Steak and Kidney Pie in tins

[Amberngriffinco]

OK, trying again.

Waaaay back in the seventies, mom would shop at an import store which is still in business in the U.S.. It is called, "Cost Plus Imports." The one we went to was and is still IN Costa Mesa, California.

She would buy these round, rather heavy tins of steak and kidney pie. You opened the top lid and then bake the tin in the oven.

The top crust was almost phyllo dough like and puffed up, underneath the gravy was thick, almost like a pudding and it was SO INCREDIBLE!!!!! WE would scrape every tiny morsel from the tin.

No longer around, my sister and still so long for this. I will ASSUME it MUST have a TON of lard in it, but once in awhile, one MUST treat themselves!

I believe they were from either Ireland or perhaps Scotland.. I would KILL to buy more, even make if I had to, but this tinned version was incredible!! I DID use to make my own, WHAT A lot of work and it never tasted exactly like the tins, though I did use nice chuck steak that would soften up quite well.

DH speaks to a brit online who is coming to Colorado in a few wks and I wanted to ask him to bring me some, if possible??

Thanks
amber
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[Sackville]

Gosh, I have never heard of such a thing but I'm intrigued! I did find this on the web, which appears to be an importer that sells them for a price in the U.S.

Is that what you're looking for?

[Anisel]

Sackville Girl wrote:
Gosh, I have never heard of such a thing but I'm intrigued! I did find this on the web, which appears to be an importer that sells them for a price in the U.S.

Is that what you're looking for?

I'm sure that's the thing - I immediately thought of Fray Bentos. Gosh, I haven't had one of those for years and years! A real 'blast from the past'. Is that really the price though - $22 for one pie??!! Even allowing for the low exchange rate, you could buy fresh fillet steak for cheaper. They are still sold in the major supermarkets here, so if you know someone willing to carry a couple over for you it would be a lot cheaper.

[ann teapot]

but frey Bentos was from Argentina, wasn't it. (meanting Bentos Brothers). There was an English shop at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, perhaps its silly to ask on this thread. I was connected through work with this shop and we always used to have to transport loads of stuff for the owner (aBrit) who doubled as a travel agent.

[Anisel]

ann teapot wrote:
but frey Bentos was from Argentina, wasn't it. (meanting Bentos Brothers). There was an English shop at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, perhaps its silly to ask on this thread. I was connected through work with this shop and we always used to have to transport loads of stuff for the owner (aBrit) who doubled as a travel agent.

Yes, it was an Argentine company that exported meat to the UK (remember all those cans of corned beef?) but I'm pretty sure the meat pies were made in the UK.

[Heather Sullivan]

i can get frey benton pies here in the UK pretty cheaply. I've even had a chicken curry frey benton pie!
Unfortunately, new US laws about sending non-homemade food (see here) makes it a pain to send anything

edit: oops. They must have clarified that page! When it first came out it said no non-homemade food could be sent to the USA without the special paperwork. Now it does say it's okay to send manufactured food to individuals as personal gifts. Hooray!

[Amberngriffinco]

Heather Sullivan wrote:
i can get frey benton pies here in the UK pretty cheaply. I've even had a chicken curry frey benton pie!
Unfortunately, new US laws about sending non-homemade food (see here) makes it a pain to send anything

edit: oops. They must have clarified that page! When it first came out it said no non-homemade food could be sent to the USA without the special paperwork. Now it does say it's okay to send manufactured food to individuals as personal gifts. Hooray!

I know this Fray Bentos (sp?) was not the brand I recall.. I do believe it was from Ireland or Scotland..

Anyway, DH has an online computer game friend coming out next week. He said he couldn't find ANY steak and KIDNEY pie, but is bringing me some steak and .. ale I think pie tins. Do any of you have the steak and KIDNEY ones?? I mean, access to? I cannot believe they are $22 each, that would have to be one HUGE tin!! lol I recall these tins were about 7" diameter and were heavy, pushing a pound each, however..

Perhaps someone could kindly get them and mail them for me?? I, of course, will pay for them, including shipping AND have something special for them as well!! ?????? lol lol

Amber
CO
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[Sackville]

Amberngriffinco wrote:
Perhaps someone could kindly get them and mail them for me?? I, of course, will pay for them, including shipping AND have something special for them as well!! ?????? lol lol

This site might be your answer! The prices look pretty good and now that there are lots of customs forms to fill out for mailing food to the States, it's probably easier for a company to do than the average person. Those forms are complicated, I tried!

Shipping will be the killer though... be prepared. That's probably why the U.S. ones cost so much.

[Britgal]

I have several places that I use to buy British Foods here in the USA. The one that advertises about 200 items and has Steak and Kidney pies is Camerons British Foods and the Tel number is 1 888 440 0154. This is toll free.The pies start at $5.45. They are located in N.C. and have a retail store. They have a web site but I am having trouble right now pulling it up. Go into Google and type their name in.
The two others are www.Britishbacon.com They sell bangers, gammon rashers you name it.
The other one is www.BuyBritish.net
lots of meat pies, bangers, Pork pies etc. All three of these places ship from the US. Hope these help you.

[Sackville]

I just remembered that BBC America also has an online store you can get stuff from. Maybe they will have the pies in tins?

[Britgal]

BBC America is great for videos and books but last time I checked they only had a few candy bars.

[Amberngriffinco]

Thank you all!!!

Ironically, my DH plays an online game with guys all over the world called EVE. He has not only met a Brit online, but, guess what? He's arriving in Colorado on Friday (so is my sister and niece!) and will be attempting to bring me several tins!!!! WHAT IRONY EH???

I will look at other sites.

Thanks
Amber
CO

[Amberngriffinco]

The Brit is here tonight in Denver!!!!

Dh and his boss and the Brit, they ALL play this online real time game are having dinner together!

He has brought me 6 tins!!!!!!!!!

I am soooooooooooooooooooo EXCITED!!!!

amber
CO

[Amberngriffinco]

And, they are Fray Bentos - 1 Steak and Kidney, 4 Steak and Ale and 1 Steak with tri vegetables.. I am SOOOOO excited. I plan on hiding them from my sister.. we used to FIGHT over these as kids! lol

Amber
CO

[Loree D.]

I have purchased Frey Bentos tinned pies all over the UK--at Sainsbury's and at Safeway, for years--for like $2 US dollars--my hubby and I used to visit the UK a lot and before the Mad Cow crisis, we'd bring home a suitcase full. I absolutely loved these pies. Then US customs wouldn't allow us to bring them in once the Mad Cow scare got underway. I used to buy these pies in a little grocery store in Los Gatos, CA back in 1970! Found them again in a British store in Lake Oswego, OR in the 90's but they charged an arm and a leg. Now I live in Idaho--I can no longer find them at all. Next time I go to England, I'm gonna figure out a way to get some home!!! I am furious that I can no longer get them ...I can order them online but shipping is twice the cost of the pie