SMOOTH, CLASSIC,GENTLE,BOOZY, WHICH SHALL I CHOOSE TONIGHT!!! (Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney Pie)

Member Name: nayland

Product:	Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney Pie
Date:	15/09/09 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty tender meat with a very flakey pastry top. Easy and quick to prepare!

Disadvantages: The tin lid can be a bit leathal so be careful!

With the weather being what it is like today it reminded me of some of the "Summer holidays" that we have had over the past few years.With shorts and vests packed only to have to go out and buy a jumper from New Look in Newquay's High Street. So I'm always prepared with double the size suitcase and clothes for all occassions.!

Well you maybe thinking what on earth has this got to do with a Fray Bentos Steak and Kidney pie, well when we holiday in this country (well every year if I'm honest as hubby will not fly!!) we always have a static caravan holiday which I love. Well hubby gets just as excited as me, because it will be time for him to have his favourite meal of all when eating in the caravan and that is Fray Bentos tinned pie preferably Steak and Ale, with some Smash and mushy peas!

He would be happy to eat this every day if I let him, so 2-3 times is the max!

This comes in a round metal tin with a ridge at the top, so you can get a good grip on it with the tin opener. The sides slope in making it slightly narrower at the bottom.Just over a year a go Fray Bentos had a revamp to the look of it's lids by making it a deep blue colour with the words FRAY BENTOS 'CLASSIC' with Steak & Kidney written underneath.The Steak & Ale had the word 'BOOZY' added, with Minced Beef & Onion having 'GENTLE' as it's new word and lastly the Chicken & Mushroom being given the word 'SMOOTH' I don't really see what difference one word would make as these pies hav been about for many many years and I can understand the word boozy for the ale pie and even the word classic for the steak & kidney as it is a classic pie,but I'm a bit confused with the words smooth and gentle??

Anyway back to the pies, firstly remove the whole lid (being careful as this can be very sharp)and place on a baking tin to catch any drips of gravy that may leak out. Pre heat your oven to 450F/230C/Gas 8. Once temperature has reached this place the pie in the oven and wait for it to rise up and up for 25-30 minutes or until it is a lovely golden colour.

Now when you take this out of the oven the smell that will hit you is just wonderful hmm, as you cut threw this very flakey pastry (I usually lift the lid off first so I can get to the meat and gravy!) you will see the chunks of lean meat sitting in a very tasty gravy. The taste is just wonderful as the meat falls apart in your mouth with the flakey pastry making a fine old mess as you try to cut it up just DELICOUS!!

I don't think it has a serving size on the tin, but hubby always says have half with me so I let him think I do but I usually give him a least three quarters of this pie as I don't think half would be enough for a man!

This pie comes in two sizes which is the larger one 475g and the smaller one 213g, I've never bothered with the small one as the price would not make it good value.With the larger one £1.88 and the smaller one £1.20. This tin is made from recyclable steel which is good news!

The Nutrition Information per 1/2 pie is;

~~~Calories 365~~~
~~~Protein 19.2g~~~
~~~Fat 20.0g~~~
~~~of which sats 9.3g~~~
~~~Fibre 1.2g~~~
~~~Sodium 0.78g~~~
~~~Carbohydrate 27.1g~~~
~~~of which sugars 0.7g~~~

The best before date is June 2011, so a good standby to have in the cupboard, I got my Steak and Kidney from Iceland last week as this is the only flavour that they were doing for just £1 so a really good deal!

I know that these are not the best thing in the world to eat on a regular basis, but when on holiday it doesn't really matter as if we are in Newquay then it would be eating the gorgeous pasties they do down there!!

Better get stocked up as in a couple of weeks we are going for a short break in Norfolk and hubby can't wait!!!

I'll give this product a fat 5 stars as although not that great for you it does produce a very tasty pie made with the best ingredients!!

Summary: Great for holidays, Late Night Snack or when you fancy something a bit naughty!!