9 February 2025

Tesco Taste Discoveries - Korean Pork Belly Roast [@NLi10]

 Sometimes I’m home-alone and fancy something a little more interesting. I spotted this in Tesco in their new themed section and figured it was worth a shot.



A few of the discount supermarkets have rotating ranges like this, so I figured that this was likely of a similar high quality.



But I hadn’t spotted it’s literally a bag of meat, a sauce and some herbs!


You basically pop the meat in a roasting tin and fire away, so plenty of time to make sides.


Doesn’t look great ‘unboxed’



Prepping the Udon noodles



Looks better after a little roast, and then you slowly add the glaze



And it looks pretty decent on the plate! I figured that slicing it as suggested in the kitchen would be unnecessary but i probably would do that next time.


Luna thought that it definitely smelt like something she should be allowed to assist with.

With hindsight i think i should have picked up other boxes in the range to use as sides, but it worked really well and im happy to go back for more.

8 February 2025

Hedge Monkey Beer (Glastonbury Ales) By @SpectreUK

Hedge Monkey Beer (Glastonbury Ales)

I've never been to Glastonbury. I know people who have. They generally say that it's an amazing experience, but try to avoid the portable toilets. From watching highlights on the TV, I can see that it's a city of lights and sounds built in a few days. I'm sure there is a great deal of interesting foodstuffs and booze to be had there too.

This Hedge Monkey was brewed by Glastonbury Ales. At 4.6% in volume it's described as "bold & ballsy", for a malty, rich and strong in hops well rounded bitter. This ale was created in tribute to all the strange and wonderful characters, the music lovers, the cosmic travellers, and the hippies, that make their visits to Glastonbury.

On opening Hedge Monkey poured a deep hazy amber colour with a frothy head. On taste the sweet biscuit malts played over my tastebuds to begin with, followed by a light bitterness from the herbal hops, and then more of those lovely malts into the aftertaste. Hedge Monkey was perfect for washing down my picky-bits meal and salad, followed by biscuits and ice cream to finish. Groovy.



7 February 2025

Ridge Cut Jerk Chicken Flavour Crisps (Asda) By @Cinabar

Ridge Cut Jerk Chicken Flavour Crisps (Asda)


I have always been a devoted fan of chicken crisps, so discovering a new twist on a well-loved snack is always an exciting experience. Introducing Asda’s Ridge Cut Jerk Chicken Flavour Crisps.

These crisps come in a generous sharing bag, perfect for a casual lunch or a gathering with friends. On a recent lunchtime, I paired them with a chicken sandwich, creating a comforting lunch on a cold day.

The crisps themselves are notably thick-cut with pronounced ridges that do more than just add an appealing texture. These ridges provide an ideal surface for the spices to cling to, ensuring every bite is packed with flavour. The first taste reveals a distinct chicken taste, followed swiftly by a burst of fragrant spices and a subtle smoky note. As you savour each crisp, a pleasant tingle emerges that gradually intensifies into a serious kick of chilli burn, exactly what you would expect from a jerk chicken flavour.

The balance of flavours, coupled with the satisfying crunch, made these crisps an absolute winner in my book. I loved the bold flavours and the perfect balance of heat, if you give then a try your taste buds will thank you.

6 February 2025

Nestle Shreddies - Limited Raspberry & White Choc Flavour (not pink) [@NLi10]

 Shreddies do all kinds of limited editions these days, at least a couple a year it seems.  Here we found the latest in Sainsbury's - Raspberry & White Chocolate Flavour - in a lovely red box.



We used to get a strawberry shreddie along with the chocolate one and I swear it was a little pink, and turned the milk pink - but alas here they look basically the same


The layer on top is the new ones - the layer below are the regular Shreddies - us older people don't need a full bowl of sugar in the morning!

And - they are basically as advertised - Shreddies that taste of this year's flavour.  I think I'd rather have the normal Frosted Shreddies, but as a little change these were pretty good.  Ours were on special offer - so the same price as normal Shreddies and decent value.

I think the cereals that add a little freeze-dried raspberry/strawberry to the mix are much more my style - it adds variety and texture too.  Here though it's certainly a cereal for people who don't want a surprise in the morning - fibre and sugar and your choice of milk.

5 February 2025

Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce (Asda) By @SpectreUK

Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce


I've always loved barbecue sauce. I've always picked barbecue sauce over every other sauce on the table. Ever since I was a young kid, which is a long time ago I can tell you. I love it with KFC style chicken, burgers, chips, steaks, bacon, sausages and many other foodstuffs. I can never have enough of it. I especially love to dip my burger into barbecue sauce while I'm eating it. I've done that since I can remember.

I haven't seen this Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce in the supermarket before. I decided to give it a go with KFC style chicken and chips to start with. It has a lusciously indulgent fruity sweetness to begin with, followed by a smoky flavour with a good spicy barbecue kick to finish. It's really scrumptious. I can't wait to dip a burger or two into it next.