I’ve always loved to cook and I often find the whole process very therapeutic. But ever since my daughter was born, I simply haven’t had a chance to get busy in the kitchen as much as I would like.
So when the opportunity came up for a mummy-daughter pie making session at Pies & Coffee, I said yes in a jiffy. Admittedly, my one year old was a little young for the expedition but regardless, I thought it would be fun and off we went.
As its moniker suggests, Pies & Coffee is known for its gourmet pies and coffees and recently unveiled a new concept offering pie and cookie baking experience during kids birthday parties. Baking isn’t just fun. There’s the added benefit of stimulating a child’s five senses and honing their motor coordination skills. During these sessions, bakers are on hand to teach the children, allowing them to bring their own creations home to share with the rest of the family. It’s a great experience for the little ones and teaches them a skill while they’re at it.
The resulting pies turned out to be delicious, even if the ones created by my daughter (well, mostly yours truly) looked like a bit of a mess so I asked Pies & Coffee if they would share a recipe for our busy mums (below). Mary Berry we may not be but we can certainly give it a go.
CHICKEN MUSHROOM PIE
Ingredients:
Short Crust Pastry (you can get it at the supermarket)
Chicken Mushroom Filling
Fresh Chicken, Button Mushroom, Chicken stock, Onion, Bay Leaf, Flour, Salt & Pepper, Oil, Cream
1. Heat the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan. Season the chicken to taste and fry for 5-8 mins until golden brown, turning occasionally. Add the onion, mushrooms and bay leaf.
2. Tip the flour into the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 min. With the pan off the heat, gradually stir or whisk in the stock, followed by the cream, then add the sautéed chicken back to the pan. Bring to the boil, then simmer.
3. Spoon the filling into a large pie.
4. Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees Celsius.
5. Cut a long strip of the short crust pastry as wide as the rim of the pie dish and fix to the edge of the pie dish. Gently press the edges with your fingers and trim the excess.
6. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 mins.
Pies & Coffee pie or cookie hands-on baking workshops can be hosted at their outlets including Robertson Walk, Rochester Mall, The Grandstand or Alexandra Retail Centre. A minimum of eight children is required ($30 per child) and each child will be able to bring home six cookies or 5 mini pies. All baking tools will be provided.
