Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
These Steccato dinner plates which are part of a much bigger collection at Spode, remind me of al fresco dining in Italy, or your favourite posh Italian restaurant back home. Made of Earthenware, these plates are 28 centimetres in diameter and have the traditional cobalt blue striped design. The timeless artwork and deep colour of gorgeous blue is a scheme which never go out of fashion.
The Steccato Dinner plates are made in England and are dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe. So whether you are making a fancy meal from scratch or just heating up leftovers in the microwave or oven, Spode have covered your back and made life easier with these super durable plates. You can see how each plate is made with quality in mind, and their robustness is a beautiful quality that will keep these dishes contemporary and relevant for a long time to come.
The plates are part of a whole set of Steccato ware which instantly lift a table and give a sense of style. There are also sets of similar designs which you can mix and match to your taste, so that there’s more interest on the table, or you can build your crockery set over time with different statement pieces and arrange them for your celebrations.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
This beautiful table set of three porcelain bowls and a tray from Sophie Conran are perfect for Mother’s Day.
The set arrived very well packaged in a beautiful light purple gift box from Sophie Conran’s Portmeirion collection. The bowls, which are about 5 centimetres high, sit in a similarly decorated porcelain tray which can be used on a table for snacks, nuts or dips for entertaining, or even sit on Mum’s bedside table for rings, earrings or her smartwatch.
The bowls and tray each have a delicate lavender design in lilac and green at the bottom with a glazed finish and tactile circular texture from manufacturing. The outside of the tray is completely white so you can’t see a design until you finish the snacks inside! The tray is decorated more heavily with the lavender flowers adorned at the bottom of the tray and the same concentric circles from manufacturing. The three bowls sit snugly on the tray, or you can use the bowls and the tray separately for your table.
All of the pieces are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe and can also be used to store items in the freezer. With these robust characteristics, you can tell that these exceptionally well-made porcelain pieces won’t chip or crack easily and will last a long time. The lavender pattern won’t be for everyone but with the bowls filled you don’t see much of the flower pattern, just the outside of the bowls, only to discover the artwork on the inside.
These are a lovely set of bowls and tray that make a beautiful present, but will last a lifetime too. If not for Mother’s Day, then a birthday, wedding gift or new home gift would be ideal and the options for how you use them are endless.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Mother’s Day gifts are always hard to source especially if you veer away from the chocolates, flowers and wine tradition. Spode have a fabulous range of gifts for Mum, Nan or Aunty which are slightly unusual but very usable. Like most Spode products, they are hugely decorative and decadent and not something your Mum is ever likely to buy for herself.
Take for example this Spode Creatures of Curiosity Travel Mug. Made of ceramic, as you would imagine a Spoke piece would be, it’s a 0.31 litre travel mug that’s decorated in a beautiful dark floral pattern with curious snakes, bugs and pink roses. The cup itself is very hardwearing and both dishwasher and microwave safe. The silicone lid needs to be hand washed, but the manufacture makes it easier to place over the mug and doesn’t spill easily when knocked about in transport. As the ceramic mug is well constructed and robust, it holds the heat of your beverage really well and for a long time. It doesn’t burn your hands when you hold it, so no need to add a sleeve to carry it around. You can use it for cold drinks too of course!
At 15 centimetres high it fits into most car and buggy cup holders and has real longevity compared to the plastic mugs. The ‘curious’ pattern is a real talking point because it’s so beautifully detailed and very feminine, unlike most sports travel mugs that don’t have any character. This is not a mug to use whilst jogging; it’s more for long walks in the park, taking the dog out with friends or keeping warm on long car journeys. The baristas will love this too because it’s so easy to heat up and to put the silicone lid on quickly. It’s a classy piece that Mums or Nans who love their hot tea or coffee on the go and want something with more of an occasion to drink it!
There’s also a matching laptop sleeve and water bottle as part of the Spode Creatures of Curiosity collection.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
We all love a candle, and to receive a British made candle is an extra special gift when there is such choice out there.
Màzo Candles London is a London based company founded by two sisters, Màz and Zö as a luxury candle brand made with natural essential oils and all natural, vegan wax and pure cotton wicks. Like a fine wine, the candles were designed to have a range of aromas layered to create a unique fragrance unlike other candles on the market and to evoke a sense of well-being in your home.
The sisters, who founded the company in 2022, have created a range of luxury candles all of which are available on their website. The range includes Mystic (citrus notes Bergamot and Jasmine with myrrh and tobacco for a cosy atmosphere), Pink (fresh grapefruit and pink peppercorn), Chaparral (guava and eucalyptus to refresh the spirit) and Q, which was the candle which was sent to us.
Opening the parcel which arrived at my door, I could smell the tones of bergamot coming through the packaging. The scent also contains fig, Egyptian Jasmine, Oud and pure Frankincense. I think it was the frankincense which reminded me of the posh spas and boutiques that sell the higher end gifts in London’s West End.
The 220gram net candle is set in a gorgeous square glass frame, adorned with metal work on the outside which is unaffected by the flame. Once the candles starts to burn though, the light from the double wicks casts patters through the metalwork onto the floor, creating a shadow effect. Màz and Zö have thought of everything with these candles because there’s even little protectors provided to stick on the bottom of the metal feet so that you don’t mark the furniture as the candle burns! The double wicks, which are made of pure cotton, create a tandem glow but also means that the candle burns more evenly.
The scent is heavenly, as you’d imagine and you can tell that this isn’t synthetic wax with an added fragrance made with additives. The natural wax burns more slowly and is much smoother, plus the scents linger longer and you can detect the different layers of Jasmine and Frankincense especially. The candle has a burning time of around 40 hours, so for the size of candle it lasts much longer than High Street brands.
New candles are always exciting, and we love trying new brands at The Review Studio, so to find a local candle company who specialise in natural ingredients and also produce such high quality candles is a real treat!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Disclaimer – The MoGo 2 Pro was sent as a review sample for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
What’s a great Father’s Day gift Dad isn’t expecting? Or what kind of gift could you get him that he doesn’t know he wants yet but when he tries it, will wonder why he hasn’t bought one for himself before!
The MoGo 2 Pro Portable Project from XGIMI has so many feature that I can hardly write them all, but for an overview of what it does, it’s a portable projector and speaker all in one!
With a 120 inch screen, the projector can be used for movies, online content (for example, You Tube) or gaming. It’s compatible with power banks too so you can even take it outside or use it whilst camping. I told you Dad didn’t know he needed it!
As for the technicals, the MoGo 2 Pro Portable Projector supports HDR 10 with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. With an auto focus of ISA 2.0 and an aspect of 1:2:1 it also has Intelligent Screen Alignment and Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance.
The system contains 16GB of storage and 2GB of RAM with a system of Android TV™ 11.0. There’s an impressive 3 different ports (USB type-C, USB type-A and HDMI 2.0) and an AU 3.5mm output port. Bluetooth 5.0 is also included and it works on a Wifi 5 Duel band of 2.4/5GHz.
The whole kit includes a power cable as well as a remote control. It only weighs 1.1kilograms (2.42lbs) which makes it even more portable and I liked the cube shape which also makes it easy to pack if you’re going away. The possibilities are endless with this projector so having never owned one before, I was excited to get it set up and see how it works!
There are instructions included with the projector, but as you take it out of the box you realise it’s actually pretty simple to set up and the screen takes you through it. Start by connecting the power with the power pack provided, then press the on button. The MoGo 2 Pro starts playing music as it asks you how you want to set up, starting with the wifi network and password, then going through the different type of screen adjustments. The pages take you through each option before you get to the Apps page. There’s even an explanation of how the screen adjustment works on the projector too.
The last page of set up already has a TEX app and you can download other Adroid (Google) apps. There’s no need to hook it up to a computer or network, it’s simply connected to the internet, you log into your Google account (which includes You Tube) and you can view any of your saved videos, or go and search for more.
The whole time I was setting up the projector, it was adjusting to the distance from the wall so that it stayed in focus, as well as the horizontal. It didn’t matter how far the projector was from the wall, it adjusted the size of the screen, knew when it was out of focus and kept adjusting so that it was completely clear. As I was thinking of all the movies and programmes I could now watch on the big screen thanks to this projector, it was really exciting to think how it could change how anyone watches TV, especially as I don’t have a projector already. It was like having my own personal cinema!
The picture remained sharp the whole time my movie played, as well as the audio being pitch perfect throughout. If you have a really good internet connection too it helps, and there was no buffering or loss of sound throughout. I also like how you can play it against any wall, curtain or makeshift movie screen no matter where you are, and the sound of the fan is very quiet so doesn’t detract from the soundtrack. The remote control is super easy to use as well and makes life much easier rather than trying to fiddle with buttons on the machine.
The MoGo 2 Pro Projector changes the way you watch TV and videos, especially if you’ve never had a projector before, and is much easier to use than a TV! Perfect picture, perfect sound and so, so easy to set up that anyone can use it and the whole family can enjoy it. Even Dad…
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Candles have become a staple in our homes over the past decade, with lockdown propelling them into the ‘must haves’ for evening TV, and the perfect gift for loved ones. This year, Ava May have created a limited edition Champagne, Passionfruit & Vanilla Candle.
Made from soya blend and in a 20cl glass candle holder, it’s beautifully wrapped with a stainless steel metal lid and bow, in an Ava May presentation box. The candle is decorated to give a unique presentation, one which sets it apart from other candles on the market. At over 10cm tall it’s not a miniature version either and will burn for hours. Just the hand-blown glass alone makes for a pretty gift, the candle is a lovely bonus!
With a scent like Champagne, Passionfruit &Vanilla you can imagine the aroma as you open the box. The sharp passionflower scent comes across first, then when you burn it you can detect the champagne as finally the vanilla fills the room. It’s a very feminine fragrance, and quite unusual compared to what else you can buy in mainstream shops so it will definitely stand out with the candle lovers.
The aesthetics alone make the Ava May Champagne, Passionfruit & Vanilla Candle a great gift, or even housewarming present. The glass can be used for tealight candles once the Ava May candle has burned down and looks so pretty on its own, it’s a beautiful gift for anyone.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
New Year and new habits form – coffee lovers everywhere will appreciate the UK’s biggest coffee subscription service from Beans Coffee Club.
Since lockdown, subscription services have been their most popular, especially subscriptions for coffee. Why not have a luxury coffee bean sent to your home to brew whilst you work? After all, you’re probably saving a fortune on all the coffees you’ve been buying at the high-end coffee shops where your office used to be! Even if you are still working in the office a few days a week, lots of people have opted to take their love of coffee to work with them, brewing up in a cafetiere to take to meetings.
The Beans Coffee Club lead the way with the UK’s largest selection of coffees, including some which are exclusive. Their subscriptions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly and shipped straight from the roaster. Coffee lovers are well catered for with a special selection survey which matches you to the perfect blend. It takes just 30 seconds, but gets you thinking about what you’re looking for in a coffee, and probably matches you to something you’d never thought of before!
I took the survey myself, which was indeed thought provoking (do I prefer chocolate & caramel, or citrus & floral?) and was able to stipulate whether I wanted whole beans or ground beans sent to me, caffeinated or decaffeinated.
What arrived in the post is this handsome Wogan coffee (I’m presuming it’s nothing to do with the late BBC presenter!) and originates from Bristol. Back in 1970 there weren’t any local roasters in the South West, which brought coffee lover Brian Wogan to the conclusion that would open Wogan Coffee. More than 50 years later and Brian’s son Adrian, his wife and their children now run the ethically-sourced single origin coffees.
I was sent the Wogan Brazilian Mio, Lot 1930 to try. I don’t have a bean grinder so I selected to have the beans sent to me pre-ground. I have both a cafetiere and a filter, which means I can brew the ground coffee both ways. Through the filter, I only needed one heaped teaspoon of coffee to make one mug’s worth. The Wogan’s coffee is nicely smooth with a rich nutty taste to it. It’s a typical coffee lover’s dream, not like a weak instant coffee. It works well with a splash of milk to offset the bitterness but you can drink it black if you prefer.
Once you’ve enjoyed any of your Beans Coffee Club coffees, you can use the QR code on the back of the packaging to find out more about the roaster who roasted the beans, or visit your Coffee Journal online to rate your coffee to try similar ones in the future! If only everything was solved with a cup of coffee…
The Beans Coffee Subscription ranges from £11.99 for one gift, up to £139.99 for 12 coffees.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
By a certain age, or maybe it’s a certain level of fitness, yoga becomes less of a puzzle and more of a necessity. The company Liforme pride themselves on doing things differently to support and encourage the practice of yoga, and do so with their conscientious products. Their ethos to ‘Live for More’ by positively engaging communities is evident on their website, along with some delicious products any yoga fan will adore!
Amongst the products available was this Liforme Grateful Rainbow Yoga Mat which was sent to us to try out. It’s bright pink, printed with an eco-friendly, non-toxic design of a rainbow mandala and alignment markings which can be described as guides for your feet and hands. This mat is a serious bit of kit for serious yoga people and you can tell just by looking at it. There’s much more science, and thought, behind it than you realise though, as I discovered.
The Liforme Yoga Mat is made with a real natural rubber base (so that it doesn’t slide all over the place) and the top layer is made of eco-polyurethane. In all, the mat is 4.2mm thick but it feels thinner than that. It’s not chunky or clunky at all. The top eco-polyurethane layer is designed to be more grippy than other mats, so that you can practice without worrying about sliding all over the place, and the design is printed with durable yet eco-friendly ink. The same goes for all the designs of the yoga mats available on the Liforme website. The mat weighs in at a hefty 2.5kg though so if you’re used to your yoga mat being light-as-air, this is going to be quite a shock! The weight comes from the quality of the material though.
The dimensions of the mat come in at 185cm long and 68cm wide. That’s 73 inches long and 27 inches wide in old money.
As for the usability, the mat comes with a free carry case, which is needed when you have a rolled-up mat of this size and weight and need to transport it to several lessons a week. The real test is in a yoga class, which is where any yoga equipment needs to prove itself. The bright pink façade is very pleasing especially as you know in a dimly lit room and when you might need to wander around a bit, you can never lose it! The surface is nicely grippy. Grippy enough for a Downward Dog and to not face plant yourself. Liforme call this GripForMe technology and it allows you to use your full body weight in poses and not move an inch. Not even a millimetre for that matter, as I discovered when I was able to more pressure into some of the poses than I usually would. So in some ways, you could say that the Liforme Yoga Mat made me better at yoga as a result!
Liforme as a company have recently been awarded B Corp status. The B Corp status proves that Liforme has high standards of social and environmental impact as their core belief as a company and a quick look at their website proves that their high quality and non-toxic materials are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to responsibility. The mats bio-degrade in 1-5 years (depending on conditions) and believe that they have the world’s most planet-friendly yoga mat.
Truly a treat, the Liforme Yoga Mats aren’t cheap but they are suited to the serious yoga practitioner or fitness expert and look simply gorgeous. The unique design and alignment cues make this yoga mat stand out from all the rest, and a perfect gift too.
Available for £140 (but currently on sale for £105) at:
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
If you our one of your loved ones became cocktail experts (mixologists) over lockdown, then this is a gift you will use time and again. The Measure & Mix from Kikkerland is a measuring cup for cocktail recipes (10ml, 20ml, 32.5ml and 45ml) which also doubles up as a mixing spoon.
This unique gift is made of stainless steel 18/8 and easy to use with the step design to the jigger cup so you can easily see the levels of spirit, even in low light. This spoon mixer can be put in the dishwasher too and fits almost any cocktail size glass or shaker. Don’t think it’s only for cocktails though – it can be used for making juices, smoothies and iced tea as well.
A lovely gift for Christmas, Secret Santa or even a birthday!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Christmas at Aldi is always wonderful, and we’ve been working with the team there again this year to bring you the best in their products! We have been sent a hefty portion of their beauty products to show you what’s on offer this year – both in store and online, and introduce you to some new favourites.
Aldi make gift buying easy with their selection of items such as these three scents from the Hotel Collection. Each pyramid also doubles up as a bauble so can be used as gifts, decorations or even Secret Santa. The scents, which are 30ml each, are No 1 Lime, Basil & Mandarin (white box), No 16 Bergamot Oud (black box) and No 2 Blackberry & Bay (purple). Each fragrance is specially mixed for Aldi to be as contemporary as possible and similar to what you might find in the department stores this year. No more old-fashioned granny perfumes! At £2.99 each these are great #StockingFillers or #SecretSanta gifts.
For more extravagant gift sets, the Lacura Spa Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom Gift Set and Fizzy & Fabulous Bath Trio are both £7.99. Both very different gift box sets, the Fizzy & Fabulous set is three Christmas themed bath bombs. The Christmas Tree and Snowflake are both Lavender and Bergamot whilst the star bath bomb is chocolate orange flavour. It’s best to use one bath bomb at a time, but in this set you have two bombs which are relaxing and calming (lavender and bergamot) whilst the star bath bomb is more Christmassy with it’s chocolate orange scent. Suitable for any age, kids love these when they dissolve in the bath and they leave your skin soft too – plus smelling of the lovely scents! Great stocking fillers or #GiftsForTeachers and Secret Santa.
Aldi also have a beautiful range of make-up available this Christmas and this is only a small portion of it. We’ve previously featured the Lacura serums and Lacura foundation and they have so much more including this Quad Eyeshadow Palette. With four colours, two of which have a shimmery texture to them, they can be used alone or in conjunction with one another to create an effect for Christmas. The nude colours are great for all year round though, and easy to blend. Priced at £3.99 they’re another stocking filler idea! Why not round off the look with the Lacura Eyeshadow Primer as well, at £2.99. Use the primer as a base before you put on your eye shadow and it prolongs the look and feel of the Palette all day.
Lips don’t go unnoticed this Christmas either. This Perfect Nude colour for Lacura Lipstick (£2.99), Lacura Lip Liner (£2.99) and Lacura Lip Gloss (also £2.99) work together perfectly. You can either use all three to make a glossy, polished look, or use them individually for daytime or a quick fix. As they’re all the same colour but different textures, they work in combination to create the Lacura look. The Perfect Nude colour can be worn all day too, or dressed up for night. You won’t find many lipsticks for £2.99 on the market and especially won’t find the whole Lacura Lip Look for less than £10!
Skincare is a big part of Aldi’s Lacura range. We tested some items including the Pineapple Microdermabrasion Scrub. Containing pineapple enzymes (you can guess how they like to eat away at the impurities!) this scrub can be used several times a week. Just gently massage onto wet skin and rinse thoroughly. It really left my skin feeling softer and smoother, taking away dead skin and the remains of make-up. I loved this, and at £3.99 it seems incredibly good value for a 100ml tube.
I was intrigued by the Lacura Multi-Peptide Moisturiser (50ml, £6.99) not least because of the pump-action dispenser! The moisturiser boasts 7 peptide complex, stem cell extraction for hydrating and smoothing. It’s very much like a serum, and not heavy but does absorb into the skin easily. I used this after the Pineapple Microdermabrasion Scrub and it glided on effortlessly. It leaves skin soft, and more like a base to put a foundation or make up on top as it isn’t reflective like the Lacura Caviar products. Still, it lasts all day and I can’t believe that it’s only £6.99 compared to the extortionate costs of moisturisers available elsewhere.
Also in skincare is the Intensive Eye Cream. With vitamin A, B5, C and £ complex, and with grape seed extract, this is also for smoothing and hydrating the skin, but mostly around the eyes although you could use it for the mouth and bridge of the nose too if preferred. I thought this was even more hydrating than the Multi-Peptide Moisturiser, which it probably should be as it’s for the eye area but this cream left my skin feeling dewy fresh too. The 15ml tube will last a long, long time as you only need a tiny amount and at £3.99 it’s an absolute steal!
Read here to find out about the Aldi fragrances – there’s a lot of them and you won’t want to skip what’s on offer!
Disclaimer: We received this product for the purpose of the review but all words and opinions are our own
Menkindare a gift and gadget retailer that’s all about fun, original gifts. I always struggle coming up with interesting ideas for presents but Menkind take the hassle out of buying with their fantastic selection of gifts. I guarantee you will go from having absolutely no idea what to buy to struggling to choose from the amazing selection of gifts available on their website! Cool gadgets, licenced merchandise, food and drink gifts, personalised gifts, novelty gifts, you name it, and you’ll find it on their site.
When I am unsure what to buy someone, I generally plump for a food gift as they are always well received. I am a huge fan of cheese and crackers and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review The Three Cheeses Cheese and Crackers Crate. This cheese hamper retails at £25.00 and is packed full of tasty treats.
The box was well packaged and once I had opened it, I was delighted to see all the cheese goodies inside. If you are a cheese lover, you will understand just how exciting it is opening a box of cheese, crackers and chutney!
My crate contained three types of flavoured cheddar – Premium Vintage Cheddar, Crunchy Red Onion and Sage and Worcester Sauce & Shallots and to compliment the cheese it also includes a Red onion Marmalade, Cheddar & Red onion biscuits, Three fruit crackers and a pack of dry roasted peanuts.
The cheeses were all really tasty and with a variety of flavours gave plenty of options to try. Of course in the interest of giving a fair review we did have to open all the cheeses and crackers at once! The chutney complemented all three cheeses and the Three Fruit Crackers were so tasty, I will definitely be buying those again!
Thanks to Menkind gift buying is no longer a chore – next time I need a one I will be heading straight to their website.
Delivery is free over £50 and standard delivery is £3.99 (3-5 days) and don’t worry if you are on the last minute as there is also the option of express tracked delivery.
Stuck for a thank you gift for your child’s teacher? The Prezzee gift card makes a lovely gift and is super easy to use. Easy to purchase online you can even add a photo, video or voice message to personalise your gift. The gift card can be sent instantly or scheduled for a later date and can be sent via text or email.
I thought the gift email was lovely, you get an email showing a gift card and the value and there is a button to press to redeem your gift. When you press this button, the parcel opens revealing a personalised note along with a voice and video message. To redeem the , simply enter the pin number from your email and then you can then swap your gift for a gift card from over 170 different retailers. There are so many different brands to choose from including high street stores, food outlets, supermarkets, garden centre vouchers, theatre tokens and hotels so there is bound to be something they will love. The Prezee card is available from as little as £5 and up to £500 so would also be great for a class gift too.
After swapping your gift card you instantly receive an electronic gift card which you can save in an electronic wallet or print. I chose a National Gardens digital gift card, and this arrived only a minute after placing the order, so I was really impressed with the speed of delivery.
If you have do have a query with your order there is a 7 day helpline, online chat, message facility or email option
I was really impressed with the simplicity of ordering and the speed of delivery and will certainly be buying more Prezee cards. I no longer need to spend ages choosing presents and the recipient will enjoy choosing something special to treat themselves to!
Disclaimer: We received a Prezzee Gift card for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are our own.
Disclaimer – We received this item for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Gardeners will love this Multi Tool from Kikkerland! The fold out trowel fits nicely in your pocket, but also extends to add more tools including a weeder, saw, root remover and pruning knife. Each tool folds away for safety and convenience too.
Kikkerland Pocket Trowel Multi Tool
Made from stainless steel and beechwood, this 5-in-1 tool has everything the serious gardener needs to go out and garden, or to use on the allotment and not take up too much space.
It’s also a great gardening gift for him or her, to be able to give them something useful as well as thoughtful. The stainless steel tools and beechwood handle will last for years if looked after well. It would be brilliant for anyone with a small garden, or just starting out on their gardening journey.
I used it in my garden as an all-round tool where I could keep it in the shed or the greenhouse and get to it quickly when I need to do a few odd jobs. It’s quite heavy, but fits into a standard pocket but has the durability to actually be useful with the tools. For example, the trowel isn’t that much smaller than my normal garden trowel which does all my gardening jobs.
It’s a lovely gardening tool as well as a super useful present for anyone with limited space or who is just cutting their teeth into gardening!
Disclaimer – We received this item for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
It’s Spring! So what lifts your mood this time of year? I’ve been getting into baking since Lockdown and now looking for more ideas of what I can bake. The @Bake2Explore Flatbread baking kit delivers a complete kit to produce 6 flatbreads using their pre-measured ingredients.
The Taboon flatbreads are from a Palestinian recipe and are vegan and organic as well as wholemeal. The taboon refers to the type of (very hot) oven which the breads are typically baked in. Taboons can be used to make wraps, as part of a meal or with any topping – even as a breakfast. Taboon flatbread kits can be ordered online, or as part of a #subscription, and are delivered to your door in a letterbox-friendly box from £17 per kit. I was sent one to test out, so one evening this week I got to work on my first flatbread kit!
Bake2Explore Flatbreads
Now I’ve made bread before, but only the most simple bread from flour, yeast and water. The flatbread kits from www.Bake2Explore.co.uk are pre-measured in packets containing the flour, yeast, herb and sesame topping and even extra flour for dusting. The kit also contains full instructions, a mini-rolling pin, dough scraper and grease proof paper. They’re measured out to the exact weights so you don’t have to measure anything, and all you need to add is water, olive oil and a pinch of salt. Oh, and an oven!
I started by mixing the flour, water and yeast to make the dough. It needs proving for an hour before you can knead it again and divide into 6 equal pieces. With some worktop dusting, I rolled them into flatbreads which were about 15cms wide. Once they had proved for another 30 minutes, I added the sesame and herb mixture to the top with a dash of oil and they were ready to add to a maximum heat oven, on an upturned baking tray to give it some shape. It was literally just 5 minutes to bake them until they rose slightly and darkened. Straight from the oven, they were delicious! I ate mine along with a curry, so the flour dough flatbread was ideal with the sauce, and the herbs added to the flavouring.
The Taboon Flatbreads from @Bake2Explore make an excellent BirthdayGift, or happiness pasttime. Enjoy your baking!
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