Showing posts with label southern dish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label southern dish. Show all posts

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Chicken Pot Pie

CLASSIC CHICKEN POT PIE
Printable Recipe 


Pastry Crust
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled & cubed
  • 10 tablespoons vegetable shortening, chilled & cubed
Filling
  • 2 lbs cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil or olive oil
  • 1 large red potato, diced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, sliced 
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • salt & pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1 large egg, whites only, beaten 
Make Crust 

1. In a food processor, pulse flour, salt, & pepper. Pulse in butter & shortening until mixture is in small pieces.

 
2. With processor running, add 6 tablespoons cold water, process just until dough forms a ball, adding more water if needed.


3. Turn dough out onto lightly floured counter top, knead until it comes together. Shape into a somewhat flat rectangle, wrap in plastic or foil & chill. 

Make Filling
1. Fully cook chicken breasts in boiling water over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes or use precooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. Shred chicken into small pieces. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray 9x13 baking dish or individual ramekins with cooking spray.


2. Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes, onion, carrots, & celery, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt & 1 teaspoon pepper & stir well. Cover & cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, 15-20 minutes.

3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring for 3 minutes.



4. Add 2 cups of chicken broth & add milk, increase heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium & cook, stirring for 3 minutes. 


 
5. Stir in peas, chicken, & thyme. If mixture is very thick, thin with some additional chicken broth. Season with salt & pepper, if desired. 


6.. Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish or ramekins. Brush some beaten egg whites around the edge of baking dish. 


7. Roll out dough between two pieces of wax paper or plastic, cut shape & size according to dish, lay dough across dish & press the pastry to the edges, trim of necessary. Brush a small amount of egg white across the top of the pastry & cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape. 


8. Place on baking sheet & bake until top is golden brown & filling is bubbly. Approximately 50 - 60 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. 


 Plate Finished Product


STORY BEHIND THE DISH

Chicken Pot Pie is one of my favorite comfort foods. It is a fun dish to make & is something that can be created to anyone's preference. I used a few different recipes I was give by family friends to create a dish to my liking.

 

MODIFICATIONS
You can put just about anything in a pot pie, but I prefer the traditional way. I wanted to lighten up this classic dish a bit by using a 2% milk in place of whole milk & I cut down the butter a bit. It is no low cal dish by any means, but making small individual portions makes this cup of comfort worth every bite!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Simple Sweet Slaw

SIMPLE SWEET SLAW
Printable Recipe

SLAW 
(you can buy a pre-cut bag or make your own below)
  • 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded 
  • 1/2 purple cabbage, shredded
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 2 tablespoons chives, chopped 

DRESSING
  • 1/8 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
1. Add all dressing ingredients into a mason jar or dressing bottle.


2. Shake well or whisk in a bowl. 

 3. Chop all slaw ingredients & mix in a bowl.


4. Pour in half of the dressing & mix well. Continue adding dressing &
 mixing until it is dressed to your liking. 


5. Serve in ramekins as a side dish & keep cold until ready to eat. 
  
Plate Finished Product 


STORY BEHIND THE DISH
Nothing pairs better with some southern BBQ than some good old fashioned coleslaw. Since my brother-in-law is from Alabama there is a lot of southern cooking going on at family events, especially when football is involved. This is a great side dish for pulled for sandwiches, pork tenderloin, or serve it up with some fried chicken.
 
MODIFICATIONS 
I normally make this recipe with oil & vinegar, no mayo, but sometimes mayo just make things better. You can also replace the chives with onions or some scallions. If you want to lower the calorie count simply toss the slaw with some oil, red wine vinegar, salt, & pepper. Still a great taste & almost half the calories!