I am a vegetarian but I bought one of these to try a while ago for my husband. He said it had a strange taste but also that it was very greasy and the pastry seemed to have a lot of oil in it. He couldn't eat so we put it down for the dog and he wouldn't eat it either. Says it all if a terrier turns its nose up!
ow Fray Bentos puds have changed. I remember them well as a kid growing up, boiling them in hot water, in their large mental containers. . I loved them The were so much bigger then, moist and packed with meat. Such a shame that they dont make them at the same quality as they used to. Thumbs up Gareth.
How many years we talking? I'm a young'un (42) My memories of Fray Bentos are probably later 80s and all through 90s.. They were still tinned processed pies back then, And certainly tasted like it! The pastries were not bad, But the fillings were just naff lol. I'd like to know the era they were supposed to be great... Maybe I was unlucky and missed out?
The best microwave pie I've found are the frozen pukka pie steak ones. They come out like they've been in the oven, in around 5 minutes and a lovely flavour.
I see these in Iceland, other day but didn’t buy em. I think microwave put me off. I really don’t like pies, sausage roll, burgers etc in microwave. Especially as pastry goes horrible and soggy.
I agree with you about Pukka microwave pies. I too was sceptical but they are surprisingly good and very similar in texture to an oven baked pie. Not soggy at all as you might expect. We must all try to have our ovens on less as cooking the pie would probably cost as much as buying it.
I'm old enough to remember when fray bentos pies were tasty when they actually had meat in lol also the left over tins were used to cook Yorkshire puddings in that was when even the containers were better quality than todays offerings cheers for the vid Gaz.
We tried these a few months ago, my 17 years old son, who will eat just about anything, refused to eat it after one mouthful, citing the same reason reasons you did. He also said it had a hint of plastic taste 😂I tried it and agreed. As said before, Fray Bentos have got away with this for years and will continue to do so. 👍
Hi Gareth, another great video but we were in Asda today and bought a load of their just essentials range and are finding them pretty good so a good time to do comparisons especially their vegetable soup which is fantastic but the star of the range is Potato Pops at 73p a bag, cheers.
I used to love these years ago before they started putting them in those plastic containers. The old metal tin ones which you boiled were much nicer. As always the desire to keep the price low has meant the quality has disappeared.
Bought some of those a while back when they were on special offer at B&M. I struggled to eat half of one and the rest went in the bin. You're right about the funny plastic taste. The suet pastry was also boggin. Avoid like the plague.
I started watching your videos for few weeks now and it's my first comment on your channel. Watching you buying ready made food takes me back to the old fashion way. Cook your own and enjoy it the most. That's the way it should be, no extra seasoning, preservatives etc I still enjoy your channel, just subscribed as well. Good luck
To be honest we were back over in the UK for 5 weeks over the isle of man TT period (live in the USA these days) we eat these a couple of these, 2 quid and 90 seconds, a can of Pease pudding and a can or carrots in the motorhome, 6 quid for dinner for 2 in 5 mins, its not Michelin star food but it does the job, reminded me of when i was a kid and these were actually a treat, loving the vids Baldy, bringing back loads of memories matey!!!!
I had one of these a few weeks ago, I thought i'd regret it. Mine was the 2 portion size out of Iceland and it was 2 quid, The whole thing collasped as it came out of the tin, the suet was half cooked and there was a puddle of gravy in the bottom. I chucked most of the suet in the bin and scooped up the gravy, so much for 2 portions. Baxters should be ashamed of themselves for churning out crap like this.
To save energy costs: Cook a whole chicken or equivalent sized joint of beef, pork or lamb - put meat in baking tray that has a very small amount of water in it (not always need for meats that have been injected with water). Put in the chicken upside down - put the joint in with the fatty side down. Season - cover with tin foil. Put in medium oven for 20 minutes. Take out, remove foil - turn the meat over - put foil back on - put back in oven. After 15 more minutes - turn off oven and leave oven door closed. Remove from oven in 6 hours. You'll have a fully cooked, soft and succulent piece of meat. If you want to shred the meat, do so now. If you want sliced meat - put it in the fridge for 3 hours (or more). Always cook using pan lids. Boil potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips etc, until the water starts boiling - switch off gas/electric - leaving the lid on. 20 minutes later they will be fully cooked (unless you've cut the potatoes too big - then repaet the step. If you are using the oven - try to maximise what you are putting in - some people don't know that veggies can be cooked in the oven - or why not make a simple cake. I use lids when I cook sausages, eggs, bacon - not only does it stop the fat spitting everywhere, the steam cooks the food fully, and stops it from drying out. Finally find some bricks and dead wood- wood fired BBQs are so easy - and free!
Well rather Risky inside BBQ ! Oh you mean in gdn in snow! No way lol . Price of food it be cheapest baked beans cheap white bread spud in microwave Lard weak tea sterilised milk sugar for energy . Measure a cup an bit water in kettle 2kw 60 sec boil at 50p kw 30 cups tea ( single person ) 60 cups a £ still cost £40 a year that’s how bad it will be ffs 6m a large spud 5p Pork beef joint in oven £1 Dryer £1 load WM £1 a load A gas boiler pump 50p a day plus the gas . It’s Revolution Time friends !!!!!
@@jimmorris5700 They're putting us on a diet - we're getting fat and lazy - that's the revolution! And according to the scientists - who you must never ever question - England won't get snow anymore!
Hi. I've been watching on and off ,love your videos. I feel I just MUST give some advice. When you open and expect to turn out the contents of the tin or carton ,like this pud or your Spam -just bash a hole in the other end using a corkscrew or skewer or whatever. Even nip a tin openner in either side of the base. You'll allow air in as the meat slides out. Not creating a vacuum. Should result in better presentation and easier for you. Hope you see this and find it helpfull. Keep uo the good work. All the best, Roger.
Thanks Gareth for this video. I too have an affection for Fray Bentos going back to my childhood when their pies were a rare treat. It seems that they now bare no resemblance to what they once were, shame.
Love your videos! Keep digging through the supermarkets for a wonder meal that we can enjoy. I've tried a couple of the pies recently and have thrown in the towel I'm afraid. With the energy crisis starting to bite, 25-30 mins in a pre-heated oven is a luxury few will soon be able to afford. Buy a deep-fill pie maker or a toastie maker. Cheers!
Tescos used to do a really nice one in a plastic tub with a peel-off film lid. No plastic taste, dump it onto a plate upside down and microwave it. Lovely. Someone realised there was money to be made, replaced it with a smaller brandnamed item and upped the price. Tried them once and never bothered again. The Fray Bentos one and the Tesco replacement are about two thirds the size of what the cheap Tesco one was.
One of the chipshops in our town used to do steak and kidney pudding chips and peas plus a glass of pop for Half a crown in the restaurant, Super times when we were at school.
If Fray Bentos went back to the old recipe they’d sell a million , back in the day the tinned pies and steamed puddings were great ‼️ I know it’s a sign of the times with fillings or lack of but their standards have taken a nose dive 👎🏻 I also agree with the microwave taste ! I find anything neuked has an after taste 🫤 Haven’t had one of these for years , will get one , but steamed the old fashioned way 😁
@@andrewrobinson2565 microwave taste in general ! Of course you can’t put the pies in the neuk ! And I would not neuk the pudding either , re read the post and listen to what Gareth says .
I know these have had mixed reviews but I like them . I really like the doughy pastry , with a bit of mash and peas it's a good comfort food meal for a winters day .
When you reviewed the frozen Holland's Steak & Kidney Puddings you seemed to enjoy them. I noticed that one of your commenters said how there used to be microwave instructions for them - and duplicated them for our benefit. I haven't yet tried this, but with your meat thermometer it has to be worth a go.
I have found my halogen oven a great saver over an old gas cooker which took ages to heat up. I can grill, bake and even do a roast chicken( when I can afford one ! 😐🤨) The slow cooker is good for stews and homemade soups .My gas consumption has gone down a lot since I started using these items with very little extra for the electricity.
I used an Alcan Servtherm ready meal electric steamer a while ago. That used to be supplied to frozen "meals on wheels" customers who didn't have a microwave. Basically a square lidded plastic box with a heating element in the bottom. Came in single, or double decker versions. I did notice that steamed ready meals tasted much better than microwaved ones. The downside was that it took 30 minutes to heat a frozen meal, but you could use metal trays.
My homemade pies and Pasties taste nice when heated in the Microwave !!!! Fray Bentos must put sawdust in the Pastry to stop it from Dissolving in the Watery Gravy !!!!!
Glad you did that mate,i have them now and then and the big ones,have two when im bulking up,oh and they taste alot better when they are done in a saucepan
The B and M version are not too bad either for the price, and throw a tin of marrowfat peas with it and you have a warm cheap meal during these insane times for everyone.
We used to buy them about 45 years ago when you actually got meat in the steak pies, unbelievably it did three of us our son to be fair was only young, my hubby loved these puddings again they had plenty meat and you steamed them in a pan of water, I didn’t like them as they were too soggy for me he got one to try a couple of years ago but he really didn’t like them
I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy one soon. It looked less appetising than the Fray Bentos pie in a tin. Recently I've been having the Sainsbury's individual pies (currently 95p each) cooked in the microwave oven. For what they are, they are fairly good with a reasonable amount of meat, no gristle found yet.
I`ve bought a Double Belgian Waffle Maker from Amazon !!!! I put 2 balls of dough in it, close the lid and it makes two pastry baskets, which I fill up with minced beef, or cheese and onion, or chicken !!!! The taste is unbelievable !!!! So I never buy any pies or pasties !!!! Even Ginsters Pasties are horrible Now !!!!!
I used to love the Fray Bentos Steak and kidney puddings but when they unbelievably changed to the microwave version I tried it twice and have never had another one since. Absolutely disgusting 🤢
I finally got around to digging out of the freezer... The Iceland Takeaway Extra Hot Chicken Tikka Masala yesterday Gaz... And i really enjoyed it pal... I think the Chicken pieces could've been a better quality though... But the Masala Sauce was lovely... Not super hot!... But a very nice tingle was left in my mouth afterwards... 😋 I've also been stocking up on a few tinned items lately... You know... The items that are easy to nuke in the microwave... This week because i mentioned them to you a few days ago... I've ordered both the Princes Meatballs in Tomato Sauce... And the Princes Meatballs in Gravy from Iceland... The Fray Bentos versions are terrible mate... So as these Princes versions are of a much better overall quality... I'll be giving them a try... As they're only a quid each my friend... All the best Gaz... Cheers mate. 🍺
Cheers Gareth great review mate. Had one a few weeks back . They used to be good, but just like the pies not as good as they use to be . There are better steam puddings out their . Cheers Gareth 👍❤️👍❤️👍❤️
Used to enjoy these as a lunch growing up. I ways went for the steak and kidney. Used to be able to buy 3 for a £. I know they aren't healthy and they have a strange pasty texture but I loved them.
A few weeks back I asked the good lady to stock up on tins to put in the cupboard that could make easy ping meals with a long life date on them due to the oncoming energy crisis. I know there are those that will stick there nose up to the idea but I don't mind them as a child in the early 70's when times where also quite tuff a good old beans and cheese baked potato was great. The long life on these products also adds value as you don't have to panic about use by next day/week for example. Great vlog Gaz to highlight a different way of feeding a family as the major fule conglomerates leave us strapped for the immediate future 👍
There’s a bit of an assumption that tinned items are essential due to the energy crisis, but this is a bit of a misconception. They’re great to keep in your nuclear fallout shelter but tinned vegetables etc are often more expensive by weight than fresher options. A tin of potatoes might seem fabulous for 40p but you can save more money by just buying a normal bag of potatoes. You can buy a big bag of fresh carrots for 40p and freeze them in portions if need be. This pie at £2 will serve one, but you could make a far more substantial pie for four for 1/5 of the price of the £8 this would cost - with a few cupboard staples (which you’re likely to already have) and a £1.69 pack of fresh minced beef. The energy cost of an oven is fairly insubstantial over a 30 minute period - especially when compared with the cost of an electric shower. An air fryer in particular is really not expensive to run for the time it would take to cook a pie.
Actually, you're dead right about seeking out food with a long shelf life. I buy Idahoan Buttery Mash, so I've always got some mashed potato even I have no spuds or they're sprouting. I don't eat 'em when the sprouts are actually sticking out. I know some people do.
@@SuperLittleTyke if you store your potatoes right they will keep for months on end, although I do usually have some instant mash in for an emergency. I wouldn’t use them if I actually had potatoes in though, unless I were making a drunken supper for one
Thanks for the honest review, seems like what you were trying to say the food tasted tainted by the plastic being used in the microwave 😉 probably not good for you, I will give that one a miss, thanks Gareth
I used to really enjoy all Freya Bentos tined foods. In fact I've still got a couple in the cupboard. They aren't as big or as full as they used to be but they still taste good. I don't know what microwave stuff tastes like, not had one for years. We use air fryers. I might try one of the puds and just use the "reheat" setting which I use for all sorts of stuff. They usually turn out very well. Thumbs up for you channel, I watch quite a lot of your stuff, 👍
OMG! I used to absolutely adore these meaty suet puddings - especially the steak and kidney ones! I would steam four of them for my brother and I for lunch in the 1970's (no microwaves in those days) and still remember the gravy running out and the taste! I would love to order around dozen for delivery to me here in Australia but sadly the shipping costs are exorbitant. I suppose I'll have to try and make my own. Sorely missed 😞
Great idea. I have had them before and I suppose I don't mind it tasting oily. I quite liked them. What is the expiry date of these things? I got mine from Poundland but i don't know if all Poundlands have them. I definitely would like budget friendly 'Ping meals; and some of them I can give to my elderly neighbour
Years ago they were boiled in the tin, in a pan. This is some 20 plus years ago. They came out the tin like proper suet pudding and with mash and veg, they were lovely. Not anymore, vile actually
I didn’t know that Frey Bentos do other products other than pies. A quick search shows the do Chicken Curry, Meatball pasta and BBQ sausage and bean stew. Not sure how readily available they are though. Great vid G
What a complete waste of money, there's no way this things going to fill up being a measley 200g. If you've got any stray cats round your way they'll probably appreciate it more.
I agree with everything that is said but my biggest complaint is that they never come out of the container in one piece no matter how long they are cooked for - they always split in half!
Ah,David. Read my message to Baldy I posted 3 or4 days ago. Basically I explain about piercing the bottom end of these pots or tins of Spam and so on. A good hole in the other end lets in air as meat slides out. No vaccuum. It always seems to work for me and the Mrs.
Hi Gareth. Sometimes "back of cupboard" finds should be left undisturbed. I've never seen anything like that before. I know pudds are more of an English thing, but that just didn't look right 😕 even for a first timer. The nippers cookies look good though. Careful of the Cookie Monster... Cheers Gareth 👍🤤😀
@@BaldFoodieGuy 😄 Did you have one of the nice biscuits before trying the pie? If so, that might have turned your palette from the savoury taste of the pie 😂
I ate one yesterday, my microwave is 800, put it on high power for 90 seconds and it was still cold in the middle. Mostly gravy and pastry was really thick. They're supposed to self extract while cooking. Had one a month ago and it made a bang and splattered everywhere.
Thank you. It looks a yummy pie but the thought of plastic puts me off. I wonder if it would taste better if tipped onto a little plate and cooked in the air fryer, I've never air fried a pie but I think I need to start because it's going to be very expensive to put the oven on for a pie.
It’s a disgrace that it’s come to people thinking about having microwave meals more due to the price of electricity. Living standards should always be going forward not back the way. I’ve had some do gooders ‘advice’ me to eat salads over winter 🙄, use battery torches, stick a blanket over me instead of the heating and just go straight to bed once I get in from work! All because they don’t want to criticise their precious government and because they managed it back in the 70s! It’s bloody 2022 ffs! Sorry rant over - great review. 👍😂
Good content. I'm living in New Zealand and I was last in the UK in 1992. Have been craving These things but they 11 dollar. So thank you for letting me know not to waste my money.
Great vid, and brilliant to use a probe, always cook or reheat to above 75 degree Celsius or hold the probe in the centre of the food for 2 minutes at 72 degrees cel, the sugar cookies looked fab best wishes
I understand the cost of living is going up but people should realise microwave meals are not good, it's much better and healthier to make your own food.
Not even watched it yet will do but my husband tried one a few months back and thought it was vile ..he didn’t eat all of it but had a really heavy tummy all night and really didn’t feel well with what he did eat .looking forward what you think 🤣
My mother used to say that I would eat anything, these Fray Bentos things prove her wrong, and the list is getting longer with those horrible vegan foods.
I love these and have been eaten them for years our pound shop used to sell them. I only paid a pound for mine I like the Holland ones steamed as well/.
These puddings went downhill when they 'improved' the recipe, so I gave up buying them. The one you have cooked actually looks okay, there looks to be more meat. I agree with you about the taste and smell, it did improve but it is back. Unless you use a knife to cut round the inside of the tin after cooking, the suet pastry always sticks to the sides of the container.
a friend of mine worked for fray bentos . he used to do sat morning overtime, one sat a guy turned up for work with a massive hangover, as soon as he smelled and viewed the massive mix, he vomited violently into the mix, wiped his mouth , and said thats value for money !. bon a petite.
I bought one of these thought they would do for a snack when getting home late. On opening the can it smelt like pedigree chum. I persevered and cooked it, one bite strait in the bin.
Savings by using air fryers: I got my Ovo Energy usage chart this morning. Here are the comparisons between May through July 2021 with this year: May 2021 500.77 kWh May 2022 354.36 kWh Jun 2021 379.45 kWh Jun 2022 278 kWh Jul 2021 591.92 kWh Jul 2022 284.70 kWh This can only be because I have hardly had the main oven on at all during these months of 2022. All my other usage has been pretty constant.
Pukka Microwave pies are the only ones my family like. Crispy, enough meat, tasty and SO quick. Favourites are Steak and the Chicken variety. They have a MincedBeef Pie and now do a Vegan one - I’m a meat eater but the Vegan option is cheesy and gorgeous. Make sure you look for ‘Microwave! on front of box, as the others go in ovens only and cost a fortune to heat up ! Enjoy!!
Hi their, Thanks for doing this pud.. Lol it looked oily at the start of you putting it onto plate.. Yrs ago me and my ex use to live on those fry Bentos plate size ones. You did on your last video. They were ok we were on a budget and my ex was addicted to them so we use to share one.. Back in my teen yrs. Yes it does make you think more about putting the oven on with raising energy costs. In winter autumn i have oven on.. Living in a small flat having oven on in summer gets really tropical so i don't.. But have had slow cooker on microwave and gone for more colder foods like sandwiches.
@@BaldFoodieGuy yes.. They are indeed. Although Hollands steak puds are good in a pan. I steamed mine on simmer.. Standing upright.. Use a pan lid or plate.. I think you said you had recently cooked one.. But put yours upside down in pan? Don't have them a lot but save cooking time if defrosted when cooking them.
These puddings used to be really nice but had one recently not so much maybe they changed the recipe. We have just started making poached eggs in the microwave dead easy to do and my son loves them. Love the videos btw
I lived in Chlithero many moons ago and liked the steamed steak puddings with chips from the chipshops,really tasty,mind you I was well oiled after the Pubs lol,Ally
im not over keen myself but for the elderly with a bit of smash and some veg ideal..a nice cheap meal for people struggling in this power crisis..brill vid as always xx
Magnificent looking Cookies though Mate and Homebaked.We do a pie similar to a Cornish Pasty but with Welsh Lamb and Leek here in Wales called a Welsh Oggie.
Enjoyed watching as always, just watched an older vid you did, the sausage off🤣 notice bamboo fibre on list of ingredients, thought strange, checked they use to replace the meat used to be 97% wondered why I have started to grow black and white hairy patches thought it was a chemotherapy side effects 🤣🤣🖖
I would try that, lots of food in it. Looked better than the Fray Bentos i bought a few months ago. It had hardly any food in it and the pastry just ok, it was not as good as I remember them growing up in England.
I am a vegetarian but I bought one of these to try a while ago for my husband. He said it had a strange taste but also that it was very greasy and the pastry seemed to have a lot of oil in it. He couldn't eat so we put it down for the dog and he wouldn't eat it either. Says it all if a terrier turns its nose up!
That made me laugh with the dog 🤣
Not even fit for dogs 😱
Lol
thanks 😊
I've known some fussy terriers too be fair lol..my mates one would only eat what he was eating wouldn't touch dog food 🤣🤣✌
ow Fray Bentos puds have changed. I remember them well as a kid growing up, boiling them in hot water, in their large mental containers. . I loved them The were so much bigger then, moist and packed with meat. Such a shame that they dont make them at the same quality as they used to. Thumbs up Gareth.
sounds great Terry years ago, you sold it to me
I agree, they were good when they were the metal 400/425g cans
I agree, they were good when they were the metal 400/425g cans
I have never managed to get one out of the plastic pot in one piece.
How many years we talking? I'm a young'un (42) My memories of Fray Bentos are probably later 80s and all through 90s.. They were still tinned processed pies back then, And certainly tasted like it! The pastries were not bad, But the fillings were just naff lol. I'd like to know the era they were supposed to be great... Maybe I was unlucky and missed out?
The best microwave pie I've found are the frozen pukka pie steak ones. They come out like they've been in the oven, in around 5 minutes and a lovely flavour.
yes ive reviewed them, very good indeed
I see these in Iceland, other day but didn’t buy em. I think microwave put me off. I really don’t like pies, sausage roll, burgers etc in microwave. Especially as pastry goes horrible and soggy.
Microwave pukka pies are very nice, I'm having them for my dinner tonight.
@@charlottestone1927 are they nice? I’ve seen them in Iceland, but the microwave thing puts me off. But if you say their nice, I’ll give one a try.
I agree with you about Pukka microwave pies. I too was sceptical but they are surprisingly good and very similar in texture to an oven baked pie. Not soggy at all as you might expect. We must all try to have our ovens on less as cooking the pie would probably cost as much as buying it.
Send it back to the seventies! 🤑
Sewage pastry 😫
haha yes
Never been nice since they changed it to a microwave item. The ones in tins,boiled or steamed were gorgeous!
I'm old enough to remember when fray bentos pies were tasty when they actually had meat in lol also the left over tins were used to cook Yorkshire puddings in that was when even the containers were better quality than todays offerings cheers for the vid Gaz.
cheers John
The pastry used to rise away up, no longer. Not good.
We tried these a few months ago, my 17 years old son, who will eat just about anything, refused to eat it after one mouthful, citing the same reason reasons you did. He also said it had a hint of plastic taste 😂I tried it and agreed. As said before, Fray Bentos have got away with this for years and will continue to do so. 👍
cheers Stuart yes not good
I think it’s a shame Stuart but we have to suffer a lot of this these day, a good product ruined 😿
@@deniseoxland151 Totally agree Denise. Cut back after cut back, the chiefs get the high wages, and bonuses and the shoppers loose the quality.
@@stuartf2946 absolutely
Whenever Ive seen those cans with pies inside, I usually ask myself “Who buys those!”
Hi Gareth, another great video but we were in Asda today and bought a load of their just essentials range and are finding them pretty good so a good time to do comparisons especially their vegetable soup which is fantastic but the star of the range is Potato Pops at 73p a bag, cheers.
I used to love these years ago before they started putting them in those plastic containers. The old metal tin ones which you boiled were much nicer. As always the desire to keep the price low has meant the quality has disappeared.
Cheers Darren
Bought some of those a while back when they were on special offer at B&M. I struggled to eat half of one and the rest went in the bin. You're right about the funny plastic taste. The suet pastry was also boggin. Avoid like the plague.
like me I never eaten it all.
Same, absolutely gross 😝
I started watching your videos for few weeks now and it's my first comment on your channel. Watching you buying ready made food takes me back to the old fashion way. Cook your own and enjoy it the most. That's the way it should be, no extra seasoning, preservatives etc I still enjoy your channel, just subscribed as well. Good luck
Cheers thank you kindly, all the best 👍
To be honest we were back over in the UK for 5 weeks over the isle of man TT period (live in the USA these days) we eat these a couple of these, 2 quid and 90 seconds, a can of Pease pudding and a can or carrots in the motorhome, 6 quid for dinner for 2 in 5 mins, its not Michelin star food but it does the job, reminded me of when i was a kid and these were actually a treat, loving the vids Baldy, bringing back loads of memories matey!!!!
Great mate thanks Russ
I had one of these a few weeks ago, I thought i'd regret it. Mine was the 2 portion size out of Iceland and it was 2 quid, The whole thing collasped as it came out of the tin, the suet was half cooked and there was a puddle of gravy in the bottom. I chucked most of the suet in the bin and scooped up the gravy, so much for 2 portions. Baxters should be ashamed of themselves for churning out crap like this.
Cheers pal
To save energy costs:
Cook a whole chicken or equivalent sized joint of beef, pork or lamb - put meat in baking tray that has a very small amount of water in it (not always need for meats that have been injected with water). Put in the chicken upside down - put the joint in with the fatty side down. Season - cover with tin foil.
Put in medium oven for 20 minutes.
Take out, remove foil - turn the meat over - put foil back on - put back in oven.
After 15 more minutes - turn off oven and leave oven door closed.
Remove from oven in 6 hours.
You'll have a fully cooked, soft and succulent piece of meat.
If you want to shred the meat, do so now.
If you want sliced meat - put it in the fridge for 3 hours (or more).
Always cook using pan lids.
Boil potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips etc, until the water starts boiling - switch off gas/electric - leaving the lid on. 20 minutes later they will be fully cooked (unless you've cut the potatoes too big - then repaet the step.
If you are using the oven - try to maximise what you are putting in - some people don't know that veggies can be cooked in the oven - or why not make a simple cake.
I use lids when I cook sausages, eggs, bacon - not only does it stop the fat spitting everywhere, the steam cooks the food fully, and stops it from drying out.
Finally find some bricks and dead wood- wood fired BBQs are so easy - and free!
cheers Gary great comment pal thanks 😊
That's great Gary thankyou ❤️
Well rather Risky inside BBQ ! Oh you mean in gdn in snow!
No way lol .
Price of food it be cheapest baked beans cheap white bread spud in microwave
Lard weak tea sterilised milk sugar for energy .
Measure a cup an bit water in kettle 2kw 60 sec boil at 50p kw 30 cups tea
( single person ) 60 cups a £ still cost £40 a year that’s how bad it will be ffs
6m a large spud 5p
Pork beef joint in oven £1
Dryer £1 load WM £1 a load
A gas boiler pump 50p a day plus the gas .
It’s Revolution Time friends !!!!!
@@jimmorris5700 They're putting us on a diet - we're getting fat and lazy - that's the revolution!
And according to the scientists - who you must never ever question - England won't get snow anymore!
@@jimmorris5700 can you still get sterilised milk my nan use to buy it lovely in a cup of tea
Hi.
I've been watching on and off ,love your videos. I feel I just MUST give some advice. When you open and expect to turn out the contents of the tin or carton ,like this pud or your Spam -just bash a hole in the other end using a corkscrew or skewer or whatever. Even nip a tin openner in either side of the base. You'll allow air in as the meat slides out. Not creating a vacuum. Should result in better presentation and easier for you.
Hope you see this and find it helpfull.
Keep uo the good work.
All the best,
Roger.
cheers Roger
looks like somthing you would mix up with dog biscuits for the dog
Thanks Gareth for this video. I too have an affection for Fray Bentos going back to my childhood when their pies were a rare treat. It seems that they now bare no resemblance to what they once were, shame.
yes me also. Had them growing up.
Love your videos! Keep digging through the supermarkets for a wonder meal that we can enjoy. I've tried a couple of the pies recently and have thrown in the towel I'm afraid. With the energy crisis starting to bite, 25-30 mins in a pre-heated oven is a luxury few will soon be able to afford. Buy a deep-fill pie maker or a toastie maker. Cheers!
thanks very much
Just ordered my pie maker, can’t wait.
Tescos used to do a really nice one in a plastic tub with a peel-off film lid. No plastic taste, dump it onto a plate upside down and microwave it. Lovely. Someone realised there was money to be made, replaced it with a smaller brandnamed item and upped the price. Tried them once and never bothered again. The Fray Bentos one and the Tesco replacement are about two thirds the size of what the cheap Tesco one was.
Thanks for the info
One of the chipshops in our town used to do steak and kidney pudding chips and peas plus a glass of pop for Half a crown in the restaurant, Super times when we were at school.
These were £1.00 last year .... still wouldn't have paid that for dog food in pastry
If Fray Bentos went back to the old recipe they’d sell a million , back in the day the tinned pies and steamed puddings were great ‼️ I know it’s a sign of the times with fillings or lack of but their standards have taken a nose dive 👎🏻 I also agree with the microwave taste ! I find anything neuked has an after taste 🫤 Haven’t had one of these for years , will get one , but steamed the old fashioned way 😁
Tinned pies won't go in the microwave. Not probe-able either. 🤔
@@andrewrobinson2565 microwave taste in general ! Of course you can’t put the pies in the neuk ! And I would not neuk the pudding either , re read the post and listen to what Gareth says .
I know these have had mixed reviews but I like them . I really like the doughy pastry , with a bit of mash and peas it's a good comfort food meal for a winters day .
Great review. Honesty is the best policy,
When you reviewed the frozen Holland's Steak & Kidney Puddings you seemed to enjoy them. I noticed that one of your commenters said how there used to be microwave instructions for them - and duplicated them for our benefit. I haven't yet tried this, but with your meat thermometer it has to be worth a go.
yes Steve, good idea, I enjoyed them they were tasty
I used a steamer an electric one to do my steak puds Hollands or steam in some water in a pan they are Lovely like that xxxx
I have found my halogen oven a great saver over an old gas cooker which took ages to heat up. I can grill, bake and even do a roast chicken( when I can afford one ! 😐🤨)
The slow cooker is good for stews and homemade soups .My gas consumption has gone down a lot since I started using these items with very little extra for the electricity.
cheers Betty yes good thought, 👍
Also I would recommend a instant pot (pressure cooker)
Ditto with my Ninja air fryer. It has saved a lot of energy.
@@stewartroberts2983 yeah they’re cheaper than a slow cooker as you can cook the same thing in an hour rather than 8.
@@SuperLittleTyke We just bought the Ninja dual zone, really good indeed.
I used an Alcan Servtherm ready meal electric steamer a while ago. That used to be supplied to frozen "meals on wheels" customers who didn't have a microwave. Basically a square lidded plastic box with a heating element in the bottom. Came in single, or double decker versions. I did notice that steamed ready meals tasted much better than microwaved ones. The downside was that it took 30 minutes to heat a frozen meal, but you could use metal trays.
cheers pal
My homemade pies and Pasties taste nice when heated in the Microwave !!!! Fray Bentos must put sawdust in the Pastry to stop it from Dissolving in the Watery Gravy !!!!!
Glad you did that mate,i have them now and then and the big ones,have two when im bulking up,oh and they taste alot better when they are done in a saucepan
Cheers pal
Tried those a few years back. They were £1 for 400g from Homebargains . I preferred the Steak and Kidney although you can't beat Holland's❤️👍👍
cheers pal
The B and M version are not too bad either for the price, and throw a tin of marrowfat peas with it and you have a warm cheap meal during these insane times for everyone.
Cheers pal
I like how the third step of the instructions is "Enjoy," I love a challenge but I think that's beyond me.
your face said it all, Gareth! another one youve "taken for the team"
5/10 !! you were obviously feeling generous😆
We used to buy them about 45 years ago when you actually got meat in the steak pies, unbelievably it did three of us our son to be fair was only young, my hubby loved these puddings again they had plenty meat and you steamed them in a pan of water, I didn’t like them as they were too soggy for me he got one to try a couple of years ago but he really didn’t like them
I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy one soon. It looked less appetising than the Fray Bentos pie in a tin. Recently I've been having the Sainsbury's individual pies (currently 95p each) cooked in the microwave oven. For what they are, they are fairly good with a reasonable amount of meat, no gristle found yet.
cheers David
I`ve bought a Double Belgian Waffle Maker from Amazon !!!! I put 2 balls of dough in it, close the lid and it makes two pastry baskets, which I fill up with minced beef, or cheese and onion, or chicken !!!! The taste is unbelievable !!!! So I never buy any pies or pasties !!!! Even Ginsters Pasties are horrible Now !!!!!
Thanks for another honest review 💜💜💜
You are so welcome!
Good thing about these is that you can eat them cold when your electricity gets switched off. 😋
I used to love the Fray Bentos Steak and kidney puddings but when they unbelievably changed to the microwave version I tried it twice and have never had another one since. Absolutely disgusting 🤢
yes not great Sean
I used to love steak and kidney fray bentos puddings, but that was when it was SUET pudding NOT suet pastry
The new version is FOUL
i didnt mind them till i had a bone in one of them..not eat one since
I finally got around to digging out of the freezer... The Iceland Takeaway Extra Hot Chicken Tikka Masala yesterday Gaz... And i really enjoyed it pal... I think the Chicken pieces could've been a better quality though... But the Masala Sauce was lovely... Not super hot!... But a very nice tingle was left in my mouth afterwards... 😋 I've also been stocking up on a few tinned items lately... You know... The items that are easy to nuke in the microwave... This week because i mentioned them to you a few days ago... I've ordered both the Princes Meatballs in Tomato Sauce... And the Princes Meatballs in Gravy from Iceland... The Fray Bentos versions are terrible mate... So as these Princes versions are of a much better overall quality... I'll be giving them a try... As they're only a quid each my friend... All the best Gaz... Cheers mate. 🍺
yes its a good one that curry Rick quite tasty if I remember, very flavoursome. Ive not had many princes products
Ooooh. I like fray bentos too,love their pastry.
We we’re told to shove a a few pukka pies. In the steamer i did do it.great really tasty. 👌🙌👏🏻🔥
There's only so many foods that work in a Microwave, even if the label says it's an option. Tesco's sell these for £1.80 (on special offer)
Have you ever felt unwell off camera after eating something you just didn’t like or quality wasn’t good
yes when i tried some chilli sauce on one of my lives was so hot knocked me for 6
Gareth tell him the death nut challenge lol watch it
It very funny 😊
@@BaldFoodieGuy of dear can you see on the live you had a problem hope it didn’t last too long
Cheers Gareth great review mate. Had one a few weeks back . They used to be good, but just like the pies not as good as they use to be . There are better steam puddings out their . Cheers Gareth 👍❤️👍❤️👍❤️
cheers Steven yes changed haven't they
Used to enjoy these as a lunch growing up. I ways went for the steak and kidney. Used to be able to buy 3 for a £. I know they aren't healthy and they have a strange pasty texture but I loved them.
Takes me back to when i was a kid when we didn't have much money it was meat puddiings and chips ,
Good video 👍
A few weeks back I asked the good lady to stock up on tins to put in the cupboard that could make easy ping meals with a long life date on them due to the oncoming energy crisis. I know there are those that will stick there nose up to the idea but I don't mind them as a child in the early 70's when times where also quite tuff a good old beans and cheese baked potato was great. The long life on these products also adds value as you don't have to panic about use by next day/week for example. Great vlog Gaz to highlight a different way of feeding a family as the major fule conglomerates leave us strapped for the immediate future 👍
yes been told these are good for an apocalypse lol
@@BaldFoodieGuy now you got me thinking of the planet of the apes movie from 1968 🤣🤣
There’s a bit of an assumption that tinned items are essential due to the energy crisis, but this is a bit of a misconception. They’re great to keep in your nuclear fallout shelter but tinned vegetables etc are often more expensive by weight than fresher options. A tin of potatoes might seem fabulous for 40p but you can save more money by just buying a normal bag of potatoes. You can buy a big bag of fresh carrots for 40p and freeze them in portions if need be.
This pie at £2 will serve one, but you could make a far more substantial pie for four for 1/5 of the price of the £8 this would cost - with a few cupboard staples (which you’re likely to already have) and a £1.69 pack of fresh minced beef.
The energy cost of an oven is fairly insubstantial over a 30 minute period - especially when compared with the cost of an electric shower. An air fryer in particular is really not expensive to run for the time it would take to cook a pie.
Actually, you're dead right about seeking out food with a long shelf life. I buy Idahoan Buttery Mash, so I've always got some mashed potato even I have no spuds or they're sprouting. I don't eat 'em when the sprouts are actually sticking out. I know some people do.
@@SuperLittleTyke if you store your potatoes right they will keep for months on end, although I do usually have some instant mash in for an emergency. I wouldn’t use them if I actually had potatoes in though, unless I were making a drunken supper for one
Thanks for the honest review, seems like what you were trying to say the food tasted tainted by the plastic being used in the microwave 😉 probably not good for you, I will give that one a miss, thanks Gareth
Glad it was helpful!
Not good at all. Plastics are made from petrol products petroleum and that is why you get the taste of plastic.
I used to really enjoy all Freya Bentos tined foods. In fact I've still got a couple in the cupboard. They aren't as big or as full as they used to be but they still taste good. I don't know what microwave stuff tastes like, not had one for years. We use air fryers. I might try one of the puds and just use the "reheat" setting which I use for all sorts of stuff. They usually turn out very well. Thumbs up for you channel, I watch quite a lot of your stuff, 👍
Anyone remember goblin puddings that you used to boil in a pan?
waste of money.
OMG! I used to absolutely adore these meaty suet puddings - especially the steak and kidney ones! I would steam four of them for my brother and I for lunch in the 1970's (no microwaves in those days) and still remember the gravy running out and the taste! I would love to order around dozen for delivery to me here in Australia but sadly the shipping costs are exorbitant. I suppose I'll have to try and make my own. Sorely missed 😞
They are not the Same !!!! Now they are Horrible, with weird tasting Pastry and no meat in them !!!!
@@spaceted3977 it’s not pastry it’s steamed suet!
Dont worry. You arnt missing anything. Unless you like eating modelling clay!!!
@@pheart2381 Nah Suet is nothing like pastry, I guess it’s an acquired taste!
@@pheart2381 How did you find out Fray Bentos`s Secret Formula for Suet Pudding ????
The first bite was all the 15% ‘beef’, if we can call it that. Sludge suet. Words of the day: “Gelatinous”, “Claggy”, “Gawwhh..” lol
Great idea. I have had them before and I suppose I don't mind it tasting oily. I quite liked them. What is the expiry date of these things? I got mine from Poundland but i don't know if all Poundlands have them. I definitely would like budget friendly 'Ping meals; and some of them I can give to my elderly neighbour
You have what we Scots call a ‘right durty laugh’!
haha yes ive been told that lol goes with my nature 😅
Years ago they were boiled in the tin, in a pan. This is some 20 plus years ago. They came out the tin like proper suet pudding and with mash and veg, they were lovely. Not anymore, vile actually
yes Jules cheers
I didn’t know that Frey Bentos do other products other than pies. A quick search shows the do Chicken Curry, Meatball pasta and BBQ sausage and bean stew.
Not sure how readily available they are though.
Great vid G
yes they done an all day breakfast too which I reviewed.
@@BaldFoodieGuy I remember that review, you said it was pretty awful lol!
I do enjoy your videos greatly as I really like your style! 👍👍😎😎👍👍
I appreciate that!
@@BaldFoodieGuy Your reply was spot on! Look forward to lots more interesting videos . . . . 😎👍😎
I absolutely used to love these when they were under a different brand called goblins 🤣 not too keen on the frey bentos ones though☺️
@@HolyFreakinDragonSlayer There were plenty of "goblin " products around in the 70s and 80s but I haven't seen this brand for years.....
Goblin were a different brand and company altogether
Goblins used to come in an aluminium tin.
@@kenh3344 So did Fray Bentos!
What a complete waste of money, there's no way this things going to fill up being a measley 200g. If you've got any stray cats round your way they'll probably appreciate it more.
I used to love these, haven’t had one for years.
Thanks Gareth.
My pleasure!
I agree with everything that is said but my biggest complaint is that they never come out of the container in one piece no matter how long they are cooked for - they always split in half!
Ah,David. Read my message to Baldy I posted 3 or4 days ago. Basically I explain about piercing the bottom end of these pots or tins of Spam and so on. A good hole in the other end lets in air as meat slides out. No vaccuum. It always seems to work for me and the Mrs.
Yeah!, I agree, the b******s will not come out of the container in one clean go.
I've replied to Baldy on this subject with my idea. Have a look.
Hi Gareth. Sometimes "back of cupboard" finds should be left undisturbed.
I've never seen anything like that before. I know pudds are more of an English thing, but that just didn't look right 😕 even for a first timer.
The nippers cookies look good though. Careful of the Cookie Monster...
Cheers Gareth 👍🤤😀
haha thinknyour right there John, lol
@@BaldFoodieGuy 😄 Did you have one of the nice biscuits before trying the pie? If so, that might have turned your palette from the savoury taste of the pie 😂
@@wintersun398 I never had one, but had one after that pie lol
I ate one yesterday, my microwave is 800, put it on high power for 90 seconds and it was still cold in the middle. Mostly gravy and pastry was really thick. They're supposed to self extract while cooking. Had one a month ago and it made a bang and splattered everywhere.
yes mine needed a few seconds more
Thank you.
It looks a yummy pie but the thought of plastic puts me off.
I wonder if it would taste better if tipped onto a little plate and cooked in the air fryer, I've never air fried a pie but I think I need to start because it's going to be very expensive to put the oven on for a pie.
Thanks for watching 👍👍
It’s a disgrace that it’s come to people thinking about having microwave meals more due to the price of electricity. Living standards should always be going forward not back the way.
I’ve had some do gooders ‘advice’ me to eat salads over winter 🙄, use battery torches, stick a blanket over me instead of the heating and just go straight to bed once I get in from work!
All because they don’t want to criticise their precious government and because they managed it back in the 70s! It’s bloody 2022 ffs!
Sorry rant over - great review. 👍😂
rant away Scott thats whatcits all about. Im told bill will be going up again. Country is in meltdown
I just looked at the price of Atora, £1.79 (Beef or Vegetable). You could make your own, Gaz. Or review M&S version?
The biscuits looked nice!
yes the biscuits full of butter and sugar Val
@@BaldFoodieGuy Proper ingredients! 😆
Good content. I'm living in New Zealand and I was last in the UK in 1992. Have been craving These things but they 11 dollar. So thank you for letting me know not to waste my money.
Cheers Neil
Great vid, and brilliant to use a probe, always cook or reheat to above 75 degree Celsius or hold the probe in the centre of the food for 2 minutes at 72 degrees cel, the sugar cookies looked fab best wishes
Great point!
I understand the cost of living is going up but people should realise microwave meals are not good, it's much better and healthier to make your own food.
Not even watched it yet will do but my husband tried one a few months back and thought it was vile ..he didn’t eat all of it but had a really heavy tummy all night and really didn’t feel well with what he did eat .looking forward what you think 🤣
i didnt enjoy it
It's the suet. I don't like it. It seems to stick to everything inside the digestive system.
@@SuperLittleTyke yes thanks that’s what we thought I’m glad I didn’t try it I would have been really unwell ☹️
@@BaldFoodieGuy I pity anyone who had been saving it in their cupboard thinking they would hav3 a special treat one night 🤪
These remind me of being young on caravan holidays, I can actually taste them now. Were great with chip gravy and peas.
Sounds wonderful. Love camping cooking
food of champion a Fray Benton pudding, a tin of peas and a tin of carrots. When I do a shop for the food bank, I'll always include these. Love em
Cheers 👍
Looks like cat food 😂 🐱
haha yes
My mother used to say that I would eat anything, these Fray Bentos things prove her wrong, and the list is getting longer with those horrible vegan foods.
haha cheers Mark
I love these and have been eaten them for years our pound shop used to sell them. I only paid a pound for mine I like the Holland ones steamed as well/.
That reminds me of the little tinned Goblin Meat Pudding I tried in the 70s.
These puddings went downhill when they 'improved' the recipe, so I gave up buying them. The one you have cooked actually looks okay, there looks to be more meat. I agree with you about the taste and smell, it did improve but it is back. Unless you use a knife to cut round the inside of the tin after cooking, the suet pastry always sticks to the sides of the container.
thanks Peter
Those puds are nice. Its suet pastry like a dumpling, and the steak and kidney tastes good.
ive had better
yeah there shit pastry not even like suet an industrial pie lol
a friend of mine worked for fray bentos . he used to do sat morning overtime, one sat a guy turned up for work with a massive hangover, as soon as he smelled and viewed the massive mix, he vomited violently into the mix, wiped his mouth , and said thats value for money !. bon a petite.
oh dear me
I bought one of these thought they would do for a snack when getting home late. On opening the can it smelt like pedigree chum. I persevered and cooked it, one bite strait in the bin.
Savings by using air fryers: I got my Ovo Energy usage chart this morning. Here are the comparisons between May through July 2021 with this year:
May 2021 500.77 kWh May 2022 354.36 kWh
Jun 2021 379.45 kWh Jun 2022 278 kWh
Jul 2021 591.92 kWh Jul 2022 284.70 kWh
This can only be because I have hardly had the main oven on at all during these months of 2022. All my other usage has been pretty constant.
brilliant pal thankyou very much.
😂😂😂sorry Gareth anything fray bentos is for the bin should get a free toilet roll with each one 😂😂😂👍👍👍
Excellent channel, just came across it while hunting for Ukraine stories..!
Cheers pal
You do make me laugh but your spot on with the reviews 🤣🤣🤣
cheers Nick
Pukka Microwave pies are the only ones my family like. Crispy, enough meat, tasty and SO quick. Favourites are Steak and the Chicken variety. They have a MincedBeef Pie and now do a Vegan one - I’m a meat eater but the Vegan option is cheesy and gorgeous. Make sure you look for ‘Microwave! on front of box, as the others go in ovens only and cost a fortune to heat up ! Enjoy!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi their,
Thanks for doing this pud.. Lol it looked oily at the start of you putting it onto plate..
Yrs ago me and my ex use to live on those fry Bentos plate size ones.
You did on your last video.
They were ok we were on a budget and my ex was addicted to them so we use to share one.. Back in my teen yrs.
Yes it does make you think more about putting the oven on with raising energy costs.
In winter autumn i have oven on.. Living in a small flat having oven on in summer gets really tropical so i don't.. But have had slow cooker on microwave and gone for more colder foods like sandwiches.
slow cookers are good arnt they. Pies were probably alot better years ago. Thanks 😊
@@BaldFoodieGuy yes.. They are indeed.
Although Hollands steak puds are good in a pan. I steamed mine on simmer.. Standing upright.. Use a pan lid or plate.. I think you said you had recently cooked one.. But put yours upside down in pan?
Don't have them a lot but save cooking time if defrosted when cooking them.
Another cheaper option is the air fryer. I hardly ever put the oven on now.
These puddings used to be really nice but had one recently not so much maybe they changed the recipe. We have just started making poached eggs in the microwave dead easy to do and my son loves them. Love the videos btw
I love the steak puddings you cook for 40mins in water in saucepan, they r really nice but quiet small
yes ive done them, look in my pie playlist
Keep on forgetting about those pies Gareth.Simply VILE stuff
I bought one on the strength it looked nice on the package, i was wrong. I agree with you on this one
I must say, that I tried two of these. They were quite tasty!
I lived in Chlithero many moons ago and liked the steamed steak puddings with chips from the chipshops,really tasty,mind you I was well oiled after the Pubs lol,Ally
Cheers Ally
I think I know what you mean ,it’s like you can taste the packaging that it was in ,like when you can taste the metal from a can when drinking beer
yes thats it Martin
They're OK. I always have to do it a bit longer in the microwave.
im not over keen myself but for the elderly with a bit of smash and some veg ideal..a nice cheap meal for people struggling in this power crisis..brill vid as always xx
Totally agree!
Magnificent looking Cookies though Mate and Homebaked.We do a pie similar to a Cornish Pasty but with Welsh Lamb and Leek here in Wales called a Welsh Oggie.
yes full of butter and sugar mate lol
@@BaldFoodieGuy The Best Ever Mate Bless Them
Enjoyed watching as always, just watched an older vid you did, the sausage off🤣 notice bamboo fibre on list of ingredients, thought strange, checked they use to replace the meat used to be 97% wondered why I have started to grow black and white hairy patches thought it was a chemotherapy side effects 🤣🤣🖖
lol hope your on the mend
I would try that, lots of food in it. Looked better than the Fray Bentos i bought a few months ago. It had hardly any food in it and the pastry just ok, it was not as good as I remember them growing up in England.
I've had these Gareth, and they come in bigger sizes.
OK for work with some mash.
spot on Ian