Chicken Pot Pie and Potluck Anxiety

I have issues.  Deep, dark issues.  If you've read this blog at all then that comes as no surprise to you, because I tell you about them all the time.  I'm going to unveil another trait about myself and it won't hurt my feelings in the slightest if you laugh or make fun of me for it.  I'm a team player, anything I can do for your enjoyment makes me happy.

Potluck dinners of any sort really creep me out.  I haven't always been like this.  In fact as a child I looked forward for any and every opportunity to eat at a potluck dinner.  Let me tell you right now Cowee Baptist Church can throw down on a potluck dinner.  People would come from far and wide toting corning wear and covered dishes filled with everything and anything imaginable.  Even the worst of the worst was still REALLY good.  Scents would fill the sanctuary and everyone was very happy that we were Baptist. 

Why?  Well, I'll tell you why.

1.  Baptists think with there bellies.  If we smell something that causes our gastric juices to start churning we stop whatever it is and follow the scent.  Then eat whatever it is we've found.  It doesn't matter if the pastor feels the need to extend the benediction hymn we will walk towards the scent of food.  Does anybody need prayer?  Well, you need to get it when there isn't fried chicken chilling out in the fellowship hall.  Don't judge us.
2.  Baptists believe in clocks and watches.  The service ends at 12:00pm.  No exceptions.  We are guaranteed to be in the serving line plotting out a seat by 12:02pm.  Don't get in our way.  We won't feel guilty if we trample you.  Don't judge us.

I can actually tell you the moment potluck dinners began instilling fear in me.  When I was growing up I hated being away from home.  HATED.  I never asked to spend the night anywhere because I knew that as soon as the sun set I would have to be taken home.  If you hesitated in getting me home then I would cry and scream and weep and wail until someone took me.  So, with that being said I assumed that everyone had the same standards of clean that my grandmother had.  When I would spend time with my Dad and Step Mom they were always very clean, my aunts were always very clean, so in my world kitchens were kept spotless.  My grandmother can be in the middle of cooking for 200 people and still keep her kitchen spotless.  I thought everyone lived like this.  At potluck dinners I thought all food came from clean kitchens.  Can you imagine the shock I experienced when I discovered that the food I might be consuming came from a nasty kitchen? 

"Here, have some of this chocolate cake.  My cat walks all over my counters and I lick the spoon and continue to use it"

"Would you like some casserole?   I have rotten food in my sink because I haven't done the dishes in 4 months.  Try my casserole it's yummy."

"Take a big ole piece of this fried chicken!  I have a cold and sneeze and cough without washing my hands."

"Have some green beans!  I use the same cutting board to cut up raw chicken as I do to cut up fresh veggies...without sanitizing.  Green beans are good for you!"

See the places my mind goes?  Deep, dark issues. 

I'm not saying that the ladies of Cowee baptist church keep a nasty kitchen.  I'm sure they are as clean as you can be.  But I still can't eat the food.  Now, that I attend church with my husband I still can't do potluck dinners.  I will eat what I fix...I know what kind of kitchen I keep.  I just can't bring myself to eat other dishes.  I need therapy. 

Now that I've unloaded on you I'm going to share with you a recipe for something you can always find at a potluck dinner.  Chicken Pot Pie.  If you attend a potluck that doesn't serve chicken pot pie we have several issues. 

This is a quick and simple recipe and a crowd pleaser.  Add some grated sharp cheddar cheese to the biscuit dough, and top with some sliced green onions and you will be a hero in the eyes of your family. 

This recipe calls for a layer of boiled eggs.  Unless you are a HUGE egg fan I recommend omitting those. 

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup frozen green peas
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, optional
• 1 1/2 cups instant biscuit mix
• 1 cup milk
• 1 stick melted butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a greased 2-quart casserole, layer the chicken, eggs, carrots, and peas. Mix the soup, chicken broth, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Pour over the layers. Stir together the biscuit mix and milk, and pour this over the casserole. Drizzle butter over the topping. Bake until the topping is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.