Apologies folks, this blog's been a little dormant in the New Year. Let's just say the return to work has been a bit of a shock to the system. But, everyone wants a treat for a dark, cold January, especially with all the storms and snow we've been having. So for the next few weeks we'll be reviewing the Lidl Deluxe range.
First off, we have my old friend from school and uni, Joelle McNichol reviewing the Three Fish Roast. I'm very impressed it has it's own Facebook page!
Price: £5.99
Score (out of 5): 4.5
Review: I've been on the look out for completely effort free meals, so this frozen ready meal seemed worth a punt. Stick it in the oven and forget about it for an hour or so, steam a bit of frozen veg, et voila, dinner.
I was not optimistic as ready made fish pies are often just fishy slop. But the packet reassured me with a list of ingredients I might actually find in my kitchen, and three types of MSC certified fish giving details of where each was caught. In googling to check the price for the review, I find this pie has its very own Facebook community, sharing information about when and where it is available and urging Lidl to keep it in stock. Apparently some people feel very strongly about it. http://www.facebook.com/lidlfishroast
Could this be as good as my home made and frozen fish pie?
The USP is that the fish comes in a rectangular block made of layers of cod, salmon and smoked haddock, like a fishy neopolitan ice cream. This is surrounded by a creamy cheesy sauce, and topped with a crunchy breadcrumb, cheese and fried onion topping. It doesn't claim to be a pie, but it so is.
On serving, it did lose some points for presentation, especially as I hadn't anticipated the central fishy block so my first serving was a confusingly fish free sauce slop. But in fact the layered up fish has a real advantage over the more usual chunks of fish in sauce as it gives structure and substance to the dish. Instead of a pie slop, you have a nice fish fillet with a crispy top and a cheesy sauce on the side.
Taste wise I thought it was very tasty. Creamy and comforting as fish pie should be, but with the distinct flavours of the different fish coming through, and the crunchy topping was really good.
Would I buy this again? Yes indeed, but not with people round.
I have bought this each Christmas for a few years now and if it was like a cheap - look for the fish bits that went through on a fishing line leaving a few flakes and the rest coming out at the other side to flavour another cheap fish pie I wouldn't buy it. The layers are nicely put together, the lovely sauce and crunchy topping make for nice colour on your serving plate. I usually have it with mashed potato - ie boiled potatoes and mash with butter, cream, salt/pepper and a bit of grated cheesem a green veg like broccoli or peas and an orange veg be it roasted pumpkin, mashed pumpkin or carrots. One word... Delicimo!
ReplyDeleteAs a meal it does not disappoint at all and all the left over is used up in some way so no waste.
Nice One Lidl.
Had it tonight for first time. Loved it. Definitely will be a regular if Lidl continue to stock it!
ReplyDeleteThe linked lidlfishroast Facebook page no longer exists. That aside, the fish roast is the best of all worlds. Effortless, tasty and nutritious. What's not to like?
ReplyDelete