Cornbread Pot Pie

A couple of days ago Casey said he was in the mood for some cornbread. I was trying to think of something new to make using cornbread and remembered watching a cooking show (years ago!) where they used corn bread with a chicken pot pie. Since my man loves pot pie and corn bread I thought I would give it a try!!

So for dinner tonight I threw some things together, and let me just say...it was AWESOME!! This was my first time making it, but I think this will become a regular dish in our house. The best part is most, if not all, the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry/fridge!!

Ingredients:

For the filling:

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed

2 large carrots, peeled and sliced

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 cup peas, fresh or frozen

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

Salt & Pepper

For the Corn Bread Topping:

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoons baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 egg, slightly beaten

Start by par-cooking the potatoes and carrots in salted water. This means boiling them until they are almost cooked, but still slightly undercooked. They will finish cooking in the oven, but still have a bite to them. Put them to the side. Next, add oil and butter to a saute pan. Once the butter is melted, add onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until onions begin to look transparent. Add the flour, stirring constantly and until it is all incorporated. This is making a rue, which will help to make your filling thick and creamy!! Next add in your chicken stock, stirring constantly to mix with rue and onions, you don't want any clumps. Cook for another minute or so and you will see the broth getting nice and thick. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Add in cooked chicken, carrots, potatoes and carrots. Pour mixture into a buttered casserole dish.

Time to make the cornbread!! First mix all your dry ingredients: cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl combine milk and melted butter. Then add egg and slightly beat. Add wet mixture into dry and stir until moistened. Don't over mix!!! Spoon cornbread batter on top of pie filling. And bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown on top :) Take out of the oven and let it sit for AT LEAST 5 minutes before you cut into it. Resist all urges to try just a little bit, wait and it will finish cooking and the filling will set. Then, you can finally ENJOY!!