Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Traditional British Food: Chicken and Mushroom Pie

I finally got to use my pie bird!

This is the second Chicken and Mushroom Pie recipe I've posted.  Is it possible to have too many Chicken and Mushroom Pie recipes?  I think not.  This recipe serves six, so I divided it up into three portions so the pie could be baked fresh every time.  I actually think it was better after the flavors in the filling got to meld in the refrigerator!

Chicken and Mushroom Pie

If you happen to need a pastry recipe:
Short Crust Pastry


Since the original recipe for Chicken and Mushroom Pie came from a lovely little book called Favourite Dorset Recipes, I want to tell you about a new-to-me television show that takes place in Dorset: Escape to River Cottage.  The series is hosted by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, who decided to leave life in London for a small farm in Dorset.  I like how honest he is about the realities of growing one's own food and raising livestock.  I like that he admits he's become attached to his pigs, but doesn't lose sight of the reason he bought them in the first place.  He then goes on to make the most wonderful things one could ever imagine from pork--a fitting end for his first year as a small-holder.  I've also read Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Cookbook, which is definitely worth checking out.

Escape to River Cottage isn't available on DVD in the US, but you can download episodes from Amazon.

*****
In other news, my TiVo is now refusing to pause live television and is randomly recording things, even though I turned off the "suggestions" almost as soon as I got it.  I turned it on and it was in the middle of recording something called Swamp People!  So--TiVo is going to get a call today, preferably from Paul because I don't want to deal with them anymore.

And my Netflix subscription is now $23.98.  So, Paul and I have a lot of thinking to do about our entertainment expenses.  Grrr.

26 comments:

  1. Omg this sounds delicious! I still haven't found a favorite pastry recipe so I'll have to see how this turns out. Also- my roommates liked swamp people and you are NOT missing out on anything haha! Definitely get the thing fixed :)

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  2. That pie bird is awfully cute. My grandmother had one and used it all the time. I've never been able to find one. Your savory pie sounds other worldly good and I'd love to have a serving of it. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  3. Nice pie. As usual, it's making me very hungry ( :

    I'm going to ask a really stupid question - what is the pie bird for?

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  4. A pie bird! Finally seeing one in action. I've only seen them in cooking shops and at first I hadn't a clue what is was. So cute and yummy as well.

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  5. I love chicken and mushroom pie, Lauren.

    Sorry to hear that TiVo is still not working, and NetFlicks getting expensive. They always advertise the cheapest price of course.

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  6. Some extra info: Pie birds are used as a steam funnel to allow steam to escape from the pie. A hole cut in the top of the pastry will do the same thing, just not as adorably. I bought mine (a set of two) from Amazon.

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  7. Oh, the first thing I noticed was your pie bird, and I ended up not commenting on it. ... I like it! ;-)

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  8. such a talented cook,

    i knew i was making a good decision when i clicked on your blog today! happy i found it :)

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  9. Oh the pie bird...so adorable! And the pie looks tasty, as usual. I'm never satisfied with any pastry recipe I try (must be an issue with me and not the recipe), I'll have to give yours a try.

    Don't get me started on Netflix! I've had to downgrade my subscription since they wanted to charge me twice what they had been. If it wasn't for all the old movies they stream, I'd cancel it all together.

    Sorry to hear that your TiVo is still on the fritz...it must have developed a mind of its own and a taste for cajun history, recording Swap People and what not. Good luck with it!

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  10. A taste for Cajun history! Too funny! Too bad it didn't record reruns of Justin Wilson's show instead of Swamp People.

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  11. Oh boy, this looks SO good--and love the pie bird. So many things seem to taste better after they "sit" for a day. Andy does all of our cooking...I might save this recipe for him.

    I am in denial over the Netflix price hike at the moment and am trying to ignore it. Bleh.

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  12. That pie bird. JEALOUS. BONES. I'm none too thrilled about the Netflix price hike either...also, my ears perked up when you named checked Justin Wilson in the comments...My not-Cajun but 150% southern, very-fond-of-cooking-and-other-southern-people grandaddy was obsessed with that show. "See here! See how he don't measure anything out or nothin'! That's how you do it! Look at him!". Have you heard any of his comedy records from the 60's? I keep picking them up at yard sales, they're precious.

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  13. Your pie looks so pretty! When did Netflix get so expensive? I've seen that Swamp show advertised on History Channel. I don't think so!

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  14. Lisa- I haven't been lucky enough to find any of Justin Wilson's records, but I do have one of his cookbooks and very fond memories of Saturday mornings on PBS (his show, Julia Child, The Frugal Gourmet). I have a tendency to say "gar-on-tee" and "on-yon" while cooking.

    Mom- when do you think they'll do a reality show about Hobart? Now that would be embarrassing.

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  15. mmm! looks yummy! your library sounds fabulous! i really should go visit my library more often!! <3

    love, polly :)

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  16. Love the pie bird!

    By the way, I've given you a blog award :)
    http://vintageinamodernworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/award-time.html

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  17. that pie bird is sooo cute!!! :)

    katslovefashion.blogspot.com

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  18. Oh, yeah! My hubby would love this (sans mushrooms...but I'd eat his share).

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  19. Have you checked out River Cottage Everyday? It's a lovely book and his most recent. Love your pie bird!

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  20. Hannah- I've been hoping my library would get a copy! I love being able to check out cookbooks and make a few things from them before actually shelling out the money. It looks like they're buying some more of his books now. Fingers crossed!

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  21. Your pie looks delicious, and I just had to google to find out what exactly is a pie bird! :)


    xoxo,
    Addie
    The Cat Hag

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  22. What a superb looking pie - and your pie bird is fabulous! I have one that I haven't used yet. You must keep your Netflix subscription - I know how much you love it!

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  23. I do love a pie bird! I have my grandma's one in the cellar but have never remembered to use it!

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