LOVE Food

/ roughwighting

English wallpaper, roses, English bloodI don’t like pot pie. Well, deep inside I do, since my blood is English – way back to my great-great grandparents. So sure, I like pot pie the same way I like rose gardens and floral wallpaper and hot tea with milk.

But I used to never eat pot pie because, to be honest, it’s fattening; all flour and butter in the crust; butter and flour in the gravy; and then a speck of chicken in there. With maybe a pea or two.

But when I began teaching on Tuesday nights, my guy offered to cook once a week. Hooray! Except my guy doesn’t know where we keep the salt and pepper, much less a pan or even a cooking spoon.

However, he serves his Tuesday night masterpiece proudly and  joyfully as soon as I return from my writing class, generally around 7:40 p.m.

Have you guessed what his culinary chef-d’oeuvre is yet?

Yes, frozen chicken pot pie. chicken pot pie, food love, Valentine's Day

My guy drives 30 minutes out of his way on Tuesdays to a country farm that sells amazing pot pies. He pops it in the 400 degree oven 90 minutes before I arrive home. He even steams some asparagus to go with the carrots and peas that float in the gravy.

When I race into the house, smelling that delectable gravy and noticing lit candles and a cozy fire warming up the room, I realize something . . .

I LOVE chicken pot pie.

roses, red roses, Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day – a special time to honor the ways we show love for each other. How do you celebrate?

 

 

 

199 thoughts on “LOVE Food”

  1. Ah, food made (or prepared, as in this case) with love, makes ALL the difference in the world. Funny because last night we were watching the British baking show and the challenge was focused around… you guessed it, pot pies. And then the show stopper challenge was all about making American Pies! (Pumpkin, sweet potato, pecan, lemon meringue), quite a different story from a classic British pie.

    Peta

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    • The BRITs are known for their pot pies and their shepherds pie, another traditional dish my mother always made. I think I better stay clear of that TV baking show or I might get some wonderful ideas. 😲

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      • Tasty… despite the reputation of English food being bland. Perhaps that’s a reputation from WWII era when so many ingredients were on ration, when herbs and spices couldn’t be had, when it was all *mend and make do*, and when a lot of American servicemen were tucking their toes under friendly English girls’ tables.

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        • 🙂 Ah, the romantic in you is showing up. I will say that some of the PBS Masterpiece Theater series are my favorite of any TV. Foyle’s War was wonderful in detailing England during and right after the war (at least from my perspective, granted not so knowledgeable).

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            • Wow, your parents lived through WWII in such a hard way. Five years pow – can’t imagine how tough that was. He survived! My dad was a paratrooper during WWII and despite many falls and battles, he made it as well. Greatest generation in so many ways.

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              • My father was one of three survivors of a war atrocity, taken POW while the others were slaughtered under white flag, simply because as radio operator he was last out of their *hole* and had exited by a different door. He spent most of the duration in what was then Prussia while his family assumed him dead.

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  9. My man doesn’t like to cook at all!!! Once in a while he will make an omelet for dinner when I don’t feel like cooking. Happy Valentine’s day to you and Jerry!!!

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  11. I agree with Beth: you are lucky to have both the guy and the pie – ha!

    If my figures are correct, your guy spends more than 2 hours, including drive time and baking to deliver the goods. He even adds asparagus (so pretty and good source of iron) as a flourish.

    Tonight my guy is sacrificing his manliness by booking a room with crazy rosy wallpaper at a Victorian-themed bed & breakfast. What they do for love is nothing to sneeze at – right!

    Happy Valentine’s Day, you TWO!

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  12. Awww—so sweet, Pam. That vase, too.
    We don’t do much for Valentine’s Day because it’s so close to my guy’s birthday, but he will buy me really good chocolates, and I’m making us fondue for dinner.

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  13. The red roses are beautiful and add a spot of love to your table, in spite of what meal is on it? Nothing much going on here for Valentine’s Day. Maybe share a bottle of Pinot Noir and groove on a few episodes of Doc Martin? Love that show, love the one you’re with.

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  18. LOL. That made me snort. I’m glad I was out of coffee. (I secretly admit that I like some of them, but like you, they’re just so fattening, besides, usually give me indigestion.) Potpie must be a guy thing. It also seems to be a southern New Mexico thing. The grocery store I use has the frozen potpies all in one section, all the brands together, separate from the other frozen dinners… I’ve never seen that before.
    Whatever dinner brings, Pam — Happy Valentine’s Day.

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  21. A lovely post Pam. My guy and I will have an early dinner out because we are on vacation. When we are at home he doesn’t mind cooking and he always does the dishes. Happy. Valentines’s Day.

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    • Wow-that’s a real love treat Gerlinde, considering how great a cook you are. I imagine your guy would want your meals every day of the week. You have raised him well. 😏Hope you have a delightful tropical dinner out tonight.🌴🌸

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  24. My Mom and Grandma made the best chicken pot pies using small chunks of chicken, mushrooms, squash,peas, carrots and cubed potatoes–potatoes were optional. The recipe was passed along to all the daughters but it was never written down, just shown how-to and that was it. When all the uncles were home, Grandma made two huge pies but when it was only a few people, the pies became pot-pies.
    Tonight, Hubby is taking me out to dinner, but tomorrow I think I’ll made chicken pot pies. . . .
    Happy Valentine to you and your Hubby, Pam!

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  29. Wow, pot pie, asparagus and carrots, what a perfect dinner made with love. My husband does all the cooking after he retired in 2016. I used to give him dark chocolates and he gave me a dozen red roses for Valentine. He doesn’t eat sweet anymore for health reason. We make it simple now.

    Happy Valentine to you two, Pam!

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    • I have to exercise extra every Wednesday, Patricia! But my love and gratefulness are so strong I’m even willing to gain an extra pound or two for that Tuesday night food love. 😍

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  31. Totally roared when I read ‘Frozen Chicken Pot Pie’. Reminded me of a time where I brought canned soup to a friend who was recovering from an injury. I was so proud of the time spent walking the soup aisle picking out just the right flavor. I think all of his laughter that followed (he was expecting homemade) healed his injury.

    But it sounds like your guy has a much better source than the Kroger Soup Aisle for his gift of love. Sounds delicious

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  34. Awww. How sweet, Pam. You are well-loved. I’d love pot pies too!
    I buy pies at the grocery store. I hide the packaging in the trash, slip it in the oven, and tell him I made it. He thinks I make GREAT pies. Hee hee.
    Such fun. Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend. ❤ ❤

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  38. What a wonderful treat! I love the way a pot pie smells when it’s baking. And how absolutely perfect that your guy is attentive to you in taking the steps to prepare a delicious meal and he’s sensitive to your scheduling needs, too. I do have a pot pie source nearby…I avoid, as well, for calories, but I think I deserve a treat, too! 🙂 Soon!

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  39. Oh my goodness, Pam. I am so jealous. A chicken pot pie bought freshly out of the way and served with love has absolutely no calories if eaten with that same love. I have never been a fan but of course my only exposure was to factory frozen. Even then, when someone cares enough to bake it for you, you have won the grand prize. Happy Valentines day and hug that honey of a man.

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    • Ohhhh, back in the day, when pot pies were enjoyed instead…. of pricey meat and potatoes. Whenever my parents went out “on the town” and brought in a babysitter, my brother and I had frozen pot pie for dinner. I liked it so much that I kept asking my parents every week “Aren’t you going out next weekend?” 🙂 Now, I’m a pot pie snob. Marie Callendar doesn’t fit the bill. Only specially made ones, like the kind my guy finds at the local farm. Fresh ingredients and a crust that is almost too good to be true.
      Mouth watering?? xo

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  42. Pam, you’re back!!😀 I missed you! ❤️

    Only you could turn a pot pie into an eloquent essay about love, kindness and affection! How wonderful that your husband prepares a special meal every Tuesday and allows you to come home, totally relax and be spoilt! Personally I am not a fan of pies in any form though my husband would eat them all the time if possible!

    I hope you had a magical Valentine’s Day, my friend. After a long countryside walk in the rare sunshine, we enjoyed a small pub lunch before my husband cooked us a special meal in the evening!

    Wishing you a wonderful weekend! hugs xx

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    • My dear Annika – not even CHOCOLATE cream pie? Or COCONUT cream pie? How about Strawberry pie with a meringue crust, or the favorite of one of my friends, lemon meringue pie? Come on, please tell me there is at least one or two pies that you would eye. 🙂

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      • Pam, I’m laughing at how you put chocolate in capital letters – you know I can’t resist this! 😀 Or even better is the sound of strawberry with meringue crust – that sounds divine! I was thinking of savoury pies in my previous comment. My mother makes a delicious rhubarb pie and my husband an apple one, although I’ll only eat them if they have loads of sugar on them!😀

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        • Hey we may live an ocean away, but I know another chocolate lover no matter how many miles separate us. 🙂 Sometime next summer I’ll make my strawberry pie-with-meringue-crust (and whipped cream on top) and send you a photo. A perfect summertime dessert. My dad loved rhubarb pie, but it was hard to find. I’m with you – except for pot pie, I’m more a dessert-pie-lover myself. xo

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    • Chicken pot pie is a manly man food, sort of like spaghetti. When our kids were at home, we served “spaghetts” once a week – every Monday night. Comfort food to the max. Here’s hoping your husband gets a dish of pot pie soon from his honey pie. 🙂

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      • Aw, thank you! We had such a busy year last year, so I hardly logged in! We sold our house, and waited while ours was being built in Washington near my folks while we sold their home (they are in assisted living), and then sold my father-in-law’s home and properties. When we finally moved in, I was like a bewildered zombie with PTSD! It’s great to read through the blog posts and catch up!

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        • That’s more than a “busy” year – wowzie. You’ve been through some stressful times, including building a home (yikes) to having your folks situated in assisted living (hope that’s working for them – my brother and I did the same for my mom 5 years ago, and she’s now in memory care at 95 years) and selling your father-in-laws property. So much emotional everything there. Hope you’re feeling more settled and I look forward to reading your blog posts. ❤

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          • Thank you! I think I have forgotten how to use WordPress! I will have to take a tutorial before I update my blog. Yes, quite a year. Wow, 95 years old! Big congratulations to her for her stamina. My mom just turned 83, and her decline is obvious. These things are so difficult, but also such a common human experience. Counting our many good things and thankful for the more relaxed season we seem to be in now.

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  46. I think most men love pies and an offering of a pie from a man is a true sign of love! How wonderful to get home from work tired and hungry, to be greeted by such love and devotion!
    We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day as we (well, it was me really) didn’t think we needed to. I’m not a romantic and always get suspicious if I get given flowers and anyway, we love each other all year round. Richard cooks once a week – more if I’m unwell or tired – and guess what he loves to cook best of all! Frozen pie!

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  48. We both love pot pie – everything in one dish makes some things easier – and Mark used to make it once in a while when we still lived on our sailboat. It had an oven. Our Zesty doesn’t have an oven (the one attribute we miss the most), so no more pot pies. But, he’s such a good cook that we won’t go hungry or bored with any other dish. 🙂

    Glad you had a nice Valentine. Your guy sounds quite romantic and accommodating. We never celebrate “forced” and commercial events like Valentine’s Day, but happened to be out running errands on Friday and noticing the hectic atmosphere in the stores of women buying balloons and small gifts and men gathering around the flower display. 🙂

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  50. I’m glad you found you like chicken pot pie. My husband loves them, but I haven’t made it since our sons have grown. I can’t stand the thought. I don’t eat white flour so I never eat the crust and I don’t like the gravy for much the same reason.
    I hope you had a terrific Valentine’s Day! ❤️❤️❤️

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  53. How wonderful! I love chicken pot pie, even the frozen ones (Mrs. Budd’s) from the grocery store and despite the fact that they are fattening. They are so comforting. How nice, too, of your husband to do that for you. I work til 8 on Tuesday nights and I also come home to food ready for me to eat :).

    As for pot pies – I went into labor with 2 of my kids after eating pot pies at Bob Evans 😁

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  58. Pam, I love pies, pastry, pot pies, well, food in general. I know what you mean about the fattening part. Huge smile when I found out your main squeeze’s meal. Steaming asparagus is a special touch. All served with love. You remind me, Pam, how these are truly the “I love you’s”. A few days after Valentine’s Day for my comment, although I suspect it is Valentine’s Day every day at your house. In mine, too!❤️

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  61. I love chicken pot pie, too, Pam, and although I really don’t eat meat, there is ONE place – like yours – that makes them from scratch and it’s too good to resist. Thankfully, they are 45 minutes away from me! However, I do enjoy Amy’s frozen pot pies which have no meat at all in them – veggies and delish. And how sweet of the hubby, too.

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  63. Aww that was beautiful… Sound just the meal for a cosy Valentines evening.. 🙂 I am very lucky my hubby learnt to cook years ago and now loves to top Chef in our Kitchen… And you know what they say, too many cooks spoil the broth.. So I am often happy as he is quite a good cook.. 🙂 ❤

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  70. Somehow I missed this post… and a few others too. Apologies ahead of time if a wayward comment pops up today. I haven’t looked at my blog email in quite some time. I will answer ones that show up on my phone in my app when I take the time to look at it, but I have a tendency to ignore the many emails that have piled up.
    Our Valentine’s Day was splendid. We went to this quaint little B&B about 45 minutes away and had a wonderful dinner (the owner is also an Italian trained chef) and then an awesome breakfast the next morning. There were friends also spending the night so we got to eat with them Sat morning. I loved the time away and the wonderful food. And I LOVE pot pies.. they are major comfort food for me. I think you have a keeper there! 😏

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  73. Oh yes, the guys are very good at cooking using takeaway or pre-prepared foods! My ‘Moth” has turned it into an art form! At least they try and it is a warm hearty meal, that you don’t have to prepare. Some people, like my kids, don’t like cooking but they do know how to cook! I made sure of that.

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