Outdoor & BBQ Degustabox

 Summer, the warmest season of the year, is now in full swing. I love spending evenings outside in the garden. It is also a time for picnics and BBQs. I'm not the biggest fan of BBQs, as they can be pretty anti-social. Nobody likes the smell of burnt burgers wafting in their bedroom windows in the hot weather. Saying that, when I see the locals enjoying the BBQs on the beach when we visit Cornwall, I think that's a perfect location, and looks like great fun.

Outdoor & BBQ is the theme of the latest 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 probably wouldn't have tried otherwise.

Each time the 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 £3 off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order.

What did we get in Outdoor & BBQ Degustabox?

Rowntree's Dessert Pastilles (£1.29)  are new vegan-friendly dessert flavoured fruit pastilles, inspired by classic desserts Mango Sorbet, Cherry Bakewell, Apple Crumble and Blueberry Pie. Every sharing bags contains a selection of these four flavours. They are very chewy, pretty and sweet, and will make a lovely decoration for cupcakes or cakes.

Nutritional information: 16.5g of sugar and 95kcal per serving of 7 sweets; contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Available in all major supermarkets.

Hershey's Cookies'n'Creme bar (£0.89 for a 40g bar) is a white chocolate candy with cookie bits. This chocolate bar is one of the classic American flavours. 

Nutritional information: 524kcal and 48g of sugar per 100g.

Available in all major supermarkets.

Not Too Naughty/Telstar Cookies (£0.50 per single or £10 for 25) are delicious mini cookies, produced in Yorkshire. These lovely nibbles are a great accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee.

Nutritional information: 30% less sugar, no artificial sweterners, colours or preservatives and 88kcal per mini pack.

Available on Amazon.

My personal favourite was the chocolate flavour. Don't they look pretty?!

Brioche Pasquier Brioche Rolls (£1.50) is a traditional French product, well-known and much loved since 1936, when Gabriel Pasquier first opened his boulangerie.

They are soft and light, and rather lovely. Eat them with a bit of butter and jam, or make a delicious bread and butter pudding.

Available in Tesco, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Co-Op and Budgens.

Graze Cocoa Vanilla Protein Oat Bite (£1 for a single 30g bite or £2.49 for a multipack of 4). If you're looking for a healthier sweet treat, this bite contains 45% less sugar. Very handy to carry in a bag for when you're out and about and are feeling peckish.

Find more information at graze.com/nutrition.

Available in all major supermarkets.

Graze Smoky Barbecue Crunch (£1 for a 31g punnet or £2.99 for a 104g sharing bag) is a tasty snack of BBQ-flavoured peas, crunchy corn chips and chilli corn. I love savoury Graze snacks, and buy them often as a little treat for myself. 

Nutritional information: 139kcal and 1.9g of sugar per punnet.

Available in all major supermarkets.

More savoury snacks - Hippeas Chickpea Tortilla Snacks (£1) - are a brand new addition to the range. They are made from chickpeas and packed with plant-based protein. They are vegan, gluten free and contain nothing artificial. No MSG, palm oil free, a source of fibre.

We received a packet of Chilli Kicks flavour, which gives just the right amount of heat.

If you like your tortilla chips extra spicy, add a spoonful of pickled jalapenos ( we love Santa Maria's jalapenos with pineapple).

Average values: 202kcal per 40g serving and 1.5g of sugar.

Available at hippeas.com and Amazon, Booths, Boots, H&B, Planet Orgaic, Sainsbury's and Waitrose.

Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray (£3) adds a delicious flavour and fruity aroma to a big variety of dishes, from salads to marinades, from pasta to baking. I use spray oil for greasing the cake tins.

Made using only 100% extra virgin olive oil and no additives, this spray is propellant free, using only pure air to dispense evently the right amount of oil. 

Available in Ocado and Amazon.

Knorr Rosemary & Onion/Tomato & Garlic seasoning (£1.80 for 30-35g) is another product, handy for BBQs and oven bakes. Use it for a tasty, no added salt dish. It will enhance roast potatoes or sweet potatoes, aubergine slices and many other vegetables. Add to a stew, soup or pasta for an extra delicious flavour.

You should receive one of 2 items in the box.

Available in 4 different flavours at Tesco.

Nairn's Spicy Oatcakes Cheese & Smoky Chipotle (£1.50) - No cheese board is complete without Nairn's oatcakes. If you like your snacks on the spicy side, give these oatcakes a go. Delicious with a generous piece of crumbly Cheddar or soft Brie. Don't forget some grapes or fresh figs, and your lunch is sorted!

Hellmann's Fat Free Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (£1.65 for 210ml bottle) is a healthy salad dressing with only 7kcal per tbsp. Add a dash of zingy flavour to any vegetable salad. It's made with a classic combination of herbs, garlic and red pepper.

I used it with roasted sweet peppers and beet, it was delicious. 

Available at ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Co-Op and Morrisons.

Whitworths Protein by Nature Mexican Spicy Grains (£2) is a new vegan product. These spicy grains are naturally nutritious, 100% vegan and packed full of 20g plant protein. Containing all 9 essential amino acids, the pouch is ready under 2 minutes. It contains no added flavourings or preservatives.

Ingredients include cooked grains with soya protein, red pepper, tomato and chilli.

If you're not sure what to make with it, how about a fajita with guacamole, or chilli non carne?

Available at Tesco, Morrisons and Ocado.

And now it's the turn of the drinks, presented this month by Pip Organic Sparkling Lemon (£1.50) - a refreshing blend, not from concentrate organic fruit juices and sparkling water, containing no added sugar or sweeteners. At under 75kcal, this drink counts as one of you five-a-day. 

It is a very zingy drink.

It will make a lovely base for a lemonade-based cocktail as well.

Available from Abel & Cole, Amazon and Ocado.

And finally, Echo Falls Strawberry & Pink Pepper Rose Seltzer (or Blueberry & Hibiscus Rose Seltzer) (£1.80). The new Echo Fall rose seltzers (4.5% ABV) come in at 69kcal per can and are available in 3 flavours. A great summery drink.

Available at ASDA and independent stores.