Re:Nourish + Restore Soup in a bottle [@NLi10]

 My partenr picked up a few pre-made lunches for home - one of which was this soup.  I'd already tried to review it once but it got lost at the back of the fridge and was well out of date when found.  This time I jumped right in.

 

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I love green coloured drinks (Shrek Juice) but even for me this is an odd combo.  Pea and Leek soup just doesn't appeal!

I nuked the lot, and then added a generous amount of apple balsamic - and quite enjoyed it!  I think the flavours were a lot milder than I'd feared, and with a wholesome crusty bread (that needed using up) it worked pretty well. 

That felt too boring for a whole review - so here is Flo trying to persuade some of the creamy mash to come her way!

This Ale - Teme Valley Brewery (Co-Op) By @SpectreUK

This is a blog about This, it is not a blog about That, That is next week. This is a 3.7% in volume ale brewed by Teme Valley Brewery, with local hops from Herefordshire and Worcestershire. I'm hoping that This is good, and not reliant on That.

Described as a light drinking ale, This is gluten free, containing barley and wheat. I am hoping This will compliment my Moussaka tonight, rather than disappear under all that lamb, cheese, aubergine and potato. This will hopefully be a good strong ale.

On opening the bottle This was a deep golden coloured Ale, with sweet biscuit malt and herbal hop aromas. On taste This was a nice strong ale with a crisp herbal bitterness and sweet biscuit and caramel malts into the aftertaste. This was very flavoursome indeed, and was definitely not all That. We'll talk about That next week.

Aero Melts Double Choc Brownie Bakery Inspired (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

Aero has a new “bakery inspired” flavour out, this time based on Double Choc Brownies. Inside the bag are two shades of button, milk chocolate and white. I did wonder if the white ones were meant to represent Blondies, but the bag doesn’t make that clear.

I’m a fan of texture, and this is where Aero always shines. The aerated bubbles in these little buttons were lovely, giving that familiar light melt on the tongue. On texture alone, they absolutely deliver.

The taste was where things started to go wrong. The milk chocolate “Brownie” buttons were chocolatey at first, but quickly became overly sweet. Instead of a rich brownie flavour, they reminded me of cheap chocolate trying too hard.

The white buttons had the same problem. If they were meant to be “Blondies,” they didn’t pull it off. The flavour was again very sweet, and lacking the creamy balance I expect from white chocolate. Aero’s bubble effect was as good as ever, but the actual taste just wasn’t working for me.

Honestly, I think I’d have preferred a simple mix of regular milk and white chocolate Aero buttons. This bakery-inspired twist sounds good on paper, but in practice it didn’t live up to expectations.

Waitrose New York Lemon Cheesecake Slices [@NLi10]

 Some cakes appeared in the fridge again!

As usual - due to the discount but not too discount status.  £2 a slice is a lot, £1.20 a slice is much more a home treat.

But they have scaffolding just like the posh places to keep it fresh, and unlike last time - these are actually vegetarian!

It holds together pretty well, and is a nice light bite.  I'd have preferred a heavier base and maybe added some raspberry sauce - but that last one's on me!

Overall a great café style desert-at-home option

Nestle Kit Kat Salted Caramel (WHSmiths) By @SpectreUK

Nom nom nom. I have always loved Kit Kats for an afternoon break with a cup of tea or coffee. This new Nestle Kit Kat Salted Caramel bar has a marbled effect. On carefully unwrapping the bar for the photograph's sake, oh gosh, it smelt of caramel and milk chocolate goodness.

 

These Nestle Kit Kat Salted Caramel bars have a thick coating caramel flavoured milk chocolate, and are heavy on crème salted caramel inside, with a thin layer of oozy caramel and the usual crunchy wafers.

On taste there was the caramel milk chocolate coating to begin with, followed by the caramel crème, a thin layer of oozy caramel, with a saltiness as I crunched through the wafers. This Nestle Kit Kat Salted Caramel bar is to die for, pure luxury. Perfect for a self indulgent break anytime of the day.

Information on the wrapper; The 99g bar has apparent servings of 3 fingers (though I ate the whole bar) containing 172 calories, with 9.4g of fat, 16g of sugar, and 0.13g of salt.

Burton’s Fish and Chips - Prawn Cocktail (B&M) By @Cinabar

We often pick up the Salt and Vinegar edition of Burton’s Fish and Chips as it is a proper classic, so I was pleased to spot a new flavour on the shelves in B&M. These come in the same cute shapes, with the little fish and chip pieces that I always think look very cute. They are a savoury biscuit, crunchy but with a light airy centre, which makes them very moreish and easy to snack on.

The first thing I noticed was just how much seasoning there was. These little fish and chips were absolutely covered, which is always a promising sign. The flavour did not disappoint either. They were fully loaded with prawn cocktail, lots of tangy tomato, a sweetness in the background, and even a gentle peppery heat that caught at the back of the throat. There was also a sharp vinegar edge, balancing things out nicely.

I loved how full-on the flavour was. My fingers were even starting to turn orange from the seasoning, which is exactly how I like my snacks. These were a fun variation on a retro favourite, and definitely one I’d buy again.

If you’re a fan of bold flavours and don’t mind messy fingers, these are well worth picking up.

Kit Kat Chunky Funky (WH Smiths) By @Cinabar

This is a very pretty Kit Kat. I’ve complained before that Kit Kats in the UK aren’t the most exciting, especially compared to the wild flavours in Japan, but we do still get a steady stream of new ones to try. This latest edition is all about the look. It’s called Kit Kat Chunky Funky, which is surprisingly fun to say.

The bar has a chocolate wafer centre with a layer of vanilla crème, all coated in marbled milk and white chocolate with a white chocolate base. The wrapper is bright and cheerful, and when I opened it the bar looked just as good, lovely swirls of milk and white chocolate making it stand out. The contrast of the layers inside is spot on too.

In terms of flavour, the new part is the vanilla crème and the addition of white chocolate swirled into the milk chocolate. There are no bold Wasabi or Cherry Blossom-style experiments like Japan is enjoying right now, but this bar does look fabulous. Taste-wise it was very similar to a regular Kit Kat. The texture is the same, with the wafer layers giving way to the thick chocolate coating. The flavour reminded me of a standard milk chocolate Kit Kat, but with a creamier edge. It actually reminded me a little of Kinder Egg chocolate, thanks to the mix of the two types.

It’s a fun new bar for summer, and very Instagram-able, which I suspect is exactly what they were going for.

Waitrose Menyu Japanese selection [@NLi10]

 I foolishly forgot to take pictures of the boxes for these before they went in the recycling, but luckily the Guardian talked about the original launch of this range from 2023.  

The 2025 versions are different - more refined - and more suited to a mix and match approach.

We had

Chicken Karaage

Mushroom Gyoza

The fabulous vegetable rolls

and rice!

We had the meat and mushrooms solo, and split the rest, which was a decent meal.

And the flavours and textures were very surprisingly similar to Japanese restaurants here in the UK.  The Karaage was flavoursome and crispy and the vegetable rolls had a lot more flavour and no sogginess at all.

I suppose it shouldn't be surprising that the Waitrose signature range for Japanese food is authentic and affordable, but I do worry sometimes about the flavours we get sold.  Here I'd be happy to try more in the range - if any has survived to the 2025 refresh.

Nando’s Perinaise Lemon & Black Pepper Peri-Peri Mayonnaise (Tesco) By @SpectreUK

I haven't had a Nando's for ages. It's not that I don't like a Peri-Peri Chicken or that I have gone off it, just the nearest restaurant is a pain to drive to. So, been as though I miss the Nando's sauces they add to the chicken, it's good to be able to buy them in the local supermarket.

After dolloping some Nando's Perinaise Lemon & Black Pepper Peri-Peri Mayonnaise on my plate, I found there was a sharp lemon flavour to begin with complimenting the Peri-Peri flavour, and a fiery kick of black pepper into the aftertaste.

This new Nando's Perinaise Lemon & Black Pepper Peri-Peri Mayonnaise went very well indeed with my chips, as well as my rotisserie chicken, and I also dipped in some French Bread too. I will definitely enjoy more meals dipped in this mayonnaise, I can tell you.

Strawberry Lemonade Refresher and Canadian Maple Donut (Tim Horton) By @Cinabar

Our local retail park has a new arrival, a Tim Horton’s! It’s taken over the space where Pizza Hut used to be, and I’m glad it hasn’t been left sitting empty. Tim Horton’s is a big name in Canada, especially for coffee and doughnuts, so I had to go in and see what all the fuss was about.

It was a warm day, so I went for something chilled, the Strawberry Lemonade Refresher, and, because I’m me, I had to order a doughnut as well.

The drink came over ice, not blended, and had the prettiest light pink colour. First sip and… wow. The lemon was sharp, zingy, and just what I needed in the heat. The strawberry added a gentle sweetness, but it was definitely the lemon running the show. Tangy, fresh, and dangerously drinkable.

Then came the Canadian Maple Donut. This one’s topped with maple-flavoured icing and filled with cream, and it looked every bit the indulgent treat. The icing had that lovely crisp bite before you hit the soft, fluffy doughnut. The maple flavour was rich and sweet, and the filling was thick, creamy, and almost custard-like. Honestly, it was one of those “don’t speak to me while I’m eating this” moments. The pairing worked perfectly, sharp, refreshing drink meets sweet, fluffy doughnut. A little Canadian sunshine right here in the UK.

McVities Gold Billions Wafer [@NLi10]

 I know we talked about these a couple of years ago, but I think they must have been limited then as my store had a few and then they vanished.  And now they seem to be back! The corner shop had a box on the counter which I managed to resist.

Fortunately my partner did not so we got to share one.

Veggie friendly, and presumably reduced sugar and fat to be treatwise

Base is regular chocolate for structural integrity

Top is that odd caramel chocolate for deep and interesting flavours

And the inside is a combo of wafers and creme, much more of a Euro snack than a British one - which is great!

I think the flavours need to be more powerful for me, but fortunately the Polish supermarkets have powerful wafers to fill that need and this can be enjoyed as the delicate chocolaty sensation that it is.

Until it vanishes again at least. 

McCoy’s Secret Burger Sauce Flavour Crisps (Tesco) By @SpectreUK

I love a good burger and chips, especially for a quick stop on the way back from a comic con or toy fair. I love the meatiness, the relish, tomato and barbecue sauces, a seedless bun, and plenty of fries. These limited edition NFL McCoy's Secret Burger Sauce Flavour Crisps may make a quick treat instead of the calories from a real burger.

On opening the packet there was a mild pickle aroma from the crisps inside. On first taste there was a cheesy flavour with dill and gherkins. I liked the flavour, don't get me wrong. I don't know why, but I was hoping for a meaty flavour too.

I know these McCoy's Secret Burger Sauce Flavour crisps are burger sauce flavour, but I couldn't help wanting the beef that goes with it. The whole point of a burger sauce is that it compliments a beef burger. Perhaps it's just me. Maybe I'll look for a sauce to dip them in.

Information on the packet; The 25g bag contained 132 calories, with 7.8g of fat.

Cadbury Bournville Chopped Hazelnut (Morrisons) – By @Cinabar

This is a rare treat, a new variety of Bournville chocolate. I’ve always had a soft spot for Bournville; it was probably my first taste of dark chocolate as a kid. I know it’s not gourmet and that most dark chocolates are stronger, but it has full-on cocoa flavour with enough sweetness to keep my sweet tooth happy. Usually, it’s just one of those bars that’s always on the shelves without much fuss, so finding something new and exciting from them was a surprise. I couldn’t resist picking this up, I love nuts and chocolate together.

When I opened the bar, the back revealed a generous amount of hazelnuts, which was a very promising sign. From the front, the pieces looked like regular Bournville squares. I broke one off and was impressed, the hazelnut is packed in, adding great texture and a rich, nutty taste. It pairs beautifully with the darker chocolate, making for a really satisfying flavour. I had one piece, then another… and another. I’ve now had to put the last couple of strips in the fridge for tomorrow, because this stuff is dangerously moreish.

Munchies Vanilla Cheesecake (Morrisons) Review By @Cinabar

I’m a bit obsessed with cheesecake, especially the baked kind. It’s one of those desserts that always takes me back to childhood. So when I saw Munchies had a Vanilla Cheesecake flavour, I had to try it. I was curious how they’d squeeze that classic cheesecake taste into a handful of chocolates.

Munchies always has that crunchy biscuit centre, and this one didn’t disappoint. The biscuit inside reminded me a lot of a Hobnob, nicely crumbly and proper wholesome tasting. Around that was a thick, creamy vanilla layer that nailed the cheesecake vibe. It had a little tang but stayed smooth and not too sharp.

Then there’s the usual Munchies milk chocolate on the outside,  thick and firm, which added the perfect touch of sweetness and balanced everything out. Honestly, they were lovely little treats.

If you’re into cheesecake or just fancy something a bit different from your regular grab bags, give these a go.

Exhale Medium Roast - healthy Coffee by post [@NLi10]

I get a lot of adverts for food and drinks - I buy the odd one so this just encourages them.  One I've had my eye on for a long time is this Exhale Coffee.  I had an initial  stash of filter coffee after Costa Rica and have been trying a few smaller companies versions to see what I like.

And as a bonus - this was free (not just for me - it's a standard thing in the UK - go ahead!) and fits through the letterbox

This is the first that has focused on it's health and not the luxurious flavours

And it's all very eco too

I decided to use my dripper from the last coffee company I used with some astonishingly white replacement filters I got at the supermarket.

I think I need to try the cafetière - but washing those is a pain - and this works well for most coffees.

And I went for almond on the first cup, and dairy milk for the second.  Tomorrow I will try it black - but in the trial pack I think I get maybe 4 or 5 cups which is certainly fair for free.

I liked the flavour and it's certainly a good coffee for focus and a clear head - and I didn't get huge caffeine crashes which was an issue with some of the more typical supermarket brands.

I've moved my subscription forwards so that I have coffee ready for when this runs out, and kept the same flavour and grain size but maybe I should alter that for the filter method.

Crumbs Brewing - Rye Ruby Ale (Ocado) By @SpectreUK

I have a treat tonight, I have steak and chips. I haven't had it for ages. It looks like I'm cooking it myself on a griddle pan. I usually cook steak perfectly on a barbecue, but it's going dark outside earlier now, so I washed up the old griddle at the bottom of the cupboard. No pressure, but it's the first time I've cooked it that way.

I have another treat, Crumbs Brewing Rye Ruby Ale. Yes, my favourite type of beer usually has rye in it. At 5% in volume this ruby ale was brewed with unsold bread. Local artisan bakeries send Crumbs Brewing the bread they don't sell, and I'm just about to drink some of their unsold rye bread with caraway seeds.

On opening the can there was a luscious bread and spiced aroma from the dark red ale. Crumbs Brewing Rye Ruby Ale poured with a frothy inviting head. On taste there was the instant spices from the rye and caraway seeds, followed by a bitterness from the herbal hops and sweet malts into the aftertaste. Oh my, this goes down as a regular favourite in my beer fridge. Cheers.

Red Leicester Quavers (Ocado) By @Cinabar

This is the kind of product that makes you stop and wonder if it’s just too similar to the regular version. Red Leicester Quavers sound interesting, but let’s be honest, could most people even name the standard Quavers flavour? It’s just a fairly generic “cheese” taste.

I love Quavers, so this isn’t me being disrespectful. They’re just not what I’d call a gourmet crisp. Red Leicester, however, is one of our favourite cheeses, so I was curious to see if I could taste the difference and whether it was worth it.

The bag is a bright orange, which stands out nicely, but the aroma is almost identical to regular Quavers. When I poured some onto a plate, the seasoning did look slightly different, a darker orange. I gave one a try, and it was lovely. Cheesy, yes, but with a little extra bite to the flavour, a touch more strength from the cheese, and a mellow, creamy finish.

The taste was distinctly Red Leicester. They’re still similar to the original, so I doubt they’ll stick around as a permanent variety, but, and this may be controversial, they’re nicer than regular Quavers. It’s Quavers with the volume turned up. These are the Quavers they should have made in the first place. Can we please keep them?

Kokoro Wolverhampton - Delicious Korean-Style Food [@NLi10]

 I eat in Wolverhampton after work quite often - but we tend to go for big meals not snacks so have avoided Kokoro until now.  We didn't know they had a seating area upstairs either which helps. 

They are a franchised out Korean style food place, that makes to-go food ready for quick gettaways, but also nourishing food bowls for those of us willing to wait.

Some of these take-away options looked ace.

My colleague went for the Katsu - which was a pretty generous portion but the chicken was pre-prepared

My Beef thing had to be made fresh - guess it's less popular.  I wanted something 'not spicy' but I think the KimChi rice (£1.50 extra) added the spice back in.  At a level that was great for me though

The Mogu Mogu grape drink was more than enough to quench this and at £1.90 was premium but not import tax prices.  

A great mix of flavours, and veggies, and the rice was not boring (hooray!) so we will be visiting again.

And as they have veggie things my partner is excited, and they will deliver to Nannas house too.

.