Degustabox February 2018

This month's free Degustabox shipment is pretty easy to write about, since I'm pretty familiar with most of the products in the box.

Or, if I haven't used the specific ones, I'm very familiar with the brands. It was a really really useful and fun box.

And - yay me! - there's no coconut in this box. Sorry, all you coconut lovers. It's just not my jam.

As you probably already know if you're read this blog before, Degustabox sends me one of their boxes for free every month, so I can describe it to you. It's tough work, but I'm up to the job.

This month's box included:

Goya Black Beans
Okay, they're canned beans. While it's cheaper to buy a bag of beans and cook them, now that I'm single, I don't need that many beans. A can of beans is enough for bean soup, chili, corn and bean salad, or pretty much anything else. I've used a whole lot of Goya products, and I've been happy with all of them.


Goya Refried Beans
Yeah, you read what I wrote about the black beans. Same thing for the refried beans. They're not that hard to make, but it's pretty darned easy to open a can when I want them for a side dish, for part of a burrito, or for nachos.


Luna Bars
These were lemon flavored, and they were little sample-sized bars. I was feeling a little peckish before dinner was done, so I opened one. It was sort of like a healthier version of those famous Krispies snacks, but with a lemon "frosting" on top. The little one kept me from getting too grumpy before dinner was done.


Lundberg Family Farms aged white cheddar chips
I didn't know these guys made chips, but I have bought their rice before, many times. To be perfectly honest, I haven't opened them yet because I have a bag of other chips in progress, but how could they not be good? Cheese, hint of garlic, chips. They'd be great with hummus or salsa or just as a snack.


Sir Kensingtons spicy ketchup
I know I've tried this before. I used to be devoted to a particular brand of ketchup, and I still keep it in the fridge, but I've also come to love the idea of the alternative ketchups that have more personality. They're great for fancy burgers where basic ketchup would be too basic, and I've also used them in recipes where I might otherwise use chili sauce or barbecue sauce.


Mrs. Renfro's craft beer salsa
I've bought Mrs. Renfro's salsa's before. First, the name simply amuses me. Second, they're good salsas. I haven't seen this particular one in stores yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it. Besides using salsa as a dip or with nachos, I've been known to use it in chili recipes or for chicken that I cook in the slow cooker.


The Spice Hunter coriander lime fusion rub
Ooooh. I love the idea of coriander and lime. I've tried Spice Hunter spices before, and I've liked them, so I'm sure this will be good. I've got a pork roast that will be getting this rub very very soon. Can't wait to try it.


Boboli pizza crust
I never tried a Boboli crust before I got one in a Degustabox shipment, but I've enjoyed them ever since. They're not quite the same thing as a home made pizza crust from scratch, but they certainly help scratch that pizza itch when I don't have the time for dough. And they're also great for times when I absolutely don't have time for a more complicated meal. A slather of sauce, a sprinkle of cheese, and some heat ... and dinner is ready. When I'm being really fancy, I might add extras from the fridge, like olives, peppers, or other interesting items.


Boboli pizza sauce
This makes it so much easier. Pizza sauce in just the right quantity for a Boboli crust. So much better than opening a jar or making a sauce and then having extra that I need to find a use for. Sure, I like pizza. But not every day. Genius idea here.


Tigertail small batch mustard
I'll admit it. I don't think I've ever met a mustard I didn't like, and that includes everything from tame yellow mustard to spicy hot Chinese mustard to stone-ground brown mustard. So, yup, now I have one more to add to my mustard collection. And I'm perfectly fine with that.

And ... that's all folks. Lots of fun stuff to snack, sample, and cook with. Thanks to Degustabox for sending these!