Cold 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.

On top of the regular food box which arrives every month, Degustabox also offers Limited editions, like Cold Degustabox and Advent Calendar.

I have tried the Cold Degustabox a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it. I wanted to see what new things I might discover this time, so placed an order. It's sold out by now, but keep you eyes open for the next limited edition. And of course, there is the Advent Calendar, which was one of my favourite advent calendars of the last year. Don't miss it, if you want to treat your family. It is still available, just go to the link above and click on the Limited editions button.

What was included in the last Cold Degustabox?

It arrived well insulated, with several ice packs keeping all the food cold. 

This is a selection of products for different diets and tastes, to accommodate a family of meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans (though not suitable if you are a vegan or vegetarian family, as there are meat and dairy products included).

La Famiglia Rana Prosciutto Cotto & Mozzarella fresh tortelloni (£2.75) is the Product of the Box. This Italian pasta is easy to cook and ready in just 2 minutes.

La Famiglia Rana are pasta connoisseurs. The texture and balance of flavours is just right.

Nutritional values: 331kcal and 0.98g of salt per 1/2 pack (each pack contains 2 servings)

Fab with just a bit of melted butter and grated cheese. You can also make a lovely tortelloni soup in a chicken or vegetable broth, with vegetables, herbs and pulses.

Available at Sainsbury's, ASDA, Morrisons and Ocado.

The Jolly Hog Pigs in Blankets (£3.60) are cocktail sausages wrapped in treacle cured bacon. 

They are gluten free, RSPCA assured and big on flavour. Each sausage is wrapped by hand, with a signature streaky bacon which is cured in black treacle.

If your Christmas table is incomplete without pigs in blankets, this selection will make it perfect. 

Typical values: 281kcal and 1.9g of salt per 100g.

Available in Sainsbury's, Ocado, Co-Op.

Higgidy Spinach & Pine Nut Pie with Greek feta and red peppers (£4.30) is a tasty little pie, carefully crafted with seeded spelt shortcrust pastry, with a creamy spinach and feta filling, topped with pieces of red pepper and toasted pine nuts. 

Ingredients include: spinach, Cheddar, Feta, sauteed onions, free range egg, red peppers, spelt flour, dried skimmed milk, butter, sustainable palm oil etc. 

It is suitable for vegetarians but not vegans.

Typical values: 684kcal and 2.63g of salt per pie. Suitable for home freezing.

Available at Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado and Booths.

The Vegetarian Butcher Impeckable (£3) is a vegan chicken substitute. This is a soy-based chicken style fillet, fortified with Vitamin B12, high in protein and fibre. You can grill it, stir fry, marinate or stew.

I know The Vegetarian Butcher as a brand has a cult following among the vegans. This is the third time I've tried one of their products, and it's OK. It doesn't taste like chicken. The texture is different, it is tender enough, but it tastes as an overprocessed indescribable meat product.

I am generally not a fan of fake meat or meat substitutes. I'd rather have plain tofu, which you can jazz up with a multitude of sauces (I cook tofu once a week), but the plant-based products which try to emulate meat are not to my taste. Again, I must stress, that the brand has an army of fans, who love the plant-based meat substitutes.

Nutritional values: 135kcal and 0.81g of salt per 90g portion. Suitable for home freezing.

It is available at Tesco & Sainsbury's.

The Simple Root Truffle & Ch**se Style Sauce/Spicy Satay Style Sauce/Creamy Pesto Style Sauce (£3.95) is a plant-based sauce. Vegan, veg-powered and gluten free.

You should receive 1 of 3 items in your box. We got Truffle & Ch**se Sauce (<--- this is their own spelling, not me trying to use swear words). Ingredients include root vegetables (parsnip puree, potato), vegetable oil, natural flavourings, chicory root fibre, sea salt, white truffle flavoured grapeseed oil, white pepper and more.

This sauce could be used in a vegan mac-n'cheese recipe. I did indeed cook a macaroni cheese, though not a vegan variety, as I also added a simple bechamel sauce to the big tray of pasta.

I have seen comments on Insta about people not liking the smell. That will be the truffle, it's an acquired taste. I remember we brought a big bottle of truffle oil from Italy as a gift for our friends, they tried it, and admitted that they didn't like it. I was happy to have it back, as we enjoy the taste of truffle-infused products. If anything, there was not enough truffle in the sauce for my taste.

Available at www.thesimpleroot.co.uk.

Holy Moly Tzatziki (from £2.20) is a creamy vegan dip, made with cooling cucumber and mint. Lovely with warm pitta, as part of a mezze platter, with a variety of crudites.

It is a very decent plant-based substitute. Almost impossible to guess that it is not made with dairy. 

I used it to make stuffed cabbage rolls, baked in tzatziki and ketchup sauce (see picture of the vegan chicken, above).

Ingredients: plant-based mayonnaise (rapeseed oil, water, cornflour, sugar, spirit vinegar, salt, modified starch, Dijon mustard, lemon juice), cucumber, lemon zest and juice, soya protein, black pepper, dried mint, dried dill etc.

Nutritional values: 239kcal and 2.6g of sugar per 100g.

Available at Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco and ASDA.

 

Shaken Other Dairy Free Strawberry Shake (£1.95 for 330ml) is a delightful smooth shake, made with strawberries and creamy, ethically-sourced coconut milk, and absolutely nothing artificial.

High in calcium and vitamin D, it is also gluten free and suitable for vegans.

I love coconut milk, and this shake is a lovely treat.

Typical values: 40kcal and 4.4g of sugar per 100ml.

Available in selected Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and ASDA stores.

Nomadic Yogurt & Oat Clusters Strawberry (£1.50) makes a lovely breakfast. It comes in two halves: a container with plain pouring yogurt, and a bigger pot of crunchy clusters and delicious freeze dried strawberries. 

A handy spoon is included. Shake, pour, enjoy!

Nutritional values: 178kcal and 11.9g of sugar per 100g.

Available in all major supermarket chains and convenience stores.

Caprice des Dieux (£2.50 for 200g) - literally translated as the whim of the gods - is a delicious mild and creamy soft ripened cheese, in a distinct oval shape.

A great addition to any cheese board. Serve with crackers, grapes, figs, chutney or relish.

Nutritional information: 333kcal and 1.4g of salt per 100g.

Available at Tesco, Sainsbury's and Ocado.

Tropicana Sensations Passionfruit Punch (£2.75) is a refreshing drink, full of exotic, tropical flavours.

150ml is one of your 5 a day. It makes a good pairing with food, as it's not too sweet. Not from concentrate. Contains Vitamin C and no added sugar.

Nutritional values: 48kcal and 11g of sugar per 100ml.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

VICI Surimi Royale Chunks (£1.60) are the quality seafood sticks. Munch them on their own, dipped in a sweet chilli sauce, or add, chopped, as an ingredient to seafood salads, or pasta/rice dishes.

They are made with flavoured textured white fish, with added water and starch. Typical values: 87kcal and 1.83g of salt per 100g.

This product is a very good source of protein.

Available in Waitrose and Ocado.

Elsinore Lumpfish Caviar (£2.30) will add a touch of luxury to any festive table.

Decorate the eggs, use as a garnish for a seafood salad, or serve on buttered crostini. The caviar has a distinct salty taste and a subtle pop.

Available at Waitrose, Ocado and Amazon.

The Cold Degustabox costed £13.99, with free shipping. You have to agree, it's an excellent value. 

Have you ever tried Cold Degustabox? What is your favourite product in the last Cold box?