May 1, 2010

as american as leftover turkey pot pie

I know many people value the sandwiches that come the day after a huge holiday meal, and I'll admit that I often enjoy my leftovers prepared like that too. However, when there're ample hunks of cooked turkey sitting around, I simply can't resist the urge to make some good ol' pot pie.



If you happen to have some already-made pie dough in the freezer (as I often do)(proud pie-lover, at your service) along with an assortment of frozen or leftover veggies, this creamy epitome of comfort food can be put together in hardly any time at all and with very little effort. The result is a belly-filling, heart-warming, and "mmmmm"-inducing dish.



It's so good, I'm usually inclined to make sure there's leftover turkey breast, even if it means hiding it away in the deep recesses of the fridge.

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
(cobbled together from various recipes)

Crust:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) all-vegetable shortening
3-4 tablespoons ice water

Filling:
1/3 cup butter
1 onion, finely diced
1/3 cup flour
1 3/4 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
salt, pepper, and herbs to taste
2 cups leftover turkey, chopped
2 cups vegetables, fresh or frozen, all similar in size

Make crust:
Combine the flour, sugar, and salt with a fork until combined. Scatter the shortening over the top and mix with a pastry cutter, two knives, or your magnificent hands until the mixture has the texture of coarse sand. Scatter the butter pieces over the top and mix until the dough resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of the ice water over the mixture. Stir and press the dough together, using a stiff rubber spatula until the dough sticks together. If the dough does not come together, stir in the remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it does.
Flatten the dough into a 4-inch disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Let the chilled dough soften slightly at room temperature before rolling it out and laying it across the pie filling.

Make filling:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt butter in a large skillet and saute onion until soft. Sprinkle with flour and cook until golden. Add broth, milk, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thick. Add turkey and vegetables and cook until hot and thick. Pour into a sprayed 2-quart dish and cover with the prepared crust. Brush top crust lightly with butter, milk, or egg. Cut vents in the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes. If at all possible, allow to cool 10-15 minutes before cutting.

69 comments:

  1. Oh, I totally love turkey sandwiches, but turkey pot pie takes a real close second. I love your pretty crust, Grace. : )

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  2. I heart that heart Grace :) Is there a special holiday on at the moment or was the turkey just an excuse to make pie? Actually, who needs an excuse for pie, especially one that looks this good.

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  3. Love the heart on the crust--so cute! I have a French mother so leftover turkey never went down the pot pie road, but this sure looks good!

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  4. Pot pie is one of my favorite meals, Grace. But I must be honest. I have never figured out if it's the crust that attracts me or the pie itself. But I suspect it's the crust and this one looks perfect! I'm very fussy about crust!

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  5. I often do this with chicken! I am all about using up all of the meat on a thing and then making stock with the bones.

    Your pie crust looks beautiful, lovely and rich and crumbly, I shall try your recipe!

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  6. Could you repost this the week before Thanksgiving please? You can't expect me to bookmark it and then actually remember it, do you?

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  7. I must try this freezing of the dough - too many pies have been shelved due to no time for dough

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  8. It was so funny that I saw this post this morning because I just had a hankerin for a chicken pot pie last night, and it was divine! Hope you enjoyed yours as much!

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  9. That looks fantastic! I'm feeling pretty lucky right now to have some leftover turkey in my freezer. A pot pie will be in its future!

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  10. I have a real weakness for pastry. Looks yummy!

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  11. A great way of using leftover turkey! Yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  12. Omg, Grace, Is it Thanksgiving already? Sorry! My heart did a flip flop when I saw your pie girl!You make me wannna make this pie.Whether it is Thanksgiving or not, I always want turkey pot pie and your little heart spells love!

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  13. There is a house for sale on my street, I think you should buy it so I can taste test for you. My services are free, the house not so.
    Mimi

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  14. This is the ultimate comfort food dish! And that heart on top is so cute :)

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  15. so like a slice of this pot pie and half a turkey sammie with the stuffing and cranberry jelly is the ultimate for me. you know?
    i wish i could have a big chunk of that crust right now.

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  16. I love the heart on your turkey pot pie! This looks rich and delicious. I would enjoy this pot pie any time of year. xo

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  17. me too! i'm a turkey pp gal for sure.

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  18. Ooh turkey potpie. That sounds really good! Yum!

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  19. Mmm... a super delicious and comforting pot pie!

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  20. How funn I always keep just a small stash of turkey leftover from thanksgiving in the freezer we eat it in may also...great crust love the heart cut out..

    sweetlife

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  21. "heart warming" Ohhhh yes..and belly warming!

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  22. wow I have never made Turkey pot pie and I need to ! It is one of those American classics that need to be made like you, from scratch!

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  23. Oh my word. You are making me drool. I seriously am LOVING this!!

    Blessings rock star!
    Amanda

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  24. Oh how I wish I had some leftover turkey right now!

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  25. I love turkey. I use it a lot in my cooking...for soup, dumplings, stir fries, congee etc but not in pies yet. Your pie looks very delicious. I have to try some day. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. I have to admit I prefer this to sandwiches!

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  27. Pot pie is probably the best use for leftover turky, and yours looks delicious. I really love that cute little crust heart!

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  28. Goodness but that closeup is wonderful... pot pies are just the best comfort food!

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  29. We're in Autumn here and if Autumn doesn't say pot pie, I know that Winter sure does! :D

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  30. love pot pies.... have you tried using oyster sauce with the turkey?
    it really adds to the flavor of your pie..

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  31. I like a turkey and stuffing sandwich, but this looks much, much better!

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  32. I love making sandwiches with leftover roast turkey but a pot pie is just plain comfort. I love this, so nice and warm.

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  33. This is a beautiful crust and a great way to use leftover turkey or chicken.

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  34. I'm a huge fan of leftovers. I think I would like this better than the original turkey meal! Your crust looks divine.

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  35. I so love pot pie but have never tried to make it... you are so brilliant to do this now, giving me months to psyche myself up to try this next Thanksgiving!

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  36. I have to agree that pot pie is the absolute best way to use up leftover turkey.

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  37. The crust is so perfectly flaky, topping the delicious filling-this is maybe my favorite comfort food of all time Grace. It can't get much better than chicken pot pie!

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  38. Pot pie is one of my absolute favorite foods, be it chicken or turkey. It might be 80 degrees and humid here in Boston, but I sure could go for a nice big piece of that...it looks so delicious!

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  39. Savory pies are so yum, especially enticing on rainy days, or is that just me?

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  40. I love pot pie and the more crust the better :)

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  41. I still have never made pot pie, I've got to get on the ball!

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  42. I love pot pie. Love it. Yours looks great, and you're right--so American and so homey. I'd like some right now...

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  43. Pot pies were revelations to me. Pie? For dinner? It's a meal if you put meat in it? Totally in!

    I love pie crust - I'm one of those people who'll flip for a dual layered pie crust. But one will always suffice. ;)

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  44. Pot pie is one of my hubby's favorite comfort foods! Yours looks beautiful!

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  45. This is my kind of comfort food! It looks so delicious and creamy. Love the flaky crust.

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  46. I could eat pot pies every day of the week!

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  47. Great comfort food. I could use a bite on this cool gray day, especially with that delicious looking crust!

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  48. I love turkey pot pie. Sadly, once I made it, and, while it was terrific, my hordes of idiots did not care for it. In fact, there was talk of finding a rope and a tree for Mom. My dearly beloved stopped the revolt before it gained a full head of steam. So, all I can do is drool over your picture.

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  49. Had turkey pot pie once made by my coworker. I loved it. Yours look delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  50. Sound like a great way to use up leftover turkey. Yay for always having pie dough in the fridge. I certainly do. :)

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  51. Grace, turkey pot pie...sounds really good and I love your crust...next time making pie, will try your recipe :-)

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  52. I love that crust and heart that heart. I'm so lazy about making crust that I rarely make pot pie. Can I come over and share some of yours?

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  53. Delicious looking pot pie - I adore the heart you placed on your crust, true comfort food :)

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  54. I'm in love with that little pie heart! Pot pie is one of my all time favorite comfort foods - this sounds perfect and I will remember it the next time I am assigned "meat" for one of my in-law's get togethers and end up with copious amounts of leftovers!

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  55. I may have to give up the usual sandwich for this!

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  56. An oldie but goodie. Pot pies never go out of style. And the little heart on this one just shows all the love that went into it, too.

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  57. mm sounds good.
    can never have enough recipes using leftovers!

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  58. I SO don't make enough pot pie. That needs to change. Obviously.

    This looks like the ultimate comfort food. I'm in love.

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  59. mmm. I'd be inclined to cook an extra turkey breast just to ensure leftovers!

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  60. Yum! I guess tonight's dinner is planned now ... thanks!

    Denalee

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  61. I hardly ever think of turkey other than around the holidays - looks delicious!!

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  62. I haven't made this for ages and I love your recipe. Try adding just a smidgen of celery salt and watch a whole new dynamic happen.

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  63. I love turkey, but I am not a pot pie person!Looks delicious anyway ;-)

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  64. Ooooh, I'm making a pot pie for Mother's Day dinner this Sunday - hope it turns out as great as this one sounds! The photos look awesome.

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  65. Now why haven't I ever made turkey pot pie? I love the cute little heart in your crust :)

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  66. Aww look at that little heart! I have never had a pie crust with a heart in it. So cute! And the innards themselves are quite tasty looking as well :)

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  67. Hiding parts of the meal for a "leftovers" dish the next day? I like your style!

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