June Degustabox

June Degustabox was created as a BBQ-themed box (very optimistic, I'd say, since it's been raining a lot in the last few weeks).

My family and I always look forward to our monthly Degustabox delivery, which is full of foodie surprises. This monthly food and drink subscription box is an excellent way to discover products which have only just appeared in the shops or those which might have been around for 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 probably wouldn't have tried otherwise.

Each time the box arrives, it's a bit like unwrapping Christmas gifts, as you don't know what you might find there. 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 whopping £6 off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time) - just use a code BLDEG15 when you place an order.

What did we receive in June box? Let's have a peek:

Destrooper-Olivier Belgian-Butters Waffle Crisps were the first to disappear. Everyone commented on how tasty they were. They taste just like home-baked crispy waffles. Very moreish and lovely with a cup of tea or coffee.

Butterkist Yogurt coated popcorn has been chosen by DB team as a product of the month. This air-popped corn has a creamy yogurt coating and will appeal to those who enjoy their popcorn sweet (personally I prefer the salty variety, or at least sweet and salty). It is just 95kcal per serving, and is available as a sharing bag and in multipacks.

More sweet treats - Bakedin miracle Mug Brownie. This bake in a mug brownie will be ready in less than 2 minutes. As we don't have a microwave, I passed it on to a friend who I know will appreciate it.

Smooze Mango & Coconut fruit ice is a new product for us. It is made with all natural ingredients and includes 40% coconut milk + 50% fresh fruit juice and puree.

You need to freeze little pyramids overnight to enjoy a sweet ice treat. Coconut is one of my favourite ingredients, so I'm very happy with this treat.

From sweet treats - moving to savoury:

Branston Spicy Tomato Relish is made with chilli and jalapeno. If you like a bit of heat in your burger or hot dogs, this is just the condiment for you. It's a great alternative to ketchup. Spicy and flavourful, it is a super ingredient for fajitas or tomato based soups (for example, tomato and chickpea) or as an extra flavour for a bacon butty.

I love pickles of all kinds, and was pleased to find a jar of Haywards Medium and Tangy silverskin onions in the latest box. They are perfectly pickled, tangy, crisp and flavoursome. Perfect for a light meal of Ploughman's lunch or as a condiment to go with BBQ foods.

Heinz Amoy Coconut Milk is sourced from plantations in Thailand and made from ripe, fresh coconuts. A must for a creamy curry, it adds richness and a sweet note to a variety of dishes, from curries to soups, from a rice pudding to a sticky rice and mango pudding. If you're worried about calories, go for a reduced fat option.

To give you a few ideas, how about a Sweet potato soup with sumac, peanuts and pomegranate or Sweet potato, butternut squash and coconut soup.

Sacla is one of the kitchen staples in our house. I always have a jar or two of Sacla pesto, as their range is varied and extensive. Their range has been recently expanded with an addition of easy to open single serve mini pots of pesto. Just like the Classic basil pesto jars, Sacla pesto pots are made with fresh Italian basil, Grana Padano cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese and pine nuts.

You can use pesto as an ingredient in a big variety of dishes. I used one of the mini pots for roast chicken.

Another pot made a tasty topping for turkey steaks, combined with parmesan and pine nuts - see my recipe post for Turkey steaks with parmesan and pesto crust.

If you make your own burgers, how about adding an extra oomph with a little help from Schwartz? Their Grill Mates range is available in American Smokehouse and Classic Steakhouse.

Each packet contains enough mix to make 4-6 burgers. Beef burgers I cooked with American Smokehouse mix were flavourful and juicy. I found it a bit tricky to mix in the contents of the packet in the mince, as the actual mix is liquid rather than powdered.

Organic Shirataki Miracle Noodles are low calorie, soy free, gluten free, vegan and non GMO noodles. I haven't had a chance to try them yet. They are preserved in a liquid which keeps them soft and whole.

Drinks:
Zeo Cloudy Lemonade was sharp, refreshing and flavourful. It is made with 98% spring water blended with lemon flesh and zest. The sweetness comes from Stevia and beet and cane sugar. Each 250ml serving has 28 kcal, or 1.5tsp of sugar.

Wychwood King Star is a flavourful lager, full of character. It is full-bodied, and you can definitely taste the bitter note of hops.

Disclosure: I received the Degustabox for June for the purposes of testing and reviewing. All opinions are mine.