Tuesday 3 July 2012

Home Made Easy Thrifty Chicken Pie


I know some people are afraid of making pastry and sleb chefs are forever saying there is no shame in buying frozen pastry, but since i discovered a few pastry making tips and combined them in my own process,    to BUY pastry is now far more hassle, more expensive and not nearly as tasty as making my own. The pastry on this pie costs less than 50c and the contents of the pie are left overs from Sunday dinner. It takes me about 20 minutes to put together for a Monday dinner. 



As usual I make twice this quantity and freeze half for another pie or quiche. Saves on the washing up!( The two leftover egg whites get kept to be made into meringues for a quick dessert with greek yoghurt and squished berries.)

Shortcrust Pastry in the food processor.

125g plain flour
60g cold butter cubed
1 egg yolk
pinch of salt
1-2 tablespoons of cold water.

Put flour and cubed butter in food processor, buzz for 30 secs until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs, add egg and pulse a couple of times, add water one spoon at a time and pulse until the mixture is starting to form one big lump. Tip onto cling film, flatten into a circle, wrap and put in fridge for 20 mins. 
When rolling out, i always roll between 2 pieces of cling film. It makes it really easy to handle and lift into place, and make very little mess on the countertop (no need for flouring surfaces which only adds too much flour into the pastry) As long as the oven is hot enough, (180) this pastry is perfect every time.



On a Sunday when we are having a roast chicken,  I like to make a large amount of gravy so i always have a lot left over, the same with any steamed veg, carrots/brocolli. The carcass of the chicken is picked clean on Monday and all I have to do is fry off a little onion and garlic in a saucpan then make a bit of white sauce(in the same pan), throw in the leftover gravy, veg and chicken and top with easy pastry!

 Home Made Easy Thrifty Chicken Pie. Ta - Dah! linking to Lakota

15 comments:

  1. I love chicken pie - it's a mainstay in our house. And homemade pastry is essential, especially when it's so easy. Can you pop over and make me one please? I need some looking after!

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    1. Could you download the one above onto your desktop and eat it from there?

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  2. I love pies, yours looks a beaut x

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  3. I've just found a really good pastry too - no more frozen crusts for me!! Your chicken pie looks delicious!!

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    1. It was delicious Jill, if a little calorific (due to all the proper gravy. I'm not so sure finding out how to make great pastry is wholly a good thing!

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  4. I've always shied away from making pastry, but yours does sound really straightforward (and looks gorgeous) Because it's just me and the kids, I often have a fair bit of chicken left over from a roast and it always does us a few extra meals. I know they'd love chicken pie :)
    (btw I've passed an award on to you - no need to do the meme, just wanted to let you know I enjoy your blog x

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    1. It really is easy, and no mess, and always works. My little one loves to make the leaves for the top, (sometimes they are a little grey and tough from over work but hey-ho) If you try it do let me know how you get on.
      Thank-you for your kind words , i haven't forgotten the other meme. I didn't even know what a meme was until you tagged me. Most of the answers are sitting in a draft post, but some i'm stuck on. I keep going back to it to see if it it gets easier.
      Award! Award you say!I'm off for a looksy!

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  5. Wow, I will try this. My goal this summer is to try and make pastry and breads. Great step by step for a newbie

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  6. I just discovered your blog via Bag and A Beret. You are such a clever girl. I am so impressed. I'm now following your blog! Luverly Pie!
    Connie*

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  7. Thanks for sharing that recipe! I know what you mean about how sometimes making it at home is easier than remembering to pick it up at the grocery store.

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  8. I made this and it received the highest praise possible in our in house: 'You can make that again'. So I've made it a few more times and it's still a hit, and now we have a way that everyone likes of using up the chicken from a roast (spicy noodle soup not a hit with the children!) we can have roast chicken again too. Hurrah! Thank you!

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    1. You are so welcome. I am so pleased and proud. Thanks for coming back to comment, delighted you are all enjoying it.

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