I love pot pies but hate having to fuss over making the crust from scratch.  Until one day while I was watching a cooking show on TV, I stumbled onto a convenient alternative – store-bought puff pastry or pie crust. Of course you can still go ahead and make your own crust but this is all about making an easy, savory pot pie. Chicken curry is an aromatic and hearty filling that goes well with that warm, golden, buttery pastry dome. Make it as spicy as you want by adjusting the spices in the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

2 1/2 lbs chicken breast, cut into cubes

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium onions, diced

3 large carrots, diced

3 tbsp curry powder

1 tbsp turmeric

1 tbsp fish sauce (optional)

1/2 cup peas

1/4 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 13.5 oz can coconut milk

1 handful of basil leaves and coriander leaves

1 sheet puff pastry

1 egg white

Salt and pepper for seasoning

Preheat oven to 400F.

In a pot, heat oil then add the onions and garlic letting them sweat before adding the curry powder and turmeric. Then add the chicken, season with salt and pepper and stir around, allowing the spices to coat the chicken.  Add the coconut milk and let it simmer for about 2 minutes before adding the chicken stock and the fish sauce. Add the carrots and cover, letting it simmer for about 10 minutes. Then add the peas and the raisins and continue cooking until sauce has slightly thickened (you may also add 1 tbsp of cornstarch to hasten the thickening). Adjust the seasoning.  Before turning off the heat, add the basil and coriander leaves.

Prepare individual ramekin dishes (or you can use a large oval baking dish). Ladle the chicken curry into the dish(es). On a slightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry and cut out rounds that are at least 1/2 inch larger than the diameter of the dish(es). Place the pastry on top and press around the edges to seal. With a small knife, make a cross-slit on top to allow steam to escape. Brush with the egg white and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.

Photo Courtesy of: Mochachocolata-Rita