You and Me Chicken Pot Pie

4 chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped (recipe calls for 2 leeks)
handful of baby carrots diced
2 potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cups green beans, chopped in 1/2
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups lowfat milk
1/3 cup flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas
3 sheets phyllo dough thawed (I used puffed pastry)
2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
Ground black pepper and salt

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 4 individual oven-proof dishes with cooking spray.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large pan, add 2 teaspoons olive oil and heat over medium. Cook chicken 5 minutes on each side and reserve on a plate.

In same skillet, add a little more oil and cook onions, celery, and carrots until browned and soft. Add potatoes, green beans and garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste and cook for 2 minutes. Add your milk. Stir four and chicken broth together in a bowl and add to pan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken and peas. Check seasoning. Pour into prepared dishes.

Unroll dough and cut into strips. Lattice or leave into thick strips over the top of each pie. Brush with olive oil. Top each with parmesan cheese. Bake 30 minutes on a cookie sheet. Broil for a few minutes to brown crust.

*The recipe called for 1 tbs fresh thyme and 2 tbs of fresh parsley. I added these and it tasted too herby for me. I think just season it how you like your pie. Salt and pepper for me!

From the Caymans to the kitchen

My camera no longer works, or I'm just too tech lazy to figure it out, so I am going to post yummy recipes from now on. Being a newlywed, I have lots of fun in the kitchen with all our new stuff. As long as Justin doesn't demand his food on the table at 5pm sharp - me and my stove will remain friends for awhile...
Stay tuned for tonight's recipe titled "you and me chicken pot pie".
In future posts, look forward to Justin's Chili Verde (spin off on Jeff Ragusa's classic)

I was blessed to spend a few days with Katie and Hayden this week. We had lots of fun playing and eating! Katie and I both love this time of year - perfect eating/nesting weather! Check out this yummy kettle corn recipe. Hope you have as much fun eating it as we did!
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
2 TBS granulated sugar
Coarse salt to taste
Heat oil in large pot over medium-high. Add kernels and cover. When it starts to POP, lift lid and add confectioners sugar carefully. Cook, shaking pot frequently, until popping slows, then sprinkle with granulated sugar. Continue to SHAKE until popping has almost stopped. Sprinkle with salt.

Justin and his little buddy

The Stengel's In Grand Cayman

I love little Justin...he is so adorable! When I met this little guy he was admiring the pirate ship in the bay, he was so taken by it that I wouldn't be surprised if he asked to be a pirate for halloween this year!

Smiles for all!

Fun Boat!

Cliff Sent these great shots of the gang having fun on the snorkeling trip. The water looks amazing- I hear the trip was a blast and fun for all. If you are viewing this blog and haven't been to the Caymans...I think these pictures may convince you to book a trip!

Sand, Cake and Colorful Girls...

There are too many wonderful pictures to post...they are all so beautiful it is hard to choose which ones to post and which to print!

More Ceremony Shots!

Wedding Ceremony

Thanks to Aunt Dovie we now have some wedding photo's to share. Annie and Justin looked so amazing! If anyone has more pictures to share please send them to me (katieolivia@verizon.net) and I will post them on the website. I hope everyone who was at the wedding made it home safely, for those of you who are still in the caymens- live it up you lucky dogs!

Snorkeling at Stingray City

Life's a Beach

The wedding was beautiful, almost as beautiful as the bride! The rain held until the very end of the ceremony and everyone stayed relatively dry. Thankfully there was a cabana or two for everyone to duck under while the heavens rained tears of joy for Annie and Justin after they were wed! For those of you who know Justin well you will be shocked to know that he danced the night away with his new bride. The Chicago cousins and aunts got him on the dance floor and made him shake his booty- Go Justin!

We all had a wonderful time at the reception and ejoyed the beautiful atmosphere. It's easy to see why Justin and Annie chose this place to be married, it is paradise!

More Pictures

Rehersal Dinner Pictures

Viva La Cayman Wedding! Last night we had a fabulous time at the rehersal dinner. Cliff and Linda hosted a very nice party and everyone had a great time. Annie and Justin were both glowing, and it wasn't from the rum punch!