Chicken Pot Pie

http://www.readersdigest.co.nz/chicken-pot-pie


2 T olive oil
3 leeks , white and pale green parts only, roughly chopped
2 stalks celery , roughly chopped
2 large carrots , thickly sliced
1 large red-skinned potato, such as desiree or pontiac, unpeeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1 c (75 g) thickly sliced button mushrooms
1⁄4 c (35 g) plain (all-purpose) flour
1⁄2 t dried thyme
1⁄4 t salt
400 ml (14 fl oz) salt-reduced chicken stock
1 2⁄3 c (250 g) diced cooked chicken breast or thighs-leftover or poached (see Basics)
1 c (155 g) peas , fresh or frozen
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (large enough to cover a 23 cm/9 inch pie dish), thawed
1 large egg
1 T milk


1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add leeks, celery, carrots and potato.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
4. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in flour, thyme and salt until blended, then stir in stock.
6. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
7. Stir in chicken and peas.
8. Transfer pie filling to a deep, 23 cm (9 inch) pie dish.
9. Allow to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
10. Place pastry sheet on a flat surface.
11. Whisk together egg and milk and brush over pastry.
12. Place pastry, glazed side down, over filling in pie dish.
13. Trim the edge of the pastry; crimp or mark decoratively with a fork if desired.
14. Brush top with remaining egg mixture.
15. Cut four 2 1/2 cm (1 inch) slits in the centre of pastry to allow steam to escape. Place in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until filling is bubbling and pastry is golden brown.