Review- Jacobs NEW Caramelised Onion Ciabatta

Jacobs Cream Crackers have always been a staple in our house and I expect most of yours too if like us, you favour something crunchy at lunch times! We manage to top them with pretty much anything and everything.. From the "norm" of cheese to pickles, chutneys, meats and of course, dunked in soup - Perfect now that the weather is getting chillier.

Jacobs being Jacobs however have obviously decided to up their game and go a bit posh with these NEW Ciabatta which come in three flavours - The Caramelised Onion of today, Sundried Tomato & Basil and a plain Cracker option, all available in Asda for £1.39 a box. 

Each box contains 5, individually wrapped packs of 3 Ciabatta, making them perfect for eating on the go.. Although I think you need at least 4 to make for a decent lunch but then again, maybe I am just a fatty.

The slightly floured Crackers smelt delicious upon opening with an authentic onion-y scent. Having a munch, the texture was certainly very dry thanks to the thin, crisp nature with big pockets of air throughout just as you would see with traditional bread Ciabatta. The similarity to the aforementioned in terms of flavour was somewhat there with a powdery taste and onion/herby kick that wasn't quite as strong as its aroma but still detectable enough - Anything stronger would have been far too overpowering especially with a topping! Munchy and more-ish! 

Overall, these NEW Caramelised Onion Ciabatta are a nice little edition of the Jacobs Cracker range with a decent flavour and pleasantly dry feel that makes for a good base to a plethora of toppings. I will most definitely be trying the Sundried Tomato & Basil which I can only imagine will be just as amazing loaded with cheese! It's a 4 out of 5 from me.  

Snackmas Day 20- Baxters Cranberry & Caramelised Red Onion Chutney

I'm not dreaming of a White Christmas.. I long for a deep, purply red affair from Cranberries and nothing but! We all know that a successful festive meal involves Tezza the Turkey being smothered in the stuff but what about the surrounding snacks? A chutney just has to feature!

The tartness of plump cranberries is balanced beautifully by the sweetness of caramelised red onions. Serve on a warm ciabatta with a soft, creamy farmhouse brie and salad.

I picked up this jar of Baxters Cranberry & Caramelised Red Onion Chutney from trusty old Tesco which I can't remember the price of nor can I find it on the website.. Always one to be highly informative, me!

If I had smelt this with my eye closed, I would have thought it was a Branston Pickle wannabe - Between that and a onion jam anyway! Regrettably, I took a taste of this straight out of the jar (Not the whole spoonful, mind!) and almost had my socks blown off. It was ridiculously vinegary acidic and tangy which burnt on the way down and would most likely set off the most horrific bout of a Gaviscon required ailment. Once the sharpness had subdued, I thought it had a salad cream sort of taste along with full on onion from the big chunks and as it smelt, a pickle edge. My tongue was a bit sore from just trying a little but I am happy to say that when eaten as suggested with a creamy cheese, the flavour did mellow with a slight cranberry sweetness making for a wonderful accompaniment - Not to mention a bit different to your usual chutney!

Overall and after my little mishap of taste testing a fresh jar of chutney by it self, along with living to tell the tale, I very much enjoyed this offering from Baxters. I will definitely be trying it on my boxing day sandwich instead of the usual Cranberry Sauce and can easily see myself going all out and maybe even using it as a dip for hot Camembert Bites - A 4 out of 5 from me!