Baking- Cornflake Tart

03rd February 2021

I’ve started to feel quite nostalgic lately, in terms of blogging this means returning to the kind of content that I used to share; outfit posts, wish lists and of course, recipes. In terms of recipes, and food in general I’m definitely veering towards childhood favourites and retro treats right now- a combination of lockdown blues and general Winter cravings.

After a lengthy discussion about cereal at work, that somehow turned in to a chat about puddings and comfort food classics I decided that the only way to use up the box of Cornflakes languishing in my pantry was to whip up one of the only redeeming features of school dinners- Cornflake Tart.

I used this recipe from BBC Good Food (one of my favourite places for reliable recipes) and it couldn’t have been simpler. I used pre-made pastry, which I usually buy frozen and find impossible. This time I picked up a fresh pack and it was so much easier to work with. In times gone by I made my own pastry from scratch, but it never really comes out right anymore and this was so much less faff!

Ingredients

320g ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
plain flour, to dust
50g butter
125g golden syrup
25g light brown soft sugar
100g cornflakes
125g strawberry or raspberry jam
custard, to serve

Method

STEP 1Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Unroll the pastry and briefly roll out on a lightly floured work surface until it’s large enough to fit a 23cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Use the rolling pin to lift the pastry over the tin, then press into the corners and sides so the excess pastry hangs over the rim. Trim this away, leaving just a small amount of excess hanging over the rim.
STEP 2 Line the pastry with baking parchment and fill with baking beans or uncooked rice (I used rice, you need more than you think!) Bake for 15 mins. Remove the parchment and beans/rice, then bake for another 5-10 mins until just golden. Remove from the oven and trim any excess pastry from the edges using a serrated knife.
STEP 3Heat the butter, syrup and sugar in a small pan with a pinch of salt, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Fold in the cornflakes to coat in the butter mixture.
STEP 4Spoon the jam into the cooked pastry base, then level the surface. Tip the cornflake mixture over the jam and gently press down until all of the jam is covered with a layer of the mixture. Return the tart to the oven and bake for another 5 mins until the cornflakes are golden and toasted. Leave to cool until just warm before slicing and serving with custard.

My presentation skills may be rustic looking at best, but this was a real hit. Lightly golden pastry, the cheapest strawberry jam I could find (for authentic school dinner taste!) and Cornflakes mixed with butter, sugar and syrup. The smell of this baking alone makes any effort worth it. Just add a healthy dose of custard and you have the ultimate mood lifter in a bowl. Now, what comfort food creation to whip up next?

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Degustabox: December 2020*

09th January 2021

Hello, and Happy New Year! A much later return to blogging than I anticipated but it’s been a crazy few weeks and I’ve just not felt “in the zone”. But I’m back now, and hopefully (maybe) with a bit more regularity this year.
I’m kicking things off with the only feature I manage to do on a regular basis- my review of the last Degustabox of 2020…

Box gifted by Degustabox
This is a PR box, this means there will sometimes be additional flavours or products than you’d get as a subscriber, I will highlight this within my post.

The December 2020 box was in partnership with Sainsbury’s, designed to showcase a range of exciting brands that the supermarket stock. We used to get a regular delivery from Sainsbury’s pre Covid-19 but don’t live near enough to a store to visit frequently. I miss the new and unusual goodies I always got from there so this box was very quickly broken in to and explored.

First up is this vegan Aioli from Leon. Made using aquafaba (a chickpea stock) rather than eggs, this is perfect for anyone missing their garlicky mayo fix. It packs a good garlicky punch, although as I don’t like regular mayo I can’t compare. £2.50.
The Odysea Aubergine Meze Dip was a real hit with us over Christmas. This is super thick and smoky tasting and we enjoyed it best with strips of toasted pitta bread alongside some cold meats. The real bonus here is that it doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge- fridge space is always at a premium in our house especially in December! Will definitely get this again, especially for BBQs come Summer. £2.15.

I loved the sourdough bites from Peter’s Yard. Sour Cream and Chive is never my first flavour choice but these were delicious. They are so crunchy and made using flour from my part of the world. They are a lighter snack option at 98 calories per 26g serving and a good source of fibre. A bit on the pricey side at £2 but definitely something I would get again on offer.
Bob jumped in on the Pipers crisps. He loved the herby ones best, but said both have a really good flavour and a touch of luxury to them. These are definitely more for social occasions rather than something to take with your packed lunch at £1.20 for a 40g bag (£2.50 for a 150g bag) but crisp lovers will definitely appreciate them.

I skipped trying this tea because I can’t stomach ginger in drinks and Bob doesn’t do any tea but Yorkshire. They look fun though and the fact the brand uses biodegradable materials for their tea bags is great. £2.75 per pack.

I’m a fizzy drink fiend and I’m forever trying to cut down, but non sparkling drinks just don’t cut it for me. I really like this Dash water in Peach- the packaging is gorgeous, and I love that they use “wonky” fruit for their products. With no added sugar or sweetner this is a really good alternative to my usual pepsi max. £1.25 a can.

Bob and I love packets like this to jazz up our meals in quick and easy ways. This is used to create a chicken “Tinga”- a shredded chicken dish, although we used it as a marinade for some chicken (all about the quick and easy) and it was really good. Smoky rather than spicy, I think this would make excellent fajitas. £1.30.

Another pepsi max alternative for me, hurrah! This Pineapple soft drink from Nexba looks so fun! I would have liked a stronger pineapple flavour, but the flavour is does have is so good. Again with no sugar, artificial sweeters or fructose as well as a whole host of other benefits, this is another winner for me. £1.25.

We still haven’t got around to trying this tropical IPA from CLWB Tropica, but even non beer or lager drinking me is tempted by this with it’s flavours of pineapples, passionfruit, mangoes and peaches. I might crack it open tonight in fact. £2.

Tony’s Chocolonely has grown in popularity over the last year or so, which is great to see. I’ve been munching on it for a good while now (Dutch family) and they truly do make the most deliciously chunky chocolate bars ever. If you haven’t already treated yourself, you should. There are some amazing flavours on the market- this one is milk caramel sea salt and comes highly recommended. £1.35.

Last but not least we have some great little snack items. The cocoa caramel peanuts were Bob’s favourite product this month- lightly caramelised peanuts dusted with cocoa powder and salt is a great combination and incredibly addictive.
I have long loved roasted chickpeas and these ones from Brave are so crunchy and packed with flavour. They are full of protein and fibre and keep you full for ages. I’m desperate to try the dark chocolate ones next!
£1.20 for the peanuts and £1 for the chickpeas.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s round up. Let me know which products caught your eye the most and what some of your favourite festive snacks are.

If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.

If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim £3.00 off of your first box (making it just £9.99!) by entering the code XOQGC at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.

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Degustabox November 2020*

05th December 2020

The theme for the November Degustabox was festive and gourmet, so it seemed only right that we bought a little Christmas cheer to our photos. Bob has started getting super involved with photographing items for the blog, and things have definitely taken a more creative turn.

Kicking off with some beautiful chocolate goodness from Lindt. These Lindor Treatbars in Orange and Mint are perfect for a moment of indulgence. An elongated version of everyone’s favourite truffle, lucky for me Bob doesn’t like either orange OR mint chocolate (I know right?!) so I didn’t have to share.
£0.85 each from major supermarket chains.

Here we have a sachet of Pip’s real hot chocolate. This is called “Zero Trace Full Taste” due to it being free of any of the 14 major allergens. It’s also ethically grown and traded, meaning it’s a real feel good treat in all senses. An ideal stocking filler or Christmas eve treat.
It happens to pair perfectly with this mini caramel Stroopwafels from Daelmans. These have long been a favourite treat of mine, having Dutch relatives and a sweet tooth. Perfect for sharing over a cuppa, or popping in a food lover’s stocking.
Hot chocolate £1.00 from Amazon or pipschocolate.com
Stroopwafels £1.30 from Sainsbury’s and Ocado.

I got a bit obsessed with the bunny version of these at Easter so was beyond happy to see a festive re-incarnation. KitKat’s are so under-rated- there’s something about the chocolate that just tastes so good and these are no exception. Available at £0.65 for a single santa, or £1.00 for a mini pouch bag from all major supermarkets. Get them before I get them all!

I recently rekindled my love of KIND bars and I’m having great fun working my way through the current range. I really enjoyed the double dark chocolate nut protein bar, and the flavours of the caramel, almond and sea salt bar were bang on. My favourite bar from KIND will forever be the peanut butter dark chocolate one though, it’s impossible to beat.
£1.99 for the protein bar, £1.30 for the caramel almond one. Available at kindsnacks.co.uk

These Brioche baguettes from La Boulangère are said to be perfect for breakfasts, or for sandwiches (bonus points for being pre-sliced). Bob and I are, perhaps controversially, loving them dunked in piping hot soup. The contrast of the sweet bread with salty soup is a winner and we’ve already re-purchased these a few time. They are super fluffy and keep for ages too (and are ideal for the freezer).
£1.50 from Tesco, Milk and More and Ocado.

Festive Jaffa Cakes?! It’s a yes from me! Sometimes I find Jaffa Cakes a bit too orange-y so I get sick of them quite quickly. The Cranberry in these breaks up that citrus really nicely and bring about a nice Christmassy flavour. It’s far too easy to eat these 6 at a time, be warned!
£1.20 from Co-op, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda and discounters.

Gonk on the plonk?
I’m not a wine drinker but Bob gladly sampled these two Wolf Blass varieties. He really rated the Cabernet Sauvignon and he’s usually super fussy about red wine. The white was also a hit, although never his preferred choice he said any Chardonnay fan would like this.
£2.25 a bottle from major supermarket chains.

How cute is this tea advent calendar from Clipper Tea? It was a challenge to wait until December to start this, but I managed, just! I’ve been loving discovering a new blend every day- although it is kind of hard to work out which is which sometimes! The packaging is adorable, and a really nice change from chocolate (although I have a chocolate calendar too!)
£4.99

Finally a couple of savoury products.
A vegan pesto from Zest made with coriander and basil. We haven’t tried this yet but I’m planning on some kind of chicken and pasta dish. This Pesto is vegan friendly and gluten free making it an ideal store cupboard staple for whipping up a quick dinner.
Also a great staple is this Dijon mustard from Maille. We use a lot of mustard when we’re cooking and for sauces and is something we’re never without. We love this particular mustard with steak, or as part of a honey and mustard sauce for gammon.
Pesto £2.20 from Morrisons, Ocado, Amazon and independent stores nationwide.
Mustard £1.99 from most major supermarket chains.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s round up. Let me know which products caught your eye the most and what some of your favourite festive snacks are.

If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money.
On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.

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Degustabox October 2020*

08th November 2020

I feel like the Degustabox team have really upped their game lately, the last few boxes have been absolutely brilliant (rather than just regular brilliant) and the October 2020 box, with it’s Movie Night and Halloween theme was no exception, and according to Bob, the best yet.

First up was this curious little cookie from Kookie Cat- this was an odd little treat, but really quite delicious with a perfect balance of sweet and sharp flavours and a fun red colour. Available in organic food stores.

I was all over these KitKat Senses. I love KitKats and think they are hugely under-rated. This gift box contains a mix of three flavours- salted caramel, double chocolate and hazelnut. They are completely addictive and make a nice change from the usual suspects in the boxed chocolates range. Whilst salted caramel was my favourite, I’ve happily inhaled all of these and would be more than happy to receive them as a gift.
£5 from major supermarket chains.

(Hi Pablo sneaking in there!)
Bob homed straight in on the Flapjack from Brynmor- a beast of a chocolate flapjack bar which was apparently delicious.
I left him to it and opted to claim both of the product of the month; a couple of protein bar from Yes! I love their non protein range of products so I was excited to give these plant protein ones a go. The Almond, Peanut and Dark chocolate was everything I hoped it would be. The Cashew, Blueberry and Dark chocolate wasn’t so much to my taste but I did enjoy it and for those who like fruity flavours, you’ll love this! Each bar boats 10g of plant protein making them a healthier snack that certainly fills a hole.
Flapjack £1.29 from Ocado, Waitrose, Nisa, WHSmith Travelm brynmoorfoods.com and independent retailers.
Yes Bars £1.59 each from Holland and Barrett, BP, Moto and WHSmiths.

I usually take some kind of instant noodle pot to work with me so I was excited to try something new. Naked is a brand I know and love and this Rendang Curry veg pot with mushroom and broccoli is a great addition to their range. Each pot is vegan and counts as 1 of your 5 a day. There are three flavours available- this one, Korean BBQ Ramen and Chinese Green Vegetable Broth.
£1.50 per pot from Tesco.

It’s definitely hot drinks weather! I love Costa Coffee for when I’m out and about so being able to make it at home during lockdown is a real win. This instant coffee is full of flavour and it’s my current first thing in the morning pick me up of choice.
Bob is loving the Maltesers instant hot chocolate, it’s been around a while but has a fancy new look right now. Great for a cosy evening watching a movie.
The coffee is £5.50 and the Hot Chocolate is £2.59 for a 350g tub from Morrison’s, Sainsburys and Asda.

Hello new snack obsession (yes, another one!)
The Olly’s pretzel thins were my product of the month, so crispy and well seasoned. The Multi-Seed especially really hit the savoury spot and I imagine dipped in hummus they are even better. Under 100 calories a pack, suitable for vegans and totally addictive.
£1 per pack from Amazon and Olly’s online shop.

How cute is the packaging for these Whaoo! chocolate filled crêpes? Both Bob and I grew up snacking on similar products so these were a real blast from the past and every bit as good as we remembered. These are great for children and adults alike, and being individually wrapped they are perfect for on the go.
£1.75 for 8 from Asda, Morrison’s, Ocado, Spar and Go Local.

I love Reese’s products so I immediately claimed these mini peanut butter cups for myself- then went out and bought myself the advent calendar. I love the mini cups as I think the ratio is better. This bag didn’t last long.
£1.50 from all major retailers.

We’ve tried these Attack a Snak nachos from previous boxes so I won’t repeat myself too much. But I will mention they are currently running a promotion to win cinema tickets (running from 1/9/20 until 31/12/20) which would be a real little post lockdown bonus.

We love a good burger in this house, and these pre-sliced brioche buns from St Pierre are the perfect vessel for them, We’ve popped most of these in the freezer but of course had to give them a whirl and can confirm they are delcious- especially lightly toasted.
£2 for 6 from Tesco.

There was also a voucher in this month’s box to get some Scarestrings Strawberry Yollies but I couldn’t find them in any of my local shops so wasn’t able to review these.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought in the comments, it’s always great to get other people’s thoughts.

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The September Degustabox*

08th October 2020

Another month and another Degustabox to review; this time with a “Family Sharing & Home Cooking” theme, and on first glance it looked like a very promising box indeed. Bob and I wasted no time in getting stuck in to the contents and our thoughts on each product (well, almost all of them) are below.