Remember on my birthday, my sweet friend Allen gifted me with a homemade chicken pot pie? Goodness gracious, it was delicious. And, as expected, gobbled up like hungry badgers by E and me.

Allen’s recipe didn’t come attached, so I will link to one in a minute. For now, lets just gaze at that flaky crust and yummy, creamy ingredients. This was our Oscar dinner. Perfect.

Hot from the oven. Really hot. Be careful!

Paired with a glass of chardonnay, it was the perfect Sunday night supper.

Luscious pot pie goodness.

Here’s a nice, easy recipe from Food.com. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Serves: 4,

1 package puff pastry, thawed and rolled for top
1/4 cup butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup light cream or 3/4 cup milk
2 3/4 cups cooked chicken (cut up) or 2 3/4 cups cooked turkey (cut up)
1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables

Directions:
Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
1 Thaw pastry according to package directions.
2 Heat butter in large saucepan. Cook onion in butter until tender-crisp.
3 Add flour and seasonings, mixing until smooth.
4 Gradually stir in broth and milk. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and is smoothly thickened.
5 Stir in chicken and vegetables.
6 Cool slightly. Spoon into baking dish.
7 Place rolled out puff pastry on top and make slits for steam to escape.
8 You can brush with egg white. (opt.).
9 Bake on lower rack in oven @ 375*F. until filling is bubbling and crust is puffed and golden brown. 30-35 minutes.

Thanks again, Allen! It was the tastiest dinner!

Oh, and tune in tomorrow, I have the most fun news for you!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Zach Deputy – Chicken Pot Pie

This past weekend was my birthday and there were no shortages of celebrations. Friday night was The Cafe at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, Sunday night was pizza and beer on the porch, but Saturday was most special. My sweet bestie, John, cooked a fabulous meal for 12 of us – at my house, so I never had to leave. The party just came to me. Yay!

John decided on a La Dolce Vita theme, with all Italian cuisine. It was divine. The planning started weeks in advance, with John allowing me final say on the menu. I felt so pampered. The menu was as follows:

Aperitivo

Savory Caramelized Onion Cheese Cake with Apricot Glaze
Assorted Crackers
Red Grapes
Green Grapes

Pan Seared Polenta with
Creme Fraiche
Chives

Antipasti

Pesto Insalata with Three Cheese Tortillini

Piatto Principale

Lasagne with Baby Spinach and Portobello Mushrooms

Dolce

Chocolate Raspberry Panna Cotta

Sambuca
Amaretto

Not only did John plan the menu, design the invite and gather the guests, but he came up with the most gorgeous table idea that my love Eric carried out. Sunflowers and a boodle of candles filled the table, making everyone feel like they were in Tuscany. Eric also served as John’s sous chef for the day while I went out shopping and lunching with Holly. It was the perfect birthday.

John arrived mid afternoon laden with food, platters, and more food. Eric and he got to working. There’s nothing like a man in the kitchen to make a woman smile. I’m lucky that not only my husband, but my best friend are both super cooks.

The men take over.

Eric's spectacular table!

John prepares the polenta.

Pan searing the polenta

The polenta started the evening and let me tell you…they were a slam dunk. I honestly could have eaten just these all night. But I had to pace myself.

These were amazingly delicious!

Our friends started to arrive. Clint and Matt were first, gifting me with the most gorgeous candlestick holders we immediately placed on the table. Then Holly, who brought me the most perfect personalized note cards ever. Another swell gift from Holly were the note pads that read “Patti’s Party Planning”!!! I can’t wait to write all my thank yous…which reminds me….

Danny (who brought Sambuca!), Holly and Clint visit.

Crystal slices up the bread for dinner.

My buddy Allen arrived with the most wonderful gift, too. He made a chicken pot pie from scratch! I adored this gift and cannot wait to eat it.

Allen and Me

Next course featured the savory cheesecake with caramelized onions and apricot glaze. Stupendous.

Isn't this beautiful? Just like being in Italy!

Three of my favorite men. Eric, Clint and Matt.

Glasses were filled and refilled, laughter and scrumptious aromas filled the house.

Holly and Clint.

Mr. Jaunty Clint.

Lisa tells one of her wonderful stories to Crystal and Bob.

While Holly and John catch up stoveside.

Time for everyone to take their seats.

Antipasti is next – this was fantastic. Filled with everything good. Tortillini, mushrooms, mozzarella balls, artichoke hearts, green beans and asparagus. All bathed in the most luscious pesto ever. John, you are amazing!

Antipasti - topped with proscuitto. Deeeeelicious, y'all.

Lasagne - the main event.

I actually believe that the conversation came to a halt during the lasagne course. Everyone was too busy digging in to this marvelous creation to utter a word. Yum.

But eventually we all came up for air and the room continued to hum.

A table full of happy friends.

Crystal and Holly enjoy a laugh.

Are we too full for dessert? Not a chance. John prepared the creamiest panna cotta topped with fresh raspberries and complimented with chocolate sauce. He hit this one out of the park. Truly.

The perfect end to a perfect meal.

Dessert was accompanied by a brandy snifter of either Sambuca (with the three traditional coffee beans floating for good luck) or Amaretto. I chose the Amaretto.

The party was a wild success. John, you are the most fabulous friend and this was the most fabulous birthday dinner. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The White Stripes – We Are Going To Be Friends

Our last day in New Orleans was off to a slow start. We had a quiet breakfast on a patio in the French Quarter and just moseyed around town on foot. The sky was grey and the day was misty. I didn’t even take any photos.

Eric and I packed and had a late lunch at The Gumbo Shop. Eric sampled both the chicken and the shrimp gumbos while I opted for a shrimp po’ boy.  Eric’s dishes won hands down, but the bread for the po’boys was so soft and crusty and delicious. Yum.

After lunch my cell rang and it was my friend Allen, who attends law school at Tulane.  We had missed each other the day before and looked forward to catching up today.  And so we decided to meet at the Napoleon House, one of the oldest bars in the French Quarter. So off Eric and I strode.

The Napoleon House is closed on Sunday.

We need a Plan B.

We chose Tujague’s (Thanks, Clint!), another very old bar in the quarter.  Eric and I get there first and get acquainted with the bartender who starts to whip us up some special cocktails. I don’t even ask, I just let him do his thing.  Allen arrives and it is so good catching up with our old friend.  Stories are bandied about and old names we haven’t uttered in some time creep up. It was just a hug for our souls.  As we are imbibing, there is a quick, hard thunderstorm outside. It seems very romantic to be in a 200+ year old bar in New Orleans with the rain beating down. Very Ernest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald.

After the rain let up, we decided it was time for dinner. We chose Muriel’s for its pretty decor and tasty sounding menu.

We started with the escargots and then split from there. I chose the salad and turtle soup, Eric decided on the duck, while Allen tried the three course meal that included a veal chop. The service was polished but not hovering and the space is beautiful.

Satisfied all around, we head back to our hotel for a nightcap at our gorgeous hotel bar. It is such a gift to be able to catch up with old friends. And you know what? We have one more bottle of champagne left to enjoy. We ask the front desk to send up an ice bucket and pop that last bottle while we pack.

Our 5:30 a.m. wake up call came way too early. The train left promptly at 7:05 a.m. and I have to say, as tired as I was, I was happy to board the train and have some breakfast (really great french toast), followed by a very long, languid nap in our sleeper car.  On the return trip, we enjoyed some more movies, some tasty on-board meals and more napping.  When we returned home to Atlanta, we were greeted by our darling Crystal who arrived at the station to take us home.

Traveling is wonderful, but isn’t arriving back home the best?

xoxo, Patti