The Lasange Bites (the smaller of the two) and the Katsu Bites (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
Lasagne is a firm favourite in my household, so much so that it’s our go-to dish for Easter and my husband’s preferred birthday treat over cake.
So, when Co-op unveiled their festive party food range featuring ‘lasagne bites’, I was initially taken aback.
The concept seemed almost sacrilegious to a lasagne lover like me.
However, before lodging a complaint with the Italian embassy, I decided to give these unconventional bites a fair trial. Alongside the lasagne bites, I sampled a variety of Co-op’s party offerings.
Here’s my verdict on what you might want to consider for your Christmas spread, reports the Mirror.
BBQ Beef Baubles, 258g – £3.50.
The barbecue Beef Baubles held promise, exuding a tantalising aroma as they cooked. However, applying the barbecue sauce midway through cooking proved a bit messy.
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Some of the Co-op’s Christmas party food range on sale now (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
Visually appealing and flavourful, the meat was well-seasoned, and the barbecue sauce added a delightful blend of sweetness and smokiness. But the texture was a letdown.
The meat was so soft that I initially thought it was undercooked (it wasn’t). The overly processed texture detracted from the overall experience, making me question whether I’d serve these at Christmas.
4/5.
Irresistible Mini Cheeseburger Sliders, 286g – £5.
These mini cheeseburgers are absolutely adorable. I had initial reservations about the cheese centre, but they cooked perfectly in the air fryer and fit snugly into the tiny buns.
The Co-op’s mini cheeseburgers (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
The buns were not as fluffy as anticipated, however, the burger was well-seasoned and the smoky tomato ketchup provided a pleasant barbecue undertone. One point to note is that, similar to the barbecue Beef Baubles, the meat has an overly soft and processed texture which may appeal to some.
I’m not suggesting that I prefer a tough burger, but it was softer than expected which was slightly disconcerting. Despite the texture, these could easily be personalised with your own toppings to create adorable custom sliders.
5/10.
Katsu Bites, 200g – £3.50.
These bites are generously sized and offer a delicate and aromatic flavour from the Katsu and carrot rice, while the creamy coconut introduces a hint of sweetness against the fragrant herbs. The crumb coating is rather basic and the overall flavour could have been more robust.
The spice level is very mild, yet warming, making these an intriguing addition to any party spread. 6/10.
Mini Toad in the Holes, 150g – £3.50.
These miniatures are charmingly presented in baking paper cases. The petite sausages boast a delightful herby taste and brown nicely on top.
The Yorkshire pudding is also well-seasoned with herbs and presents a beautiful golden hue on top. The base might seem a bit dense and thick to some, but personally, I enjoy Yorkshire puddings in this style, or light and crispy frankly, what’s not to love about a Yorkshire?
While I had no qualms with the texture, others might.
The Co-op’s mini toad in the holes (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
These made a lovely addition to the party range, although they did leave me craving some gravy. 7/10.
Irresistible Prawn Toast Tacos with Mango and Sweet Chilli Salsa Dip, 206g – £5.
These delightful prawn toast tacos offer a charming twist on the traditional favourite. While they could have been slightly crispier, their flavour profile was pleasing, with a hint of lemongrass that wasn’t too overpowering, striking a perfect balance.
The generous filling of king prawns and the sesame seed edges were particularly enjoyable. The accompanying mango and sweet chilli dip complemented the mini tacos well, although the mango flavour was somewhat elusive.
Despite being a pleasant variation, they did leave me yearning for the classic prawn toast. 7/10.
The Prawn Toast Tacos and the BBQ Beef Baubles from Co-op (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
Lasagne Bites, 200g – £3.50.
I approached these with scepticism, not due to any lasagne snobbery, but simply because I couldn’t fathom how the authentic taste of lasagne could be captured in an air-fryable form. However, to my surprise, they tasted exactly like lasagne.
Encased in a lovely crumb, each bite revealed small pieces of pasta enveloped in a rich tomato sauce and a luxuriously creamy bechamel cheese sauce. These delicious morsels, which can be prepared in the air fryer in just eight minutes, are best enjoyed piping hot when the cheesy sauce is at its most tantalising.
They are certainly worth the £3.50 price tag. 10/10.
