I have a cookbook in my repertoire from the 70's that I only pull out on occasion to give it a looksee ...actually to tell the truth I've got a lot of them. This one in particular is Craig Claiborne's "The New New York Times Cookbook" and let me tell you its 751 pages are loaded with wonderful recipes, and not one photograph I might add. It is a real cook's book - the kind of book that is extremely useful when you know you want to try something different, but can't decide just what to make.
I had some chicken tenders as well as some boneless thighs in the freezer that were begging for use and since curry seems to be on our "love it" list these days, I thought I'd give Craig's Curried Chicken Pie recipe a try. Now I had to make some adjustments to the recipe - after all they're just guidelines anyway aren't they, but the result is an incredibly flavorful pot pie that's going to have a regular spot on our menu from now on. Of course saying all of that you'll notice if you're a repeat visitor to JBug's, there aren't many things that have a "regular spot" on our menu but if we do this'll lay claim to one of them.
Loaded with onion, garlic, celery, apple and of course chicken, this curry is full of rich flavor and only made better by a topping of flaky pastry. The components for greatness are certainly all there but I'm thinking I may change the construction a tad next time.
The big guy enjoyed having his veggies on the side but I'm not sure the pie wouldn't be better with the addition of some potatoes, especially sweet potatoes would be excellent. Also the sauce is fabulous and there's a lot of it so I might make it in individual ramekins next time and top them with a pre-cooked pastry lid. That way we'd each get our own casserole and wouldn't have to share a drop of the lusciousness. It would also dish up a lot easier. Just a thought! Download Deep Dish Curried Chicken Pie
Whatever, it's darn tasty just the way it is and certainly puts the boots to the old standard chicken pot pie let me tell you. It'll be fabulous made from leftover turkey bird too, or barbecued chicken or even a store bought rotisserie bird - as if you'd ever find one of those in this house. Ok - so I went a bit too far with that one. Sorry!
I've got that cookbook! I love chicken pot pies, like the addition of the curry flavor!
Posted by: pam | 06/04/2010 at 01:02 PM
It's a great book isn't it Pam and the pie's a real winner. Other than the cookbook and vintage spice jars, something tells me we may have a few more things in common. Kinda' funny isn't it?
Posted by: June | 06/04/2010 at 02:56 PM
I adore chicken pot pie and this looks like a winner - the idea of the veggies on the side is nice!
Posted by: Nanan | 06/04/2010 at 04:19 PM
I'd have put peas in it just so I could have it all to myself without sharing it with the big guy (HEE!)
Looks delicious June.
Posted by: Mags | 06/04/2010 at 06:55 PM
Lea - darned if you don't always stick up for the big guy. LOLOL ...and
Mags - I thought about it but he probably would have made me pick them out one by one. LOL
You guys are hilarious!
Posted by: June | 06/04/2010 at 07:21 PM