Review- Birds Eye NEW Sweet Potato Waffles

Oh look.. Who this? I am back with another review! Who would have thought it? ..Not me, that's for sure.. Anyway.. Waffles!

Sweet or savoury, there is no two ways about it, Waffles are pretty darn amazing and should be eaten in vast quantities be it for Breakfast, Dinner, Pudding or just because. My enthusiasm reached sky high when Instagram informed me that trusty old Birds Eye were bringing out a NEW version of everyone's childhood favourite - The Sweet Potato Waffle! Giddy, I was - GIDDY!  

Deliciously crisp and fluffy, gluten free, no artifical colours, flavours or preservatives. Suitable for Vegans. Cook at 180ºC Fan for 15 minutes. 

MSW is to thank for finding these! It was when in Morrisons that she stumbled across this orange hued box of 8, priced at £2. She was so pleased with herself for finally locating them that she proceeded to sing down the phone "DO YOU LIKE WAFFLES? YES, YOU LIKE WAFFLES!". Some would call her mad.. I would call her bang on - I do like Waffles!*.     

Ahh aren't they cute!? I don't know whether I'm alone in this or if their shape really does just endear them to being loved universally but there is something wholesomely adorable about those little Waffle windows.. And tasty too, I might add! Soft and fluffy on the inside with the signature crispier outer, the contrasting textures were as lovely as ever. Flavour wise, I prayed that they wouldn't be as peppery as I find the Mcain Sweet Potato Smilies** and thankfully, they weren't! Subtly flavoured whilst still delivering that familiar "Bird's Eye" taste, I was initially a little disappointed by the lack of actual Sweet Potato flavour.. But found, the more I munched, the better they got and before I knew it, I'd consumed 4! 

Overall, these Sweet Potato Waffles aren't a bad edition to the Birds Eye range. It is a shame they are lacking in their namesake flavour.. But, they are still enjoyable, and make a nice change to the usual Potato Potato variety. Give them a go, it's a 4 out of 5 from me. 

*And pancakes and french toast too. 

**I realise to most that these have no spice but I am a wuss. 4 year olds can handle more than I. 

Review- M&S Balanaced For You NEW Cod & Salmon Root Veg Risotto

I've been on a bit of a Chicken Chow Mein kick lately - It's quick, easy and surprisingly not all that bad for you! I have been buying it all over the place but have come to the conclusion that my firm favourite is the Balanced For You option from M&S.. Which bring us to today - Cod & Salmon Root Veg Risotto! Wait, what?

Cod and salmon pieces with a vegetable risotto made of carrots, butternut squash and sweet potatoes in a tomato sauce topped with spinach 

Don't worry, I haven't completely lost it - I picked up 2 Chow Mein meals and opted for this as my third item in the 3 for £10 deal. I am uncertain of its individual price but figured that since it was NEW, it would make a good review and whacked in the basket.. Despite not being all that big of a fan of Risotto or baked salmon. Hmm. 

I microwaved my meal for the instructed 4 minutes to produce something that looked uncannily similar to a vomitting session I had in the early Noughties.. Jolly good, moving on! I proceeded to give the thing a good stir and was a little surprised how liquid-y it appeared to be - Although the "Risotto" was of the veg kind rather than traditional rice, it didn't have any of the creaminess I envisaged! Taste wise, it was just as confusing with a super tomato flavour paired with mushy vegetables but a really fishy kick to overpower the lot thanks to the abundance of big, flaky chunks. I wouldn't usually complain about such a thing but when something tastes purely of the sea, it's near impossible not to mention! The spinach floating on top didn't add a lot in terms of flavour either but did bring a nice burst of colour to the dish, so there is that!

OK, I'm now thinking I should have just gotten 3 Chicken Chow Mein and steered well clear of this Cod & Salmon Root Veg Risotto - Hindsight is such a wonderful thing. The meal doesn't work and it's as simple as that, unfortunately - The "Risotto" part is actually quite tasty but by plopping fish in there, you're left with some sort of confused, mish-mash of soup and sea! Granted, cooked salmon isn't my favourite but the combination of the two elements here is just bizarre and as usual, I am left wondering.. What on earth were you thinking M&S!? It's a 1.5 out of 5 from me. 

Review- McCain NEW Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

What do Salted Caramel, Pulled Pork and Sweet Potato Fries all have in common? No joke - They've all become the "it" thing in the last few years! There are the shunners but I, like the majority, have bought into all 3.. And have complained about all 3! Today, hopefully, there will be none of that with these McCain NEW Crispy Sweet Potato Fries which NibsnScribs pointed me in the direction of! 

I bought the 500g bag in Asda for £2. I was a little alarmed upon reading the back of the packet.. These little darlings contain not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 E numbers! Reasons why are unbeknown to me but I am pretty sure it isn't really necessary. Choosing to ignore the potential of a future hyper state, I cooked the fries at 210ºC fan, for the recommended 20 minutes. 

My oven is fantastic. It burns almost everything that isn't cake related - I think its trying to tell me what my diet should solely consist of.. And I''m ok with that. It is due to this misfortune it would appear that I only had a measly portion but this was not the case, have no fear - I just picked out the fries that were the most picture worthy! On to the munching, I was surprised at the size of some of the orange chips - One was massive and virtually took over the plate! Taste wise, as expected they were delicious - Full of Sweet Potato flavour from the soft, fluffy inside with a crunchy outer that was slightly greasy which only made them more enjoyable! I couldn't really taste the turmeric listed in the ingredients but didn't feel anything was missing anyways. Most delightful! 

Overall, McCain have done a mighty fine job here - Yes, they are only chips but they are chips done well! I will most definitely be buying them again and maybe even check out some of their other NEW Potato products - There are Spicy Peri Peri fries for anyone who likes a bit of heat! I do still wonder about the use of additives but whats an E number (or 4) between friends? They can't possibly do any harm, right? Its a 4 out 5 from me!