Friday, February 12, 2010

Diva Cooks: Tangled Noodle Edition

Obviously I didn't cook Tangled Noodle, or any noodles for that matter. Rather, I'm embarking on a new feature today - from time to time I'll be cooking the food of other bloggers and posting about it here. Let's face it, we all run across dozens of recipes every day that just beg for our attention. Meanwhile, we're so busy dreaming up recipes of our own, we rarely find the time to cook all those lovely dishes we've book-marked. Or is that just me?

I adore Tangled Noodle's blog. I feel like I learn something new every time I read it - and not just about food and cooking, but about life as well. She's fascinating and so are her recipes. Earlier this week, I was reading her post on the difficulties of eating local during a Minnesota winter and I was completely charmed by the pot pie recipe offered within.

And not just any pot pie either, a Honeyed Apple Turkey Pot Pie ... wow! Scanning the list of ingredients, I realized I had almost everything on hand - so off to the kitchen I went. Of course, I made a few changes too; mostly out of necessity and partly because I'm a bit of a freak. More on that later.

Towards the end of her post, Noodle suggested she might like to add leeks and possibly a turnip next time. I had both on hand, so done and done. Here's what went into my version:

3 strips of crisp, cooked bacon, crumbled
1 large leek, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 rib of celery, chopped
some Herbes de Provence
salt and pepper
1 lb. of ground turkey breast
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
1/2 of a large yellow turnip, peeled, cubed and steamed until tender
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and chopped, then sauteed with 1 tsp. butter and 1 tsp. of honey
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons white whole wheat flour
3/4 cup beef broth
Puff pastry

I changed up the method of preparation a bit too - and this is where my freakishness comes in. Because raw turkey freaks me out, I browned it a bit first. I began by cooking the bacon. Once cooked, I removed the bacon, drained the fat and added a bit of olive oil to the pan. To it, I added the leeks, onion, celery and a pinch of Herbs de Provence and some salt and pepper. I sauteed until just beginning to color, removed the veggies from the pan, and then browned the turkey in the same skillet. I mixed the cooked veggies with the turkey.

Following Noodle's instructions, I layered the ingredients as per her description, up to and including the apples, substituting the turnips for the potatoes in her recipe. I then made another departure from the recipe, this one out of necessity. I had some beef broth on hand that needed to be used - so I made a roux out of 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons of white whole wheat flour, in the same skillet, then added 3/4 beef broth to create a pan sauce. Once thickened, I poured the finished sauce over the pot pie mixture prior to covering the dish with puff pastry and baking it off.

The results? Outstanding! This is a truly spectacular pot pie! There is something so luscious about the combination of apples, bacon, turnips and leeks. The apple really adds something special; a slightly tangy, almost wine-like flavor that rounds out the whole dish. As the pie bakes, the veggies release more water, creating an incredibly flavorful sauce that's just right when soaked up by that yummy puff pastry.

Seriously, Noodle, this is one of the best pot pies I've ever had! Its a recipe I know I'll return to again and again. I love that you've used the ground turkey - something that wouldn't have occurred to me - and having only one layer of pastry crust makes it *slightly* healthier than my typical double-crust version. Not "Beachy" by a long shot, but absolutely perfect for this wicked winter weather. Adding the apple was truly inspired - I love this dish!!

My suggestion for the day: run, don't walk to Tangled Noodle's place and grab her pot pie recipe here. Tell her Diva sent you.

And, stay tuned ... you never know when I might cook you!

Happy Valentine's weekend, everyone!

32 comments:

Mo Diva said...

there really isnt anything more comforting than homemade chicken pot pie!!!

Unknown said...

I love this idea of you blogging about other people's recipes. I have a mile long list of recipes I've collected in my bookmarks.
Love this, pot pie is awesome :)
*kisses* HH

Dana McCauley said...

fun! You've always got something cookin' up in your imagination don't you Diva?

The Diva on a Diet said...

Mo - I couldn't agree more. This one was amazing!

HH - go right ahead and steal the idea for yourself. I'd love to read a "HH Cooks" series! :) xoxoxo

Dana - the wheels are always turning! LOL and thanks!

shahana said...

You got a wonderful blog with alot of yummy recipes

Astra Libris said...

Oooh, Diva, I'm so excited about your new feature! It's so true, there are SO many wonderfully tempting fellow-blogger recipes I'm always longing to try... This gorgeous pot pie now goes high on the list... I love the idea of leeks, apples, and honey all in one glorious pie!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! I love Tangled Noodle's site too!

Ipmilat said...

Mine's not a food blog, but I do waffle about food now and then. I brought back a fantastic simple but elegant Turkish fish dish from a friend on my last visit to Greece so everyone, do please give it a try and maybe propose variations.

http://giaklamata.blogspot.com/2010/01/fish-dish.html

The Diva on a Diet said...

Hi Shahana, and welcome to Beach Eats! Thanks so much for the lovely comment, I'm looking forward to checking out your blog too! :)

Astra - sit tight ... I'm definitely going to be "cooking you" too! So much great stuff on your blog ... what to choose?! :)

5 Star - I agree, Noodle is a keeper ... much like yourself! :)

vilges suola - I'm very much looking forward to checking out that Turkish dish! Thanks for the link ... I hope others will post some as well! :)

Everyone, if you've got a dish you're like to promote, please share it here in the comments.

SKIP TO MALOU said...

This is a novel idea... and I might steal it one of these days haha...
I love Tangled Noodles sight as well... it's amusing, enteratining and very informative.

SKIP TO MALOU said...

oppsies... i meant site not sight... don't you hate that when you clicked the comment button and you see a typo like this?

Sook said...

I love trying new recipes of other people. :) That looks amazing.

Tangled Noodle said...

I just got back from class and saw this post! Thank you so, so much!! I'm not only thrilled that you enjoyed the pot pie, I'm also excited to try your changes, especially the leeks and turnip; good thing you did it first as I would not have thought to par-cook the root veg beforehand. The beef-broth pan sauce sounds perfect to improve the problem I had with a thin sauce!

I am incredibly flattered that you chose this recipe for your inaugural 'Diva Cooks' feature. I look forward to seeing the next dish that you make!

Mwah! <3

Christo Gonzales said...

now this is a whole lot different than the "kitchen decoration" you did some months back....whoops did I open up an old wound...looks great - flaky and tasty.

Laura said...

Ohhh apples in pie hmmmmm unique! No I'm joking that sounds so heavenly!
And turnips who the hell has turnips on hand besides me? No wonder I like you :) This sounds right up my alley.

I'm a freak too about raw meat I like to pre-cook.

Donna-FFW said...

One of my favorites things to read is other people's opinions of other bloggers food. Your choice sounds delicious!! Comforting, and satisfying loaded with flavor. YUM!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

OH wow that sounds wonderful! I'm going to have to try this the boys might actually eat! :)

Love your blog, new follower.

Lauralei said...

the turnips sound like one of the best parts - this could be the start of a round robin recipe - everyone takes the recipe and teaks it a little :)

ARUNA said...

Wow this is such an innovative idea!!

The Diva on a Diet said...

Skip to Malou - please do steal it! Its so much fun to read other people takes on a recipe.

Sook - thank you!

Tangled Noodle - thank you so much for being so gracious in letting me pilfer your recipe! LOL The leeks and turnips are a winning combo ... you get all the credit for that!! This was so much fun, and my husband LOVED the pot pie! :)

doggybloggy - LOL! You couldn't be more right about that! And at least the husband got fed this time too!

Laura - my turnip loving sister! LOL I adore turnips of every variety ... the husband no so much. I keep them around just for me. :)

Donna - thank you! I agree, it is fun to read the opinions of others. I hope we will make it a round-robin so we can all join the fun.

Alexis - thank you so much and welcome to Beach Eats! I look forward to checking out your blog too. Thanks for the follow! :)

Lauralei - I am loving the Round Robin idea. Its brilliant! Let's do it, I'd be happy to host. I'll be in touch! Thanks and welcome to Beach Eats! :)

Aruna - thank you and welcome to you too! Will check you out as well!

Happy Saturday, all!

Molly said...

what a great idea to cook other bloggers food! I'm off to read Tangled Noodle.

the apple sounds killer in the pot pie.

have a happy valentines' weekend with your family!

Ipmilat said...

A Spanish soup here http://giaklamata.blogspot.com/2010/02/white-garlic.html
I love this stuff. Check it out.

Jewels For Hope said...

I currently am sitting at work for at least another hour or so, and you have now made me crave this dish. I'm most likely going to be thinking about it rather then working for the rest of the time here. ha ha :) Sounds delicious!

Unknown said...

boy that sounds delicious!!! i think my mom would enjoy making that for the family...going to print out this post!
xox alison

cookeaze said...

Wow, what an impressive presentation! I love everything to do with noodles, so I must try this soon! Wonderful complement to me..

stephchows said...

sounds like i need to check out her blog :) this looks delicious! and my link list of "to make" is so long it's sad

Jennie said...

Now this is one yummy looking pie!
Perfect for brightening up these dreary days!

Great post as always!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

This one is just screaming for my attention. It looks so perfectly cooked too! I have everything at home to make this except the turnip. Now I know what I'm making for dinner tomorrow night! I'll have to check out Tangled Noodle's site, I haven't been there before.

Charmian@Christie's Corner said...

Oh, I could go for a big plate of this right now. I swear this dull winter is going to do me in. Pot pie is a comfort food I don't often make. And when I look at your beautiful pastry-topped dish, it makes me wonder why.

Charmian@Christie's Corner said...

Oh, I could go for a big plate of this right now. I swear this dull winter is going to do me in. Pot pie is a comfort food I don't often make. And when I look at your beautiful pastry-topped dish, it makes me wonder why.

Daily Spud said...

Yikes, hopelessly behind on blog reading again. Just catching up here now, but of course I don't need any introduction to Tangled Noodle (and I had read about her pot pie too) - glad it turned out to be such a spectacular success!

The Duo Dishes said...

Pot pie lovers here. Honey and turkey?! This is such a good idea. And it's also a good idea for us to keep trying each others recipes. Too bad we can't do it all day long.