8/5/08

I Love My Ramekins!

Yes, I love my ramekins! They are fun for desserts and also individual dinners!

I also get a kick out of having a half-hour notice that guests are coming! But let me back up – it’s usually when it’s old friends who say they are coming, or family or a familiar face. I’ll admit it – if it were brand new guests, I wouldn’t feel quite the same. I’d probably be a little more nervous or try not to give in to worrying about whether my house was clean. But what “new” guests call and say they’re on their way?

So no worries – our friends were coming last night and we had very little notice.


My daughter and I had already planned that she would be making potpie for dinner, so at this point we decided to make individual pies and “stretch out” the recipe.

I’ve posted about my delicious CHEDDARY PASTRY TOPPING potpie crust, here, but I want to give you another very easy recipe, one loved by ALL kids because it has crescent rolls on top!


Sandy’s Easy Potpie
Sauté 4 cloves garlic in EVOO. Add 2 cups of whipping cream (I’ve improvised many times and used milk or ½ and ½, but cream is the best!), bring to boil, and then simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Add 1-2 cups of your favorite cheese.

In microwave, cook a package of frozen peas and carrots for 3 minutes (add a small amount of water). Drain. Or, use any leftover veggies from the night before and cut up to small pieces.

Using cooked chicken (boiled, rotisserie, canned, leftovers …) cut up and put in bottom of ramekin. Pour sauce on top. Layer the peas/carrots on top.

Lay crescent rolls on top of each dish. Bake 375 for 17-20 minutes.

Make sure and make enough, because your family is going to devour it!

Have you thought about using ramekins for a main dish? We also like to make lasagna and any kind of mini casseroles. I even found 2 miscellaneous ramekins at a garage sale this last weekend (50 cents each) to add to my collection. So now my collection is up to 10.

We gobbled down the dinner when our friends came, then headed out the door to a movie.

All we left behind was the dirty dishes …

(Bottom photo: Abby and her friend making strawberry pies in ramekins. For those who asked about the recipes for the cherries, in my last post – I used the recipe off of the Sure Jell box, and I googled for the “cherry chutney” recipe.)

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a sweet idea. I love the simplicity of it all. I'm sad that I can't have your pot pie but maybe I can find a way to substitute the gluten. They looks scrumptious.

Amy said...

What a great idea! We have tons of ramekins that were wedding gifts... this is another great use!

An Ordinary Mom said...

Just some more reasons why I need to get me some ramekins!

My Beautiful Mess! said...

Yummy! That gives me a great idea for my ramekins.

Aubrey said...

Hmmm...ramekins. That way I could let the munchkins help in the kitchen more easily. Great idea! I keep looking at the things and serving ice cream in them. Because I was at a loss. =)

Blogger said...

What a wonderful idea! I do not even own ONE ramekin...looks like I need to get some! Making dishes in them may entice my kids to try something new, too!

I just love your blog:)

Bella

secondofwett said...

I use ramekins for all sorts of things and I even found some very inexpensive ones at the dollar store!

Melissa said...

Thanks for your comment, Sandy - what a great blog you have! I'm going to need to carve out some time so I can really indulge in perusing your posts. Love your idea of ramekin pot pies - how cute is that?!

secondofwett said...

Thank you for the comment about my grandbabies......I think they're special too!

Jen said...

That is a great comfort food recipe...we do alot of pot pie around here. The kids love it. I should start looking for some of these ramekins...

Popsicles & Lollipops said...

What beautiful children. And I, too, have a thing for ramekins. My husband still mentions occasionally that he has me to thank for his new found familiarity with the term "ramekins". What would he do without me? :-)

Nadine said...

I love chicken pot pie. That looks so good. I love the ramekin idea.

Anonymous said...

Great idea! I always remember our ramekins after I've arranged dinner or dessert. Individual servings are wonderful ideas. The pot pie sounds delicious. It is a favorite with the hubby, so I will have to try your recipe.

Have a great week,
Jen

Susannah said...

Loved this! I think I'll go out and get some new ramekins! I was behind a lady who was buying some in the store today. Hmmm... a message here?

Thanks for the great recipe. It looks and sounds delicious. :~D

Tammy said...

This is such a fun idea! I don't have any of these bowls, but now I'm going to be on the lookout for them!

I'm off to catch up on your two posts below now!

Laura said...

That's fantastic Sandy, you are just so clever!!

a woman who is said...

Great tips on the use of ramekins. I will think mini casseroles now!

You sound like a very thoughtful hostess to out of town guests. Never thought of offering my laundry room!

grace said...

excellent ramekin usage! i'm especially fond of the miniature pot pies--i don't think ramekins get used for savory dishes often enough. :)

Anonymous said...

oh yeah love that idea Sandy, I will be looking out for ramekins for sure on my next yard sale adventure

Nicole said...

Fabulous , wonderful ideas! Your pictures are amazing!

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Can't beat potpies! Those strawberries look delicious, too!
Karla & Karrie

Stephanie said...

What a fun idea and one that the kids can help make too! I love it. In fact, we might be making this tonight for dinner :)

Jill said...

Everything looks so delicious! I have actually been talking about ramekins. I have only 4 and would love more!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

those little things are great Sandy! Thank you for stopping by. Everytime I come by here you are doing some fun entertaining. Thanks for the well wishes, you're a doll!

Rhoda

Frantic Home Cook said...

Everytime I buy ramekins, the kids turn them into cat food bowls. I need to buy some and hide them for reasons just like this!