I was inspired to write my blog by three things this month. The first was this quote I found, from Columnist Harriet Van Horne:
“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.”
Second was my love for pie! It’s what I have every Christmas morning, how I start most of my client meetings, and how I started my new decade this year.
On Christmas I had homemade apple pie, which was always brings the spirit of the season to completion for me.
When I bring pie to a meeting, it changes the whole dynamic of the day. It seems to settle everyone into their seats, and allows us to let go of whatever thoughts we walked into the room with before we begin the task at hand.
On New Year’s Day, I ended the day with a homemade chicken pot pie filled with organic celery, carrots, mushrooms and gold potatoes. Now that’s a way to start a year!!
Lastly, consider these words of wisdom from The Whole Pie shop in Santa Rosa, CA:
“Pie is a good metaphor for life; or if you prefer, life is a metaphor for pie. Both have structure and content, crust and filling. Both are better with a hot cup of coffee. And like life, pie is not meant to be perfect, it’s meant to be eaten.”
Having clearly stated my case - and my love - for pie, I’d like to offer the suggestion to bring more pie into your life, and the lives of those you care about.
Pie doesn’t have to be difficult and is always appreciated! While I always prefer a homemade crust, I don’t let that stand in the way of the opportunity to make or share pie.
Like any gift, the love that brings it together matters more than the ingredients. (Though starting with filling made from local organic produce certainly will make any pie better!)
Next month I’m going to make broccoli cheddar pie for my daughter’s birthday, and I’m excited to share her delight when she takes her first warm bite.
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pot Pie adapted from https://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Stand time 10 minutes
Servings 6 pieces
Author Melissa Sperka
Ingredients
· 2 9” inch refrigerated pie crusts, bring to room temperature per instructions*
· 2 Tbsp organic salted butter
· 3 organic green onions chopped
· 1 cup organic whole milk plus 3 Tbsp
· 4 oz onion & chive cream cheese softened
· 1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
· 1/2 tsp black pepper
· 1/8 tsp ground mustard
· 2 Tbsp organic all-purpose flour
· 2 cup organic shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
· 3 cup organic rotisserie chicken roughly chopped*
· 1 1/2 cup organic broccoli florets steamed crisp tender and chopped
· 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water
*I said it didn’t have to be difficult
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9-inch deep dish pie dish with cooking spray. Fit one pie crust into the dish leaving enough overhang to crimp with the top crust. Set aside.
2. In a medium-size skillet over medium-high heat melt the butter. Cook the green onion just until softened around 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the milk and cream cheese. Cook over medium heat stirring until the cream cheese has melted., Add the garlic salt, black pepper and ground mustard.
4. Dissolve flour in 3 Tbsp cold milk until dissolved. If needed, add more milk 1 Tbsp at a time. Whisk the flour slurry into the sauce. Cook over medium-high stirring constantly until thickened. Once the sauce begins to thicken lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
5. After 2 minutes mix-in 1 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Stir until melted.
6. Remove from the heat and add the chopped chicken and broccoli florets. Mix until combined then pour into the pie shell. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
7. Fit the second crust on top. Fold and crimp the edges of the two pie crusts together. Cut 4 slits in the middle of the pie.
8. Whisk together the egg and cold water and brush over the entire crust.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
If you are wondering who to share pie with my advice is to not over think it.
A partner, a co- worker, a neighbor, a colleague who does not share the same political views, most anyone you know will welcome pie at most anytime and world will be just a little nicer for it.
"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." -Lao Tzu