I have been eating a lot healthier over these past couple of months and as a result I have dropped a number of pounds in weight and am feeling a bit better because of it. It is something which I should have done a long time ago and I am only sorry that it took a health crisis to motivate me. In any case I've been discovering and experimenting and realizing that healthy doesn't always mean blah and tasteless! These Chicken tacos with Pineapple Salsa are a prime example! I used some of the ingredients from my October Degusta box to create them.
To those not in the know, if you sign up for it, once a month, every month . . . Degustabox will deliver to your home 9 to 14 new, special or innovative food products for you to try in the comfort of your own home via a subscription service. A monthly subscription costs £9.99 and there is a delivery fee of £3, for a total of £12.99, and what you receive can be tailored to the types of things that you like and would use. To me it's a bit like a foodie Christmas every month of the year! I really love them! This is what was in my October box . . .
Provena Gluten Free Instant Oatmeal 1 X £3.79
"Provena products support the digestive system and release energy gradually over a longer period of time. The high nutritional value of oats as well as the fiber are essential to those suffering from gluten intolerances and Coeliacs. We don’t compromise on taste and our products can be enjoyed by the whole family. We offer 100% security and purity on our products. Our Jumbo Oats and Baking Flour with Oats won Great Taste Awards this year. That says something about our products!"
This is quite ice and was one of DB's Discoveries for the month!
Chip Strips 2 X £2.00
"CHIPSTRIPS give a new dimension to your appetizers and to your snacking! Original, naturally fine and crispy. It’s as much a pleasure to eat them as it is to share them. For the evening, midday break or at lunch, chew every moment with CHIP STRIPS!"
I received a packet of Smoky BBQ and a pack of Salt & Vinegar. They were crunchy and very similar to Pringles in texture. I quite liked the BBQ ones, but the other ones were not a favorite.
The Snack Organization Rice Crackers 1 X £1.00
"Three delicious varieties in the range, Lightly Salted, Sweet Chilli and Teriyaki. Baked not fried, Gluten free and suitable for vegetarians. Only £1 in Tesco and Sainsbury’s."
I quite likes these. Crunchy and spicy! And gluten free. Yes!
Kabuto Noodles 1 X £1.99
"A fresh tasting noodle dish with coconut, chicken, chilli and coriander. This delicious chicken
noodle dish is inspired by the warm coconut laksa dishes of Malaysia. Like all of our noodles, it is made using quality ingredients and no additives or preservatives, simply top up with boiling water."
TheseChicken Ramen were handy to use and very tasty. I am a big fan of noodle dishes and thought these were very good!
Liberation Foods 2 X £2.00
"Owned by small-scale nut farmer co-ops in Africa, India and Latin America, Liberation’s mission as a Fair Trade nut company is to change the world nut by nut by bringing nut producers and consumers of the world together so that everyone gets a better deal. Each of Liberation’s nuts are baked with just the right amount of seasoning (that stays on the nut) to produce the perfect ‘crunch’ and a deeply satisfying savoury hit. Choose from: Fairtrade Oven Baked Salted Cashews & Peanuts, Fairtrade Oven Baked Chilli & Lime Cashews with Peanuts and Roasted Corn AND Oven Baked Mixed Peppercorn Peanuts with Cashews & Habas Fritas."
I got packet of Chilli and Lime Cashews with Peanuts and a packet of Peppercorn Peanuts with Habas Fritas Crunchy Beans. I was quite fond of both of them.
The Snack Organization Freeze Dried fruit 1 X £1.00
The Snack Organisation Presents…Freeze Dried Fruit. Four delicious varieties in the range, Strawberry, Apricot, Apple and Pineapple. Freeze Drying preserves the fruits nutrition and flavours without the use of any unhealthy oils or high temperatures creating a crispy delicious all natural snack that can be snacked, crunched and sprinkled. 1 of your 5 a day, 100% natural, No nasties or oil, Not baked, Gluten free and suitable for vegetarians Only £1 in Tesco.
I received the Apricot and they were very nice. I am quite fond of freeze dried fruits.
9Bar 1 X £2.49
9BAR Original Carob Hit is a delicious, natural source of good energy for people who lead active lives. Every Original 9BAR is packed with naturally nutritious sunflower, pumpkin, sesame and hemp seeds with a smooth carob topping and makes an energy boosting addition to a balanced diet.
This was the Degusta Box product of the month. We both enjoyed these very much. They felt healthy and tasted really good with a fab texture which felt good in the mouth.
Lorina 1 X £1.49
Lorina is a premium French lemonade that has been handcrafted since 1895. Lorina uses 100% natural ingredients, free from any artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Coconut and lime is refreshing and unique, serve it chilled, over ice or mixed with a splash of alcohol. Lorina has a wide range of flavours also available in 330ml and 750ml glass.
Delicious. I love that this is an all natural product. Very refreshing.
Food Thoughts Cocoa 1 X £2.35
Food Thoughts Organic Fairtrade 100% Cocoa for Baking is made with the finest cocoa beans that are harvested at point of ripeness and sun dried naturally to produce the best cocoa powder for baking. Naturally unsweetened with no added sugar our Food Thoughts™ Cocoa is also Gluten Free.
This was another of Degusta Box's discoveries of the month!
President Unsalted Butter 1 X Voucher £2.00
Delicious President Unsalted Butter, made in the heart of Normandy with the finest creams and cultured before churning for a fresh and tangy flavor. Bringing the taste of France to UK kitchens for over 40 years. Bon Appetit!
Cirio Passatta and Chopped Tomatoes 1 each for a total of £2.25
La Classica is reaady to use passata Ripe lucious tomatoes are crushed and bottled to season all dishes, giving them a unique Taste-of-Italy experience. Good food, made with traditional passion. In 1856 Francesco Cirio was a pioneer in preserving tomatoes in tin cans. Every day since then, consumers around the world have been able to experience the true taste of Italy on their tables
These are products I am well familiar with and which are more often than not found in my larder. Love them.
No surprise then that the Cirio Chopped Tomatoes was the product I chose to highlight this month with a recipe created specifically to use them. Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa.
It's a great way to stretch 2 chicken breasts to serve 4 people. You simply poach the chicken until fork tender and shredd it. You could also use shredded meat from a rotisserie chicken if you wanted to.
The cooked chicken is heated through in a delicious mildly spiced tomato sauce . . .
Stuffed into soft flour tortillas and topped with a spicy fresh pineapple salsa, which is delicious! You can top the salsa with some sour cream, but I topped mine with low fat plain yogurt. They were absolutely fabulous!
*Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa*Serves 4Printable Recipe
A delicious low fat taco, which is fabulous topped with a lovely fresh pineapple salsa. If you use low fat sour cream, it's all good!
For the salsa:120g of fresh pineapple, cut into a small dice (1 cup)a handful of cherry tomatoes, chopped (9 or 10)a handful of choppled fresh coriander leaf (1/4 cup)1/4 of a red onion, peeled and chopped2 tsp fresh lime juice1/2 tsp hot sauce1/4 tsp fine sea salt
For the taco filling:1/2 TBS olive oil1 red bell pepper, trimmed, deseeded and chopped coarsely3/4 of a red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced into half moons2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped2 tsp ground cinnamon1 tsp ground cuminpinch cayenne pepper1/2 tsp pimenton (Spanish smoked paprika)1 tsp sweet paprika2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, poached and shredded1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes in juice, undrained (15 ounce)1 tsp sugar1 TBS Worcestershire Sauce1 TBS fresh lime juicesalt and pepper to taste
To serve:small whole wheat tortillaslow fat sour cream
First make the salsa by combining all of the ingredients in a bowl. Set aside to macerate while you make the filling.
Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and peppers. Stir to coat and then cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, then stir in the cinnamon, cumin, cayenne, both papricas and some salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the tomatoes and sugar, worcerstershire sauce and vinegar. Stir together well and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer for about 15 minutes, until nicely thickened. Stir in the shredded chicken and heat through.
To serve warm the tortillas and top with the shredded chicken, some sour cream and some of the salsa. Enjoy!
Calories per serving, excluding the taco shells and sour cream: 255g
(Each serving consists of two tacos) Fat: 5.6gCarbs: 25.7Sugars: 16.7Protein: 28.4g
Many thanks to Degustabox 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. I also have a code which is worth a £6.00 discount off your first box when registering. Simply use the code: BLDEG15
Do check out the Degustabox web page for more information and details.
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