Product Review: Paul Rankin Pie

rankinWe’re moving house this week and there’s a million and one things to do. The kitchen is mostly packed away and even if I could cook I’m just too tired.

So I nipped into Dunnes to get some quick and preferably healthy convenience food that I could just bung in the oven. I came across the Peppered Venison and Mushroom Pie by Paul Rankin which looked fairly tempting.

I have a secret fondness for pies but would always avoid the lame and soggy looking ones that are usually on offer in supermarkets – way too grisly. This however boasted no preservatives, no artificial colours, no artificial flavours, no E numbers and no MSG so it was looking good.

It was very tasty indeed, the meat was minced and although it didn’t taste of venison much, it had a lovely herby peppery flavour. With a puff pastry top and a short-crust base, it was a steal at €2.50 for a 200g pie – really good value. I served it with potato and celeriac mash and gravy.

If someone had said to me “Do you want a cheap pie?”, I would have said “I’ll pass thanks” but this was a real winner.