Comfort Food (Pukka Chicken and Mushroom Pie)

Member Name: suehome

Product:	Pukka Chicken and Mushroom Pie
Date:	10/02/09 (235 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Convenient and wholesome

Disadvantages: Bit too peppery for me

A new food ritual has developed in our household. Suddenly, whenever there is a home football match, a specific pie has to be heated and served in preparation for the 'entertainment'. ........and no, it cannot be any sort of pie it has to be an individual Chicken and Mushroom Pie made by Pukka Pies of Leicestershire.

Amused by the grand sounding title, I looked up the definition of 'pukka' which turned out to be: " Anglo-Indian in origin, meaning good, first rate of it's kind, genuine or real". Well now I know that at least the stock of boxes stacking up in the freezer are real, and not a figment of my imagination: but should I worry about the contents?

*** The Company ***

It seems that Pukka Pies is a privately owned family business founded in 1963, currently employing 250 people. Output is a staggering 40 million pies and pasties per year from what is claimed to be the most modern pie production facility in Europe. The best selling product is apparently the round chilled Steak and Kidney Pie followed by the Chicken and Mushroom variant I am reviewing here. Just in case you were thinking of ordering a pallet load the website at : http://www.pukkadirect.co.uk would be happy to oblige I'm sure; but individual pies are not available: just curiously aprons, hats, shirts, footballs, flags or mugs can be ordered from the online shop!!

*** A Round Chilled Chicken & Mushroom Pie ***

Widely available from supermarkets each 226g pie is packed in a recyclable cardboard box with the pie nestling in a round gold coloured aluminium foil tray. No extra film or covering is used so all the packaging is recyclable. Currently retailing at £1.00, even from Tesco Express, typically these pies range from £1.00 to £1.40 at most outlets, but offers are quite common. I usually stock up whilst on offer and keep in the freezer, ready for instant action! This packaging format is particularly convenient and easy to stack in the freezer . With 475 kCal energy content these make an ideal light snack or contribution to a main meal.

The manufacturer's claim to have a passion for pies and use only wholesome ingredients. No hydrogenated fat is used nor artificial flavouring, colouring or preservatives. However those prone to allergic reaction are warned that celery, gluten, soya and wheat are present as are traces of egg and milk. Salt content is approximately 10% below the Government Maximum Target for meat products at 1.0g per 100gram as compared to the target of 1.1g per 100gram and a daily intake target of 6g salt. Eat three of these pies in one day then and you would have blown that advice!! However I suggest even the most hearty of appetites would be daunted by 3 pies............

*** Preparation ***

I always defrost the pie before heating, but apparently you can cook from frozen. My advice for the best tasting pie is 20 minutes moderate heat (gas mark 5 or 190oC) , otherwise whilst the insipid pastry evident on opening the box is attractively browned, the extra time in the oven has set it like rock........ Please do not try to cut corners and microwave this pie, it deserves better than that, and will only go limp but steaming hot on you, completely ruining the taste and texture of the light flaky pastry. Sadly when you see these pies on sale in fish and chip shops, often their fate is a microwave which would detract from my enjoyment.

*** Consumption ***

In my humble opinion this is not finger food so the notion of munching one actually at the football match is hard to imagine.......The pie has a a light flaky pastry top, with a 4cm deep filled base. I simply cannot imagine how you could eat it without a fork The white chunks of chicken are chunks and identifiable as such, as are actual slices of mushroom in a creamy sauce. The sauce is spiced with herbs and pepper but if I am honest perhaps a little too peppery for my taste, but at least you cannot accuse it of being bland. Its not gloopy but has a rich creamy texture more consistent with chicken supreme than your usual chicken and mushroom pie. Eaten as a snack it is certainly satisfying but not heavy on your stomach..........ideal then as fodder to provide warmth and energy as you shout encouragement from the terraces.

But does the ritual work and enhance team performance..............sadly not!!!

Thanks for reading

Posted on Dooyoo and Ciao under the same author

Summary: Decent Individual Chicken and Mushroom Pie