Vegetable Pot Pie

It's so gloomy out today and with the cold weather, more comfort food was needed. I've never eaten pot pie before but it's one of my boyfriend's favorite meals so I figured I'd give it a go and see if I liked it as well.

I love shepard pie and this reminded me a lot of that, except a fancier version because of the crust. The filling was really good but I think next time I might add a dash of cayenne and a teaspoon of sage. I was going to add cannellini beans to the filling but after making the filling I realized that it was too much already and I wasn't sure if the pie dish could hold the added beans.

I made two crusts, one for the bottom and another on top but because my dish is so deep, it was really hard to get the bottom crust out and next time I might leave that out. So unless you're using a little personal sized casserole dish or a shallow pie dish, I would leave the bottom crust out.

I've been searching for a meal to take with me to my aunt's house for Christmas and I think this one might be it. Really comforting and something that would definitely impress guests.

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Ingredients
Filling

* 1 Tb extra virgin olive oil
* 1 cup diced carrots
* 1 yellow onion, diced
* 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
* 1 russet potato, peeled and diced
* 1 cup frozen peas
* 1/3 cup all purpose flour
* 1 3/4 cups Faux Chicken Broth ( such as Better than Bouillon ) or vegetable broth
* 2/3 cup heavy soy cream or cashew cream
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, minced
* Pie Crust, bought or homemade( Recipe Below )

Crust ( Recipe from Veganomicon )
Makes 1 pie crust ( Make 2 crusts if you want a top and bottom crust )

* 2 cups all purpose flour, or 1 cup each whole wheat and all purpose
* 2 tsp sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 1/2 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 cup cold non-hydrogenated vegan shortening
* 1/2 to 3/4 cup cold water
* 2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Have a 3 quart or oval deep dish ( 9 1/2 x 11 x 2 1/2 inch minimum ) casserole ready.

Directions

Prepare the crust first
1. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.


2. Add the shortening by the tablespoon, in small chunks, and cut it into the flour with a pastry cutter or two knives held together. Cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly.


3. Pour 3/4 cup of cold water into a small bowl and toss in a few ice cubes. Measure out 1/2 cup of ice water and stir the vinegar into it. Add the vinegared water to the dough in three batches, gently mixing it in dough with a fork, until the dough holds together when pinched. If need be, add up to 1/4 cup more water, a tablespoon at a time until all the dry ingredients are moistened and a firm dough is formed.


4. Gently press the dough into a ball. Sprinkle a clean work surface with flour, then roll the dough out to a shape of the casserole dish you'll be using but roughly 2 to 3 inches larger.


5. Place baking parchment or waxed paper on a cutting board and roll the dough from the rolling pin direction onto the paper. Cover the entire thing with plastic wrap or wrap in more waxed paper, and refrigerate while making the filling.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

To Make the Filling
6. Heat a medium sized saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil. Add onion and carrot and cook stirring occasionally until onions are translucent, about 4 minutes.


7. Add potatoes and mushrooms and cook for 6 more minutes, stirring occasionally.


8. Stir flour over vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook one more minute.


9. Slowly add the broth and the milk and stir constantly until everything is smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.


10. Turn off heat and add peas and parsley and stir. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


11. Remove the piecrust dough from the fridge. Ladle the filling into the casserole dish.


12. Top with the crust, pressing the edges down lightly and leaving about 1 1/2 inch of dough hanging over the sides of the dish ( trim any excess dough beyond the 1 1/2 inches with kitchen scissors or a sharp knife ). Form a raised edge by turning or rolling up the dough at the edges of the casserole dish. Use a fork to crimp these edges, and poke a few holes with that fork onto the top of the crust, to allow steam to escape.


13. Place in the preheated oven; this pie tendes to bubble and gravy could spill, so it's a good idea to place a large, rimmed baking sheet on the rack beneath it. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the crust is lightly browned and flaky. If you like, brush the top with a little soy milk once or twice during the baking, for a light sheen on the crust.

14. Allow the pie to cool at least 10 minutes before serving; the filling will be boiling hot straight out of the oven.