THIS WEEK: CHICKEN, LEEK & MUSHROOM PIE
As the saying goes sometimes ‘ The Simplest Things are the best’. This is indeed true of this recipe. It is super simple to make but it will yield such positive responses from all those who dine on it! I love the tasty creamy filling with the crisp, well-baked pastry and there is something positively moreish about it. Whilst I have included leeks and mushrooms, you have the autonomy to change and alter the recipe so feel free to add some diced carrots, turnips, broccoli spears, frozen peas etc to this to bulk out the dish. In addition, I love to use this recipe to use up leftover cooked chicken and ham so I think you can have lots of fun tweaking this particular recipe to suit your requirements. Happy Cooking! Edward
RECIPE
* 4 large chicken fillets-diced
* 2 medium sized leeks
* 6 mushrooms-sliced
* 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
* 1 oz/25g butter
* 1 oz/25g plain flour
* 1/2 glass white wine
* 14 floz/400ml milk
Topping:
* 1 sheet puff pastry
*1 egg beaten with a little milk
METHOD
* Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4
* Heat a large shallow saucepan with a little oil and the butter. * Add in the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add in the leeks and mushrooms at this stage together with a little seasoning.
* After a further 5 minutes sprinkle in the flour and use this to dry up any liquids in the pot (and thicken the sauce), Pour in the white wine and the milk at this stage and allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil whilst stirring all the time. If you like, you could add a little cream as well to add some extra richness to the sauce. Season lightly and add the wholegrain mustard at this stage also.
* Simmer for 5-6 minutes and then transfer to a large casserole dish.
* Neatly arrange the sheet of puff pastry on top, brush with the egg wash and if desired arrange some leaves cut from puff pastry on the top and bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry is well risen and golden brown. Serve immediately with some freshly cooked vegetables and/or green salad.