Degustabox: February Box

 Spring is here, with earlier mornings and longer daylight, and the garden is carpeted with snowdrops and crocuses. 

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?

Let's start with the Product of the Month - Cheez-It Double Cheese 150g (£2) is a thin and crispy snack baked with 100% real cheese, with no artificial colours or flavours. 

Crunchy and well-seasoned, Cheez-It makes a great snack, whether you are feeling peckish or having a movie night. 

Nutritional information: 500kcal and 1.5g of salt per 100g, or 150kcal and 0.45g of salt per 30g serving. No artificial colours or flavours. 

We had a different flavour of Cheez-It in the Degustabox advent calendar. Both flavours were a big hit with my guys. 

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Pringles Hot Blazin' Fried Chicken Flavour (£2.50) is the latest addition to the Pringles Hot range. If you enjoy your crisps spicy, you will have a blast with this new flavour.

Nutritional values: 523kcal and 0.65g of salt per 100g, or 157kcal per 30g serving of crisps. One tube is supposed to include 5-6 servings.

I have fond memories of Pringles, when we were newly married, my husband and I used to watch Friends on TV and polish the whole lot in one go. 

Available across all major supermarkets.

IBIS Rice Organic Wholegrain Rice Cakes Original, Kep Sea Salt or Kep Sea Salt & Kampot Pepper (£1.89) are light and crunchy gluten free snacks, made with brown jasmine rice.

IBIS Rice is empowering local farmers, preventing deforestaton and protecting endangered wildlife. The farmers working on the project are committed to strictest environmental standards and are paid a premium for their crops.

There are three varieties available. You should receive one item in your box.

We got Wholegrain Rice Cakes, with their slightly nutty flavour. Serve with toppings of your choice. I enjoy these rice cakes with hummus and Peppadew sweet piquante peppers.

Nutritional values: 21kcal and 0g salt per rice cake.

Available at www.ibisrice.co.uk, Planet Organic and many independent retailers.

Knorr Beef Gravy Pot (£2.25) contains quality ingredients and real meat juices to enhance a meat-based family meal. Think a traditional Sunday roast, or beef Stroganoff. It will enrich a simple vegetable or mushroom soup, and you can also stir it into a risotto.

The gravy pot recreates the authentic flavour of rich homemade gravy in minutes.

Contains no added MSG and free from artificial colours and preservatives.

Typical values: 15kcal and 1g of salt per 70ml.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Mutti Polpa Finely Chopped Tomatoes (£1.53) is a versatile tomato product. Mutti tomatoes are processed within 24 hours of harvesting to capture the taste of freshly picked 100% Italian sun-ripened tomatoes.

Fantastic product for so many recipes, from pasta to stew, from soup to chilli. It has an intense fresh flavour and rich texture, the colour is a beautiful bright red. 

If your family enjoys a Bolognese (whether meat-based or vegetarian), Mutti Polpa will make a good tomato base for the ragu.

We're big fans of Mutti products, and I use Mutti in vegetarian stews, vegetable ragu with okra, sweet peppers and butter beans, currys and pasta dishes. 

Nutritional information: 26kcal and 0.3g of salt per 100g.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Coco Pops Chocos Caramel (£3.50)  is a new crunchy cereal from Kellogg's. This is the latest additon to the Kellogg's range of cereals. The shapes are curved, crunchy shells with the chocolate and caramel taste.

If you love your morning cereal sweet and crunchy, this is a perfect breakfast meal for you.

Nutritional values: 115kcal and 6.6g of sugar per 30g serving. Rich in vitamin D (to support healthy bones), B9 and B2, 50% daily needs, made with natural grains, contains no artificial colours or flavours. There are 14 servings in a box.

Available in Tesco, ASDA and Morrisons.

Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (£1.50) is a classic super creamy soup, packed with flavour. 

Cook it as a quick and easy meal, or use as an ingredient in a variety of casseroles. Americans are very inventive when it comes to casseroles made with tinned soup. I have a book of recipes from the times when we lived in the States, and there is a big selection of meals, using this not so secret vintage ingredient, from a Million Dollar Potato casserole to Ritz Cracker Chicken casserole.

Nutritional information: 96kcal and 0.86g os salt per 100g.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

Aagrah Foods Lahori Tikka Mix/ or Peshwari Tikka Mix/ or Seekh Kebab Mix/ or Punjabi Tikka Mix (£1.50) are authentic Indian spice mixes. Each blend is crafted for a quick and easy tasty meal.

They are just right for marinades grills, and curries.

You will receive one sachet in your box. We got Aagrah Lahori Tikka Mix, which is a medium heat seasoning for making Indian style lamb tikka. Ingredients include ground spices (coriander, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, chilli powder, black pepper, nutmeg, clove, fenugreek, turmeric), salt, maize, cracked red chilli, dried garlic, dried herbs (coriander leaf, bay leaf) and more.

Available in Tesco, Morrisons, Farmshops and online.

Kadoya Roasted Sesame Oil (£4.50) is an indispensable product for the East Asian cuisine.

I use sesame oil, cooking many dishes, but usually I buy a different brand, and I was curious to try a new product. It has a great flavour and aroma, and is lovely for stir frying. Top marks (this product is my personal product of the month from this box).

Last night I used it to pan fry smoked scamorza (so it was a fusion of cuisines), and it worked perfectly with the cheese.

This versatile oil is made in Shodoshima, an island in western Japan, with expertise accumulated since 1858.

Available in Ocado.

This is the smoked scamorza salad made with the cheese fried in sesame oil, with roasted peaches, pistachios, Peppadew sweet piquante peppers and salad leaves.

AquaLibra Sparkling Infused water (£1.30) is a range of lovely, refreshing summery drinks. We've had AquaLibra in some previous Degustabox deliveries, and enjoyed them.

You will find one item in your box. We got Aqua Libra Raspberry & Blackcurrant.

Contains no sweeteners, no sugar, no artificials. Just sparkling water, natural fruit flavours and a dash of lemon.

Best enjoyed chilled. And lovely as an ingredient for a white wine spritz too.

Nutritional values: 0.6 kcal per 100ml.

Available in Tesco, Ocado, Sainsbury's and Amazon.

If you're a PLUS subscriber (and I'm not), you will also receive an Oddlygood Salted Caramel Barista 500ml (£1.50), perfect for a plant-based coffee drink.

What is your favourite product of the box?