Chicken Pot Pie

CHICKEN POT PIE

1 (17.3 oz) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
Nonstick cooking spray
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped (2 stalks)
1 cup carrots, chopped (2 medium)
1 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup half-and-half (or milk)
3 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup frozen baby or regular peas

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
• Roll out pastry sheets and cut according to dish or bowls used; set aside.
• Lightly coat a Dutch oven with cooking spray; heat Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken, cook until light brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Stir flour into chicken mixture; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Gradually stir in half-and-half until combined. Add broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in frozen peas. Remove from heat. Remove and discard bay leaf.
• Spoon hot chicken mixture into eight 10-ounce individual ramekins or baking dishes. Top with pastry squares. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden.
• Makes 8 servings.

recipe directly from Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications "Chicken Dinners" 2013

click on image to see "Chicken Pot Pie"
via a Pillsbury recipe

Pumpkin Scones

PUMPKIN SCONES

2 cups all-purpose flour
7 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 Tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 Tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg [I used egg replacer for a friend and it worked just fine too!]

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 
• Lightly grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. 
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large mixing bowl. 
• With a fork, pastry knife, or food processor, cut butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly and no chunks of butter remain. Set aside. 
• In a separate mixing bowl, whisk pumpkin, half and half, and egg. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients. 
• Form the dough into a ball. Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a 1-inch thick circle (about 9 inches across). Use a large knife to slice the dough into 8 or 12 (for smaller portions) equal portions, similar to how a pizza is cut. 
• Place on prepared baking sheet from step 2. Bake for 14–16 minutes until scones turn light brown.
• Place on wire rack to cool.

Spiced Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar 
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar [use if needed to get the right consistency]
2 Tablespoons whole milk [I used Almond milk, absolutely delish!]
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1 pinch ginger 
1 pinch ground cloves

• Mix all the ingredient, stirring until all combined. If its too runny, add a little more powdered sugar, stirring until completely mixed in before adding more.
• Drizzle or brush over the scones. Let completely dry (it will harden as it dries).

recipe directly from Moms Who Think.com

Like pumpkin? Try these recipes!

  

TOMATO BASIL & PARMESAN SOUP

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery 
1 cup finely diced carrots 
1 cup finely diced onions 
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano 
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil 
4 cups chicken broth 
½ bay leaf 
½ cup flour 
1 cup Parmesan cheese 
½ cup butter 
1-1/2 cups half and half, warmed
1 tsp salt 
¼ tsp black pepper 

•  Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft. 
• About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. 
• Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don't be afraid to always season to taste at the end). 
•  Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

recipe directly from We pass the time of day to forget how time passes Jan 23rd, 2012

Pumpkin Pie Latte

Everything pumpkin at this time of the year! I've found some recipes that I couldn't resist...and I'm sharing with you!

SMOOTHIE MONDAY

PUMPKIN PIE LATTE

1 1/2 cups coffee, frozen, partially thawed [don't use bold or extra bold--it will be too bitter]
2 Tbsp. pumpkin, canned
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. pumpkin spice, ground
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup half & half [or use "pumpkin pie spice creamer for an added boost in the flavor!]

• Mix all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
• [optional] Top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

recipe derived from Peanut-Butter and Peppers August 2012