Flavr of the Month #5.

Flavrbox is beginning to seriously impact some aspects of the way I think when shopping, particularly when it comes to thinking up exciting recipes, not just in terms of what to cook with the products Flavrbox have on offer, but also generally overall. I'm really into trying out new flavour combinations that maybe I wouldn't have tried before, I definitely smell a New Year's Resolution in there somewhere.

The cut off date for their Christmas box has passed now, but why not treat yourself to a New Year treat and place an order for their January box, I can ensure you that they won't disappoint. Until the end of the month using the code XMAS2012, you can get £5 off the usual £20 price tag!




Parmesan, olive & rosemary biscotti - Sundowner

Made by the same people who made the pecan mix from last month's box that I didn't really like, I didn't have very high hopes for these. However, they were scrumptious and exactly my kind of food, they went great with the remainders of the tapenade (also from last month's box) and sweet pepper meze that came this month. They're bursting with flavour and have a great crunchy texture. I also put them in a salad as croutons and they went great with balsamic vinegar dressing.

Ali Shan Whole Leaf Taiwan Oolong Tea - Jing

I was quite looking forward to this, as the Pink Kandula tea I got in another box was such a delicious treat, but unfortunately I didn't really like this one. It had a funny flowery citrus taste that didn't really agree with me, it's definitely a personal thing but I just don't get floral flavourings in food - fine for beauty products, as long as I don't have to taste them.

Aivar Sweet Pepper Meze - Pelagonia

This was a treat, sweet but fresh and our kind of food but I think it would have been better suited to the summer months though rather than November-December time.

Chicken/Pork Herby Marinade - Rossini's

We tried this with chicken but I really think it would have gone much better with pork, I don't think that it complimented chicken very well and was a little too herby, as well as being a bit dry, but then I guess the dryness is to be expected from a dry rub. It's sure to last a while though so I think we'll give it go with pork next time.

Chocolate Dipped Raspberries - Chocca Mocca Chocolates

I don't really like dark chocolate as I think I find it a little too rich, but because of the tang of the raspberries that was slightly counteracted. Saying that, these are slightly too rich to have more than a few, but still tasty.

Cheddar Cheese Straws - The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company

These were, by a million miles, both mine and Moon's favourite, and didn't last long at all. They were crumbly and flakey and different from the crispy ones I've usually been able to find in shops. My only complaint is that there weren't more for me to shove in my face. ♥

As usual, it's hard to pick fault in this month's Flavrbox. I would say my main problems are down to personal taste, but the whole point of Flavrbox is that it isn't tailored so it's always a surprise and that's what makes it so fun!

Oh Two!

On Wednesday, Moon and I went into London to see The (amazing) Black Keys at The O2 Arena. To top off how much I like The Black Keys anyway, they were supported by my all time favourites, The Maccabees!

We had to get seated tickets because by the time I'd made the decision as to which would be best, standing had all sold out. We had an great view of the lighting display but everything else looked super tiny - so I kind of wish we had stood, given that it was dead when we arrived. Despite that, everything sounded perfect, both bands were really on point as usual and it was such a great evening.


We had dinner at Chiquito before heading into The O2, it was so tasty, we used to go to the one in Portsmouth all the time.
I loved their bottle chandeliers! ♥



Southern Fried Chicken & BBQ Pulled Pork
I do feel a little weird about seeing The Maccabees in that situation but I hold on to hopes of them 'doing a Mumford' and playing some smaller venues soon. The Black Keys suited the arena environment perfectly, something you wouldn't expect from a duo, but they oozed 'cool' and played such a great mix of songs from 'Strange Times' right up to their new classic 'Lonely Boy'. They encored with 'Everlasting Light' (my favourite song of theirs) and 'I Got Mine' - two songs I'd actually hoped they'd play but had forgotten about by the time their encore rolled around just because they were already too good!



Even sitting right up in the nosebleed seats, there wasn't a shortage of 'gig mentals' included; a man who kept kicking Moon in the shoulder to make conversation - he was so excited through the whole thing but his girlfriend made him leave before they came back on, probably because he kept talking about X Factor, a couple who shared a whole bottle of wine within 15 minutes, with no cups and (my favourite) a man who burped up some vomit and left before anything had even started.

It was definitely a nice change to not worry (as) much about getting unknown liquid thrown in your direction and it was also cool that we were allowed to stand up, unlike when we saw The Maccabees at Brixton Academy, I was happy with all of it really, I just would have been happier if were maybe a little closer.



In case you wanted to know what a £4 bag of Munchies looked like.


The Maccabees smashing it.




♥

















I was pretty chuffed to get this photo, it's kind of like getting back a photo from the roll of film that Boots destroyed from Reading.



Favourite of the night: 'Everlasting Light' - because it is my favourite but also because they whipped out the discoballs which was sweet!

Box for Foodees.

The lovely people at FoodeeBox kindly sent me one of their boxes last month and I've just realised that I got around to trying everything. When I got the email I realised it was far too a good an opportunity to pass up, basically free food, and I'll take any excuse to stuff my face.
Offering luxury food products from independent food makers from just £10 a month, FoodeeBox also supply a meal to food banks for each box they send out. This is done through the Trussell Trust, who operate a network of nearly 4000 food banks around the UK. So it's a great way to try new food while also helping to work for a good cause.

They've kindly offered £5 off for my readers using the code 'LAUNCH', so be sure to head over to their website if food is your thing. Here's what I thought of their November box.

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Paganum Yorkshire Chorizo

I'm still saving this for something special but it's was perfect for Spanish chicken and wasn't as oily as other chorizo that I've tried, as well as being super meaty (obviously).

Womersley Raspberry Vinegar

I've mainly tried this as a salad dressing and it's really tasty - it's fruity like raspberries but with a sour twist. One of the suggestions is the try it on Yorkshire puds, which sounds really interesting and not something I would have thought of but am definitely willing to give a go.

Bonny Mallows Marshmallows

I had these in a Flavrbox not long ago too, so I knew what to expect. I can definitely recommend them for hot chocolate, although you might want to cut them up and not be a total monster like I was and go for a whole one (read: two).

The Harrogate Preservative Company - Lemon & Lime Jam

This was probably my least favourite of the whole box, because it really sounded like something I could get behind but just didn't deliver. I love citrus fruits and I love marmalade so I thought it couldn't go wrong, but I just found it wasn't the consistency I was used to and had quite a bitter after taste.

The Guild of Fine Food - Chocolate Orange Truffles

I don't think there's any point in reviewing these, as if they could go wrong? They were perfect, velvety and the right ratio of chocolate to orange flavours, needless to say they lasted the least time.

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I think FoodeeBox are set to make a big impact, as are food subscription services anyway, with their message geared towards good causes, I'm looking forward to seeing more of them.