Hamptons Lane – January 2015

This month’s Hamptons Lane box is hilarious. Hamptons Lane is a great monthly box that delivers high-end cooking/kitchen items for $47. You can preview the box before deciding to buy it that month, which is something more subscription boxes could learn a thing or two from. The items are always themed around a general concept, and this month’s theme is 50 Shades of Chicken. Yes, that’s right. 50 Shades of Chicken.

Obviously a theme based on the poorly-written bondage-laced raunch fest coming to the big screen, 50 Shades of Grey, I was delighted to discover that there is a spoof cookbook (see below) and HL managed to turn this into an entire box.

According to their website, this box has everything you need to get those chicken juices flowing. Let’s find out, shall we?

50 Shades of Chicken cookbook: $19.99 – I had no idea this was a thing that I have been missing out on. The whole cookbook is themed around “sexy” chicken recipes. Honestly, there’s no way I could describe this cookbook better than the following video trailer. Just watch that:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa3eC02delM&w=560&h=315%5D

Norpro Non-Stick Vertical Roaster: $9.50 – This vertical roasting pan keeps your chicken erect, which leads to moister, juicier chicken. I’ll see myself out.

Jacobsen Salt Co. Lemon Zest Flake Salt: $8.00 – The perfect rub for any chicken, or just to sprinkle in any recipe from the 50 Shades of Chicken cookbook, this jar is going to become one of my favorite go-to spices. I’m a big fan of a little splash of lemon instead of adding a bunch of extra salt when I cook, and this seasoning adds it for me! Neat.

Chicken Trussing Rope by Hamptons Lane: $4.00 – Forget whips and chains, if you’re going to have bondage chicken, you’re gonna need some rope. Use this twine to tie up those wings and legs and keep that chicken juicy. I have never tied up a chicken before, but I’d imagine it’s useful for other recipes than the ones in the cookbook.

Spiceologist Pink Peppercorn Lemon Thyme All-Purpose Rub: $8.00 – Hampton’s Lane suggests you start out by giving your chicken a massage with this seasoning rub. That seems a little creepy. However, I do get where they’re going. A subtle rub like this one is hard to come by. Full of delicate flavors like thyme and pink peppercorn with a little lemon powder to brighten things up a bit, this rub is not like anything I’ve got in my spice cupboard. Most seasoning rubs boast how flavorful they are, but sometimes the best ones are more understated and subtle.

Final Grade: A

I have to give this box an A. I find the theme hilarious. The total retail value of this one is $49.49, which is not much of a savings over the $47 price tag, but still a fun box nonetheless. The cookbook is genuinely awesome and the spices are a great addition to my kitchen. It’s awesome that HL lets you preview the box before subscribing each month, some have better value than others, but all of them are well thought out and interesting. Looking forward to February!

-Jill

Check out Hamptons Lane using this link and get $10 off your first box!