1.07.2009

Have I Mentioned My Friend Ina?

Last night we had something so yummy, I just had to share with you!  First of all, I don't think I've talked about my absolute obsession with the Barefoot Contessa, otherwise known as Ina Garten.  

In my house, she's known just as Ina, even though she wouldn't know me from a hole in the wall.  But I have every one of her cookbooks, and I love to watch her on the Food Network because she has amazing decorating taste, and her show is filmed at her house.  I adore her simple but elegant style, and her food...well, I use her recipes probably 90% of the time that I entertain.  You just can't go wrong with her!

Photo courtesy of www.barefootcontessa.com

OK, have I convinced you enough?  Let's move on to what I had for dinner last night.  Chicken pot pie.  I know, it sounds very boring and bland, but this chicken pot pie, due largely to the crust with the generous sprinkle of sea salt and pepper, is just so flavorful.  I practically inhaled it, and that is even with a baby pressing on every available organ in my body.  I barely had any room, but I made room for this!

So if you are in the mood for some comfort food this month, or feeling a little down about the lack of fun reasons to get in the kitchen since you're done making Christmas cookies, try this.  You'll thank me!  (Or actually, you should thank my BFF, Ina!)


For the filling:
6 split chicken breasts (enough for 4-6 cups of cooked, cubed chicken)
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
5 cups chicken stock
2 chicken bouillon cubes
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 cups medium-diced carrots, blanched for 2 minutes
2 cups medium-diced potatoes, blanched for 2 minutes (just do this with the carrots)
1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas (2 cups)
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
2 Tablespoons sherry (optional)

For the pastry:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
1/2 to 2/3 cup ice water
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
Flaked sea salt and cracked black pepper

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken.

In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots, potatoes, peas, parsley and sherry, if using. Mix well.

For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Divide the filling equally among 4-8 ovenproof bowls (this depends on the size of your bowls...I got 8 servings out of this recipe).  Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle generously with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

P.S. I made a few notes and adjustments to this recipe based on my experience and preferences, but for the original, you can find it on the Food Network website.


61 comments:

The Writer Chic said...

Oh yum! I love Ina, and just may have to make this tomorrow. Tonight is leftovers, and it's just the break I need to want to tackle something like this on Thursday.

duchess said...

She is one of my favorites on Food Network. I also love Giada. I've used her stuff a lot.
Now let me run out and find some "good" ingredients to make that delicious pot pie.
Thanks for sharing it.

Christy said...

aaahhh.... comfort food! I love it! I also really enjoy your show although I don't get to watch it all the time. You are right about her sense of style.

Thanks for passing on a delicious recipe:) I don't have any of those little bowls but have always wanted some. Chicken Pot Pie is good enough reason to buy them right?!

April said...

Chicken pot pie...one of my all-time favorite comfort foods! Boy, this recipe sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing it with us!

CMB said...

Chicken pot pie is one of my favorites, I have a recipe I have used for years but I will have to try this one! Love Ina too...she makes entertaining look easy and stess free!

Jodee said...

That looks absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

Stacey said...

That sounds seriously delicious. I love to watch her on FN...she's so calm.

Stacey said...

That sounds seriously delicious. I love to watch her on FN...she's so calm.

Lisa said...

Wow, I'm so impressed! It looks delicious, yummy!!

Jo said...

Yummy ~ perfect for the bitter cold snowy days ahead here in Connecticut!

Happy New Year!
Jo

Jboo said...

Actually, I just watched your BFF Ina making this the other day when I was at the gym. Sounded and looked so yummy - swear I could smell it!! Had to get back to work, so missed a lot of the show -thanks for posting the recipe -- can't wait to try it!

Janet

vintage girl at heart said...

Did I read that my good friend heavy cream visited your house???
Yumola!!!
That recipe sounds incredible!

Sweet Simplicity said...

Those little pot pies look DELISH! I think a lot of people must have gotten one of her cook books for Christmas, because I have read several blogs lately that have mentioned her.

Anonymous said...

This looks so good! My daughter loves pot pie I will have to give this a try.

Darlene said...

That looks REALLY good! Love chicken pot pie!

Brittany said...

Sounds tasty! Thanks for sharing! I like to watch her show too, but sometimes she annoys me. I cannot figure out why, same thing w/ Rachel Ray.

Shell in your Pocket said...

Oh...I started watching Ina b/c her shows was on Marthas Vineyard and I love it there. She is very relaxing and sometimes I chuckle when she talks about her significant other and what he likes.

I have never made anything from her but I watch her and love her voice! That pot pie looks yummy!
-sandy toe

Wendy said...

I love chicken pot pie! Thanks for the recipe!

Free Art Printables said...

That looks so yummy! I might have to make that!

Kellye said...

Hi!! I am very new to the blog world, but am excited about all of the people who seem to be just like me. I also have various TV BFFs. My FoodTV BFF is Paula Deen. I know she gets on everybody's last nerve, but I am from the South, so I can relate more to her than any other chef on the network, but I too love Ina (really more for her kitchen design and that she lives in the Hamptons...HA HA) and also saw this recipe when she cooked it. YUMMY!!

I love her salmon recipes too and more than anything I love that she gets her fresh flowers for almost every meal...okay thats my dream life!!

Anyway, the whole blog thing is so fun, and I just wanted to introduce myself!

Becki said...

I love the Food Network and I love Ina. I also love when they shoot some of the interior of her house, which unfortunately, they don't do very often. I don't have the latest cookbook yet but have a birthday coming up so...fingers crossed! My family loves her recipe for spaghetti and meatballs although I usually make the sauce from my Everyday Italian cookbook and the meatballs from Barefoot Contessa. The best of both worlds!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I LOVE Ina....and I have seen her make these on her show multiple times!! I just made her homemade mac and cheese last night....all of her recipes are wonderful!!

One day Pat and I were at a local farmer's market and I saw the vanilla extract that she always uses...I forget the brand, but it is a good one and very hard to find...I know WS carries it, anyway, I was in the store and I said to Pat..."Oh I want to buy this, this is what Ina uses" The man at the register looked at me and said..."Are you friends with her"....I guess the tone of my voice made it sound like we were long time friends...LOL!! I so wish...wouldn't you love to go to her house for one of her incredible meals?

Okay...rambled on enough here...Hope you have a great day...now I am hungry for Chicken Pot Pie:)

Lisa

Windy said...

Looks sooooo yummy!

Joanna said...

I make a chicken pot pie, from scratch that I thought looked and tasted yummy...That was until I have seen this...That just looks scrumtous!! I must make it...Thanks for sharing!

Shannon said...

That looks yummy! I made a turkey pot pie recently, and it was good, but I'd like to try a different crust. I've heard that puff pastry makes a good crust, but I haven't tried it yet.

I enjoy watching Ina on the Food Network, too, but I can't say that I've actually made any of her recipes yet ( : I'll bookmark this for trying soon.

angie {the arthur clan} said...

Oh my word ~ that sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Betsy said...

Cannot wait to try that. I love me some chicken pot pie. I like her but my husband thinks she is pretentious and rolls his eyes when she is on. What does he know?

Michelle said...

Yummy!! I love Ina, she is one of my favorites from the Food Network. Enjoy your leftovers for lunch today.

Sit A Spell said...

We "know" Paula Deen by first name in my home! This sound wonderful! I also saw all your baskets below...I have lots myself! Each family member has a winter stuff basket in the mud room...it holds hats, mittens, gloves, a scarf etc!

AJ said...

That recipe looks really yummy! I love watching Ina too. She is so calm and makes it look so easy. Love when Jeffrey comes home for dinner. They are so cute together:)
I'm with you on the baskets! Can never have too many!!!

Ms. Tee said...

Oh, yummy! Can you believe I don't have any of her cookbooks? I'm gonna have to get one for sure. It just turned cold here again, so this looks like perfect comfort food. :) Thank your bff for me!

Kelli said...

Carrie, do you have her Back to Basics and is it nice? I saw something cute in someone's home once where she had holders for her cookbooks hung on her kitchen wall and then her hardbook (she had Rachel Ray and Ina) cookbooks were added as decoration. Cute idea.

daniella said...

Perfection. This is what I'm making on this cold, rainy night. She's my favorite too :-)

Unknown said...

The Barefoot Contessa cookbooks are my go-to books. I just met Ina at a signing at my local Williams Sonoma, she was as gracious (and shy) as you might expect. I love everything I have made out of her new book! BTW- I am a new blogger, inspired by the many blog authors I have read over the past year, including YOU. I am just getting up to speed, I hope you check my blog out sometime.

Twice as Nice said...

OH, MY!! My mouth is watering. I will have to try that as soon as the kitchen is done. Wish I would of been invited over for dinner last night! HA!!

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

This sounds wonderful! I love her double chocolate brownies!

Anonymous said...

that looks yummy. I have a recipe for Chicken Squares on my blog that is also so delicious - you should try them as well. I too, love Ina and Giada and Rachel ~d

Carolina Mama said...

She rocks! And this recipe looks like it does especially in January!

Just so you know, there is a link in that post today on the Love Dare, and they. email. y.o.u! the challenges. No book cracking involved. :) Hope this helps.

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Ina is known as Ina around here too. One Christmas my sister gave us a box of her coconut cupcake mix and a Barefoot Contessa spatuala. Sooo fun! Inability is so great. I love her laugh. Have you heard of the Barefoot Bloggers? They make and rate her recipes. My sis joined up with them. There is a link on her blog if you want to check them out. Her blog is http://theblessedhome.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

can't wait for a cold night to stay in and try out this recipe! i'll pass it on to my sis too, she love ina! thanks for sharing.
~nicole

The Vintage Kitten said...

I love Ina too. Here in the UK we have just got a new series where she has just had her new barn and garden built. I thought she had moved from her beautiful home, but she mentioned the barn was next to the house. I often re-create her recipes and pretend me and Mr Kitten are Ina and Geoffrey. LOL! She makes everything look so simple. Thankyou for visiting my blog and for leaving such a lovely comment X

Ally's Corner said...

Oh I love a good pot pie.

Sarah said...

Could that look any more yummy! You always post the best recipes!

Baby naming...ARGH!!! So much fun but so much pressure I feel like! That is a good thought about Ellie and it being popular.

We are working on the nursery now and hope to have it done soon. I will definitely post pictures!

Sandy said...

I love Ina too - I like her relaxing, soothing voice! But I don't get to watch her very often.

That's a lot of work for that pot pie, but sounds delish girl! ♥

Ally's Corner said...

I came over to drop off an award for you! Check my blog Thursday morning for details.

Journey on! by Kelleye said...

I am so glad you blogged about htis- wow so yummy! Glad your back on and posting! Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year beginning!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I DO have Ina's latest cookbook and I love it just as much as the others. I read them almost like regular books...there's always something yummy I want to try! :)
Carrie

Amber B. said...

I'm right there with you on loving Ina's house! Isn't is so fresh and clean and bright? I love her style.

Jennifer @ Her Southern Charm said...

OH wow! This looks like a super fun blog! So glad I found. And guess what- I'm a bee too! My hubby calls me 'honey bee', our special take on hunny bunny, ha ha. :)

That looks amazingly yummy! So happy I found your blog. Looks like you got another Bee following you! :)

Gigi said...

So funny- I just recently posted an ode to Ina myself! Over the weekend I also watched the episode of Barefoot Contessa in which she makes these pot pies- loved it.

Jules from "The Roost" said...

Yummie! It looks wonderful! I will try that on a cold snowy day!:)

Inspired Kara said...

Oh goodness I love her. I love the way she just smiles while she's cooking. I would give anything to be the random gardener/photographer/friend at her home she is cooking for on an episode.

HAVE YOU SEEN HER BARN RENNOVATION?!!!!

Harbor Hon said...

Oh My Goodness! I've got to make these. Love pot pies of any kind and the pictures of these make me want some now. Thanks for sharing. xxoo

The Golf Widow said...

I love Ina,too. I think it's because she is always so calm.That looks so yummy! I love individual servings.

Laura said...

If you're ever in New York, let me know. Ina lives in my town - I could show you her house, her former storefront and might even be able to introduce you to her. I know the woman who is Ina's right-hand-woman - she loves her job (as you can imagine!) & says Ina is a doll!

Anonymous said...

I love Chicken Pot Pie! The photos made me hungry! You should bring this post by my "Tasty Tuesday!" Thanks for sharing! Great blog!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Oh my gosh, Laura! You are killing me! Who wouldn't want to visit Ina's town and see all her famous (to me) spots? That is a tempting offer...I wonder how many frequent flyer miles it would take to get from Colorado to the Hamptons? :)
Carrie

Laura said...

Then I won't torment you even more & tell you I've seen her around town in person!
What better way to use those frequent flier miles...
Good luck with your upcoming birth! We just had our second 8 months ago and are over the moon!
Have a wonderful day!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Now I am really jealous! I feel like I already know Ina from watching her on TV...she might think I was a little strange if I just came up to her and started chatting, right?

Laura said...

No, I've heard she's very sweet. The woman who works for her travels with her & does pretty much everything for her - she looks so incredibly happy when she talks about her job.
I feel the same way about some of the famous people we see around here - you see them on tv and in movies so much when you see them in person you almost feel like you know them & can just strike up a conversation!

sweetfunkyvintage said...

I, too, enjoy a personal relationship with Ina! I love her cookbooks, and received Back to Basics for Christmas. The Chicken Pot Pie sounds divine! I think I will make it tonight!
Missy