IT is British Pie Week, so now is the time to get a slice of the action.
But if you are not a fan of making yours from scratch, head to the supermarket aisles where there are plenty of options.
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Lynsey Hope tries six of the stores’ own-brand individual chicken pies and rates them out of ten for taste and value to give an overall score.
Here are her pies and lows . . .
Slow-cooked chicken and gravy shortcrust pie
(Asda, £1.80, 533 calories)
8
A LOVELY pie. You could tell the chicken was slow-cooked as it was very succulent and fell apart in the mouth.
There was plenty of it, too.
The shortcrust pastry was yummy. Not as crisp as I’d have liked on the bottom, though not soggy, and not a bad meal for £1.80.
Higher in calories than most, which might put some off, but I would say this is likely down to all the extra meat.
Taste: 8/10
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Value: 7/10
Overall: 8/10
Chicken and gravy shortcrust pie
(Sainsbury’s, £2, 488 calories)
8
THIS looked really underwhelming when it came out of the oven.
The shortcrust pastry looked plain and I prepared myself for disappointment.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised as it tasted much nicer than it looked.
The pastry had a nice flavour and crunch and there was definitely no soggy bottom.
The chicken inside was succulent and tender and the sauce had a nice flavour. Reasonably priced, too.
Taste: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
Puff pastry chicken, ham and leek pie
(Morrisons, £1.25, 527 calories)
8
MY winner. I worried the ham and leek would be overpowering but it was very subtle and really boosted the flavour of this yummy pie.
The puff pastry cooked beautifully and was a lovely golden colour, with a nice crunch.
Very moreish and most importantly, an amazing price.
The only downside is the number of calories. But, yes please, Morrisons. I’ll be going back for more of these.
Taste: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Chicken and gravy pie
(Tesco, £1.75, 500 calories)
8
I WOULD choose Sainsbury’s or Morrisons over this one.
The shortcrust pastry crumbled as it came out of the oven, probably because there wasn’t enough filling inside.
What was in the centre looked quite watery and runny compared to the others and there wasn’t enough meat.
The flavour was all right but it was more expensive than other own brands too, so I wouldn’t rush back.
Taste: 5/10
Value: 6/10
Overall: 5/10
Aldi Crestwood deep-filled chicken and gravy pie
(£1.49, 455 calories)
8
THERE is nothing much to complain about here.
Not my favourite, but for £1.49, you get a decent chicken pie.
A reasonable amount of meat – there could be more – and the gravy sauce had a lovely rich flavour without being too overpowering.
I liked it. My guests liked it. And another good option for those who prefer puff pastry to shortcrust. I’d buy this again.
Taste: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 7/10
Lidl Deluxe chicken and prosecco pie
(£2.49, 633 calories)
8
THIS looked appetising before it went in the oven and once it was ready, I couldn’t wait to tuck in.
The shortcrust base and puff pastry top were delicious.
But unlike all of the others, the sauce was white rather than brown, likely due to the prosecco and Parmesan.
I’m not sure I liked the flavour, though, and I couldn’t taste any booze. It also had the most calories and was pricey for what it is.
Taste: 4/10
Value: 3/10
Overall: 4/10
