Friday Foody Roundup #14

Don't do a Friday Foody Roundup in months and months, and then do two in a short space of time! Must because it's nearly Christmas... I've been sent a few things recently that I thought were worth a mention so without further ado...

Monin Syrups

I talked about Monin briefly on one of my Christmas gift guides but they deserve another mention for the absolutely incredible Black Forest Syrup they sent me. Yes, the very same stuff that is in the delicious hot chocolate from Costa right now. I've talked about my love for Black Forest in the past so it stands to reason that I was going to love this. I am now slightly addicted and have my eye on some of their other delightful flavours like Apple Pie, Candy Strawberry, Chocolate Cookie, Creme Brulee and Gingerbread In fact, I'd just like them all really! After browsing their website, I discover they also do fancy schmancy liqueurs. I almost died and went to heaven. For more information and for finding out where to buy the Monin syrups from visit their website.

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Drunken Panettone

I love panettone at Christmas (well anytime of the year really...) and when I received a press release about some of Sainsbury's festive offerings this immediately caught my eye and they kindly offered to send me one to try out. This panettone felt like a little bit of decadent luxury - it was moist, rather sweet (which I like) and the fruit was plentiful. I'll definitely be buying another one for over the Christmas period. The Drunken Panettone costs £10.00 for 750g (it serves 9, maybe) and you can find it in stores or online now. 

Higher Living Tea

I'm not a fan of fruit and herbal teas, much preferring a cup of builders tea so I let my mother be the judge of the Liquorice tea I received in the post. The Liquorice tea is a sweet blend of liquorice root, fennel, ginger, cloves and citrus peel and is cited as being the perfect warming winter drink. What did mummy think of it? She thought it was very nice, a change from the herbel teas she has had in the past. Higher Living are expert blenders with more than 45 years experience and have developed 23 organic teas to choose from. The range is brewed and packed in Gloucestershire and they are available to buy in Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, Wholefoods and also through their own website. The teabags are priced at £1.39-1.99 for a box of 20 bags.

Nakd Bits

I've tried a few Nakd products in the past, I'm a fan of the bars so I was keen to try the new addition to the Nakd family - Nakd Bits. Nakd Bits are bite-sized pieces of favourite flavours like Cocoa Orange, Cocoa Delight and Berry Delight. I tried the Berry Delight and thought they were a lovely snack to have on my desk at work when I needed a nibble, especially as they are a healthy choice being 100% raw fruit and nuts "smooshed" (their word, not mine, but I happen to love it) together with just a hint of flavouring. Nakd Bits are available from Tesco and also online at www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk with an RSP of £2.25 per 130g bag.

Joe and Seph's Gourmet Popcorn

I was recently introduced to Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn via QVC. I've never been that interested in gourmet popcorn, preferring the bog-standard salt or sweet that's normally on offer however I was sent two flavours to try out "Cookies and Cream" and "Caramel and Peanut Butter". I have to say that both were utterly delicious.  I'm now ready to try lots of other flavours and have my eye on Honey & Hazlenut, Gingerbread, Strawberry Cheesecake and Blue Cheese with Walnut & Celery BUT whilst visiting their website I also discovered they are doing a Mince Pie popcorn. MINCE PIE POPCORN?! Mind. Blown. I need this in my life. Visit the Joe & Seph's website to find out more about their popcorn and to see the whole range of flavours. You can also purchase various selection packs through the QVC website.

Campo Viejo Gran Reserva & Jacob's Creek Reserves

I was sent a bottle of each of the above wines to try out. This year the wines have been released in special gift packs making them an excellent choice to give to family and friends this Christmas as they look just a little bit more special. Don't know about you, but I hate turning up at a Christmas shindig at a friend's house empty-handed so either of these would be perfect! The Campo Viejo Gran Reserva (which I was already a fan of) is a Rioja with a ripe red berry flavour and is stocked at Sainsburys (RRP £12) whilst the Jacob's Creek Reserva I receive was a Shiraz however there is also Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling available, RRP £10.29 available from Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Ocado.

Ferrero Rocher

This week I was sent an absolutely STONKING hamper full of delicious Ferrero Rocher goodies. There was so much that I'm going to have to share them out, even though I don't really want to... In our house it's not Christmas without some Ferrero Rocher. I think this stems back to my childhood when I would buy my mum some every year and my dad would make me little rings out of the gold wrapper, using the Ferrero stick as the "diamond". Cute, huh.  This years range sees some great additions like the "Create Your Own Pyramid", a fantastic self-assembly seven tier creation made up of 60 Ferrero Rocher, as well as Mini Gift Boxes and Mini Cones which are perfect stocking fillers. There are also new gift boxes and tins of the Raffaello range from Ferrero as well as a bumper Ferrero Collection including Raffaello, Ferrero Rocher and Ferrero Rond Noir. For full details of this year's Ferrero range visit their website or check out their Facebook page.

And that's it for a while! I'm not expecting to receive any more food goodies in the post and if I do - they'll probably have to wait until 2014 now!   If you're a brand who'd like to have your product featured here, do get in touch.