Pilgrims Choice Crumbles review and meals

I was rather surprised when my postie rang the doorbell and explained that the post office had bagged up my wet post because something was leaking. I gingerly opened up the package to reveal that it was an ice pack that had burst in transit. Luckily the Pilgrims Choice Mature Crumbles were still fresh in the cool-bag, but the enclosed info sheet was totally sodden. However I had read the same info via email already. The wetness had even caused some of the letters to start peeling off the cool-bag.

Pilgrims Choice Crumbles

So I received the following selection of Pilgrims Choice Crumbles products free to review.
Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature Cheddar Crumbles with Breadcrumbs and Herbs
Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar Cheese Crumbles with Black Pepper
Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar Cheese Crumbles

Pilgrims Choice Crumbles

Mature Crumbles are the newest edition to the Pilgrims Choice range of cheese products. They are bags of 4mm diced cubes of cheddar. The Extra Mature Cheddar Crumbles with Breadcrumbs and Herbs need to be cooked, but the other two varieties are ready to eat or may be cooked.

As a cheese loving family, we were looking forward to trying these products.

I advised the PR that I was unable to review the Mature Cheddar Cheese Crumbles on this occasion, but I enjoyed trying the other two varieties out in my recipes. I have already blogged about using some of the Mature Crumbles with Black Pepper in my Asparagus Frittata. And here is what else I made using Pilgrims Choice Mature Crumbles.

Cheesy Tuna Pasta Bake

Ingredients (serves 2 adults and 2 children)

250g penne pasta (75g per adult and 50g per child)
185g tin of tuna
500g jar of creamy tomato pasta bake sauce
70g carrot
70g broccoli
25g asparagus
50g yellow pepper
130g Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature Cheddar Crumbles with Breadcrumbs and Herbs

Method

Preheat the oven to 160 deg fan.
Chop the vegetables.
Tip the pasta into a large ovenproof dish.
Add the chopped vegetables.
Drain the tuna and add, flaking if necessary.
Add the pasta sauce and mix all together.
Cover with Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature Cheddar Crumbles with Breadcrumbs and Herbs.
Put a lid on the dish, so it doesn’t dry out.
Bake for 40-45 minutes.
Remove lid and cook for a further 5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.

Cheesy Tuna Pasta Bake using Pilgrims Choice Mature Crumbles

I thought this made a very tasty meal. The children were less enthusiastic but said it was okay. Their reaction was more due to some of the pasta being crunchy than to the taste of the Pilgrims Choice Mature Crumbles. They prefer soft pasta dishes.

Cheesy Potato Cakes
Ingredients (makes 9)

4 medium potatoes
50g Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature Cheddar Crumbles with Breadcrumbs and Herbs
1 tbsp olive oil

Method

Peel and chop potatoes.
Put in a saucepan of water and bring to the boil.
Cook for about 10 minutes until the potatoes have softened.
Drain and run under cold water to cool.
Mash the potatoes.
Tip onto a clean chopping board.
Use your hands to form into 9 balls.
Tip the Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature Cheddar Crumbles with Breadcrumbs and Herbs onto the board.
Roll balls in Pilgrims Choice Crumbles until fully coated.
Then flatten into patties.
Gently heat oil in a large frying pan.
Add patties and gently fry.
Turn and fry other side.
Serve as a side dish.
Enjoy.

Cheesy potato cakes using Pilgrims Choice Mature Crumbles

Son1 hasn’t been keen on potato since he commenced chemotherapy so only had one bite. But son2 loved these and ended up eating five of them. The rest of us enjoyed a couple each.

What son1 does love is Tuna Cheese Melt Panini. So I made him this favourite using the Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar Cheese Crumbles with Black Pepper. He said it was yummy.

Tuna Cheese Melt Panini

Ingredients (makes 1)

1/2 small baguette
60g tinned tuna
20g Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar Cheese Crumbles with Black Pepper
butter

Method

Preheat panini maker.
Mix tuna and Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar Cheese Crumbles with Black Pepper together.
Cut the baguette in half lengthways.
Spread with butter.
Fill baguette with tuna and cheese mixture.
Cook in panini maker for about 2 minutes.
Serve and enjoy.

Tuna Cheese Melt Panini using Pilgrims Choice Mature Crumbles

In summary Pilgrims Choice Mature Crumbles are a convenient product to have in the fridge to jazz up a meal. The packs reseal for freshness. I enjoyed using these in my dishes, but I am equally happy grating cheese from the block and adding seasoning and breadcrumbs to my cooking.

Disclosure.  This post is a review of products I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.