Miss Cecilias Chicken Pot Pie Food

CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken.
• In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots, peas, onions and parsley. Mix well.
• For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

CURRY CHICKEN POT PIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat the oil and 6 tablespoons of the butter in large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the celery, onions, curry powder and a large pinch of salt and cook until the vegetables are soft and the onions turn translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute, then stir in the peas and carrots. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the chicken broth and milk, whisking to remove any flour lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken and stir to combine.
• Pour the curry chicken into four 10-ounce ramekins or gratin-style bowls.
• Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Roll the pie crust large enough to cut 4 circles to fit over the ramekins. Lightly brush the edges of the ramekins with the egg wash. Place the pie crust over the top of the curry chicken, pressing to seal along the edges. Using a sharp paring knife, create a few slits in the top of the pies. Brush the top of the crust with the egg wash.
• Bake until the crust is a deep golden brown and the pot pies are bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving. Top with pats of the remaining 2 tablespoons butter right before serving.

QUICK ROTISSERIE CHICKEN POT PIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Have rack 1 rung up from center in oven.
• Gather your ingredients.
• Lightly flour work surface and roll out dough a bit; cut into 4 to 6 portions (I cut rectangles to keep it easy and based on how many people I'm feeding). Cut a small hole in center of each piece of dough with a 1-inch round or heart shaped cookie cutter, or freehand cut some slits or designs with tip of sharp small knife. Using a fork, beat an egg in a small dish with a splash of water. Line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment and arrange dough pieces. Brush dough with egg wash and bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 22 minutes.
• Peel and chop the onion and potato. Halve the celery and carrot lengthwise and chop. Halve the leek, trim top tough greens and roots and run under cold water while fanning the leek to release grit. Shake the leek of excess water and thinly slice. Peel and slice planks off the apple around the core, then stack and dice 1/4 inch.
• Heat a Dutch oven or large deep skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Melt butter and when it foams add the onion, potato, celery, leek, apple, bay and herb bundle and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook to soften, 8 to 10 minutes, partially covered and stirring occasionally. Add flour and stir a minute. Add stock and whisk in to thicken a bit.
• Separate the chicken from the bones and skin and pull meat. Add to sauce to reheat. Remove bay and herbs. Remove chicken from heat and stir in Dijon mustard, cream and lemon juice.
• Serve the chicken and vegetables in bowls and top with pastry.

CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Start by putting the chicken in a pot and covering it with water. Bring the water to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes, and then remove the chicken from the pot. Set the chicken aside to cool briefly.
• Shred the chicken with 2 forks, reserving the bones. For the stock, return the bones to the pot and boil for 20 minutes. Remove the bones from the pot and discard.
• For the pot pie: When you're ready to use the Thyme Pastry, remove from the freezer and allow it to sit on the counter to thaw slightly, about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Begin by finely dicing the vegetables. Slice the celery stalks into narrow strips, then slice in the other direction to create a fine dice. Repeat this process with the carrots, and the onion.
• Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Saute until the vegetables start to turn translucent, a couple of minutes.
• Add 2 cups of the shredded chicken and stir to combine. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the vegetables and chicken, and stir to combine. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring gently.
• Pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly. Stir in the bouillon cube and wine if using. The flour will combine with the chicken to create a delicious gravy. Next, add the peas.
• Pour in the cream and stir. Allow the mixture to cook over low heat, thickening gradually, about 4 minutes. Season with the thyme, salt and pepper, and remove from the heat. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Be sure it's adequately salted!
• Pour the chicken mixture into a deep pie pan or small casserole dish.
• Roll out the pastry so that it's 1 inch larger than the pan. Place the crust on top of the chicken mixture and cut small slits in the top. Press the crust gently into the sides of the dish to seal. I don't worry about making a perfect edge on my chicken pot pie because a) it looks more rustic and b) I'm lazy, hungry and I want to eat.
• Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
• To freeze: Allow the filling to cool completely then top with the crust. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the freezer.
• To cook from frozen: Remove the pot pie from the freezer, brush with egg wash (1 egg mixed with 2 tablespoons water or cream) and place directly in a 375-degree F oven and bake until lightly browned and bubbly, 30 to 45 minutes.
• For the thyme pastry: Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Using pastry cutter, gradually work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles tiny pebbles. This step should take 3 or 4 minutes.
• Lightly beat the egg with a fork, and then add it to the mixture. Next, add in the cold water and vinegar. Stir the mixture together until it's just combined, and then remove half the dough from the bowl. (Dividing the dough in half results in two pretty generous pie crusts. If you desire a thinner crust, you may divide the dough into three crusts.)
• Place in a large plastic bag (do not seal) and slightly flatten with a rolling pin. This makes it much easier to roll out the crust later. After flattening, seal the bag tightly.
• Repeat with the other half of the dough and place the plastic bags in the freezer. I like to make several batches of pie crust at a time so I always have a crust ready to go.
• For recipes other than this pot pie, remove from the bag and place on a lightly floured surface. With a rolling pin, begin rolling the dough from the center, outward. Be gentle and patient; it'll take a little time to get the dough completely rolled out.
• If you think the bottom is really sticking to the surface below, use a nice, sharp spatula to loosen it and sprinkle some extra flour on top. Then flip it over to finish rolling. Remember to roll from the center in single, outward strokes; no back-and-forth rolling.
• Again with a spatula, loosen and lift the pie crust and carefully lay it over a pie pan. Using your hand, lightly form the crust so that it fits inside the pan and overlaps the edges.
• Because it's quick and easy, I just tuck the excess dough under itself above the rim. Then you can apply whatever decorative effects that you like to the edge. Or you can leave it plain if you'd like! Just tell yourself it's more rustic that way!
• Fill the pie crust with filling and bake according to the pie recipe's directions. Or, for a pre-baked crust, fill with pie weights (or pinto beans placed on aluminum foil) and bake at 400 degrees F until golden, about 10 minutes.

CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine the flour, sugar, salt, thyme and chives in a food processor and pulse a few times to evenly combine. Add the butter and pulse 7 or 8 times until the butter is in pea-size bits. Add the vinegar and 2 tablespoons ice water and pulse just until the dough starts to come together into a ball. (Add 1 to 2 more tablespoons ice water if the dough is too dry.) Form the dough into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate while you make the filling, at least 1 hour.
• Make the filling: Pile the 2 crushed garlic cloves, bay leaf, lemon peel, peppercorns and coriander seeds on a square of cheesecloth. Bring the corners together to form a pouch and tie with a piece of kitchen twine.
• Combine the chicken, chicken broth and cheesecloth pouch in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate using tongs. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard the cheesecloth pouch. Wipe out the saucepan; return the strained broth to the pan and keep at a very gentle simmer over low heat. Shred the chicken using 2 forks.
• Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the potato, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook until the potato is slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and the thyme and cook until softened, 1 minute. Add the vinegar and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour until the vegetables are evenly coated. Pour in 1 3/4 cups of the strained chicken broth (save the rest for another use). Bring to a gentle boil and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Add the shredded chicken, parsley and peas and stir to combine and heat through; season with salt and pepper. Transfer the filling to a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate and let cool until no longer steaming, about 20 minutes.
• Bake the pot pie: Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie dough into an 11-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Place it over the filling. Roll the overhanging dough under itself and crimp the edges with your fingers. Cut vents in the top of the dough. Beat the egg and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl. Brush the crust all over with the egg wash. Place the pot pie on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the crust is a deep golden brown, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool 20 minutes before serving.

MISS CECILIA'S CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• Dress and cut chickens into serving pieces.
• Place in a stewpan and barely cover with boiling water; simmer until tender.
• Prepare pastry, using a little less shortening than called for in recipe. Divide dough into two parts.
• Roll out one piece very thin and line sides of 2 quart baking dish with part of it and cut remainder into strips.
• Arrange a layer of chicken in dish; season with salt and pepper. Cover with pastry strips and continue until all the chicken and strips are used.
• Add milk and about 1/4 cup of stock in which the chickenwas cooked.
• Roll out the second piece of dough; dot with butter, fold and roll again until butter is blended into dough.
• Roll out thinly; make small gashes in it to allow steam to escape and cover top of pie.
• Press edges together and bake in a preheated 400F oven until crust is well browned.
• Variation: Omit pastry and butter. Arrange chicken in baking dish; add seasoning, milk and stock. Place drop biscuits on top and bake as directed.

DELICIOUS CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Saute onion, celery, carrots and potatoes in margarine for 10 minutes.
• Add flour to sauteed mixture, stirring well, cook one minute stirring constantly.
• Combine broth and half and half.
• Gradually stir into vegetable mixture.
• Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly.
• Stir in salt and pepper; add chicken and stir well.
• Pour into shallow 2 quart casserole dish and top with pie shells.
• Cut slits to allow steam to escape.
• Bake for 40-50 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly and cooked through.