I used to often make Molten Lava Cakes when I worked at the Manor. They were very popular with the ladies for dinner parties and luncheons. And no surprise there really. They are decadent and delicious. I loved them too because they were so easy to make and yet gave excellent results. Its all a matter of strict timing really. You have to get it just right, but when you do, wowza! I don't make them very often anymore because, well . . . there are only two of us and the Toddster hates chocolate cakes and cookies. (I know! I cannot imagine it either!)
Every month I get a Degustabox to try out and when I saw the contents of the December Box I immediately knew the recipe I wanted to make, highlighting one of the products of the box. Matcha Molten Lava Cakes, for two reasons really. One, the recipe only makes two beautiful delicious cakes, and two . . . it was a great way to use some of the matcha tea that came in the box.
Every month I am the happy recipient of a Degustabox. I love these boxes. Opening each one is tiny a bit like opening a Christmas box. Always a surprise and always filled with things I want to try. Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out a range of specially selected foodie products. There's always a great mix of new products that I haven't tried before, as well as plenty of treats from more established brands. Quite often you will have the opportunity to try new products before they arrive in the shops, so it can be a bit of a sneak peak! Each Degustabox costs only £12.99, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time. I love getting these boxes!! This box actually arrived just before Christmas, but today is the first chance I have had to actually dig into it and do something with it! (what with the holidays and all! Here is a bit about what was in my box!
ROBINSONS FRUIT CREATIONS 1X £1.99
New Robinsons Fruit creations contains twice the fruit and more juicy and frutier flavours. Our flavour experts have worked hard to source and create a refreshing blend of the very best fruit combinations created specifically for grown-up taste buds.
I received the Apple & Elderflower. NICE!
PLANTERS 2 X £1.29
At Planters, we only use the most delicious nuts to make sure each mouthful is as tasty as the next. Whether you love casherws, peanuts or dried fruit, you can rely on Planters to deliver protein packed nuts taht taste delicious.
I got a pack each of the Protein Mix and the Energy Mix. Delicious snacking options!
RYVITA LIGHTLY SALTED RYE CAKES 1 X £1.39
Made with popped wholegrain rye, Ryvita Rye Cakes are naturally high in fibre, and low in fat, making them a delicious and wholesome snack. Get creative with your favourite toppings or have them on their own. The choice is yours.
One of these spread with low sugar chocolate spread makes a FABULOUS snack in the evening. I have also enjoyed with no sugar peanut butter and sliced apple.
MARY BERRY'S FOODS Lemon & Mustard Vinaigrette 1 X £2.99
Mary Berry's Lemon & Mustard Seed Vinaigrette is a versatile zesty vinaigrette that works very well with all salad combinations. This flavourful and delicious dressing is the perfect accomplishment for smoked salmon and potato or pasta salad.
I make the best potato salad and part of the reason is that I marinate the potatoes in a vinaigrette dressing prior to adding every thing else. I usually use a homemade one, but next time I am going to use this. If Mary's name is on it, it has to be good.
WILLIES CACAO BLACK PEARLS 1 X £6.59
These were the product of the month. Pearls of single estate chocolate containing cascades of molten caramel. Available in two flavours: Sea Salt Caramel in fruity Chulcucanas 70 dark chocolate and luscious Passion Fruit Caramel in Rio Caribe 44 milk chocolate. 100% natural, batch made from the best raw materials.
OH BOY! Gorgeous. That is the only word I can use to describe the Sea Salt Caramel Black Pearls I got. Wowsa! Seriously, dangerously tasty!
COLDPRESS juices 1 X £1.50
Our delicious juices are made only using coldpressure HPP (High Pressure Processing). Most juices are heat pasteurised. Vitamins and nutrients are damaged by heat, so we use cold pressure instead to keep the vitamins, nutrients and fresh taste in.
Really nice. I got the apple one and its really nice.
SAN MIGUEL 0.0% 1 X £3.00
San Miguel presents its original alcohol-free beer. San Miguel 0.0%. With all the flavour, freshness and quality of beer, but with none of the alcohol. Malty notes of barley deliver a subtle roasted flavour, with balanced bitterness to deliver great beer refreshment. 100% San Miguel, 0% alcohol.
I can't really make any comparison as I don't drink alcohol. But it is nice to know that for those who do, there is a tasty alcohol free alternative available.
CANDY KITTENS GOURMET SWEETS 1 X £3.00
Hello! We're Candy Kittens and we believe that life's too short for boring sweets. So, we decided to do something about it. We're leading the way in British style and taste, making gourmet sweets with natural colours and flavours for you to enjoy.
I received the Sour Watermelon, and they do taste like watermelon. They are also gluten-free
TAKING THE PEA 1 X £1.50
The UK's first Great Taste Award winning grab and go range of savoury pea snacks. With more protein than crisps and less fat than nuts our peas are the perfect healthy snacking product to satisfy those in between meal cravings.
I got the smoked ham flavour. They are actually peas!
POPCHIPS Galactic Puffs 1 X £1.99
Every fan in the galaxy knows that boring snacks can lead you to the dark side. We found a new way to use heat to pop this light and airy snack into your favourite Star Wars shapes. And if you're lucky, you may even find the secret shape.
Mmmm . . . I love crunchy and I love BBQ which is the flavour I received.
SLEEP WELL 1 X £1.75
Get unstressed for Bed with Sleep Well. Our gorgeous tasting vanilla drink combines Jersey milk with Honey and valerian, a herb that's been helping people to relax and sleep for 2000 years. Great for the whole family to enjoy. Simply drink hot or cold thirty minutes before you want to sleep.
I haven't tried this yet, but am really interested if it works. I'll keep you posted.
LIFT Matcha instant Green Tea sachets 1 X £
When you drink Lift's Instant Matcha Green tea, you digest the whole green tea leaf, unlike traditionally brewed leaf tea. The South Indian Instant Green tea is naturally packed full of nutrients due to the goodness found in the whole green tea leaf. To pack in even more goodness we've added Matcha into each convenient sachet.
This is the product I decided to highlight with a recipe.
It took approximately 8 sachets of the powder to make up the TBS that I needed for the recipe. I also made some raspberry coulis to accompany the cakes.
I adapted the recipe from one I found on Kirbie's Cravings, which is a recipe she adapted from Vickii Ma. As you can see, the cake really doesn't look green from the outside.
I got artistic and did the raspberry coulis underneat with a fork to look like it would in a restaurant. Its really easy to do that, just put on a dab and then run a spatula through it or spoon to make a streak.
If you follow the directions suscinctly you will be rewarded with a fabulously tasty cake, perfectly molten in the middle and it stays molten even after it cools, which is a real bonus! Isn't that pretty?
Moist and delicious and very simple to make! The coulis is simple also.
*Raspberry Coulis*
Makes about 2 cups
Printable Recipe
The fancy name for fruit puree or thick sauce, a coulis (meaning strained) is perfect served over ice cream or chocolate cake. You can use this recipe for other berries such as blackberries and strawberries.
300g of fresh or frozen raspberries (2 1/2 cups)
juice of one lemon or lime
1 to 2 TBS icing sugar, or more to taste
Place the raspberries in a saucepan and add the lemon or lime juice. Mash gently with a fork or potato masher and sift the icing sugar over top. Stir until it dissovles. Heat the raspberries just until simmering, then push them through a sieve with a wooden spoon. Discard any solids left in the sieve. Taste the puree and add more sugar if desired, although the coulis should be somewhat tart, with a strong flavour of the berries.
The fancy name for fruit puree or thick sauce, a coulis (meaning strained) is perfect served over ice cream or chocolate cake. You can use this recipe for other berries such as blackberries and strawberries.
300g of fresh or frozen raspberries (2 1/2 cups)
juice of one lemon or lime
1 to 2 TBS icing sugar, or more to taste
Place the raspberries in a saucepan and add the lemon or lime juice. Mash gently with a fork or potato masher and sift the icing sugar over top. Stir until it dissovles. Heat the raspberries just until simmering, then push them through a sieve with a wooden spoon. Discard any solids left in the sieve. Taste the puree and add more sugar if desired, although the coulis should be somewhat tart, with a strong flavour of the berries.
Note - this freezes really well.
*Matcha Molten Lava Cakes*
Serves 2
Have ready two 4 ounce (1/2 cup) ramekins that you have generously buttered and then dusted with flour, shaking out any excess flour. Pay particular attention to any corners and the bottoms of the ramekins. Set aside.
Divide the batter evenly between both ramekins. Place in the deep freeze for half an hour.
Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Remove the ramekins from the freezer and place onto a baking tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 16 minutes. Watch carefully. You will want the centre to look just set and dry, but still be a bit wobbly. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Run a sharp thin knife around the edges of the ramekins. Carefully invert each ramekin onto individual serving plates. Gently tap the upside down ramekin to release cake. Lift the ramekin straight up. Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.
For moulds I used these small individual aluminium pudding basins. Over here in the UK you can buy them at Lakeland (where I got mine) or via Amazon.
I actually have two sets of them in my kitchen, so 8 cups in total. They aren't expensive and work really well for all sorts, from steamed sweet and savoury puddings to cold classics, and yes, baked molten lava cakes.
These were really delicious. I think I am going to make them again for Valentines day!
So, that was the December Degustabox - a nice selection of products as always. We loved it. The price of each Degustabox is £12.99 (including delivery). To order your box, visit www.degustabox.com Many thanks to Degustabox UK for sending me this box. I have to say I really look forward to getting my box each month. There are always lots of things in it to enjoy and new products to try out. I highly recommend. You can also tailor the boxes to your own likes and dislikes by filling in your own Taste Profile. Do you like the sound of the Degustabox October 2017 box? Why not sign up now! I find them to be really good value for money spent and I really enjoy trying out new products that I have not tried before.
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Note - Although I was sent a box free of charge any and all opinions are my own.
Bon appetit!
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