It's not often that I write a review about foods and food stuff, but I do dabble in this art every so often when I come across something simple, tasty, or of good value... or even a combination of all three. This time I am going to delve into the 'simple' category. Plus I wanted to have a change from reviewing music albums, which I appear to have been doing quite a lot of late. There is quite a difference between frozen pastry and heavy metal, I know... but what the heck... If this frozen pastry was a metal album, it would be right at the top of the pile, the Metallica of pastry, if you will. But enough music and metal analogies for now, let's talk pastry.

I like pie. Yes, I do... I kid you not. Pie is great. And there is no greater a feeling than of making your own pie. I have been making pies of various fillings for over a decade now. I started when I was married, making the pies for my ex wife and I. Then I took a break from it for a while and have started making pies again for me and the kids when they stay over. I have to add here that my pies are quite simple and dead easy to make, this is a 'simple' review don't forget... but I will end this review with a few recipes so you can judge for yourself. I am not a great cook and things like Master Chef are well beyond me... I am sure those two guys on it would not think my pies are great, but suffice to say that the kids and I love them.

Each pack of Jus Rol shortcrust (you can opt for puff pastry as well) contains two approximately 5 inch square chunks of frozen pastry which is uncooked. It usually takes two and a half hours to defrost them at room temperature, or you could leave them overnight in the fridge. The price is around two pounds, but look out for BOGOF offers. The ingredients are Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil, Water, Sugar, Salt, Emulsifier, Mono and Diglycerides of fatty acids. I find that one chunk will do four servings of pie, if served with vegetables. Once the pastry is defrosted it is very easy to roll and does not break - make sure you put flour on you rolling counter and use a rolling pin. From here you can make whatever you wish with your pastry. Like I said, Simple. I have to admit, I cannot make 'proper' pastry, but this frozen Jus Rol is just the same as if you made it yourself, it cuts out all that bother and you can get on with making your pastry based creations.

To make a standard pie, I use one chuck and cut it in two. I then roll enough for the pie base, I use a simple dinner plate. I tend to put a slight bit of oil on the plate to stop it from sticking and put the pie base there, then add the filling. I then roll the top out and put it on top (nip the top to the bottom with thumbs or a fork so it is sealed correctly, then put in a re-heated oven - at about 200 degrees. You can brush it with milk before you put it in the oven if you wish. Cook until brown, then eat! We tend to have leftovers and my daughter will get creative and make some very delicious pastries with chocolate spread, which we have for dessert.


#Some pie filling recipes:#

Cheese and onion pie (as per picture)

-Onion

-Cheese

-Egg

-Milk

Prepare your pie as above. Chop up the onion and then fry them until soft. Add a quarter cup of milk and an egg. Give it a mix. The amount of cheese is all up to you, but I like to use a lot! Put a small amount into the mixture and stir. Go over to your pie and grate cheese straight onto pie base. Add the mix, spreading evenly. Grate more cheese over the top. Cook as above. My kids don't really like egg and found this one too 'eggy' so I made a another without the egg and milk and that was a bit success.


#Meat and Potato Pie#

-Onion

-Mince

-Potatoes

-Oxo

-Mixed spices

Chop up your onion and put in large pan with a dash of oil. Fry until nearly soft and add the mince. Brown the mince and add two beef oxos with hot water. Add in a sprinkling of mixed spices. Peel and chop your potatoes and add to the pan. Simmer for a while until the potatoes are nearly soft. Add the pie base, etc.


These are just a few of my own recipes, but you can make your own of course! The fun in pie making is deciding what to make and seeing the end result. But of course you don't need this pastry for pies, it is great for quiches and sausage rolls too.