Saturday, October 25, 2008

Saturday Night Chicken Pot Pie....


Today was a rainy, gusty, day here in New Jersey, it was strangely humid and warm compared to how the weather has been. I got some stuff done that I needed to do and then spent most of the afternoon reading a new Nick Malgieri cookbook I just bought...oh, and a new Flo Braker cookbook as well...Both seem really good. Both are baking books. It seems I have been baking almost as much as cooking lately. It is just that I so rarely use a recipe when I cook...I just go for it. The Malgieri book is called "The Modern Baker". The instructions are very detailed, I just loved sitting down and drinking a cup of tea or two and reading through it. The Flo Braker is called "Baking for All Occasions"...I saw quite a few recipes that were calling my name.

Tonight I made a chicken pot pie for dinner. For some reason, chicken pot pie is all over the place lately. Everywhere I look. I guess with the state of everything in this country and in the world right now, we all could use a little bit of comfort...and this is comfort food at its best.

No real recipe here. I used Martha Stewart's Pate Brisee but added some fresh thyme and coarsely ground black pepper to the dough.I made a double crust pie because that is what my kids like. I used a medium red potato and two organic carrots which I had steamed until tender, and 3/4 cup of frozen peas. I sauteed 1 medium sweet onion in 1/2 stick of butter and added 1/2 cup of flour to make a roux, added 2 cups of homemade chicken stock( you could use low sodium in the can)then added 1 1/2 cups of 1/2 and 1/2...ok...no one said this was a lo-cal recipe.
You could use 1 % milk too if you wanted to...but it was comfort I was looking for tonight! I had already cubed a whole breast and two thighs from a roasted chicken. I added that to the simmering sauce along with the veggies.Then I added a few good pinches of French Thyme salt that a dear friend brought back from Paris for me. I also added a little handful of finely chopped fresh parsley. I rolled out the crust, filled the pie and baked 15 minutes at 425* and about 40 minutes at 400*...this was a huge deep dish 9 inch pie...I sprinkled the pre-baked crust with a large pinch of the thyme salt and some Maldon Salt...not too much...

It was really good...it reminded me of Saturday nights when I was little. It was a big treat to have a Swanson's frozen chicken pot pie once in a while, if my parents were going out and I was left with a sitter.I always loved those little frozen pot pies. My Mom never made home-made pot pies. My kids are glad that I do. This is something I only make a few times a year...but everyone enjoys it when I do....

Here is the pie before going into the oven....


Cooling on the counter....



There is plenty leftover for lunch!

12 comments:

  1. Those little Swanson pies are what we got with a sitter, too! Also sometimes those TV dinners with the Salisbury steak, potatoes, peas and the little brownie. Mmm!

    ReplyDelete
  2. They are just not the same anymore...
    I thought that was so special!
    I also got the Turkey in gravy that
    my Mom boiled in a bag and dumped on a piece of white bread...it was a hot turkey sandwich...I just thought I was the bomb....geez....that was over 40 years ago!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda, your pies look divine.

    That is my all-time favorite crust for chicken pot pies, too.

    Your lucky, lucky family. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Swanson chicken pot pies were an indication Mom & Dad were going out for me, too! :=)

    Linda, your pot pies are gorgeous. I'm hungry for a homemade pot pie now! Beautiful photos, as usual!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds terrific, Linda! I am working out some recipes on my own for a local cable cooking contest. I'll let you know how it goes...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey April!
    Good Luck...I can not wait to see your recipe!

    Kiss the little face for me!
    L xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow,cpp looks great, Perfect for the weather we've been having.

    ReplyDelete
  8. damn! nothing beats a homemade pot pie. that looks super creamy... i've got to make some of these.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, that chicken pot pie is beauuuuutiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ok, clearly u know how to flute! Can I come over for a lesson?????

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sure sweetie...
    It is all in the fingers...just relax and do it...
    L~xoxox

    ReplyDelete