FB Pies

How are these things even fit for human consumption?
I'd sooner starve.

They would need to pay us more than that to eat one!

Ian & Jo

Have say I agree! After all the glory they receive on here, I tried one once. Never again. I admit the top pastry was ok, but the filling was not. There are other things I'd put in my "just in case I'm starving after the apocalypse locker".

Mind you, Bacon Grill is worse!
 
How do you cook them to avoid "Soggy Bottom" of the pastry:rolleyes:, always like goo when I cooked one.

The hotter the oven the better as Alchemist says. Half an hour at maximum heat on the top shelf. I always bake a couple of potatoes at the same time, which are really nice when covered in teh gravy that has replaced the meat contents since Campbells Country Foods sold to Premier Foods.

If the pastry is gooey after half an hour at maximum heat on the top shelf, you need a new cooker.
 
The 'baby's heads' are great; especially washed down with a Broadside or decent rijorca.

Just don't get it on your skin
 
anyone know if there's a way to cook one of these on a hob? i wonder if taking the top off and stemaing in a pressure cooker would work. after all suet puddings don't have to be crispy so maybe one of these could be okay doen that way.
 
anyone know if there's a way to cook one of these on a hob? i wonder if taking the top off and stemaing in a pressure cooker would work. after all suet puddings don't have to be crispy so maybe one of these could be okay doen that way.

I don't think you should be allowed in the galley except for the washing up.
 
I haven't got an oven either so I guess I'll just have to imagine the culinary delight I am missing. Mind you, initial looks can be deceptive. The first time I opened a tin of Tesco beef stew it looked like something even my dog would hesitate at.....however once boiling on the hob with a tin of new potatoes thrown in all was transformed. One of my favourites now so I'm obviously easily pleased!
 
Friend of mine sailed with Robin Knox-Johnston. They would have eaten the tesco stew out of stainless steel dog bowls apparently. Still waiting for a reply as to whether I can steam a Fray Bentos pie.........
 
Still waiting for a reply as to whether I can steam a Fray Bentos pie.........

As long as it gets hot enough I don't suppose it'll kill you

What you really need is a double skillet mF1Q5RDsLEILmu2sXJVvx2g.jpg but unfortunately the ladies who designed and marketed them are no more (one died, the other retired). Incredibly versatile bit of kit, can be used for frying, casseroling, baking, the lot. Getting the temperature and timing right takes a bit of practice mind as it's a bit of a case of guess and hope!!!

I think a basically similar double pan is available in the US for silly money
 
Friend of mine sailed with Robin Knox-Johnston. They would have eaten the tesco stew out of stainless steel dog bowls apparently. Still waiting for a reply as to whether I can steam a Fray Bentos pie.........

Perfect for a small cooker. On my old boat I only had a single burner so put the opened can in a sauce pan of water and boiled it for a while (I forget how long but about ten minutes will do since they are already cooked) then tipped out on to the plate and use the boiled water for the 'Smash' which also reduces/removes the power and ability to work the nether regions if you get my drift. Useful on a small boat with 'bucket & chuck it'.

There's luxury for you.
 
A warning about pressure cookers.

Having no oven on the boat, I once tried cooking a FB pie in a pressure cooker, but using it on top of the cooker as an oven; no water, no rubber seal and weight removed. Worked OKish, but there is a heat safety plug where the metal in its core melts if the temperature of the pan goes above some limit.

Ended up with a blob of melted metal on the crust. Removed this and ate the pie was which was cooked pretty well. However an expensive pie as I had to purchase new safety plug.

Gitane
 
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Perfect for a small cooker. On my old boat I only had a single burner so put the opened can in a sauce pan of water and boiled it for a while (I forget how long but about ten minutes will do since they are already cooked) then tipped out on to the plate and use the boiled water for the 'Smash' which also reduces/removes the power and ability to work the nether regions if you get my drift. Useful on a small boat with 'bucket & chuck it'.

There's luxury for you.

Ultimate luxury requires a tin of baby carrots on the side, that's how fb should be served
 
Boys, if you have no cooker, why not just buy the Steak and Kidney Pudding? Then you only have to boil it!


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Mrs FC barged into through the front door this evening and thrust this little gem at me!

Available in Home Bargains for a quid.

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Go figure
 
Boys, if you have no cooker, why not just buy the Steak and Kidney Pudding? Then you only have to boil it!


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Did one of these in the pressure cooker, 10 mins, worked very well. Followed by pressure cooked suet pudding and treacle also 10 mins. Great meal, but was awake during the night whilst my stomach tried to digest the overdose of stodge.



Gitane
 
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If Patrick O'Brian got his facts right (and he usually did, when not inventing!) one pudding of the Royal Navy in Napoleonic times was IIRC called a 'boiled baby'.
 
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