Turkey/ Chicken Pot Pie

Recipe No: 132
This recipe is same for both Chicken and Turkey. I am doing it with Turkey here as I want to use the leftover Turkey from the Thanksgiving. Except for the slight taste difference of these two proteins, there is not much of a difference between the two dishes.

Ingredients                           Serves 3
For the Filling

• Butter/ Oil………………..........3 Tablespoons
• All Purpose Flour/ Maida…..3 Tablespoons
• Milk…………………………….….3 Cups
• Salt……………………………..….1 Teaspoon
• Pepper Powder………………...1/3 Teaspoon
• Carrots……………………………1/2 Cup (Cut into small cubes)
• Fresh Green Peas……………..1/2 Cup
• Cooked Turkey Cubed……….2 Cups

For the Crust

• All Purpose Flour/ Maida….1 ½ Cups
• Baking Soda……………….……1/8 Teaspoon
• Salt…………………………...……1/4 teaspoon
• Cold Butter ……………………..6 Tablespoons (Cut into cubes)
• Cold Water…………………..….6 Tablespoons

Other Ingredients

• Egg wash (Mix 1 Egg with 1 Tablespoon of water) for brushing
• Salt and Pepper to sprinkle on top.

Method of Preparation
To make the Crust

1. Mix together Flour, Salt and Baking Soda really well.
2. If you have a Food Processor (or a stand mixer), put Flour mixture and Cold Butter into it and pulse a few times till Butter is evenly distributed in the Flour with a course consistency. If you don’t have food processor, rub Butter into the Flour to get a course consistency. Whatever method you use don’t let the Butter melt completely into the Flour, but it should remain as small pieces.
3. Mix in the cold water to make a very dry, crumbly dough.
4. Dump it onto a floured surface, pat it into a ball (don't knead), wrap in plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator till ready to be used.

To make the filling Part

1. In a thick bottomed pan on medium heat, melt 3 Tablespoons of Butter and add 3 Tablespoons of Flour and fry till the raw smell is gone. This will take at least a minute, so please be patient and take care not to burn the Flour.
2. Mix in the cold milk and stir really good to dissolve all the lumps and let it cook till it is thickened. Stir constantly.
3. Add the Carrots and Peas and allow boiling. Do stir now and then.
4. Once boiled, add the cubed cooked Turkey and mix well.
5. Mix Salt and Pepper and switch off the flame.

To assemble and cook the Pot Pie

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F/ 204˚C
2. Divide the Turkey in the White sauce mixture between three oven proof bowls.
3. Roll out the chilled dough into ¼ of an inch in thickness and cut out rounds with an inch more circumference than that of the top round of the bowl you are using.
4. Brush the sides of the bowl with Egg wash. This will help the dough to stick to the sides of the bowl.
5. Place the cut out dough on top of the bowl and press it to the sides to the bowl.
6. Brush the top of the dough with the Egg wash and sprinkle  a pinch of Salt and Pepper.
7. Make two or three small slits on top of the dough and bake it in the middle of the oven for 30-40 minutes or till the crust becomes golden in color and the inside is bubbly.
8. Serve it hot.

Notes:

• Keeping the butter cold is very important because when the heat from the oven hits the cold Butter , the vapor formed will help the dough rise, giving it the flakiness. (we are using only a very small amount of Baking Soda)
• If you don’t use a thick bottomed pan the white sauce may stick to the bottom of the pan and may burn.
• Cutting the dough with a bigger circumference will aid in easy sticking of the dough to the sides of the bowl.
• The slits on top if the dough, will prevent it from bursting in the oven due to the pressure that builds up because of the vapor.
• An easy alternative to homemade dough is Puff Pastry. If you are using it instead of the dough, cut out rounds and bake them separately before putting it on top of the baked filling. If Puff Pastry is placed directly on top of the filling, there are chances that it may touch the filling and become soggy giving an uncooked appearance. 
• Left over Rotisserie Chicken is good for making Chicken Pot Pie.

Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love...