{Ramadan Special} – Chicken & Mushroom Pie by Razena of ‘Tantalise my Taste Buds’
Now it is not a surprise to me when I come across a new food blogger and get carried away by the style of writing or presentation of food or drooling over pictures….When I was introduced to Razena by Fareeha, I was regretting myself for not coming across her before. Razena is bundle of talent. She loves cooking and baking. Her blog ‘Tantalise my Taste Buds‘ is loaded with her old family favorite and secret baking recipes along with her new adventures in cooking. Coming from Cape Town, this Dubai blogger has so much to teach you….
A fellow food blogger, Fareeha Ahmed of Fa’s Kitchen introduced me to Lubna and her wonderful annual Ramadan series, Joy from Fasting to Feasting which is currently in it’s eighth year. I feel very privileged to be able to contribute and share some of the customs of the Cape Muslims.
My memories of Ramadan in Cape Town are of joyous family time when families worshiped and ate together and communities came out en masse for taraweeh prayers. A child in every household was tasked with delivering a small plate of sweet or savory iftar treats to the immediate neighbours. For the little kids starting to fast it was always a time of excitement and anticipation to see what the selection will be for iftar on any given night. That sense of community and sharing is something that I have sorely missed during my time in Dubai.
It took me a while to decide what to prepare for my Ramadan meal and in the end I remembered my father’s advice,
may ALLAH have mercy on his soul and grant him the highest paradise. He used to say that in Ramadan food should be less spicy and light on the stomach, so that we can pray and sleep easily and without discomfort.
may ALLAH have mercy on his soul and grant him the highest paradise. He used to say that in Ramadan food should be less spicy and light on the stomach, so that we can pray and sleep easily and without discomfort.
My chicken and mushroom pie has a pastry base as well as lid, and is usually served with spiced yellow rice and salad or roasted vegetables. For extra nutritional value, especially during Ramadan, I have added sweet corn and peas and carrots too. I prefer the tang of creme fraiche and have used this instead of double or fresh cream.
Chicken and Mushroom Pie
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 whole roasted chicken (approximately 415
grams chopped or shredded chicken) - 50 grams butter, divided
- 2 onions, grated or finely chopped
(approximately 190 grams) - 30 grams finely chopped celery (approximately
1 large stalk) - 2 cloves garlic
- 50 grams plain flour
- 250 grams baby button mushrooms
- 500 ml chicken stock
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen carrots and peas
- 250 ml creme fraiche or fresh cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 sheets ready rolled butter puff pastry
(approximately 225 grams each) - 1 egg
PREPARATION:
- Debone the chicken, removing the skin and bones and shred chicken or cut into cubes.
- In a high sided sauté pan or pot, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the onions and celery until soft (this should take 15 minutes).
- Add the garlic and sauté another minute to remove the raw taste.
- Add the flour and cook out for at least 5 minutes on a medium heat.
- Add the mushrooms and fry for another 3 minutes.
- Slowly add the stock and stir continually to ensure there are no lumps and the mixture starts to bubble and thicken.
- Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked.
- Add the frozen corn, carrots and peas and allow to come to a boil while stirring all the time.
- Add the creme fraiche, string continually and bring to the boil before adding the chicken.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir continually while it simmers and thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Adjust the seasoning and remove from the stove to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius/ 180 Celsius with fan / 400 F / Gas mark 6.
- Roll out the pastry and line a 20 cm pie dish ensuring that the pastry overlaps the sides a bit as it may shrink during baking if not rested enough. I chilled it again for another 10 minutes before baking.
- Line the base with parchment paper and baking beans or beans, and bake blind for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the parchment paper and beans and bake for another 5 minutes, then leave to cool.
- Fill the cooled pastry case with the chicken filling and cover with the second sheet of puff pastry.
- Trim the edges and make two slits at the top to allow steam to escape.
- Brush with beaten egg then bake for 30-40 minutes or until the pastry is golden and cooked through.
- If you find the pastry browning too much but it is still not completely cooked then cover the brown edges with foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
Thank you Razena to be part of this ‘Global Ramadan Event – Joy From Fasting To Feasting – VIII’.
You can find Razena @ Blog|Facebook.
NOTE: You can find updated list of entries @ Joy From Fasting To Feasting – VIII.
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