I so rarely spend the afternoon in the kitchen these days. Husband is easy to please or maybe I should say at least he doesn’t complain and meals can be rustled up quickly and simply. However, yesterday I took the time to make some comfort food. You know, the stuff we grew up with—macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes or chicken potpie, which is what I set about making.
The steam from the boiling chicken warmed the kitchen while I searched for my old recipe. Yes, it had been that long and I have never been one to remember recipes. When I couldn’t find the tried and true, I used the Joy of Cooking version. The peas and parsley were okay now that son was away in college. The rhythm of peeling and chopping went quickly and soon the veggies were sizzling in a glob of butter, unsalted for good health. Another glob melted and melded with the flour, half n half and chicken stock for the cream sauce. Soon the de-boned chicken met the chopped carrots, celery and onions, and I topped them with a purchased piecrust. Love pies. Hate making the crusts.
After the half hour or so in the oven, my creation met with approval. “This is really good,” said my better half, “and better than the ones you used to make. They tasted like frozen.” See, I told you husband is not one to complain. I wonder what else I could improve?
13 comments:
Good grief! I want some!!
Ohhhh...you are starting on a journey, Sheila, lol! When the kids left, the world opened in terms of food and the preparation of it, for me.
All sorts of things I had always wanted to try that wouldn't have passed the kid taste test, appeared on the dinner table!
Even the tried and true, like your wonderful chicken pie, can be spiced up here and there, with fresh herbs and spices! No more...What's in this?...kind of questions!
So funny to see this, as chicken pot pie is our joking response when one of us asks the other what to make for dinner. We know it is such a process that we would never undertake it on a week night. I'm so impressed! It is such a wonderful comfort food, and a great way to get your veggies, I say.
That sounds wonderful. My husband is like yours, never complains. I love to cook but most of the time just throw together plain meat and plain veggies. You are an inspiration.
Marion,
It is true what you say about kids. Maybe some parents train their kids to eat what is presented but I failed on that front. I remember once making my older son sit at the table with something before him until his head drooped and he fell asleep.
nn,
I don't know how working couples can be up to making home-cooked meals after working, commuting and handling the laundry and other chores. I guess shortcuts are found and longer and more complicated dishes wait for the weekend.
Marsha,
I'm with you on the plain meat and vegetables or a salad. This was unusual for me to tackle.
Oh, a chicken pot pie!
My kids and I went home to Alabama this summer after being away for four years, living in Amman, Jordan.
My oldest daughter is the only one of my four kids who remembers chicken pot pie.
Due to time constraints, we headed straight for the Marie Callender's. It was a hit.
I'm a displaced Alabama gal, too! I'm from Birmingham but much of my family is from Montgomery and Opelika.
Marie Callender's is close to homemade. I remember as a kid that my mom, who worked outside of the home, would buy the Swanson's pot pies when she wanted a quick dinner.
Glad you stopped by. Boy Jordan is a long way from Alabama. My husband is from Birmingham and my older son was born there.
I am also from Alabama (and UmmFarouq's older sister)Love your blog- my sis leads me to the good ones! I have been getting away from home cooking since I work full time. However, when I do make a meal that my grown children grew up on, there is much happiness! ( A family fav in our house is baked macaroni and cheese!) I did cook some collards the other night to go with the pork chops after reading about your chicken pot pie!
Sheila, the pot pie looks delicious! If you're interested in joining a new forum, now that the Montgomery Advertisers has gone BUST, I invite you to:
Montgomeryunite.com
We'd sure love to see you there and become a part of our community!
Hope to see you soon! We've missed you!
Pirate Jack!
Floridagirl,
Thanks for visiting. I miss the collards here in Missouri. That one thing I never made at home but there were so many meat-and-three places in
Montgomery that I could always find them on the menu. Baked macaroni and cheese as opposed to Kraft is so fine. My second son would have starved without mac n cheese.
Janet,
Sorry to hear the Montgomery Advertiser forum went bust. At one time it was fun and lively and then they started tinkering with it and killed it. New isn't always better. Good luck with the new group. I'll stop by to say hi soon.
One thing that you can try next time, is to toss in a cup of white wine while you are sauteeing the chicken, carrots, potatoes and whatever else and let it cook down. The chicken will absorb the taste of the wine. Also, if you hate making the crust, consider making a simple puff pastry and just putting it on top. It tastes just as good!
Polly,
The wine sounds like a fine addition and I'll give the puff pastry a try too. Thanks for the suggestions.
That looks so good Sheila! Just looking at the photo made me feel hungry!
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