We Are On Rations (Tesco Mr. Brains 4 Faggots In Rich Sauce)

Member Name: Emmald

Product:	Tesco Mr. Brains 4 Faggots In Rich Sauce
Date:	14/01/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good economical meal

Disadvantages: high in fats

I have no idea why but faggots always remind me of Haggis, more than likely because they are very much an acquired taste. If you don't like the taste of liver then you wouldn't touch a faggot with a bargepole.
Faggots have always been known as a traditional Middle England dish and are traditionally eaten with peas.
You will often see small butchers making faggots using an old family recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation. Also known as `Ducks` or `Savoury Ducks` the faggot has been a firm favourite since the 1800`s.



The traditional recipe calls for pigs liver, pig heart, belly pork and bacon which is then all minced together along with herbs and maybe a few breadcrumbs. When the mixture has been moulded into balls then each portion is covered with `Caul`, which is the membrane from a pigs stomach.
Because the faggot is an economical dish and can incorporate the humblest of left over ingredients if need be, it is easy to see why they gained popularity during World War Two, as rationing bit deeply and housewives struggled to feed their families the faggot became a popular choice for mealtimes.



I hope all of this talk of pigs innards hasn't deterred you from reading on!
Mr Brain has made the packaging look very tempting, the deep inner tinfoil tray is covered with a thick cardboard sleeve.
A plateful of tasty looking faggots, peas and creamed potato sits on a background of golden coloured cardboard that announces the product proudly.
When you remove the colourful well designed outer sleeve the frozen faggots are covered with a thin cardboard cover which sits on top of the tinfoil tray, you need to loosen this before you put them into a Pre -heated oven.
The oven needs to be hot, 230C or Gas mark 8, the frozen faggots take around 35 minutes to cook through thoroughly, but always make doubly sure that the faggots are boiling hot right through to the centre before you serve them.
When you lift the tinfoil tray from the oven do be careful, the tray is filled with thick tasty boiling hot gravy.



Lifting the cardboard lid off of the tinfoil tray is a delight, the rich sauce has a spicy sweet smell and it is evident that tomato puree is among the ingredients.
Four sumptuous faggots sit in that thick savoury gravy waiting to be served. As you lift the faggots you will notice that they are firm but as you break into them with the edge your fork the faggot reveals its finely minced texture.
Though liver is one of the main ingredients used it isn't the predominant flavour, you notice that the mouthful of spiced faggot is rich and herby.
As the rich gravy mixes in with the creamed potatoes and peas it altogether makes a mouth watering combination.



Each faggot contains 242 calories and has 4.3 g sugar, 12.5g fat, 5.9 saturated fat and 2.3g salt.



If you preferred you can microwave the faggots by removing them from the foil dish and transferring them into a microwaveable dish with a loose fitting lid.
Heat on full power 650w for 5 minutes, take them out and stir the faggots to separate them and then put then back into the microwave on full power for a further 6 minutes. You may find that they need a further minute or so, but when you take them out allow them to stand for a further minute before you serve them.



I would normally serve two faggots per person, a pack of four Mr Brains Faggots cost £1.24 from Asda.
An old fashioned meal with plenty of taste.

Summary: a good economical meal that is very tasty indeed.