Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Mushroom and Chicken Pie


We are on school holidays at the moment and I found myself doing the strangest thing this morning.  The biggest beach house brat is developing a social conscience and decided he would like to go down to the sea shore and clean up a section of it.  He is aware that plastics are affecting the sea life.  It was a beautiful day today, so I said that after the gym we would go down to Bayview to fill up the two garage bags I handed him, as we got into the car and headed off this beautiful morn.


It didn't take long, as there is so much rubbish in the mangroves down there.  We had filled two garbage bags within half an hour.  The most prevalent things we found were take away coffee lids and beer bottles. It's also amazing how many dog owners collect their dog's droppings in a plastic bag and then toss it into the sea. We also found a bong, which started an interesting conversation.  We bumped into a friend who was walking down there and she said that the local teenagers were constantly knicking 4 inches off the end of her garden hose to construct them. It all went over the beach house brat's head, but he did conclude that there is a drug and alcohol problem in Bayview.


He has resolved to go back each week to fill a bag.  Lets see if that lasts. 

In other news I made these fabulous chicken and mushroom pies.  I found 4 pie dishes for $1 each at the charity store and have been itching to use them, so this is what I came up with.  So yummy and easy and just the thing to eat whilst we watch the Tour de France on the TV............Now they have had a few of their own drug problems haven't they?  It will be interesting to see how it pans out this year. Despite the drama, I do love my annual trip to La Belle France via La Tour.  An Aussie is currently in the lead, so that is exciting whilst it lasts.

Chicken and Mushroom Pies
2 tablespoons of olive oil
600g or 2.5 cups chicken tenderloins or a mixture of thighs and breasts diced
1 onion (diced) or 1 leek (sliced)
3/4cup or 175g of diced bacon
200g or 2 cups button mushrooms sliced
30g  or 1 heaped tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon plain flour
1 cup of light milk
2 sheets puff pastry thawed
1 egg beaten for egg washing.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a non stick large saucepan pan, over a medium heat and cook the chicken in batches so it browns.

Remove the chicken from the pan and place in a bowl.

In the same pan heat 1 tablespoon of oil.  Add the onion or leek and bacon and cook for a few minutes until soft.
Add the mushrooms and cook until soft.
Remove from the pan and add to the chicken.

In the same cooking pan, add the butter and melt.  Sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine.  Using a whisk slowly pour in the milk and whisk constantly to avoid any lumps.  If lumps develop, which they shouldn't, whisk until they disappear.  Stir until the mixture thickens over a medium heat.

Put the chicken mixture back into the saucepan and stir to combine.  Turn off and allow to cool substantially.

Preheat the oven to 180C or 350F

Turn one of the pie dishes upside down to cut discs out of the puff pastry.  You should get two discs out of 1 sheet of pastry.

  Make sure you cut 1cm or 1/2inch away from the side of the pie dish so you have some pastry to over lap.

Turn the pie dish upright and place the chicken mixture into 4 individual pie dishes.

Place the pastry disk on top of the dish and fold down the sides so they over lap the dish.

Cut a small slit in the top of the pastry and brush on the egg wash, making sure you brush it on the over lapped pastry as well.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with roasted vegetables or a green salad.

This is a beautiful and simple Winter dish.

For all my other easy cooking for busy people ideas, have a look here.

And if you see a woman bobbing around down in the mangroves in Bayview next week.  Pop down and say hi.
Today I am linked up here
Transformation Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Weekend Wrap Up
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Chef in Training
Wow Us Wednesday
Domesblissity
Take a Look Tuesday
Cooking with Curls

14 comments :

  1. I think it's a wonderful thing you are doing, cleaning up the shore with your son. I do hope it lasts, who knows what sort of career or sort of activism this may lead him to!

    I'm so glad you shared this recipe, it looks wholesome and healthy and I'm definitely trying it. With the cool summer weather we are experiencing here in the Midwest, it looks perfect for a chilly night, as they have been. Thank you!

    XO,
    Jane

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  2. What a good boy Carolyn. Those pies look delish. Love your photos. And what a bargain for those dishes.

    Anne xx

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  3. I've been terrible at making pies all these years of motherhood. It's just silly, and have been meaning to for forever. So bookmarked! My cooking has been a shocker these school holidays, need to get a grip... kids cannot live on fish fingers alone.

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  4. Bonjour,
    Tout comme vous je suis scandalisée par le nombre de déchets, parfois surprenants, que nous découvrons sur les plages ou ailleurs !
    Une très belle initiative que la vôtre.
    Lorsque mes enfants étaient petits, ils faisaient partie des scouts de mer. Chaque année, ils nettoyaient au printemps les plages près de Saint-Tropez où nous vivions.

    Votre recette me fait frémir d'envie ! Merci pour le partage.

    Gros bisous à vous et pardonnez-moi si ces temps-ci je ne suis pas très présente ! Le bébé dalmatien + les expositions annuelles à préparer ce n'est pas toujours très facile à gérer !

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  5. I actually have this on the menu for tomorrow night at our house, but I will need to make a GF pastry for the top.

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  6. What a great kid to care about the environment. Your pies look delectable. Thanks for the recipe.

    Karen :)

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  7. good on him and you! you never know what you might find.
    lovely recipe.
    x

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  8. I love your story and the courage to clean your area, very satisfying. The recipe, thank you it looks divine. Can't wait to try it, my family will be pleased as it includes pastry, I make pies without, I know go figure.xxx Rae

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  9. I really like making chicken pies this recipe looks delicious. I haven't made individual ones before only one big one - I also have been eyeing off those cool bowls with the lions heads on the sides but have been telling myself to stop buying kitchen things until the new kitchen is in and I can see how much room I have! Shouldnt be too far away now :)

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  10. What a proud mom you must be. We need more people with conscience in this world. Just a bit in each would do.
    On another note- that looks yummy. :)

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  11. Carolyn, Beautiful photography and a delicious dish! Thank You so much for sharing! Came over to visit your blog from the Under the Table and Dreaming Party! Thank you so much for sharing.
    Have a fantastic week,
    Lizy@http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/

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  12. Oh this looks so good. I need to make some soon. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  13. Gidday gorgeous. Just popping in to let you know that my guest host this week has chosen your recipe to be featured at this week's Thriving on Thursday. I've been craving Chicken & Mushroom Pie since seeing this.

    Anne xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks darls. Shall pop over tomorrow to check it out.

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