GUMBO POT PIES
Southern Living 2/01 Don't let the long list of ingredients prevent you from preparing this lively twist on a Creole classic. 1 (2 1/2-pound) whole chicken 2 quarts water 1 onion, quartered 2 bay leaves 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1 pound fresh or frozen okra, cut into 3/4-inch slices 1 (10-ounce) can whole tomatoes and green chiles 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 pound unpeeled, medium-size fresh shrimp 1/2 (17 1/4-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 large egg, lightly beaten BRING first 4 ingredients to a boil in a Dutch oven. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour or until tender. Remove chicken, reserving 3/4 cup broth; discard onion and bay leaves. Cool. Skin, bone, and coarsely chop chicken; set aside. WHISK together all-purpose flour and vegetable oil in Dutch oven; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 15 to 20 minutes or until roux is caramel colored. Stir in chopped bell pepper, onion, and garlic; cook 2 minutes. Add sliced okra, tomatoes and chiles, dried thyme, and reserved 3/4 cup chicken broth. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes. PEEL shrimp, and devein, if desired. Add shrimp and 2 cups chopped chicken to gumbo; cook 8 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Remove from heat, and cool slightly. Roll out pastry sheet on a floured surface; cut into 4 (5-inch) squares. Return pastry to freezer for at least 15 minutes. Cut out decorative shapes from excess pastry strips. LADLE gumbo into 4 ovenproof soup bowls, filling three-fourths full. Place 1 pastry square over each bowl, pressing firmly to sides to seal edges. Place decorative shapes on top of pastry. Brush pastry with egg. BAKE at 400° for 20 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden. Serve pot pies with hot sauce, if desired. Yield: 4 servings. Delma --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
