Desserts and Delectables

Chicken Pot Pie

I finally got the courage to make chicken pot pie. I can't say that it's a childhood favorite because well, I'm Mexican and the closest we come to chicken pot pies are tamales de pollo, which are so not pies! And although in reality they aren't very difficult to make, the thought of baking up a disaster made me nervous. Silly, yes, but that's just me. So after much anticipation and years of procrastination I finally worked up the courage and... tada!

Don't they look yummy! And to think that I was missing out on these all these years.

I thought I'd save you the trouble and give you a tried and true recipe. I have trouble sticking to recipes and although I said I wouldn't change a thing this time around, I couldn't resist so here is my slight variation. ENJOY!

for the FILLING:

2 cups of homemade chicken stock
14 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
2 carrots (peeled and cubed)
2 ribs celery (sliced)
1 medium onion (chopped)
1 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup butter
3 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup frozen peas

In 4-quart saucepan boil chicken stock, chicken, carrots, celery, and onion. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chicken bouillon, pepper and butter. Dissolve cornstarch and flour into whipping cream and stir into chicken mixture. Simmer 3 minutes stirring frequently until thickened. Add peas and set aside.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F

for the CRUST:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks chilled unsalted butter (cut into 1/2" pieces)
6 tbsp iced water, more as needed

Combine flour and salt. Using pastry blender, cut in butter until particles the size of small peas form. Alternatively, you may use your fingers and quickly rub the flour and butter pieces together. Sprinkle one tablespoon of water at a time over flour mixture and toss with fork to blend. Add enough water to hold the dough together.

Form dough into two balls. Roll out bottom crust on floured surface to about 1/8" thick and cut out rounds to desired width. The size of your rounds depend on your baking dish, ramekins, pie plate, etc. Ease the dough into the baking dish loosely and press in place. Pour filling onto bottom crust. Roll out top crust on floured surface to about 1/8" thick and cut out rounds to desired width. Cover filling with top crust and seal both crusts by pressing a fork over the edge of both crusts. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

Makes 9 four ounce ramekins or one 9" pie

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/448/Marie-Callenders-Chicken-Pot-100007.shtml

All Natural All Purpose Cleaner

I know that this is suppose to be more of a dessert and craft blog but I can't help but throw in a couple of extras here and there so here I go!

Those of you who know me are well aware that I'm a firm believer of the phrase "less is more". Well, it may not apply to a couple of things such as chocolate, desserts, clothes, shoes, diamonds, and such : ) but when I grab an item from my local grocery store, whether it be a jar of food or a body wash, and see twenty-something ingredients on the back label, half of which I can't even pronounce, I immediately put it right back on the shelf. Whatever happened to good and wholesome?

When I was pregnant with my first born son Kristopher, I became THAT mom. You know, the mom that obsessed over making sure that my home was as chemical free as possible. Yes, I drove my husband nuts with all the things I wanted to do and wouldn't do around the house in fear of creating more toxins in our home. And although I do realize that it is impossible to create the perfect environment, there are a few things I encourage everyone, especially those with tiny toes running around the house, to do.

For those of you who are ready for an easy to make, inexpensive, and all natural All Purpose Cleaner that smells "yummy" (not my own words but that of my three year old nephew) this is what you will need:

All the supplies can be found online but if you are like me and simply can't wait to get started, a trip to Target and your local natural foods store will do. Here's the list:

16 ounce Plastic Spray Bottle
2 tablespoons Distilled White Vinegar
1 teaspoon Borax
16 ounces Distilled Water
1/4 cup Liquid Soap
10 to 15 drops Essential Oils

Combine vinegar and borax in your spray bottle. Add warm distilled water and shake, shake, shake. Not you silly, the bottle! Make sure that the borax is completely dissolved before proceeding to the next step to avoid clogging your spray bottle. Add the liquid soap and essential oil and shake some more until the solution is dissolved. Make sure to label your bottle. Voila! You are now ready to clean!

I occasionally use lemon, lavender, and tea tree essential oils to scent my cleaning solutions but more often than not I prefer to use eucalyptus essential oil due to its antiseptic properties. Essential oils can be used to make many non-toxic household cleaners and disinfectants but just like anything else, keep them out of reach of little hands and mouths.

Because essential oils are strong, I recommend the use of gloves to avoid irritating your skin. Word to the wise, never mix the soap and vinegar directly together unless you want a clumped up mess. Oh and while you're out there gathering your supplies, grab a pack of cellulose sponges to go with your all natural cleaner!

I'd love to give someone credit for this recipe but I don't remember exactly where I got it. There are so many wonderful sites with other natural home cleaning solutions. All I have to say is I love Google!

And now that you have it on hand, next time you wash a load of laundry that may need an extra dose of cleanliness, add half a cup of Borax....

Enjoy!

January Birthdays

December and January were full of fun celebrations. Beside the obvious, Christmas and New Years, we got to spend a whole lot of family time celebrating birthdays. Do you know what that means???? Lots and lots of KARAOKE! Wohoo!

In January, I also had the opportunity to make a cake based on The Tale of Peter Rabbit for a baby shower. And on top of that, I was given the chance to help host my sister-in-laws Nesting Baby Shower! Oh boy (or should I say girl!) was it cute! Needless to say, I spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen making food and cakes. But what better way to end and begin a new year than by singing....

Happy birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday TO ALL OF YOU

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Chocolate cake filled and frosted with vanilla buttercream.

Chocolate cake filled with chocolate buttercream, wrapped in white chocolate, and topped with chocolate covered strawberries. The flower in front is made of fondant.