Tried and Toasted (JML Toasta Bags)

Name: Picasso

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Product:	JML Toasta Bags
Date:	15/12/05 (3066 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean and reusable bags

Disadvantages: The snacks

I bought a twin pack of JML “toastabags “several months ago and since then have tried various fillings and some of the recipes given on the handout.


The pack contains 2 bags, the size of a large slice of bread. One bag allows for 2 slices of bread plus filling in width. You need a toaster that will take the 2 slices comfortably in a slot. The gen on the pack states that "“toastabags are the hassle free way to make toasted sandwiches and other hot snacks” It also states that toasted sandwiches are cooked in just 3 minutes. I put that to the test.


SAVOURY SUGGESTIONS

For all fillings, you need to place between the 2 slices of bread, squash it down a little and place into the toast bag.

Tuna Medley
Take one can of tuna and drain. Mix with grated cheese, chopped onion and sweet corn. Add a little mayonnaise.

Verdict 8/10
After 3 minutes, I tested the sandwich and although the bread had toasted, the filling was a little on the cool side. I replaced it for a further minute and it was ok. The cheese was hot and the taste resembled that of a tuna melt.

Bacon Brunch
Place rashers of pre cooked bacon on the bread. Top with baked beans grated cheese and sliced tomatoes.

Verdict 8/10
Again took around 4 minutes. The overall result – very tasty. You can add your favourite sauce when cooked.

The cheesy ones
Take your favourite cheese, add slices of tomato, mushrooms, onions or all three.

Verdict 10/10
Took exactly 3 minutes. The cheese and tomatoes were nice and hot and the mushrooms and onions cooked nice and succulent. I first started by using Cheddar and Red Leicester but have since experimented using Stilton with mushrooms and mozzarella with olives, tomatoes and oregano to give it that pizza taste.


SWEET SUGGESTIONS

Cherry and chocolate

Honey and banana

Apple pie and custard.

Apart from banana, I didn’t fancy any of these and as I don’t like honey, I used a little Maple Syrup, which was delicious. 10/10

SNACKS

Bacon
Place the rashers into the bag. You need to cut the rashers to fit the bag.

Verdict 8/10
The bacon cooked well after around 5 minutes. It cooked to a nice moist texture. It doesn’t do crispy.

Fish fingers
The bag takes 4 fingers

Verdict 1/10
I initially gave the fingers 3 minutes. This was obviously not long enough. After another 2 minutes, the outside was cooked but the inside was still quite raw. Unfortunately I tasted the fish and immediately spat it out. I continued to cook for a couple more minutes and although I ate them, I can’t say that I enjoyed them. The memory of raw fish was still with me.


THE REST
It did reheat pizza slices well and the suggested samosas even if I had to squash the latter a little to fit. Other suggestions are chicken nuggets but after watching “Jamie Oliver’s school dinners” and what went in them, I didn’t bother. Oven chips, I passed on to.


THE TOAST BAGS
Are reusable for up to 100 times. They can be washed in warm, soapy water or placed over the plate prongs of a dishwasher.


MY OVERALL OPINION
Had the pack sold itself on toasted sandwiches only, I would have given it top marks. The cheese toasties cooked the best and there are endless options to the ones suggested. Wondering what to conjure up next is half the fun. The process is clean, no nasty mess left behind. If you have ever used the old style “Breville”, these bags are a revolution.

The bags wash exceptionally well and dry very quickly. I have probably used mine around 30 times and I wouldn’t be surprised if they live up to their quoted 100. Where the product let itself down was saying that it can also be used for cooking snacks. The trial I had with the fish fingers alone proved that. To be fair, the information does state that when cooking snacks, “you may have to pop down the toaster several times for perfectly cooked food”, but I could have cooked the fingers by conventional methods in a similar time without experiencing my unpleasant tasting session.

The blurb on the pack states that snacks are cooked in seconds – not true.

I will continue using” toastabags” but as a means of making toasted sandwiches only.


I bought mine from Debenhams – price £4.00

Summary: Toast a sandwich in a hurry.

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