Saturday, January 21, 2012

When "Easy as Pie" Makes Sense

        Sometimes I wonder who coined the phrase, "easy as pie." I've mulled those three words over in my mind countless times when working with pastry. Pastry, like pie crust for example, isn't too hard once you get the hang of it, but it's far from easy when you're just starting out. At least, it was for me. It took a long time before I knew what I was doing, but I loved homemade pie crust too much to simply purchase it store-bought.
        Then came puff pastry. Making your own puff pastry is supposed to be very time-consuming -- it can take over five hours of prep-time. There are some days when I'm perfectly willing to spend that amount of time in the kitchen. There are other days when I want to pop into the kitchen for only a few minutes, throw a few ingredients together and into the oven, be on my way, and pop back in half an hour later to find… magic. I love to find a meal that seems to defy logic -- so little time and effort is needed to produce it, yet the meal itself manages to be incredibly delicious.
Chicken Pie with Puff Pastry
        I was overjoyed to receive a cookbook for Christmas from my Zia Nadia -- Donna Hay's Fast, Fresh, Simple. The book focuses on every day recipes that are exactly as the title says, none of the recipes are intimidating or require hours and hours on end, and all of them look amazing. Thank you, Zia!
        I can't stress enough how easy it was to make this chicken pie, and how delicious it turned out. Magic, I tell you. My mother and brother raved about the pie and believed I had spent hours making it. Of course, you can spend those extra hours making the puff pastry yourself if you truly want to, but in this case the extra work isn't necessary at all. Another plus -- no fuss with a pie tin.
        Trust me...
        It's easy as pie.




Chicken Pie with Puff Pastry
(adapted from Fast, Fresh, Simple)
Print this Recipe
Yield: 6 servings


Ingredients
2 cups (320g) coarsely chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cup (180g) sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh or dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 x 200g sheets store-bought butter puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten


Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 340 degrees F (180 degrees C). In a medium bowl, combine chicken, sour cream, basil, lemon rind, mustard, salt and pepper. Roll out the first sheet of puff pastry and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
  2. Spoon the chicken filling into the centre of the pastry. Brush just the inside edge of the pastry with some of the beaten egg. Roll out the second pastry and place over the filling. Gently press the edges together to seal. Use the remaining egg to brush over the top of the pie. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden.
Related Stories Widget by LinkWithin

21 comments:

  1. I love this simple pie recipe - great idea! Definitely turn it vegetarian by using some curried Indian cheese and onions inside mmmm...

    Cheers :D
    Choc Chip Uru
    Latest: Nutella French Custard Ice Cream

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never tried making puff pastry, and honestly, I don't think I'd have the patience to do so! I think store-bought is totally acceptable as long as you put some love into a scratch-made filling.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kels @ K&K Test KitchenJanuary 21, 2012 at 5:20 PM

    This sounds delicious! Was initially expecting something more like Chicken Pot Pie, but this sounds waaayyy better!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yum, this looks really delicious! I agree about puff pastry...I've made it once before, and while I could see doing it again for a really special occasion, I think the store-bought is a more-than-acceptable sub for everyday cooking!

    ReplyDelete
  5. We made puff pastry in my baking class this summer, and I was actually amazed at how easy it was.  The only really time consuming part was waiting for it to sit in the fridge before the next step in folding it.  But the end product was out of this world delicious!  But with 3 kids at home, I ALWAYS keep a box of store bought in the fridge

    ReplyDelete
  6. My recent post indicates I am committed to never buy pre made pastry again!  So now I am on the hunt for something that has great end results but cuts the time in half.
    This savory dish does look delicious and the filling has the extra bonus of being easy.  Glad you published this delicious recipe-it is a keeper, yum!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That looks wonderful, Cassie.  All golden brown and filled with deliciousness.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a lovely chicken pie. It looks and sounds delicious and your photos make it even more appealing. It's been added to my to-do list. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  9. Not quite sure who Cassie is, but thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are a true kitchen artist, this chicken pie looks awesome! Can't wait to see your other creations with your new cookbook!

    ReplyDelete
  11. My husband would be thrilled with this yummy dish for dinner!  And so much easier with frozen puff pastry...homemade pastry is not easy :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh wow, this looks so, so delicious! I love the idea of just filling this so simply :) Yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is genius! I definitely want to try this sometime soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Prepared puff pastry is the greatest thing! This looks like some serious comfort food :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am so inspired to try making a puff pastry after reading your post. Can't wait to try this. The chicken pie looks absolutely scrumptious and perfect. Well done

    ReplyDelete
  16. Now you got my full attention on this post.  I'd LOVE to make this!  I'm not much of a baker so puff pastry is my go to ingredients in terms of "baking"... I know how sad it sounds!  This sounds so good and it's great snack for kids.  Thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow. That is beautiful! I have such a weakness for delicious looking puffy carbs! ;) The only problem is I'm certain they help me look puffy, lol! Thank goodness I'm so tall!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the semi-homemade route! Thanks so much for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. looks yummy! puff pastry is my trick for pot pie too! Try it over small ramekins. Makes really good individual portions of pot pie really easy! puff & pie

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love your blog! hope you'll get checkout mine when you get a chance.  Hopefully become a follower too! Ia m def. following you.

    ReplyDelete

ShareThis