11/4/07

Double the Trouble (& Chicken Pot Pie)

Let’s face it, moms! To put a meal on the table for the family takes planning (take meat out of freezer?), organizing (what time do I need to start preparing?), shopping (what do I need to get at the store?), and just plain ol’ trouble sometimes. But we all have to eat!

If you are like me, a busy working mom, you want to get the most out of your day. One idea is to prepare a meal one night and make sure you have enough left over for the next night. We Coughlins are notorious for rarely letting a left over go to waste. I’ve heard of friends who say, “My husband won’t eat leftovers.” I’m appalled when I hear those words. I cringe at the thought of how wasteful we Americans can be.

Today I knew I was making my homemade Chicken Pot Pie for dinner using leftovers. A thought occurred to me yesterday – why not “double the trouble” and make one for another family? You’ve heard the saying, “Practice random acts of kindness.”

My friend Nancy did something very kind for our family this weekend, so of course she came to mind. So today not only did I make our family a Chicken Pot Pie, I made their family one. When I went to pick up my son at their home this afternoon, and delivered it along with a loaf of bread and a plate of brownies, Nancy commented, “Never in all my years of taking soccer kids on trips have I come home to have dinner cooked for me!”

A random act of kindness is better than none at all, but taking it a step further, I’m challenged to wrap myself around that philosophy, to wear it, to live it out!

Here is how I used my leftovers to feed our family and Nancy’s. For Nancy’s pot pie I took chicken and roasted red potatoes from Thursday's Hoppi Dinner and I made my own white sauce. Abby went to a birthday party last night at Red Robin. She brought home a fairly large portion of Fettuccini Alfredo, so I used that in our pot pie, along with other veggies like carrots and peas (which to me make a Chicken Pot Pie!)

Doubling my work was definitely worth it today. For Nancy’s family to reap the benefits of my hands at work, even if it means with leftovers, hopefully in a small but significant way my act of kindness will bless their family.

Again, I love how we can be used through hospitality and food.

(For more acts of kindness stories read here and here and here)

Everyone knows how to make a Chicken Pot Pie, but here’s my yummy cheesy crust!

Cheddar Pastry Topping

2 cups flour
¾ cups butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup iced water

Place flour in a bowl, and using a pastry blender (or fingertips), work the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Add the cheese and work in until just blended. Sprinkle with iced water over the pastry dough, a little at a time, and gather the pastry into a ball. Knead until just combined. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.

On floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle and place on your pie, pressing edges firmly. Score with a knife and brush with egg whites.

Bake your Chicken Pot Pie for 25-30 minutes at 400. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Dive in and ENJOY!

If you are interested, head over to Crosswalk.com and read a recent post (by clicking here!)

16 comments:

OKGardners said...

What an EXCELLENT idea. I hope to do that, also.
Thanks for the good advice.

Betty in Oklahoma

Diane @ A Watered Garden said...

Looks like another great recipe. As usual Sandy, I enjoy reading your blog! Blessings, Diane

Nunnie's Attic said...

Sandy, you are exactly what gives me back my faith in humanity! That was such a sweet gesture that most people would love to do but forget to do it! You're special and I thank you for the inspiration!!

Love,
Julie

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

I love how you pointed out we can touch someone's life in a very meaningful way through the simple act of bringing a meal. It is something that anyone can do - it's easy!

Pot pie nights are my favorite - I use leftover beef from a roast to make a beef pot pie too. I like that even more than chicken! The cheese crust sounds delicious... as if pot pie could get any better :)

-Andrea

mamashine said...

Oh, that sounds SO yummy! :)

My blog is down for awhile, but I'm still visiting.

tammi said...

I often make a double recipe so that I can freeze one for later, but I don't think I've ever thought of making the extra one for the purpose of giving away. How sad is that? Thanks for the idea and inspiration -- once again.

Rachelle said...

Mmmm, love homemade chicken pot pie. Thanks for inspiring me today Sandy!

linda t said...

Oooh, you inspired me to make an apple pie! I just finished the crust... thanks to my Mom who makes the best pie crust... and the pie is in the oven... and I used the apples I brought back from WI!! So excited to serve it to my family tonight!
But I have never made a pot pie... so I am going to make one!
Thanks Sandy!! You make me smile everytime I read your posts! I wish we lived near each other!

Barb said...

That crust sounds DELICIOUS! Bet our veterinarian would be happy if we shared with him this week...

anya* said...

yummy! pot pie is one of my favororite meals for my family- and a good way to get my toddler to eat veggies- it is pie afterall:)
thank you for the encouragement to make double and bless others...to think of all the doubles i have placed in my freezer without thinking twice. why havent i thought twice and shared with people i care about???

Terri said...

What a kind and thoughtful thing to do! Sounds delicous too! I'll certainly have to try that crust recipe.
God bless.
Terri

Nunnie's Attic said...

Don't forget to drop by today for a chance to win my giveaway.

Love,
Julie

GiBee said...

Hmmmm ... this is an outstanding idea and already has me thinking! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Anonymous said...

Looks sooo yummy! I'll have to make one. I've never made pot pie before. :)

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

You will. not. believe. this.

Yesterday morning, at 6:30 am, as I finished up my workout and sat at the computer for a bit, I read this post. Guess what was simmering on my stove already? A whole chicken. For chicken pot pie. :)

We love the leftovers, too, but I was reminded of a family in our church who is struggling. And I was spurred on by your exhortation to wear out the phrase - "Practice random acts of kindness!"

Thank you for this. So much. Our friends, with a new baby on the way and two others under two, hit recently with the loss of a job, were blessed last night with a chicken pot pie dinner because of your words.

God led me here! Love to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

I used your crust topping last weekend. It was so very yummy! :)