivors whose memories are truncated by the unwillingness to remember.

Grace was adopted at four years old, her origins sealed in a secretive silence. She has spent her life with a hollow space where her beginnings should be. 

"Somewhere in that empty space that her adoptive parents so carefully guided her around like a bottomless pit, there was still something. Maybe it wasn't anything as appreciable as a memory. But it had always been there, in the periphery of her life, some residual feeling that time couldn't clean away".

Then a single phone call shatters everything she knows about herself, and summons her back to the island where she was born. Grace finds out that her biological mother has passed away. The priest, Father Richard O'Malley, tells Grace she has inherited a house, which he is happy to sell for her, to save the inconvenience of travelling. She is adamant that she wants to go and see where she came from.

And the island has been waiting all this time. Something ancient has been reawakened. This evil force does not forget or forvive. As it seeps into the present, Grace is drawn into a walking nightmare. Coiling around the island, it tightens its grip on anyone who dares to uncover the truth.

Some places do not forget, some evil is never laid to sleep, and some doors once open, will never close again.

Though the book is called after Grace, she is but one of the two main protagonists. The other one, Father O'Malley, is looking after his wayward flock on the inhospitable isle. We learn his backstory and inner struggles with acceptance of his rare gifts.

Robin is a newcomer to the island, transferred to Croaghnakeela six years earlier. He was hoping for a fresh start.

"Croaghnakeela had its secrets too... The waves there broke the shore in a light mist that tasted too much like death. And it wasn't the sleepy kind of silence that kept the island so still. Whispers don't work when they're all a people speak. Something happened there that it wanted to forget. Sealing their lips was a way to pat down the soil. Talking only disturbed it. But Robin knew better. The truth never stayed buried, and the silence never got any easier, no matter how they may pretend".

Grace's arrival spurs him into action,and he starts asking questions that he has been avoiding to ask. Only to uncover the truth, he has to descend into hell.

The claustrophobic setting of Croaghnakeela is top-notch. The elements of the Irish myths and the introduction of the arch-villain Bodach in this remote location create a powerfully sinister and uncanny piece of writing.

Grace is a bleak chiller, a disturbing parable of the human greed, silent acquiescence, and even endorsement of evil. It might be a fiction, but it makes you think of how ordinary people are prepared to live alongside the unmentionable horror by pretending not to notice it, not protesting or trying to do something to fight it.

This horror story presents an uncompromising, desolate view of humanity, or the lack of it. Read it if you dare!

Grace is my first encounter with the author, A.M. Shine. I somehow missed his previous books and The Watchers on Netflix, though I am going to remedy that, as I bought The Watchers on Kindle.

Many thanks to A.M. Shine, Head of Zeus and Rachel's Random Resources for my proof copy.

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/GraceCR

Author Bio –

A.M. Shine writes in the Gothic horror tradition. Born in Galway, Ireland, he received his Master's Degree in History there before sharpening his quill and pursuing all things literary and macabre. He is a member of the Irish Writers Centre. His debut novel, The Watchers, has been made into a major motion picture produced by M. Night Shyamalan. Follow him on @AMShineWriter and www.amshinewriter.com

 

Social Media Links –

https://x.com/AMShineWriter

https://www.instagram.com/nocturn_al_shine/

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Twitter: @AriesFiction

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Instagram: @headofzeus

Photo diary: Project 365, week 5 2026

In some way the last week wasn't memorable, which is good, as in no news, good news. I'm slowly getting better and better. My knee is back to normal colour, though it has a strange sensation, as if a muscle or ligament has shrank. I am taking marine collagen in hope it would solve the problem at some point. My back is almost fine.

Sunday's sweet pastry haul from Costa, using TooGoodToGo app. Not as impressive as Lynwoods cafe, but it also costs less.

Popped into a card and gift shop, and saw a few lovely Rolife diy miniature rooms on display. They were on offer and look so tempting, but I don't have space in the house for any of them. Our bookshelves are crammed, and books are stacked in every possible and impossible space.

The only drawing I made in the last week is of the little girl in a shawl, vaguely based on a photo of me, when I was a child. The sketch is made in mixed media, with pens, inks and watercolour.

My orchids in the kitchen were looking a bit tired, so I got new clear pots with drainage holes and a bag of orchid potting mix, and re-planted them. Fingers crossed, they will perk up.

I started reading The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie. We watched The Seven Dials on Netflix recently, which is quite amusing and entertaining, until you start reading the book and wonder what was the point of changing it so dramatically.

Agatha Christie satirises the upper classes beautifully. I'm enjoying the book more than the series.

On Saturday evening Eddie was invited for dinner by our friends. I asked if I could tag along for a bit of a chinwag. Tried to catch this little chirpy thing sitting still for a photo, but he kept moving like a lightning.

How was your week?

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Murder at the Duomo by T.A. Williams

 

"The duomo... With its stunning green, white and pink marble facade, magnificent statues and the unique and impressive domed roof, it's a place of worship, peace and calm.

But, as I was about to find out, this isn't always the case".

Murder at the Duomo by T.A. Williams is a delightful cozy mystery, set in Florence. This is the brand new instalment in the bestselling Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery series (Book no.14), which features a retired DCI Dan Armstrong and his loyal companion, Oscar.

Blurb:

Murder at the Duomo

Even angels can have a dark side...

As the sticky heat of August settles over Florence, Dan Armstrong is ready for a well-earned break -sightseeing with fiancée Anna, daughter Tricia and her fiancé Shaun. But when a British man is found dead inside the city's magnificent Duomo, Dan's plans quickly change.

The victim, Tristan Angel, is a super-wealthy arms dealer with a saintly name and a devilish reputation. But what was he doing in the cathedral, and who decided to make it his final confession?

At Angel's opulent villa in the hills of Fiesole, Dan and Commissario Virgilio encounter a colourful cast of suspects - each one hiding secrets and none too eager to talk. as tempers rise and the heat outside grows ever more intense, Dan and his four-legged sidekick, Oscar, must sniff out the truth before the killer strikes again.

The weather outside is miserable, it's been raining for days non-stop, though in my imagination I'm travelling to the hotter climes and locations. Florence, to be precise. Italy in August is a formidable place to be, not for the wimps for sure.

Reading Murder at the Duomo brings back memories of staying in Florence in August many years ago (and in comparison give me an incessant rain any time). 

Florence is being smothered in a heat wave, and Dan Armstrong is determined to enjoy a pause from crime. His plans include outdoor meals, perhaps a bit of sightseeing with his daughter Tricia and her fiancé Shaun, long walks in the countryside which end up in the shade with a cold beer and a treat for his dog Oscar.

Dan's peaceful break is soon brought to an end, as the news reach him that a British man is discovered murdered inside the city's most sacred landmark, the Duomo.

When Commissario Virgilio Pisano contacts Dan, he drops everything to make it to the questura. There's an English connection to the victim. Dan is excited to get involved in the case.

"I have to confess that a murder investigation every now and then makes a pleasant change from tracking unfaithful spouses or light-fingered employees".

Initial stages of the investigation reveal that the victim of the murder at the Duomo is an obscenely rich arms dealer Tristan Angel, with a haloed name and a hellish reputation.

"He's an arms dealer. Big time. I'm not talking a couple of handguns and a pocket full of ammo; I'm talking everything from machine guns to missiles. He's reputed to be one of the richest men in the world..."

What was he doing in the Duomo's confessional when he has met his end? And who's the perpetrator?

As Dan teams up with Commissario Virgilio, the investigation leads them to Angel's lavish villa in the hills of Fiesole. There is a whole plethora of colourful characters from Angel's business team staying at the villa, and each guest has something to lose.

Secrets simmer, alibis crack, and the relentless Tuscan sun mirrors the rising tension. With time running out, it's up to Dan and Oscar to follow the scent of lies before another soul meets their maker.

Oscar's promotion in the ranks made smile. "This is Officer Oscar. He's a valued part of the investigative team". And he truly is that, finding important clues that help with the investigation.

He is a brilliant judge of the human character, albeit not without his foibles. As Dan says, "My dog is a remarkably good judge of character - although his opinion of people can all too easily be swayed by the offer of food".

And there is plenty of food too. The descriptions of mealtimes are, as always, mouthwatering. I don't think I've found a single dish on the menu in this entertaining series that I didn't want to try.

Ripe with all the twists and turns, Murder at the Duomo is a book you won't be able to put down. Mystery and suspence are peppered with humour. The compelling story is soaked in the Tuscan atmosphere, its magnificent sights and sounds. Dan and Oscar are truly a team made in heaven. 

Escape the misery of the rain-sodden British weather with a fictional trip to Florence.

This review is part of the blog tour for Murder at the Duomo.

Many thanks to T.A. Williams, The Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of the book!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/MurderDuomo

Author Bio –

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. Trevor studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972. Trevor and his wife now live in Devon.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @TrevorWilliamsBooks

Twitter: @TAWilliamsBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawilliamsbooks/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/TAWilliamsNews

Bookbub profile: @trevorwilliams3

Degustabox January Box: Breakfast & Brunch

January is a month of new beginnings, resolutions and renewal, even if it's often considered to be the most miserable month after the excesses of December festivities. Ultimately it depends on your own outlook and perceptions. It can be a bit of both. To help you eat healthier (if indeed that one is one of your new year's resolutions), here is a January Breakfast & Brunch Degustabox.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in January Box Degustabox?

Let's start with the Product of the Month - Bisto Creamy Cheese Sauce (£2.25), a new product from the well-known range. 

Like many British families, we buy Bisto gravy granules for a quick and easy gravy. We were quite curious to try this new product.

Simply add 4 level tbsp of Bisto cheese sauce to 250ml boiling water and give it a quick stir until the sauce thickens.

Lovely with homemade pasta bakes, lasagne and cauliflower cheese.

Each tub contains 19 individual servings. 

Typical values: 41kcal and 0.56g of salt per 50ml portion as prepared; no artificial colours or preservatives.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Clearspring Organic Silken Tofu - Single Serve (£1.89) is made in Japan, using fresh water and real Nigari.

I have bought Clearspring silken tofu before, it is very delicate, and easily broken. For our favourite Teriyaki tofu dish I prefer a more robust tofu that would hold its shape after being cubed and fried. 

Silken tofu is great for recipes where it can be added and scrambled, or used in a tofu cheesecake recipe, where its delicate texture would be appreciated.

Typical values: 67kcal and 0g salt per 100g; gluten free, high protein, plant-based, vegan, non-GM.

Available on www.clearspring.co.uk, www.hollandandbarrett.com and in Planet Organic and independent health shops.

Sharwoods Chef's Special Tikka Masala Curry Kit (£2.80) is a curry kit with garlic & ginger paste and a creamy tomato Tikka sauce, crafted in India, using quality ingredients to create an authentic flavour.

The kit contains two pouches. Super convenient and very tasty too.

Just add diced chicken and serve with rice, naans and mango chutney. For a vegetarian version, use roast cauliflower or roast squash.

Typical values: 153kcal and 1.53g of salt per 1/2 pouch (this pouch contains appr. 2 portions); suitable for vegetarians; no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.

Available in Sainsbury's, Morrisons, ASDA.

Cirio Passata Rustica (£1.50) is crafted from 100% Italian tomatoes, grown by dedicated farmers.

Always happy to have a Cirio product. Cirio is well-known for its delicious tomato-based products and brings a true Italian authentic flavour to your kitchen.

Cirio Passata Rustica consists of crushed tomatoes, perfect for a variety of homemade meals, from hearty pasta to pizza toppings. It has a chunky texture and a rich tomatoey flavour.

Nutritional information: 32kcal and 4.2g of sugar per 100g.

Available in Ocado, Sainsbury's and Waitrose.

Linwoods Overnight Oats 400g (£4 each) is part of the healthy breakfast range (a blend of oats, chia and plant protein). Protein & Energy overnight oats come in 4 flavours.

You should receive 1 variety in your box. We got Chocolate flavour protein overnight oats.

Just add milk & chill. 

Nutritional information: 195kcal and 0.2g of salt per 50g; gluten free; with fibre, Omega 3 and minerals.

If like me you're not a fan of chia or overnight oats, may I suggest using the blend as one of the ingredients for bakes (add a couple of tablespoons to the oat cookie dough for a healthier cookie).

Available in the major supermarket chains, health store chains and at www.linwoodshealthfoods.com.

nakd. fruit & nut bar Blueberry Muffin/ or Cocoa Orange (£1.50 each) is a raw fruit and nut bar, made with 100% natural ingredients and no added sugar. Their motto is "No ultra processing, no added sugar & no labels that sound like science kits". Amen to that.

You should receive 1 item of 2. We got the Blueberry Muffin flavour, which is made with dates, raisins, cashews, almonds, freeze-dried blueberries and natural flavouring. So flavourful.

Nutritional values: 166kcal and 22g sugar (naturally occurring) per bar.

All nakd. bars are gluten free and vegan.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

UP&GO Protein Chocolate/ or Vanilla (£2.50 each) is a convenient, high protein breakfast drink, designed to fuel your busy mornings.

Packed with 35g or protein, essential vitamins and minerals, it delivers sustained energy and nutrition in a smooth shake. 

You will receive one flavour of two. We got Chocolate breakfast drink.

Nutritional information: 397kcal and 33.5g of sugar per 500ml; high in protein, high in calcium, 11 essential vitamins and minerals, no artificial  colours.

Available in Tesco and Co-Op.

Mission Carb Balance Original Wraps (£1.80) are a healthier choice for any mealtime.

With only 9g of carbs per wrap (66% less than Mission Original Wraps), they balance high fibre with lower carbs.

There are four wraps in a pack. Enjoy them for breakfast or lunch or any mealtime, as burritos, tacos, fajitas or dessert (with chocolate spread and chopped bananas).

Nutritional values: 125kcal and 0.55g of salt per  wrap; high fibre, suitable for vegans.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Pip Organic Pineapple & Mango Smoothie (£1.50) is a delightful organic fruit smoothie.

Each smoothie provides 1 of your 5 a day. Each carton contains 1.5 apples, 1/4 of a banana, 1/4 of a pineapple, a chunk of mango and a dash of squeezed orange.

Typical values: 53kcal and 11.9g of sugar (naturally occurring) per 100ml; no added sugar, no nasty additives, no added sweeteners, non-GM.

Available in Ocado, Abel & Cole and Pip Organic website.

You should receive 2 items in your box.

If you subscribe to a Degusta Plus Box, you will receive an extra treat.

What is your favourite product in the latest Degustabox?