Hatchery Tasting Box Review: February 2015

Hatchery's Tasting Box is a little treat in the mailbox every month. This is a subscription box that sends you five samples of various cooking products or ingredients from small artisans around the country. There's always a good deal of variety, plus it's fun to try new things. Hatchery also has an online store so you can buy full sized versions of anything you end up loving. 

One thing I've noticed about this box is how well packaged it is. Some of the containers are glass (although most are plastic), but my items have come securely packaged and I (knock on wood) haven't had leaks yet. Everything is stored in the box securely, as well as individually wrapped. I also like that, unless you read the booklet first, it's sort of like opening a series of presents each month.

Kiva Spanish Smoked Paprika Review

I admit I don't know a great deal about spices and what each does or doesn't do. I know basil and oregano for pasta sauce, sage for a variety of things, and cinnamon and nutmeg for baking. That's pretty much the extent of my spice knowledge and everything else is stored in the house or bought because it's listed on a recipe. I still couldn't tell you what happens if you do or do not use them.

So although I own paprika and know it's a spice, I really don't know much about it. When I was given a chance to review two special Spanish paprika blends, I figured it may allow me a chance to discover the spice in more detail.

One is a sweet smoked flavor and the other is a hot smoked. My husband loves hot and spicy foods, although I like something a little tamer. I do enjoy some bite, but nothing as spicy as he prefers. These felt like a great combo for us for that reason.

Hatchery Tasting Box Review: January 2015

The Hatchery Tasting Box is a monthly selection of artisan cooking ingredients and recipes. Each box comes with a handful of small size ingredients, as well as a booklet outlining not only the product and a suggested recipe (which you can get through the website), but also info on the company making it.

One thing that stood out to me about the ingredients in this box is that they can all be used easily. Although it's fun to get an exciting ingredient, if it's something that can really only work with one or two recipes, it ends up not being used. Each of these items is something you could use in multiple ways, either following the suggested recipes or just being creative. I like that I can be creative with minimal effort, too, since I'm not much of a cook.