Cooking with Cindy

Back to something fun....

.... the last couple of days have been filled with lots of new recipes.  Two have turned out great and thought you might like to try them too.  (For those of you in Europe, I've included both the original recipe and how I altered them here).

Old Salem's Tavern Moravian Chicken Pie

• 1 whole large chicken
• Salt
• Pepper
• Bay Leaf
• 1/2 c butter
• 1/2 c flour
• 4 cups chicken stock
• Splash of white wine (optional)
• 1 pint half and half  (I used Nata para Cocinar)
• Egg Wash
• 2 Pie Crusts (be sure to use dough that does not have yeast)

1. Boil chicken in 6+ cups of water until chicken is ready to fall off the bones.
2. Return chicken to broth.  Add salt, pepper, and bay leaf.  Let simmer for a few hours.  (I cooked the chicken in the pressure cooker - done in 15 minutes after coming to full pressure.  Then I put the broth, chicken, and seasonings in the crock pot for the morning.)
3. Melt butter in a saucepan then add flour.  Whisk until smooth.  
4. Whisk in 4 cups of drained chicken stock and if desired, a splash of wine.
5. Continue to stir until thickened.
6. Whisk in half and half.
7. Combine half of cream sauce and chicken.
8. Line bottom of deep dish pie plate with one crust. 
9. Top with chicken mix.
10. Top with 2nd crust and crimp edges shut.  Put 4 slits in top crust.
11. Make an egg wash - one egg white and 2 Tbsp water - brush top of crust.
12. Bake at 350 Degrees (175 Degrees Celcius) until golden brown - about 45 minutes.
13. Reheat extra cream sauce and use as a "gravy."

Panera Style Macaroni and Cheese

• 1 (16-ounce) package of small pasta shells
• 5 Tbsp butter
• 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded 
• 4 oz soft white cheese (American, or other soft cheese)
• 1 c. milk
• 1 c. cream (I used Nata)

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Melt butter over low heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly.
3. Gradually whisk in milk and cream; cook over medium heat, whisking until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat.
4. Add cheeses, stirring until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
5. Stir in pasta and cook over medium heat for 1 minute (or until thoroughly heated).