Food Delivery / Bonjour French Food Box

Bonjour French Food* is a monthly subscription, as the name suggest, coming straight from France. 

I love food boxes because - well, I love food of course - but also because they give you the chance to discover new products. I got the say that - from all the food boxes that I have tried - Bonjour is the most original and interesting; the selection of products that I received definitely succeeded in tantalising my taste buds!

Favols Coing Thym Romarin

This quince chutney is the ideal match for strong cheeses, like roquefort and stilton but I found that it works very well with cured meat and pate' too. 

It's subtly sweet, from the fruit but with salty notes thanks to the thyme and rosemary.

Beautifully balanced and good enough on its own too!

Ducs de Gascogne Terrine de Canard Sauge et Ciboulette

I don't like pate' so this product was a miss for me; I didn't even try it but  I have to admit that it did smell gorgeous (it is more like a mental block for me). Still, it didn't go to waste and I offered it to some dinner guests on crackers. You could smell the fresh herbs - sage & chives - and they enjoyed the combo very much.

Tonton la Rondelle Saucisson Aux Herbes de Provence

This dried sausage was so delicious and tasty!

The herbs come through in the flavouring in perfect balance with the meat; matured just to my liking and with the ideal amount of fat... basically, between me and my sister, we managed to finish it in 2 evenings (the shame!).

Bovetti Romarin Enrobe de Chocolat Blanc

I couldn't wait to try these white chocolate pearls and I opened the jar straight away. These white chocolate balls can be used as an aperitif, to decorate desserts or I think they would be a lovely alternative to after eight squares/after dinner snacking for your coffee table. There's just an hint of rosemary that complement the sweetness of the chocolate, without being overpowering. 

Bovetti Chocolat Blanc Saveur Coquelicot

Can't go wrong with a bar of chocolate, right?

Another product from Bovetti, renowned for their creativity and innovation with chocolate. Here the white chocolate is enhanced with poppy flowers; the poppy caramelised sugar creates a nice crunchy texture that is pleasing on all the senses. Definitely, something to savour!

Eloide Sirop de Menthe

Mint cordial is my favourite! In Italy, it is a staple in my fridge and my favourite refreshing summer beverage. You can add a few drops to ice water, to peppermint tea or also bake delicious mint choc chip cookies. The bottle is so cute too.

Food Delivery / The Flavour Club (with discount codes)

The Flavour Club* is a new monthly subscription box that takes you on a discovery journey of Spanish food and wine.

It's certainly no news that Spanish food is delicious but how many of us can say to really know the traditional authentic products? This Uk based, small family business is passionate about Spain and its culture - and food is part of culture, of course - and they set their mission to source scrumptious produce, directly from small independent suppliers and bring them to your table.

And wine!!! Yes, you did read correctly - after all, wine is best enjoyed with food and every bottle has been chosen to marry the particular flavours, included in the box.

September Box Content:

Yllera Cinco.5 Verdejo Frizzante wine - a refreshing, light in alcoholic content but full in flavour white wine, made 100% of verdejo grapes. Slightly sweet and tangy with fruity notes, like green apples, pineapples and lychees. Best served cold to enhance the small bubbles, coming from the natural fermentation and best paired with appetizers, vegetables and chocolate desserts too.

Just Married Wild Asparagus And Pumpkin Risotto - this is probably my favourite item of the box. In the tin you get a broth with real bits of vegetables to create a delicious, foolproof risotto in just 15 minutes. It's perfect as an evening meal, fast to prepare after work and 100% natural and preservatives free.

and whilst you wait for the risotto to cook, you can snack on the Artesanos De La Luisiana Picos!

Picos are traditional bread sticks, still prepared with an artisan recipe and using 100% extra virgin olive oil.

They are perfect paired with dips and cheese but I find them super-tasty on their own too.

La Cuna Piquillo Pepper Confit is ideal with the picos above but you can also add a spoonful to fish and meat recipes to add some extra body and dimension to the dish. La Cuna is a small brand from Toledo - I love the care put into the packaging but I love even more the simple recipe: roasted piquillo peppers, sugar, salt and olive oil are all the ingredients of this delectable sauce.

Finally, I also got a bottle of Almazara del Ebro Extra Vergin Olive Oil. Almazara del Ebro is a cooperative in Navarra and this organic oil is produced with 100% Arbequina olives, one of the smallest and most flavourful varieties; the D.O. stamp (Denomination of Origin) also ensures that these olives are cultivated without fertilisers.

The box is normally £48 per month, including delivery but the lovely people at The Flavour Box have given me some special discount codes - valid in October - especially for my foodie readers:

- ZMZIZJ (25% off when you try a box with the 1 month only option)

- MMQ5MZ (50% off the first box on all plans - 3 months, 6 months and 1 year plan)

- October20 (20% off all cases of wine and can be used for as many orders in October as you like; remember that if you do subscribe for a box, a case of wine purchased to be delivered with that month's box has no delivery cost. Just email them to get a code to discount the delivery.)

Place your order before the 25th October on www.theflavourclub.com

Food Delivery / Yoosli

Yoosli is a new muesli delivery service, based in UK.

When you go on the website - www.yoosli.com - you can choose from a wide selection of ingredients to create a truly personalised and delicious cereal box.

Personally, I think it's genius and you can choose the combination that mostly tickles your tastebuds; you see, I love muesli and porridge for breakfast but I always end up picking bits out - Damn you sultanas!!! And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

The selection is truly amazing: you can start with a cereal preference - rice pops, oat flakes, puffed quinoa - and there are at least 20 different types of dried fruit that you can add - like strawberries, papaya, mulberries. Then you can add some nuts (almond flakes, pine nuts), seeds... and if you feel a bit naughty some choc chips too!

They have recently launched a 5-Day Breakfast Box* that delivers 5 different combinantions in single portions, one for every day of the week.

Personally, I love food subscriptions as much as beauty ones and it's always very exciting to get a new selection in the mail.

My box got a bit damaged in transit but I blame the postman because it fits nicely through the letterbox.

I'm half-way through my week and I can honesty testify that they are sooo yummy... and most importantly sultana-free! ;)

I find the portions are also generous but still well balanced and you get all the nutritional info on the back too.

There's so much care and love in the packaging too, with cute illustrations and stories that I find myself reading (and smiling) during my morning 'fueling' sessions.
Then, if you like a particular combo, you can also easily order a full box, thanks to the Mix ID provided.

The Yoosli Breakfast Box is a bargain £3.49 (free delivery) and the best way to start your mornings because it's 100% organic and full of all the healthy natural goodness!
 Have you tried this box yet?

FlavrBox / November Edition

ooohhhh, It's always exciting to receive a box full of yummy goodies... and this is the BEST box so far, in my opinion! Here I give you november's FlavrBox:

Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company - Cheddar Cheese Straws

I had to open these within 3 minutes of getting the box *greedy*

They taste even better than I expected - they are like puff pastry sticks, full of cheeseness flavours (of course, you must love cheese and I personally would marry cheese, if I could!). NEEDTOFINDMOREOFTHESE!!!

Rossini's Rub - Panch Phoron

I must say I'm not a big fan of marinades because I don't like meat and don't cook it from scratch very often; also, I prefer my vegetables 'au naturel'. This tin is a pretty generous size and could last for years, I reckon. They suggest to mix the seeds with some oil to create a paste - great tip and will give it a go with some fish.

Jing Tea - Ali Shan Tea

This is a seriously weak tasting tea (or maybe I can't bloody brew it properly).

Anyway, it is very very light in taste which is not such a bad thing because I can avoid to put any sweetener in it. It's described as hearty and refreshing and yes, that is just spot on - I couldn't find better words to describe it myself.

These are actually tea pearls, which I had never tried before, and  can be re-used three/four times, apparently.

Sundowner - Parmesan, Olive & Rosemary Biscotti

I can't deny these biscotti (more like crackers?!) taste very familiar - parmesan & olives are part of the typical italian diet and some of my favourite things... so I could only end up loving them!

Apart from the burst of authentic flavour, I was pleasantly surprised to find them quite moist and not dry, thanks to the olives.

I also received the nut mix from Sundowner, last month, but I haven't had the chance to try them yet.

The Pelagonia Range - Aivar

Another utterly delicous product! If you can only try 1 product from this box, I have to recommend this one.

It takes so authentic and fresh and with high quality ingredients.

Apparently, this brand works in partnership with over 650 families from the Pelagonia valley, in the south-west of Macedonia. They source and create these delicious, authentic recipes from the region and they taste sooo natural that you would think they had just been made in front of your eyes and not our of a jar.

Aivar, in particular, is a blend of roasted peppers and aubergine that can be cooked with chicken, as pasta sauce or simply as a spread. I rocked it with the cheese straws and the Sundowner biscotti!

Chocca Mocca - Real Raspberries Dipped in Fine Dark Chocolate

...and finally dessert!

Delicious raspberry coated in dark chocolate - I love dark chocolate!

Great way to satisfy your sweet tooth and cutting few calories in the process.

I got to say that these boxes never, never fails to please... unfortunately, this is gonna be my last box for a while... back on diet after Christmas. :(

Check out the previous boxes here and here.

Food Delivery / FlavrBox and Free Coffee

I took advantage of the 50% off promotion and ordered myself another FlavrBox!
This is an exciting box to receive and as soon as I open the box, I want to scoff down everything instantly... not good for the waistline but good for the soul! ;)
You can check my previous box here.

Olive Branch Olive Oil Strawberry Jam

 I love jams and I always have some in the morning on some rusks. It's my favourite way to start the day.

This sounds delicious - The jam is a blend of olive oil, Cretan honey and fruits; I haven't tried it but if I like it, I already have my eyes on the apricot version.

Pink's Smoked Tomato Tapenade
This sauce is made with smoked  tomatoes, cashew nuts and parmesan cheese - all my favourite things together in a jar. Promising indeed and in fact It didn't disappoint!
I love this stuff on everything: you can use it as a dip, or spread on bread or as a marinate for meat and fish.
It's full of flavour and with a wee bite - my favourite product from this box, definitely!

The Bath Pig Original Chorizo
Another popular item from the box and in fact it's already finished!
I used it in 2 recipes: I cooked half to create a salad with new potatoes and baby spinach and the other half for a pasta sauce. I add double cream and zucchini to the chorizo and tossed lightly with some penne pasta. Delicious! Personally, I think it works better with wholewheat pasta.

Hare's Moor Rogan Josh D.I.Y. Curry Kit
I have made Korma a couple of times for my family because my parents like it but it's not something that I would choose to cook, honestly.
I do like a good curry occasionally, but I usually just buy the Tesco's curry-in-a-bag meals.
I love the fresh ingredients in this wee bag and I'm excited to give it a go - I will probably cook it with chicken (minus the ginger that I HATE!!!).

Sundowner Pecans & Almonds
I also received this generous bag of nuts.
I like nuts and I have an helping 3/4 times a week; I usually get the graze boxes because I like the variety that you can order.
These ones are coated with crunchy seeds, a touche of agave syrup and a kick of chilli which sounds a great combination. I will save them for next week snack sessions. :)

***
Finally, I also discovered eightpointnine.com
This website offers a subscription where you can get your coffee ration delivered to your door, every week. They have different types available and you can also create your personal blend.
I went with the random one and oh boy, that is potent stuff! The smell of coffee is unbelievable!
Now, I don't drink enough coffee to get a bag regularly but it's a great concept as It lets you change flavour every week and I like variety.
They also send you an info sheet about your blend which I find extremely interesting.

I have a promo code for you, if you'd like to try a free box. :)
code: PG534NQ - let me know what you think!
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