Chicken Pot Pie and Apple Galette
I have a wonderful mother-in-law. She is always so warm and welcoming, so full of love and thoughtfulness. I remember going through rough times in college and calling her and having her listen to the endless woes of a college girl. I remember how nervous I was to meet her, and that when I finally did I was in PJs with my hair up and no make up on and I don't think that made any difference. She inspires me to always be thoughtful when giving someone a gift- that a true gift requires thought and a little elbow grease. She's there when you need her, and is never quick to give unwanted advice.
The Sunday before the shutdown Jay and I had mom over to celebrate her birthday. It was cold day that was perfect for something that stuck to your ribs and kept you warm. I had just bought bone-in skin-on chicken breasts perfect for roasting and a pot pie filling.
Notes:
Whenever I got to the Amish market to buy our meat, I always make sure to come home with bone-in skin-on chicken breasts. I usually roast them the next day. I put a little olive oil in the pyrex and layer some fresh herbs (sage, thyme, parsley) and cut lemon on the bottom, place the chicken breasts (salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder) on top, and then cover the chicken with more fresh herbs and cut lemon. I roast in the oven at 375 for an hour. It makes easy dinners or lunches through the week. You could use any chicken you want- rotisserie, thick sliced cold cut, or canned.
I know it's pot pie but I haven't found a premade pie crust I like. And I never think about potpie until I need to have it right now. So I swap out puff pastry and I only use it on top. You can use pie crust just follow the directions on the box.
The recipe is a mix of maybe 5 - 6 online recipes.
Chicken Pot Pie- Filling
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
1 - 2 ribs of celery, chopped
2 carrots cut in semi-circles
1 -2 potatoes diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen sweet corn
1/4 - 1/2 cup white wine (can be omitted)
1 - 1 1/2 cup chopped chicken
salt and pepper
1 Tbsp dijon mustard
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
2+ cups of chicken broth
1 Tbsp chopped parsley
splash of cream
Heat the oil and butter in a heavy bottomed pot with a lid. Add the onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Stir then cover and let vegetables soften. Once the potatoes are soft, add the peas and corn. Deglaze the pan with the white wine. Add chopped chicken and dijon mustard. Mix well and season with salt and pepper if needed. Push everything to one side, and melt the butter on the empty side. Cook the flour in the butter and then add chicken broth to desired thickness. Add the chopped parsley and a splash of cream. Taste to check salt and pepper, add more if needed.
At this point, I fill a single serve Corningware with the pot pie filling, top with push pastry and the bake. You could top with pie crust if you wanted. Or served over warm biscuits.
Apple Galette
Serves 2 - 3
This is a Cooks Illustrated Recipe from the Cooking for Two 2013 Magazine. We've tried a handful of recipes from this issue and have loved them. I'd recommend getting it if you see it.
1/3 of a sheet of puff pastry
1 Granny Smith Apple, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/8 inch thick
1/2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp apricot preserves
1 tsp water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Fold over the edges (1/4 inch) of the puff pastry to create a border.
Layer the slice apples at a diagonal on the puff pastry. Dot the apples with the butter and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for 40 - 45 minutes
Combine apricot preserves and water, heat in microwave until bubbly. Brush onto baked galette.
Let cool for 15 minutes and then serve.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Shutdown Foodie: Saturday Pre-Shutdown - Cajun Sausage and Shrimp Rice
Cajun Sausage and Shrimp Rice
Back Story:
This dish is yummo! It's spicy and creamy and filled with yummy goodness! I made it up using a FoodNetwork Recipe as a starting point and then changed everything. It's essentially a one pot meal!
Kabir was maybe 3 weeks old and it was just Jay and I at home and I wanted something different for dinner. I was tired of roast chicken and tacos! Mom was in PA with Dad so it was just the two of us. I had most of the ingredients for this recipe and sent Jay out for the few things we needed. And then I started to make it with my own tweaks.. It was so delicious that I made it again for lunch the next day! We call it our Baby Shrimp Rice :)
Notes:
I use frozen brown rice from Trader Joe's, but it's just as yummy with wild rice, or basamti rice, or if you wanted you could substitute pasta. I'm a rice lover so that's a rare switch for me.
I make chicken stock. BUT it's usually used in Kabir's meals and I don't have a freezer big enough to store stock for all of us so Jay and I make the sacrifice of using store bought chicken stock. I like Trader Joes and Wegmans brand. I recently bought Kitchen Basics Chicken stock and it has a rich flavor and color. Oh! And Costco brand stock is great! It tastes yummy, and is very aromatic! Plus it comes in a little half carton (2 cups)! and it's a great price.
Lastly, you want a good cajun/creole spice blend. I am not a foodie enough to tell you what the difference is between cajun and creole and if you know I'd be happy to learn! I use The Spice Hunter Salt Free Cajun Creole spice blend. I love that it's salt free!
Ingredients:
1 -2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 a chopped onion
3-4 garlic cloves finely chopped or microplane zested
1/2 chopped bell pepper (I like green or red)
salt and pepper
Cajun/Creole Seasoning
2 links Andouille sausage (I use Aidells brand), chopped
1 lb of shrimp (20-23 ct)
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced (I like baby bellas)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 - 2 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of cooked rice
3 scallion chopped
a few sprigs of chopped parsley (optional)
Before you start cooking, put the shrimp in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, 2 tsp (roughly) of Creole Seasoning, salt, and finely chopped garlic. (If you have a microplane zester use that for the garlic)
Heat up the oil, and add the onion, garlic and bell pepper. Add a little salt and pepper here. Cook until onion slight browns and bell pepper is soft.
Add the chopped Andouille sausage and cook until brown.
Add shrimp and stuff in the shrimp bowl. Cook until shrimp is opaque. Then add mushrooms until cooked.
Push all the food to one side of the pan, melt the butter and add the flour. Cook the flour and then mix into the rest of the food.
Add the chicken broth to desired consistency. Add salt and pepper here to taste.
Mix in the cooked rice.
Top with scallions and parsley.
Serve with lemon wedges and a side salad.
Enjoy!!
Back Story:
This dish is yummo! It's spicy and creamy and filled with yummy goodness! I made it up using a FoodNetwork Recipe as a starting point and then changed everything. It's essentially a one pot meal!
Kabir was maybe 3 weeks old and it was just Jay and I at home and I wanted something different for dinner. I was tired of roast chicken and tacos! Mom was in PA with Dad so it was just the two of us. I had most of the ingredients for this recipe and sent Jay out for the few things we needed. And then I started to make it with my own tweaks.. It was so delicious that I made it again for lunch the next day! We call it our Baby Shrimp Rice :)
Notes:
I use frozen brown rice from Trader Joe's, but it's just as yummy with wild rice, or basamti rice, or if you wanted you could substitute pasta. I'm a rice lover so that's a rare switch for me.
I make chicken stock. BUT it's usually used in Kabir's meals and I don't have a freezer big enough to store stock for all of us so Jay and I make the sacrifice of using store bought chicken stock. I like Trader Joes and Wegmans brand. I recently bought Kitchen Basics Chicken stock and it has a rich flavor and color. Oh! And Costco brand stock is great! It tastes yummy, and is very aromatic! Plus it comes in a little half carton (2 cups)! and it's a great price.
Lastly, you want a good cajun/creole spice blend. I am not a foodie enough to tell you what the difference is between cajun and creole and if you know I'd be happy to learn! I use The Spice Hunter Salt Free Cajun Creole spice blend. I love that it's salt free!
Ingredients:
1 -2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 a chopped onion
3-4 garlic cloves finely chopped or microplane zested
1/2 chopped bell pepper (I like green or red)
salt and pepper
Cajun/Creole Seasoning
2 links Andouille sausage (I use Aidells brand), chopped
1 lb of shrimp (20-23 ct)
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced (I like baby bellas)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 - 2 cups of chicken broth
1 cup of cooked rice
3 scallion chopped
a few sprigs of chopped parsley (optional)
Before you start cooking, put the shrimp in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, 2 tsp (roughly) of Creole Seasoning, salt, and finely chopped garlic. (If you have a microplane zester use that for the garlic)
Heat up the oil, and add the onion, garlic and bell pepper. Add a little salt and pepper here. Cook until onion slight browns and bell pepper is soft.
Add the chopped Andouille sausage and cook until brown.
Add shrimp and stuff in the shrimp bowl. Cook until shrimp is opaque. Then add mushrooms until cooked.
Push all the food to one side of the pan, melt the butter and add the flour. Cook the flour and then mix into the rest of the food.
Add the chicken broth to desired consistency. Add salt and pepper here to taste.
Mix in the cooked rice.
Top with scallions and parsley.
Serve with lemon wedges and a side salad.
Enjoy!!
Shutdown Foodie Intro
In case you didn't know, the federal government has been shutdown. Today is Day 12. This means that Jay has been home with Kabir and I for 12 days. And we're not quite sure when he will be able to go back to work.
Day 13:
Kielbasa Sausage and Brussel Sprouts
Day 14:
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Day 15:
Moroccan Turkey Puff Pastry Pockets
Day 16:
Ghagari Jhinga (Shrimp curry which tastes like a shrimp mahkani kind of)
Sem Aur Khumbi (Masala green beans and mushrooms)
Of course the days leading up to the shutdown, and the shutdown days have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster. So I did what I always do to get my mind off of things- I cooked. A lot.
A friend suggested I start a blog with recipes of my meals. And while I don't think I'd be dedicated enough to do an independent blog, I thought this might be a nice additional feature to this blog.
Enter: Shutdown Foodie.
Disclaimer: I am not a professionally trained cook by any means. A lot of my recipes are mixes of family/friend recipes, online recipes, and some of my favorite recipe websites/books/magazines. Whenever possible I will cite when a recipe is from somewhere (or someone) else. I am also not a super foodie- I don't have some amazing taste palette, nor do I make everything from scratch.
So I'll try and do a weekly installment of recipes. I have quite the backlog of recipes from the Shutdown so this may take a while. Whenever possible, I have Jay take a picture of the end product so I'll post those but I rarely take pictures of the process. If you ever have any questions text/call/email/FB me. I'm always happy to help!
Below are the meals we've had thus far:
Saturday before the Shutdown began:
Cajun Sausage and Shrimp Rice
Sunday before the Shutdown began:
Chicken Pot Pie
Apple Galette
Day 1:
Biscotti
Chicken Soup
Day 3:
Oatmeal French Toast
Drunken Noodles
Chocolate Pudding
Day 4:
Pork Vindaloo
Shrimp Byrani
Day 5:
Tacos
Day 6:
Meatballs
Garlic Bread
Day 7:
Eggplant, Mushroom and Onion Bake
Pesto Cannellini
Day 8:
Hummus
Whole wheat pita chips
Kabobs
Day 10:
Beef stew
Day 11:
Fried rice
Chicken and Broccoli
Day 12:
Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls
Italian Sausage Soup
Italian Sausage Soup
Meyer Lemon Bars
Day 13:
Kielbasa Sausage and Brussel Sprouts
Day 14:
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Day 15:
Moroccan Turkey Puff Pastry Pockets
Day 16:
Ghagari Jhinga (Shrimp curry which tastes like a shrimp mahkani kind of)
Sem Aur Khumbi (Masala green beans and mushrooms)
Let's get started!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Mommy Musings
The truth is I'm a homemaker.
There I said it. It's done.
You must be thinking "Sandra has lost her marbles! She's been a stay at home mom for 6 months now!"
And while I have lost some of my marbles. This is a completely lucid statement.
I am a homemaker and not a stay at home mom.
For those wondering what's the difference or why is she taking this stance. Let me clarify.
For the past 6 or so months, every time I tell someone I am a stay at home mom these are some of the reactions I get:
There I said it. It's done.
You must be thinking "Sandra has lost her marbles! She's been a stay at home mom for 6 months now!"
And while I have lost some of my marbles. This is a completely lucid statement.
I am a homemaker and not a stay at home mom.
For those wondering what's the difference or why is she taking this stance. Let me clarify.
For the past 6 or so months, every time I tell someone I am a stay at home mom these are some of the reactions I get:
- It must be so nice to have all that time to yourself
- Oh I'm so jealous you never miss [insert cult daytime tv show name here]
- It's like everyday is a weekend for you!
- How lucky! You get to play with you little one all day!
- Does your husband give you an allowance/Is your husband ok with you spending money like that?
And those are only the ones I remember. And I know I had my own misconceptions of what homemaker-hood would be, those were quickly dissolved.
I don't stay at home.
I cook at home, when I can. I clean a little when I can- in truth Jay does most of the cleaning. I am at the beck and call of a 9 month old. We play and read. We have play dates, and diaper changes. We fight over finishing bottles, and see how much food we can fling on mommy. We scream bloody murder because our teeth hurt, and naps are hit or miss. Most days, Kubs is such an independent little guy who occasionally needs me to check in. Some days, all I can do is hold him and hug him as he deals with all the changes in his life. Being a baby is hard work! And being baby's first responder day in and day out is equally hard. Somewhere in the middle of this- I have to take a shower and eat.
Everyday I am making a home. I am making memories of laughter and hugs. I am cuddling in warm blankets, and splashing in buckets of water. I am making delicious food because tastes and smells can evoke the strongest memories. Everyday I am making choices that make this space our home, that make the people around us our family, and that make this our life.
And of course I have an amazing little family helping me make a home! I have a baby who smiles at me every time he wakes up and sees me. I have a husband who has washed every load of cloth diapers since we changed over to cloth. I have a baby who cries to let me know he needs me. I have a husband who comes home with smiles, hugs and kisses, who takes our little guy so that I can have a break. This list is endless and filled with so much joy!
So you see, I don't really stay at home. Because I'm busy making a home.
And another thing. This homemaker stuff is hard! BUT I could do without all the naysayers. The parents who let me know that babies grow up and become tougher to deal with. That 8 is hard, and 13 is awful, and 18 well it's damn near impossible.
We are not dealing with our children. They have such an amazing life ahead of them. And yes, I'm sure there will be nights when I miss the little days, but seeing my 8 year old being 8 will be a joy. And watching my 13 year old become a teen hoping that they always remember how brilliant I think they are will be amazing. And sitting back as my 18 year old thinks about and decides what their next move is going to be will fill me with pride.
I know there will be hard days. But I also know that there will be so much more joy!
And so I continue making our home and filling it with joy!
*mommy musings will be an ongoing section with thoughts about my journey of mommy hood*
*mommy musings will be an ongoing section with thoughts about my journey of mommy hood*
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Baptized!
I can officially post this now that I have (finally!) sent out Thank You cards! Its only been, you know like, 2 months!!
Kabir's Baptism
July 21, 2013
St. Rose of Lima Church
11:15 a.m.
It was a lovely baptism! We had friends and family from everywhere travel in to help us welcome Kabir into the Church. Many friends and family traveled pretty far to come out and it truly meant the world to us! We know that other friends and family weren't able to make it, but they sent cards and I could feel their thoughts with us. It was a beautiful reminder of the broad and deep family that will surround Kabir as he grows!
Gathering Song: Welcome to This House
First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a
Responsorial Psalm: Those Who Do Justice
Second Reading: Colossians 1:24-28
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42
Preparation of the Gifts: Seek Ye First
Communion Songs: Taste and See, All Who Hunger
Sending Forth Song: Sing of the Lord's Goodness
The mass and homily resounded in my soul that day. I was filled with joy at the sight of my friends and family, and knowing that this was just the beginning to Kabir's faith journey. The songs that we sang reiterated why Jay and I chose to have Kabir baptized: to know he is welcome, to grow up just, to always seek goodness, to hunger for more, and to sing of his blessings.
In the hustle and bustle of getting settled, I wasn't 100% focused on the readings. And then Fr. Matt started the homily and I was still. He spoke about how we are called to be welcoming. That it is our duty to provide food, drink, and company. That in taking care of others we are fulfilled and find our blessings. It may have been two months since Kabir's baptism, but I still remember the homily because it's something I strive to do everyday. I want Kabir to learn and always know that the greatest gifts you can give someone else is welcoming them, knowing you thought of them, taking care of them, and thanking them. It was the perfect homily for our day of celebration!
Kabir was a little perplexed at being naked in church but took to it. When he was immersed in the Baptismal font he didn't cry (but he did make a face) and kind of enjoyed it by the third immersion. The chrism oil made him smell so sweet and holy! I didn't wash his hair for a couple of days just to hold on to that smell a little longer.
Our reception was a yummy collaboration of friends and family! We had cold salads that my mom and brothers helped make the night before. By the time we all got to making the caprese appetizers we were a fit of giggles. My brothers also helped set up the hall in the morning. Dad and Grace helped by bringing wine, veggies, and chicken nuggets for kids. Brooke made a finger licking mac and cheese. Bommy Perima, Uncle Singh, Akka Rad and John brought fruit that we dipped in scrumptious sweet cream that Madrina Julie and Uncle Mike picked up for us. Therese made a yummy apricot chutney pork loin. And no family gathering is complete without Sally's famous Kahlua cake. We had arts and crafts for the kiddos. Every one left a lovely thought for Kabir on a a giant letter K.
If you go back a number of posts you can see my brief rant on godparents and the rules. We are so excited that the godparents we picked said yes.
We asked Tony Dawson to be Kabir's godfather. Growing up, Tony was always the most caring and compassionate person I knew. As a young child, if you were distressed, he'd come sit next to you and just be with you or give you a hug. He hasn't had an easy life but he hasn't let that damper his spirits. He's on a journey to discover who he is and what he wants to do, and I'm sure this will help him tremendously when Kabir is going through the same thing. Kabir will learn to love music from Tony and how to search the world asking questions.
We asked Julie Alberty to be Kabir's godmother, Madrina in Spanish. Julie is one of my best friends! We have been through a lot together and it meant so much to us that she said yes. I know that Julie will always let Kabir know that he is unconditionally loved and supported, that he doesn't have to change to please people. Julie will teach Kabir what things in life are worth fighting for and how to fight for them. Kabir will learn how to be silly and dance! Kabir will also inherit Madrina Julie's love of ice cream and be able to finish a pint by himself (putting mommy to shame!)!
Lastly, before the pictures come, here are some small tidbits that made the day a little extra special:
Kabir's Baptism
July 21, 2013
St. Rose of Lima Church
11:15 a.m.
It was a lovely baptism! We had friends and family from everywhere travel in to help us welcome Kabir into the Church. Many friends and family traveled pretty far to come out and it truly meant the world to us! We know that other friends and family weren't able to make it, but they sent cards and I could feel their thoughts with us. It was a beautiful reminder of the broad and deep family that will surround Kabir as he grows!
Gathering Song: Welcome to This House
First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a
Responsorial Psalm: Those Who Do Justice
Second Reading: Colossians 1:24-28
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42
Preparation of the Gifts: Seek Ye First
Communion Songs: Taste and See, All Who Hunger
Sending Forth Song: Sing of the Lord's Goodness
The mass and homily resounded in my soul that day. I was filled with joy at the sight of my friends and family, and knowing that this was just the beginning to Kabir's faith journey. The songs that we sang reiterated why Jay and I chose to have Kabir baptized: to know he is welcome, to grow up just, to always seek goodness, to hunger for more, and to sing of his blessings.
In the hustle and bustle of getting settled, I wasn't 100% focused on the readings. And then Fr. Matt started the homily and I was still. He spoke about how we are called to be welcoming. That it is our duty to provide food, drink, and company. That in taking care of others we are fulfilled and find our blessings. It may have been two months since Kabir's baptism, but I still remember the homily because it's something I strive to do everyday. I want Kabir to learn and always know that the greatest gifts you can give someone else is welcoming them, knowing you thought of them, taking care of them, and thanking them. It was the perfect homily for our day of celebration!
Kabir was a little perplexed at being naked in church but took to it. When he was immersed in the Baptismal font he didn't cry (but he did make a face) and kind of enjoyed it by the third immersion. The chrism oil made him smell so sweet and holy! I didn't wash his hair for a couple of days just to hold on to that smell a little longer.
Our reception was a yummy collaboration of friends and family! We had cold salads that my mom and brothers helped make the night before. By the time we all got to making the caprese appetizers we were a fit of giggles. My brothers also helped set up the hall in the morning. Dad and Grace helped by bringing wine, veggies, and chicken nuggets for kids. Brooke made a finger licking mac and cheese. Bommy Perima, Uncle Singh, Akka Rad and John brought fruit that we dipped in scrumptious sweet cream that Madrina Julie and Uncle Mike picked up for us. Therese made a yummy apricot chutney pork loin. And no family gathering is complete without Sally's famous Kahlua cake. We had arts and crafts for the kiddos. Every one left a lovely thought for Kabir on a a giant letter K.
If you go back a number of posts you can see my brief rant on godparents and the rules. We are so excited that the godparents we picked said yes.
We asked Tony Dawson to be Kabir's godfather. Growing up, Tony was always the most caring and compassionate person I knew. As a young child, if you were distressed, he'd come sit next to you and just be with you or give you a hug. He hasn't had an easy life but he hasn't let that damper his spirits. He's on a journey to discover who he is and what he wants to do, and I'm sure this will help him tremendously when Kabir is going through the same thing. Kabir will learn to love music from Tony and how to search the world asking questions.
We asked Julie Alberty to be Kabir's godmother, Madrina in Spanish. Julie is one of my best friends! We have been through a lot together and it meant so much to us that she said yes. I know that Julie will always let Kabir know that he is unconditionally loved and supported, that he doesn't have to change to please people. Julie will teach Kabir what things in life are worth fighting for and how to fight for them. Kabir will learn how to be silly and dance! Kabir will also inherit Madrina Julie's love of ice cream and be able to finish a pint by himself (putting mommy to shame!)!
Lastly, before the pictures come, here are some small tidbits that made the day a little extra special:
- Mom and dad visited Lourdes and Fatima this summer. While at Fatima they purchased Kabir's baptism outfit. It was a very special gift!
- During times of celebration you miss the loved ones who have passed away a little more. Jay wore one of Grandpa Divita's ties and I was wearing Mali Perima's (my godmother) favorite perfume. They were small gestures but it made us feel like they were nearby.
- Madrina Julie gifted Kabir a beautiful gold cross from Jerusalem which is part of her family traditions.
Also, a big thanks to Noel who graciously took pictures of the entire day so that we could have some lovely memories.
And now pictures!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)