Snackmas Day 16- M&S Party Food

As I mentioned last Snackmas, MSW is a sucker for Party Food. She buys it all despite never having an actual party.. We do always have it for tea on the 24th though and all the way through to New Year just to keep the spirit alive - You might say we have several of our own mini celebrations with the help of tiny finger foods!

M&S caught my eye when it came to this years offerings with plenty of NEW bits to feast upon - Handmade Prawn Parcel Selection, Mini Porcini & Chestnut Mushroom Mac & Cheese, Duck Croquettes and Mini Mozzarella Bites, all priced at £3.50 each minus the latter which I think was £2.  Conveniently, this little lot can be cooked from fresh at the same temperature of 180ºC Fan for 10 minutes.. Even the Mozzarella Bites which came with a recommended time of 7 minutes, turned out perfectly - I always give cheesy things a smidgen longer to avoid any soggy outsides! 

Handmade Prawn Parcel Selection

4 wheat pancake parcels with a prawn sweet and sour filling, 4 pastry stars with prawn and red chilli, 4 pastry parcels with prawns, mushrooms and hoisin sauce filling. 

Golden and crisp, all 3 of the prawn parcels looked most attractive when straight out of the oven and certainly something you would be proud to display on your party table. Smelling as one would expect in being mildy fishy, the Sweet & Sour Pancake Parcels were the first I tried and didn't disappoint in terms of flavour - The outside was pleasantly on the greasy side with a packed filling of prawn chunks and complimenting vegetables which reminded me a bit of a Spring Roll. Moving onto the Pastry Stars which I felt quite brave in even trying given the use of red chilli. Thankfully, it was just about bearable but still delivered enough heat for those who appreciate such a thing, for that spicy kick and went well with the soft prawn layer between 2 crisp sheets of pastry. Thirdly, the Pastry Parcels or as I feel compelled to call them, the crunchy blobs! Thicker on the pastry front but not overly dry, these were just as yummy as the previous 2 with the addition of hoisin sauce for that added bit of sweetness and mushrooms for a "meatier" flavour. I didn't find any of the trio to be overly fishy so can't see them offending many.. Apart from the Shellfish allergy sufferers.. Obviously, you're excused. A 4 out of 5 from me. 

Mini Porcini & Chestnut Mushroom Mac & Cheese

10 mini foils containing conchigliette pasta, chestnut and porcini mushrooms in a rich cheese and marsala wine sauce. Complete with spoons. 

How cute are the individual pots with a handy, baby spoon!? The cheese may have exploded everywhere but I don't think they could look more adorable! Taking a mouthful, quite a potent flavour was delivered of rich, creamy cheese with squidgy pasta pieces throughout and a real kick of mushroom - Strong to the point of definitely being one for the fanatics of the aforementioned. I couldn't taste any marsala wine whatsoever but that didn't take away the enjoyment and I would quite happily eat 6 - 3 spoonfuls in each, just isn't enough! It's 4.5 out of 5 from me. 

Duck Croquettes

Tender and tasty roast duck croquettes coated in a crunchy crumb and served with a honey and truffle dip. 

These, cylindrical shaped croquettes cooked a treat to be exactly as promised - Soft on the inside with a satisfyingly crisp coating. Full of meaty flavour and undeniably that of duck, they were quite rich alone but mellowed by the delicious sweet, honey tones of the dip. Some sort of spice was also noticeable, not that I could say what exactly and for me, the truffle was completely MIA.. What is truffle suppose to taste like anyway? I probably wouldn't know it if it hit me in the face! It's a 4 out of 5. 

Mini Mozzarella Bites

Italian mozzarella in a thyme and parsley breadcrumb with a garlic and herb dips. 

Lastly and the type of Party Food that I am particularly fond of.. The Mozzarella Bites! Smelling ridiculously herby, the balls were ooey gooey inside with another crunchy outside to contrast to all the soft. Unfortunately, the thyme aspect of these was very overpowering and I felt, took away from any decent cheese flavour. Bizarrely however, when eaten with the rather slimy green looking dip, despite adding further herb into the equation, I found the bites to mellow and generally be far more palatable. An odd one - A 3 out of 5. 

Overall, there is not much to complain about when it comes to this range of Party Food from M&S. The quality is most definitely there and I feel, brings something a bit different oppose to the usual selection on offer - Mini Pizza's and Quiches are great and all but just sometimes, only a fancier snack will cut it.. Maybe do avoid the Mozzarella Bites though unless you've got an extended family member who's favourite food is thyme and nothing but! 

Three Bird Roast Sausage Rolls

All butter puff pastry, filled with lightly seasoned British pork, turkey, chicken & duck with smoked bacon. 

But what if you prefer a cold Party Food option? I hear ya and present to thee, the Three Bird Roast Sausage Rolls! Priced at the ludicrously expensive £5 for 12, I purchased the 420g pack when it had been reduced with every intention of whacking them in the freezer to bring out over the holidays.. This never happened and we ended up eating them there and then, as is.. Although they are fine to be heated at 180ºC Fan for 10-15 minutes, if one so wishes. 

Cutting the Roll in half, a good amount of filling presented itself with the layers of pastry, to produce that flaky feel, clear to see. Taste wise, bacon was at the forefront with an array of not quite bird distinguishable yet deliciously meaty flavours throughout - I especially didn't get duck at all despite it being such a rich taste. A good amount of seasoning was included along with a salty edge making them really quite moreish.. Not to mention, the oodles of buttery, almost cheese tones from the pastry! Yummy - A 4 out of 5 from me!

..I think I might have eaten too much.

Snackmas Day 10- KFC UK Colonel's Christmas Burger

Anyone up for a second sleigh ride to a Fast Food joint? I'm down for whatever.. But mostly for this, first of its kind, Christmas Burger from everyones* favourite clucky shop, KFC! 

Yes, he may be late to the party but The Colonel is finally whitening his beard, rosying his cheeks and adorning his Christmas hat by venturing into a festive addition to the chains menu! Posing the age old question "Because who really likes turkey anyway?", the burger comes as part of a Fully Loaded Box Meal with a drink and side of your choice along with fries and a piece of original recipe chicken, all for £5.99.. You can always buy one individually however if for some crazy reason, you're not in the mood for the full works. 

Original recipe fillet, hash brown, cranberry sauce and sage and onion stuffing mayo - It's christmas in a bun. 

A festive twist on the classic Fillet Tower, the burger certainly looked the part with some sneaky cheese on show and the obligatory overkill of lettuce.. 

And the cranberry sauce actually oozed! - Always a good sign that a generous amount is waiting for one! Working from the outside in, the bun itself was super fresh and a decent enough "holder" to the fillings despite being extremely soft and light. Contrasting to this was a crunch from the cooked to perfection, crisp hash brown before hitting the melted cheese upon succulent, signature coated chicken combo beneath. This all made for a solid start even before hitting the pleasantly herby and very much stuffing-esque flavour of the creamy mayo - I would have liked a smidgen more but no matter. Sweet yet tart enough to identify as being cranberry, the sticky sauce brought everything together, went surprisingly well with the chicken and really reinforced the overall feel of a Christmas dinner.. Even with the abundance of healthy, lettuce on the side! Marvellous!

Ah, old Colonel Sanders has been a right secret Santa here in keeping this Christmas Burger from us for so long.. It may be fairly simple but it's been executed well with loads of different textures and most importantly, all the festive flavours one could want, going on! Because who really likes turkey anyway? Me, I do ..But it has no place here! It's a 4 out of 5 from me. 

*Has anyone ever gone to KFC to find that they are sold out of chicken? My friend Nikki has.. And she made the papers for it! Hi Nikki, hi! 

Snackmas Day 2- McDonald's UK Festive Selection

They say the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Usually I would concur.. But other sorts of spreads work too. Festive Fast Food ones from McDonald's for example - It's time, as promised, for The FFF! 

And what a selection the chain has put out for Christmas 2016 - There's the NEW Festive Cheese Feast Burger and Cheese Melt Dippers on the savoury side and a Terry's Chocolate Orange McFlurry and Chocolatey Banoffee Pie for those who want something a bit sweeter. Naturally, I wanted it all so got it all. 

Festive Cheese Feast

A 100% British and Irish beef burger with cheese, Beechwood smoked bacon, a cheese sauce, seasoned grilled onions, tomato ketchup and lettuce, all in a toasted bun. 

The McDonald's elves must have been in good spirits the day I purchased my burger for £4.49 as it looked like it had been put together with love.. And by someone who really likes lettuce - I've never seen so much of the green stuff on one thing, ever. 

I am not sure this picture really reflects the reality of the size of the Burger but believe you, me, it was massive! Starting with the bun itself, it was wonderful - Soft, fresh and plenty robust enough for the plethora of fillings. Munching my way through, the first flavour to come across was beef from the ridiculously moist and juicy patty. As expected, this went well with the double hit of creamy cheese which was relatively mellow and not likely to offend anyone. The onions were cooked to perfection and of just the right quantity with an injection of smokiness as well as a bit of a salty edge from the porky bacon rashers. Finishing things off nicely was a squirt of ketchup which I didn't think added much taste wise but did enhance the squidgy factor even further, and of course, an entire lettuce making for a fresh crunch. A 4.5 out of 5 from me! 

Cheese Melt Dippers

Four breaded cheese dippers, made with camembert and served with a Festive Tomato dip. 

Moving onto the modestly priced, £1.59 Dippers which felt mighty toasty in the bag! Cooked to a golden perfect, the decently sized circles were crisp and crunchy on the outside with a contrasting, satisfyingly soft interior of just set Camembert - Nothing runny or sloppy here! Similarly to above, the potency of cheese wasn't too strong but instead creamy and went well with the Tomato dip.. Even if it was a tad on the sweet and borderline, artificial side. It's a 4 out of 5! 

Terry's Chocolate Orange McFlurry

Soft dairy ice cream swirled with Terry's Chocolate Orange pieces and chocolate orange sauce. 

So I can't say this one looked anything like the promo picture.. Granted, I did have to get it home but even when it was passed through the drive-thru window, it didn't look much more attractive. It's a good job that it's all in the taste as this one was a beaut! An abundance of chocolate orange pieces were distributed throughout the signature soft and sweet McDonald's ice cream which combined with the splodge of runny sauce, made for a chocolate orange lovers dream! My only real qualm was that the difference in quality between the aforementioned and Terry's nibs was only to apparent.. But overall, didn't ruin things - Another 4 out of 5 from me and £1.39 well spent! 

Chocolatey Banoffee Pie

A hot crispy pie filled with a thick Banoffee and Chocolatey sauce.  

Last up and the one I expect many Folk are excited for.. The Chocolatey Banoffee Pie, priced at £1.19. I like to think I saved this little fella from a sad Christmas fate - It was due to be disposed of at 12.33pm and I gave it a home in my belly at 12.15pm! For something so close to the mark, I have to say it was pretty darn good! The pie was hot, plenty crisp with the usual almost, greasy fritter feel. A generous strip of both Banoffee filling and ooey-gooey chocolate ran up the inside, packing a bit of a flavour sensation - Nothing but sweet banana paired with not exactly the highest quality but plausible cocoa tones. Almost Banoffee as I tasted no actual toffee but still yummy - A final 4 out of 5. 

Well, well, well, McDonald's you merry old bunch of mistletoe - This little lot is a complete winner and there is absolutely nothing here to let down anyone looking for a festive fix. I highly recommend you get yourself down to your local chain, order everything and embrace your rotund, Christmas pudding, post Fast Food state.. I won't be far behind! 

Spicy Chicken Winter Melt

Aaaaaand then MSW and the Spicy Chicken Winter Melt happened - A return from last year but a new one for us.

Succulent chicken breast fillet in a crispy coating with an Emmental cheese slice, fire roasted pepper sauce, slivered onions, a cool mayo and lettuce. 

Good god. Seriously, who is manning the lettuce station at my McDonald's and why the heck are they so heavy handed? I realise the likes of these Burgers aren't exactly healthy but I hardly think forcing that amount of leaf upon us is going to counteract the "bad".. Someone have a word. 

MSW did well in not losing the whole lot when taking a big bite - As you can see, it was really quite loaded! The bun was up to par with that of the Festive Cheese Feast in being just as bouncy, fresh and containing a generously sized piece of chicken. As succulent as suggested with a satisfying crisp coating, the fillet was second to none and tasted delicious with the warmth from the pepper sauce and abundance of raw onion. The cheese once again added some creamy and mellow tones with the squirt of mayo cooling things even further. Seasonally spicy - A 4 out of 5! 

Review- M&S NEW Chicken & Butternut Bake

Things seem to come and go in M&S as quick as anything nowadays. I do like how they pump out NEW products but it can be quite frustrating to see a favourite being taken off the shelf when it has only been there itself for a few months! Today's Chicken & Butternut Bake however, is one thing I was only to happy to embrace with open arms for a quick, easy and healthy dinner! 

Part of the Mix & Match, 3 for £10 deal across selected prepared meals, the 370g Bake cost £3.50 (Give or take!) individually and is freezer friendly - Perfect for stocking up and enjoying at those busy times. 

As instructed, I preheated my oven to 180ºC Fan and whacked the foil tin, with the sleeve removed, onto a baking tray and cooked for 25 minutes until bubbly and deliciously smelling of garlic/casserole.  

Not to disappointingly, the kale caught in the oven so I removed it before getting stuck in.. Although  I have to say, it still tasted of seaweed whether it was burnt or not! An abundance of slightly herby, soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, potato cubes were the main flavour with a decent amount of succulent chicken chunks distributed throughout. The sauce provided a bit of moisture but by no means made things sloppy and tasted a bit like a vegetable "gravy". As for the butternut and the mushroom.. Both were few and far between with 2 lonesome slices of the latter and a little over half a dozen pieces of the squash. 

All in all, this NEW Chicken & Butternut Bake is delicious.. And definitely a dinner for the potato fans amongst us! There really is a mound of the white stuff which personally, I don't mind but I can see how some may be despondent over the lack of squash in the name. I'll certainly be having another! - It's a 4 out of 5 from me. 

Review- KFC UK NEW The Original Recipe Stacker

As I ended up not having the McDonald's South African Stack I was so looking forward to on Wednesday, I had to come up with plan B.. Going all the way next door to KFC and getting their NEW Original Recipe Stacker. There was no way I was going without my junk fix.. Heck, if there had been a Burger King too, I wouldn't have hesitated in doing a proper fast food crawl!

Crikey, the box to this thing was a beast! ..As was the price tag which I think was £4.99 on its own or £5.99 as part of a meal. Either way, I was charged £6.69 for it - Is there a surcharge for having a bottle of water as the drink in a regular meal? Someone find out for me. 

Two fillets of our classic original recipe chicken, sandwiched between cheese, barbecue and all-new baconnaise sauces. 

So I didn't bother to rectify the state of today's sandwich.. Why are the employees in these places so incapable of stacking competently? It's even in the bloody name this time, folks! Also, the box turned out to be an overkill with the burger I felt, being dwarfed in comparison.  

What an absolute mess. I do apologise for the fairly grotesque shot but given that everything was all slipey-slidey sloppy and prepped abysmally, there was not a lot I could do about it! Starting with the bun, it was the usual sort that KFC have to offer with not much in terms of doughy texture and hardly a substantial enough carrier for the packed "stack" within.. AKA 2 very solid, watery, chewy chicken fillets - Not what you expect but they did taste alright with their semi crisp coating and the glue like cheese slices coming through. Moving onto the sauces and the generous blob of barbecue certainly delivered in terms of smokiness and wasn't artificial in the slightest. As for the Baconnaise.. My taste buds decided it was somewhat reminiscent of Big Mac sauce with an almost gherkin-esque flavour mixed in with creamy bacon tones, making for something pretty darn delicious! The different flavours   compliment each other remarkably well with the addition of lettuce providing a fresh hit along with a bit of crunch - Tasty but messy!

So.. I am very much torn by this NEW Original Recipe Stacker. I shall not punish it for the poor chicken as my KFC can be quite hit or miss when it comes to the quality pieces the push out but they fact the bun isn't anywhere near robust enough for the sheer volume of fillings, along with feeling that 2 fillets aren't really necessary, just puts me off. Keep the delightful sauces, swap one of the chicken for a hash brown, fire and rehire your kitchen staff and do away with the OTT box and you'll be onto an all round better burger, KFC - It's a 3.5 out of 5 from me. 

Review- New Covent Garden NEW Skinny Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Soup

Happy October! Does anyone know where this year has gone? I don't.. But I am giddy for the impending festivities of the next few months especially the one beginning with a "C".. In December.. Which I shall refrain from mentioning for the time being incase of great upset. 

This creamy soup tastes so good you won't believe it's part of our Skinny range. We've taken tender chicken pieces, combined them with cream, pinhead oats, white wine and chicken. Finished with a selection of vegetables, herbs and black pepper, this soup is sure to please. 

Today's review is something I am sure we will all be tucking into now that Autumn is well and truly upon us - The humble and inoffensive delight that is Soup! New Covent Garden NEW Skinny Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Soup to be precise which I bought in Asda a few weeks ago for £1.98. Obviously, as this contains meat it isn't suitable for Vegetarians and is also not suitable for home freezing.. I suspect rule breakers would go a head regardless.

It may look like puke but thankfully, it smelt a lot nicer and just as its name suggested - Creamy, chicken-y with subtle herby veg. As always, I zapped my soup in the microwave for a couple of minutes until piping hot but if you're old school, you can always whack it on the hob and gently boil. 

The soup was plenty thick with lots of visible carrot and potato chunks.. The chicken pieces however were few and far between with my bowl (Half the 600g carton) only containing 2 bits. Flavour wise, it was definitely creamy but due to the aforementioned, certainly more of a "plain" vegetable soup  opposed to its Chicken namesake. The herbs came through ever so slightly to compliment with as usual, the black pepper not exactly being to my liking but only marginally off putting - A dash more salt wouldn't have gone amiss, to bring out the full flavour potential though! As for the pinhead oats.. What pinhead oats? They were as elusive as the chicken!

Overall, this NEW Creamy Chicken & Vegetable Soup from New Covent Garden isn't wonderful but isn't a disaster either - The texture is spot on but more chicken and an injection of seasoning would really see it soar in terms of tastiness. Along with the soup of the month (Fiery Tomato & Lime), there are also 2 other NEW Skinny options now on the shelves - Broccoli, Pea & Pesto for the legume lover and Chicken & Chorizo Jambalaya for those who like a bit of a kick.. Neither are for me sadly! Back to today and it's a 3 out of 5!

Review- Chicago Town NEW Chicken Club Deep Dish Pizza

We aren't really pizza people in my house. We do like it when we have it but it is a bit of a rarity.. That being said, I have managed to have it twice in the last 2 weeks somehow! One was a Sainsbury's fresh 14 inch jobby (It was shared FYI!) and the other being these more modestly sized, Chicago Town NEW Chicken Club Deep Dish - A brand I haven't had since a kid! 

A deep dish pizza topped with succulent chicken breast, bacon, ham and mozzarella cheese on our signature tomato sauce. 

I picked up the box of 2, 160g Pizzas from Asda where they are currently on offer for £1, although they will hardly break the bank, at their usual price of £1.25. 

For the size and price, I wasn't expecting the top be be as loaded as it was - There was a lot of meat pieces and cheese for such a small pizza! I popped the little fella into a 190ºC fan oven for about 25 minutes until the top was nice and golden with melted cheese and a crisp base. You can also microwave it for 3 minutes but I can't even deal with that prospect.. And neither should you. 

Look at it, in all its gooey glory - It didn't half smell good too! Cutting baby size triangles, the base proved to be crunchy with a softer inside and of the perfect thickness in proportion to the topping. The tomato sauce was full of flavour that wasn't artificial in the slightest and what I would best liken to, a sweet fresh soup. A mild smokiness came from the meaty chicken, bacon and ham pieces which were all identifiable and even the latter being tasty for something that was reformed. Holding everything together was the stringy mozzarella that was pleasantly cheesy without being overpowering or salty in the slightest - I do feel the quality of cheese can make or break a pizza but this was spot on! Delicious!

Overall, these NEW Chicken Club Deep Dish Pizzas from Chicago Town are pretty splendid - They taste good, they are cheap and they remind you of being 10 again.. What's not to love? Also in the range is a Sloppy Joe option, Pepperoni, New Yorker and Pulled Pork - Literally something for everyone and I will definitely be trying more! Its a 4 out of 5 from me. 

Snackmas Day 16- Tesco Finest Chicken Parfait with Balsamic Onion Chutney

Patè.. Oo the controversy! The Power of Love makes me eat it all year round, be it smooth or coarse but as with everything else during the festive season, things get a hell of a lot more fancy and the likes of Chicken Parfait with Balsamic Onion Chutney turn up on our shelves, just screaming to be purchased. 

Made in small batches in rural Scotland with British Chicken liver and pork, blended with British cream and apple jelly. Hand topped with a tangy balsamic chutney. 

I picked up this Finest 200g block for £3 in Tesco where it was situated with the premium meat slices and antipasti - There are a whole array of flavours so do go check your local store out to see whats on offer. 

I was in 2 minds on what to have this on.. I first thought toast but then figured a cracker would picture better. A good choice it turned out to be - The parfait spread beautifully and smelt deliciously of pork, spices with acidic notes. Taking a bite was pure heaven. Seriously smooth and light in texture with a creamy taste and herbiness along with the signature taste of traditional liver Patè, although I wouldn't say this was as full on. The jelly like, balsamic onion layer was of perfect thickness and added a tangy sweetness which complimented the parfait beneath with its garlic kick. Absolutely scrummy!

Overall, this Finest Chicken Parfait is pretty darn wonderful - Both as is but with the added layer of Balsamic Onion Chutney.. It's so much more tasty! Yes, it is very luxurious, rich and will most likely fatten you up like the bird it came from but as a 'once' a year indulgence, I don't think its one you want to miss! A 4.5 out of 5 from me. 

Review- KFC NEW Mediterranean Bites: Spicy Piri Piri, Smoky BBQ and Sunblush® Tomato

There is no greater tragedy than going on a NEW snack finding mission and leaving empty handed.. This was my fate after a bitterly disappointing trip to Morrison's. I felt my woes needed consoling so decided the most plausible pick me up was to go to KFC and order everything! To my pleasant surprise they had these NEW Mediterranean Bites on the Menu so I ordered myself all 3 flavours.. Naturally.

Each pot, L-R Spicy Piri Piri, Smoky BBQ, Sunblush® Tomato, contained 4 pieces of chicken with a little plastic lid on top - A sturdier version to those you find on a soft takeaway drink and without the worry of losing you loot!

Spicy Piri Piri

A spicy salsa aroma, full of peppers, tomatoes with a hint of zest came from this pot. The chicken was lovely as expected - Super soft and moist with the amazing, signature KFC flavour. I am not the biggest fan of spice so I found this quite hot but MSW, the chilli fanatic, was mad for this flavour! Initially it was fairly mild and tomato-y but then the heat kicked in to deliver tongue tingling spiciness with an undertone of lime, which even I was a fan of. Its a 4 out of 5!

Smoky BBQ

The BBQ scent was quite overpowering at first, when the lid was removed! There was a potent woody smell combined with vinegar and molasses. Thankfully the taste wasn't as strong but still packed a punch that you would definitely know as BBQ. Once again, the chicken nugget sized bites were delicious and perfectly juicy. Its another 4 out of 5!

 Sunblush® Tomato

Freshly smushed tomatoes, the epitome of the Med.. Thats all I can say about the smell! Taste wise, it was essentially Tomato & Basil Fresh Soup with seeds for added flavour and authenticity. It was quite a sweet base with acidic notes but was very pleasant with the chicken and its soft crumb coating. Its a slightly less, 3.5 out of 5 from me! 

All in all, I pretty much had a fabulous lunch! I think these Mediterranean Bites are a great addiction to the KFC menu and I can see them being popular, both as part of a meal and as a snack. At £1.99 each, for only 4 pieces of chicken, you could argue they are quite pricey but I think they are well worth giving a go, if you fancy a change from your usual. Nice one, Colonel Sanders!