Shrimp & Chicken Pie

Ingredients:

For Pastry:

• 3/4 cup all purpose flour

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup shortening

• 2-3 tbsp cold water

For Filling:

• 1 1/4 cup finely diced cooked shrimp

• 1 1/4 cup finely diced cooked chicken

• 1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed

• 1 tbsp parsley

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp pepper

• grated nutmeg (optional)

• 2 tsp grated onion

• 3 eggs, separated

• Béchamel sauce

For Béchamel Sauce:

• 2 tbsp shortening

• 2 tbsp all purpose flour

• 1 1/4 cup milk (warm)

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp white pepper

• pinch of nutmeg

Pastry:

1. Mix the flour and salt together in a medium size bowl.

2. Cut shortening into flour using a pastry blender, fork or fingers until it forms into walnut size pieces.

3. Add water one tablespoon at a time. Just add enough to bind the pastry.

4. Knead a few times forming into a circle.

5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

Béchamel Sauce:

1. Melt shortening over low heat.

2. Add flour and stir into melted butter to form a paste (roux).

3. Cook for two minutes over low heat.

4. Whisk warm milk into roux. Simmer until thickened.

5. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Simmer two more minutes.

6. Remove from heat.

Pie:

1. On a floured surface, roll out the pie dough to fit into a 9" deep pie dish.

2. In a large bowl, combine shrimp,chicken,sweet peas, Béchamel sauce, parsley, onion, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

3. Beat the egg yolks and fold into the filling mixture.

4. Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks and gently fold into the filling mixture.

5. Pour mixture into the pie shell.

6. Bake in a preheated 400 °F oven for 30-35 minutes until the pie is set and is golden brown.

7. Allow to cool, then cut and serve.

Serves: 4-6.

Notes&Tips:

• Don't let the long list of ingredients prevent you from making this recipe. The pie dough can be made ahead of time and the sauce is super easy. Whenever I am making a white sauce, I warm the milk as this allows the sauce to cook quicker.

• How to tell when egg whites have reached stiff peaks? It will stand up in the bowl or on the beater when it's tuned upward and will not droop.

• You do not need two crust for this pie, as the beaten egg whites will form the top crust.

• Serve this pie with a salad and you have a decadent meal.

• I've made this pie for years and it always gets rave reviews.