Brainy Faggots (Tesco Mr. Brains 4 Faggots In Rich Sauce)

Member Name: kelr101

Product:	Tesco Mr. Brains 4 Faggots In Rich Sauce
Date:	22/10/05 (4367 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Succulent tasting meatballs

Disadvantages: limited amount of sauce

As a child I was always bemused by my Granddad's choice of food, and the name "faggots" served to amuse on more than one occasion, however since I tried the succulent meatballs, and tasted the thick country sauce I've been hooked.


*What are Faggots?*

Faggots are meatballs, and in Mr Brain’s case are mainly made up off Pork (11% consisting of Pork Liver and Pork) and onion. They are also produced with a rich West Country Sauce, a thick gravy, which although delicious, I often find there is not enough with the faggots, and tend to make a little extra gravy to add to the meal.


*Packaging*

Packaged in a very unmistakable orange box, with the Mr Brain’s logo in a bright red font, the faggots can be found in the frozen section of most local supermarkets. They generally are sold in packs of 2,4 or 6, although despite the category this review is in, the 2 packets are becoming increasingly hard to find. This in itself is very frustrating as my boyfriend doesn't like faggots, and as much as I love the taste I can't polish off a box of 4.

The Faggots themselves are encased in a tin foil case, with a cardboard lid. This can be used to cook the faggots in, if using an oven.


*Nutrition Information*

The nutrition information is provided per 100 grams as sold, and as cooked, which equates to roughly 1 and 1/2 Faggots with sauce. The figures provided below are as per the cooked product.

Calories: 242 kcals
Carbohydrates: 22.5g (so not really a plus point for those on the Atkins diet)
Fat; 12.5g (of which saturates 5.9g)
Fibre: 1.1g
Salt: 0.9g


*Storage Instructions*

Mr Brain’s Pork Faggots are sold frozen, and can be stored in a 2 star freezer for up to a month from the day of purchase. If allowed to thaw, they can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Please remember not to re-freeze food that has already thawed.


*Cooking Guidelines*

It is recommended by Mr Brain’s that Faggot’s are best cooked from frozen, and they can be done so in a conventional oven or microwave. The advice on the packaging reminds consumers to be very careful when handling the container, if the product has been cooked in an over, as it will be very hot.

Microwave – for different powered microwave, you will need to adjust the times, but cooking times are provided for a 650 watt (12-13 minutes) and an 850 watt (9-10 minutes) microwave. It is advised that contains are transferred from the foil container to a similar sized bowl and covered with a loose lid. I must admit though I rarely cover my with a lid, and always end up having to clean the microwave more than normal!

Conventional oven – for best results it is recommended the foil container is loosened slightly and the Faggot’s are cooked at 230*C/450*F/Gas Mark 8 for 30-40 Minutes.


*Taste test*

Now this is where the fun part beings. I generally cook my Faggot’s in the microwave purely because this is how my Granddad always used too, but I have occasionally cooked them in the over. Both options leave no difference in the taste.

The Faggot’s are quite moist, probably because of the high water content and the sauce, but the smell of the pork is very enjoyable and certainly gets your taste buds tingling. You can clearly taste the onion in the Faggots and the sauce, but this merely adds to the flavour of the pork.

The sauce is just of the right consistency (nice and thick) and has a lovely onion taste to it, but as above I sometimes find that there isn’t enough sauce with the faggots, especially if you’re sharing the 4 pack between 2 people.


*Price*

Prices will vary according to supermarkets, but you can expect to pay around £1 for the 2 packets, increasing in price with the packet sizing.


*Conclusion*

Personally I think Mr Brain’s Pork Faggot’s are delicious and a welcome treat to my dinner table. As well as bringing back fond memories they are an affordable product, which when accompanied with mashed potato (and vegetables) make for a very satisfying meal.

Although they are slightly high in Carbohydrates and Fat, they are very enjoyable, and are very easy to cook and serve.

I think the only thing that might put people off is the name of the product, as some people would steer clear from such naming. I just enjoy them for the taste and the hole in my tummy it happily fills :-)

Summary: Although they have a funny name, the taste is divine