Chicken Pot Pie *

2 c. chicken stock, preferably homemade 1 tsp. chicken bouillon 6 tbs. unsalted butter 1 c. chopped yellow onion1 c. diced carrots1 c. sliced celery6 tbs. all-purpose flour 2 tbs. heavy cream 1/2 c. whole kernel corn

1/2 c. frozen peas

Pastry for double-crust pie (recipe follows)

1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tbs. water, for egg wash

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions, carrots, and celery over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until onions are translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the vegetables. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, corn, and peas. Mix well.

Preheat the oven to 375F. Place bottom pastry in a deep dish pie plate. Pour filling into pie. Cover with top pastry and crimp edges to seal. Brush with egg wash and cut slits in top crust. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

Roast Chicken Breast:

Preheat the oven to 350F. Place 2 split chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with 2 tbs. olive oil. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You should have 2 to 3 cups of cubed chicken.

Pie Pastry:

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 c. vegetable shortening

1/4 c. cold unsalted butter, diced

1/4 to 1/3 c. ice water

Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Divide in half and roll each half into a circle for a double-crust pie.

(Adapted from Food Network)