In high season, David Hammonds, executive chef at The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, prepares about 4,000 meals a day. This sumptuous pie is one of his secrets for making a splash without cooking all day.
- Portion size 6 servings
Ingredients
Method
In large saucepan, bring chicken stock, wine, carrots, celery, potato, bay leaf, salt and pepper to boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken; simmer, uncovered, until no longer pink inside, 10 minutes. Skim off any foam. Strain; set aside 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) stock, adding water or chicken stock if necessary. Set aside chicken mixture; discard bay leaf.
In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in reserved stock until smooth. Bring to boil; cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cream; cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken mixture; stir to coat. (Make-ahead: Transfer to bowl; let cool. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Reheat.) Add peas; transfer to 8-cup (2 L) oval casserole dish.
On floured surface, roll out pastry to fit top of dish plus 1-inch (2.5 cm) extra all around; trim edges. Brush edge of dish with water. Centre pastry over filling; gently press overhang to adhere to dish. Brush with egg; slash 4 steam vents. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven until golden, puffed and filling is bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Nutritional facts <b>Per serving:</b> about
- Sodium 570 mg
- Protein 26 g
- Calories 539.0
- Total fat 30 g
- Cholesterol 124 mg
- Saturated fat 12 g
- Total carbohydrate 39 g
%RDI
- Iron 19.0
- Folate 25.0
- Calcium 5.0
- Vitamin A 139.0
- Vitamin C 13.0