Robert burns night offerings at M&S Food and review

After missing out on Robert Burns night offerings last year at M&S Food I made a note and remembered this year!

The range includes a haggis cheese bake, neeps and tatties centrepiece, haggis scotch egg and haggis.

My picks were definitely the haggis cheese bake and the neeps and tatties but unfortunately the neeps and tatties portion was rather big.

It would be great if they made a ready meal version.

First things first, I bought the haggis cheese bake which went wonderfully well with oatcakes.

The instructions are to bake it in the oven but I found it quicker in the microwave for 40 seconds.

After indulging the haggis cheese bake, I got the neeps and tatties centre piece which I had over a few days and it was seriously worth it.

I cheated by heating it in the microwave, it just means you don't get a crispy top.

The whiskey gravy was a little heavy and sweet with the mustard seeds but overall it was delicious but even better with the M&S lamb gravy.

Although, I have already reviewed Haggis Scotch egg, the 2023 version was different because it was a soft set egg instead of a hard boiled one which took it to the next level.

Robert Burn food offerings.

Tesco Rough oat cakes

I love oat cakes so got these to pair with some haggis cheese bake which were a heavenly pairing.

These oat cakes were how they were suppose to be but the only complaint was that they snapped easily.

alpro not milk - semi and whole

alpro are renowned for nut milks and oat milks so it is good to see that they are now offering plant based milks.
What's more interesting is that there are two options being semi and whole fat just like regular skimmed milk.
Comparing the ingredients, I found then quite similar so I don't get why they made the whole version.

I got to try this for free because a free coupon popped up on my socials.

On the first few sips, it tasted like regular milk but then as you drink more you get this malty aftertaste like this Asian Vitasoy malt drink.

The malt taste comes out even more if you add it to tea.

Overall, it wasn't too bad but I will be trying the semi to see if there is much difference in taste.

Free Oatly Barista Edition at Waterloo station

I was at Waterloo to get the train and it just so happens they were giving out free oat drinks.

It was really good to try this at home because it is usually mixed with drinks at the cafe so you can't taste how it is on its own.

Finally tried and found it very creamy while visually it was very yellow.

Overall it goes well in tea without any weird taste.

ASDA OMV no prawn cocktail

Oh my days, the asda OMV no prawn cocktail is Cholesterol free because they are vegan prawns.
The texture is like raw lobster/king prawns and konjac.
It's a shame M&S pulled out their mayo no prawn because I would have loved that.
There is no fishy taste which would please some and it heavily relies on the dressing because the vegan prawns don't have any particular taste.
Saying that, there is an aftertaste which I can't quite pinpoint yet.
The texture of these vegan prawns are definitely better than the ones in Asia which are like chewy konjac.
Overall a must try!!

After visiting the plant expo, I discovered that these zhrimps are made by caviart in Denmark.

ASDA Just Essentials Egg Custard Tarts

As if Just Essentials weren't affordable enough, these egg custard tarts were reduced to 15p!
They were quite bland when cold and more flavourful heated up.
Overall, they were not too sweet!

Coop gro strawberry thick & smooth pot

I only got this because it was reduced.
The yoghurt had a smooth and mildly thick texture which was pleasant to eat however I found it a bit too artificially sweet and the strawberry to be too aromatic.

The Coconut Collaborative Mango & Passionfruit Yoghurt

While I was in London, I was given a free sample of The Coconut Collaborative Mango & Passionfruit Yoghurt.

I was quite surprised at how tasty it was.
The coconut in concern was not too offending and worked well.
Trying the yog on its own was quite comforting as it was creamy and light with that yoghurty taste and texture without being sweet.
Having it with the bottom layer gives it a more exotic fruity kick.
Overall I really recommend it.

Piccolo organic courgette pea & leek baby food

It's been a while since I reviewed some baby food so I thought I'd treat myself to some from IKEA which wasn't exactly a bargain.

The courgette pea & leek sounded good so I tried that.

Unfortunately, you could only taste the peas and a hint of mint.

I could barely taste the courgettes or the leek so to summarize it was like eating pureed mushy peas.

M&S Plant Kitchen Victoria sponge cake

Eggless and vegan cakes these days have no excuse to not taste or look the part because there are so many quality ones about.
I was excited to try the M&S Victoria Sponge cake to see how it fares with other bakeries.
Visually it looked the part and the frosting is definitely hard and stiff since it didn't get deformed during transport and the journey home but it was well protected with card around it.
I felt that the cake texture was a little crumbly and dry compared to the regular version.
Overall it wasn't bad if you ate it normally but when you taste the elements separately it wasn't nice at all.
The thing I hated most was the chalky frosting which had a gritty sugary texture.
The sponge was ok but a little dry and all you could taste was this super sweetness.
Thankfully the jam was there to the rescue.
What annoyed me was the price which would put non plant diet people off because it was 25p dearer than the regular one.
I understand it requires more r&d and different ingredients to produce this cake but I felt that it should be the same price as the regular so that people would give it a try or pump the price more to 4 quid.