The Ultimate Comfort Food-Chicken Pot Pie

The temperatures are finally cooling off here in Alabama and cooking seems to be more fun with a snap in the air.  So I thought that I would share  one of the best thing in life--an easy chicken pot pie recipe.  My mom used to make this for us whenever we were recovering from anything from surgery to divorce.  She swears it is better than chicken soup because it is creamier and crustier.  I think that is southern mom speak for "everything is better with a crust."

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegtables, thawed  {I often just use mixed vegetables, drained}

1  cup cut-up cooked chicken  {Again, I often use canned all white meat chicken, it may not be quite as good but is waaaaay simpler for single girl!}   

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup  {Reduced fat and sodium soup doesn't seem to change the taste or texture and makes me feel a bit less guilty}             

1 cup Original Bisquick® mix   {Heart-Healthy version worked out well}

1/2 cup milk    

1 egg         

Instructions:                           

1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Mix vegetables, chicken and soup in ungreased 2-quart casserole.

2.  Stir remaining ingredients in small bowl with fork until blended. Pour into casserole.

3.  Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

I have also used left over roast and left over Cajun roast beef from the deli to make this with cream of mushroom soup and it was really, really good.

This may not be the fanciest recipe we have ever had here under the tulip tree but my life lends itself to simpler times right now and I thought y'all might enjoy slowing down a bit with me for some good simple food that leaves more time for visiting!

What is your favorite comfort food?

                                       



A recipe? From Me? Can it be…?

So I’m not really a foody. I like food. I eat food. But I’m not dashing to the kitchen to try out new recipes all the time. (I’m more likely to give you a recipe for paper-mache’.) But I do like to impress the company on occasion. And I like to pull out the good stuff for myself and the family too. And then of course, I grew up on country victuals and Cajun fare, so it was required to learn to cook. I can do that too. It’s just not my “thang” is all.

I have to admit, the concept of comfort food was lost on me until Painter Girl asked me about it around the time my youngest was born. I really had no idea what she was talking about, this food that could comfort you. What’s that? Then I realized it was all the foods I grew up on….the chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes and fried chicken and gravy, the gumbo…..stuff like that. And as far as the ever true food-love of a woman, Chocolate…..well, you’ll be disappointed to know that chocolate’s not exactly my idea of a dream confection either. Unless I’m PMS-ing.

However…….

There is one chocolate recipe I will admit to being head over heels in love with. And that’s Nigella Lawson’s Chocohotopots. Oh. My. Gawd!!! I must’ve been seriously PMS-ing when I decided to makes these divine pots! I’ll have to pace myself from now on when it comes to these blessed ooey-gooey-masterpieces of chocolate scrumptousness. They. Are. Perfecto! And because of such, I will share the recipe with you. I know it’s out of character for me to do so, but every woman needs this recipe. And so I share. Please! Do yourself a favor and make these. Eat them when they’re fresh from the oven (otherwise they fall way down on the pleasure mark). They will minister love and health and wellness to your soul! Oh and….if you’re a man reading this post, for the love of God! Make these for your Lovey! I promise…she will love You for it! <3 Enjoy!

Chocohotopots by Nigella Lawson

as seen at...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/chocohotopots-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

• 1 stick plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (I know, but you’ll get over it! Promise!)
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, with 60 percent cocoa solids
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar (I just use regular, it’s fine enough.)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Special equipment: 4 (2/3 to 1-cup capacity) ramekins (I use 6-8 small ones, they’re RICH!)

Directions

Place a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.

Butter the ramekins with 1 tablespoon butter.

Either in a microwave or in a bowl suspended over a pan over simmering water, melt the dark chocolate and 1 stick butter, then set aside to cool a little.

In another bowl, mix the eggs with the sugar and flour with a hand whisk and beat in the cooled butter and chocolate mixture. Divide the mixture between the 4 buttered ramekins. Bake for about 20 minutes, by which time the tops will be cooked and cracked and the chocolate gooey underneath.

Place each ramekin on a small plate with a teaspoon and serve. Make sure to warn people that these desserts will be HOT!

And there you have it folks! Choco….Hot….Oh….YUM!!! Mmm….nom, nom, nom! So....what do you think?