Rustic White Bean Thyme Pot Pies Food

RUSTIC WHITE BEAN & THYME POT PIES

Steps:

• To a medium saucepan, add the olive oil or vegan butter. Warm over low heat. Add the onion and carrots and saute just until the onions are beginning to become translucent, 5-6 minutes.
• Add flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir constantly for three minutes, adding the garlic during the last minute.
• Slowly pour in the vegetable broth, stirring constantly. Add the beans, potatoes and thyme sprigs. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just about fork tender, about 5 minutes. Remove thyme stems. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired, to taste.
• If adding chicken or turkey to any of the pot pies, add 1/4 cup to each ramekin.
• Divide bean filling between the four or five ramekins, carefully stirring those that have meat with a small spoon to evenly distribute.
• Cut circles of crust about 1" larger than the circumference of the ramekins. To keep track of the meat pot pies vs. the veggie pot pies, I like to use letter cookie cutters - "VEG" for veggie and, in the case of the batch I made for the blog, "CHX" for chicken. A simple V or C will work or any old shape to help you tell them apart will do! Just be sure you at least slit the top to allow for steam to escape.
• Bake 375 degrees for about 35 minutes, until the pie crust is golden brown and the filling is nice and bubbly.
• Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.

RUSTIC MEAT AND BEAN POT

Steps:

• Preheat broiler to high. Place sausages on a broiler pan and cook 6 inches from heat source 15 minutes turning once.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn around the pan, and chopped bacon. Cook bacon 1 minute, then add chicken and pork and brown cubes on all sides, 3 minutes. Season meats with thyme, salt, and pepper, and add garlic, vegetables, and bay leaf to the pot. Cook 5 minutes stirring occasionally, then deglaze pan with the wine.
• Slice sausages on an angle and add pieces to the pot on the stove. Stir in tomatoes and beans and heat them through. Adjust seasonings and remove pan from heat.
• Broil the split baguette until golden. Rub bread with cracked garlic and drizzle with oil. Coarsely chop bread and scatter the chunks around the edge of the pan. Serve the cassoulet directly from the hot pot at the table.

CREAMY WHITE BEAN AND LEEK POT PIE

Steps:

• For the stew: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium. Add the leeks to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the leeks start to soften and turn golden brown. Stir in the garlic, sage and thyme and cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in the beans then sprinkle over the flour and mix well to combine. Slowly pour in the broth, turn the heat up to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until thickened and the leeks are very tender. Add the frozen peas, sour cream and lemon juice to taste. Set aside to cool slightly.
• While the stew cools, make the buttermilk biscuits: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and garlic powder in a large bowl. Add in the butter and cut or snap it into the flour until the pieces of butter are about the size of a pea. Stir in the grated cheese and make a well in the center. Pour in the buttermilk and gently mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and bring the dough together. Press it out into a 2-centimeter (1-inch) thick rectangle, then fold it over onto itself. Press and fold the dough two more times, then flatten again to 2 centimeters (1 inch) thick. Trim any wonky edges and cut the dough into 8 rough squares.
• If serving immediately, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F/200 degrees C. Transfer all or a portion of the stew to a casserole dish and top with all or a portion of the biscuits. Brush the biscuits with the melted butter and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the pot pie to cool slightly before serving.