Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Frozen microwaveable pie and mash...what could go wrong?

Kershaws 'Cooks' Pie and Mash

It is time for another pie review! Now, I was perusing the freezer aisle of a medium-sized independent supermarket, knowing this was the ideal place to pick up some unreviewed pies (I think we've reviewed most commercially available supermarket pies now). I came across this little package - a 'Cooks' pie and mash! 

pie and mash

Ooh, Cooks, that's not a brand that we've tried before, this could be quite good! 'Family butchers'! An 'East End Speciality'! Only £1.89 for pie, mash AND herb liquor!

But then I flipped the pack over and my heart sank a little. It was a Kershaws. Readers of the blog will know that I've tried a couple of Kershaws pies in the past and found them rather...disappointing. Their segmented microwaveable packages never seem to live up to the appetising picture on the box, and while they're cheap they are not very filling. The condition of the pie is pretty dismal, presented like a limp rectangle in an oversized plastic packet.

pie and mash

After some time in the microwave, the pie and mash is ready for serving. Blimey, this is quite a stingy portion! It barely takes up half of my regular-sized plate! It doesn't look too bad though, considering it's a microwave job. The pie at least has a reasonable golden colour, and it is actually fully encased in pastry.

pie and mash

On slicing the pie open, I note that pie is (perhaps surprisingly) rather well filled. I mean, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at that considering how small the pie is (there wouldn't be any room for an airgap without the pie being virtually empty), but it's still pleasing to the eye.

pie and mash

Since I microwaved this pie, it's a given that the pastry is going to be chewy and not at all crispy. What I am pleasantly surprised at is how nice the liquor is. It does seem to be genuinely herby. The pie, however, has little going for it. The meat filling isn't any special, and the whole thing is just so small and miserly. 

In summary, this pie is edible, and I do believe it is the first time I've ever seen a traditional pie and mash in a supermarket so thumbs up for originality. The best part, in my view, was the liquor, but this pie is tiny tiny so even at the low cost of £1.89 this pie isn't a steal.

Kershaws 'Cooks' Pie and Mash
Colour: 3.2 Condition: 3 Content: 2.5 Capacity: 1 Chewiness: 3 Consistency: 3 Cheapness: 3.5
Total: 2.74/7
TJP


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7 comments:

  1. Unknown17 December 2014 at 18:55

    Cooks? Isn't that a bit like 'passing off' on the well known stores of original Pie & Mash shops from the Cooke family, more often referred to as Cookes.
    Could be more than misleading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pierateers18 February 2015 at 13:10

      Certainly could be misleading.... I think that is their plan though!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous17 February 2015 at 21:29

    Not bad for a substitute for the real thing, need two packs to satisfy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Madaboutfootball15 November 2015 at 05:57

    The proper cooke's pie and mash who were situated in Goldhawk Road Shepherd's Bush can now be purchased online from them which is frozen and sent out for delivery by courier

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pierateers18 November 2015 at 18:48

      Thanks for letting us know. This review is of a completely different company anyway.

      Delete
  4. Madaboutfootball15 November 2015 at 06:00

    Those are not from the Cooke's pie and mash shop in Goldhawk rdShepherd's Bush who have now sadly closed their doors but you can order online which is frozen and delivered by courier

    ReplyDelete

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