Top Pick Of The Week

January 18, 2005

.
. .

Twin Hens Pot Pie

Comfort food doesn't get more comforting than this!
An individual-size Twin Hens chicken pot pie. Photos
by Melody Lan.

Pot Pie, Perfected

The two smart chicks at Twin Hens have hatched a recipe for the best chicken pot pie you’ve ever warmed up to. They’re coops away from the gloppy-sauced, sodden-crusted pot pies idling away in your supermarket’s frozen food section; or even the somewhat better version that you’d order at a restaurant. Twin Hens pot pies arescrumptious in ways you’ll notice as soon as you pop them into the oven. 

As they begin to bubble, the pies’ buttery, browning crusts perfume your kitchen, and the lovely, lingering scent of fresh thyme begs you to count the minutes until they reach peak perfection—which they do in just about 45 to 55 quick minutes, plus five minutes of cool-down time.

How do those clever Hens do it? Simplicity is the key. The two proprietors, not twins but friends and former professional caterers, use only the best of the best ingredients: Bell & Evans white and dark meat chicken, churned sweet AA butter, organic peas, carrots, onions and celery, plenty of fresh herbs and no preservatives. The result keeps impressing you every time you dig into a pie.

The generous chicken chunks are fork-tender, the pate brisée crust is just-right—flaky and buttery—and a burst of fresh thyme flavor is at the forefront. But the secret is the sauce: it’s just light enough to perfectly bind the ingredients, unlike the tasteless white stuff in other pot pies. And Twin Hen pot pies look like pot pies should: they’re not cookie-cutter perfect and you won’t find any oh-so-neat machine-crimped edges. They’re handmade, and they look it. They’re homemade, and they taste it.

About an hour before you’re ready to eat, place the pies in a preheated 425ºF oven. To accompany your pies, toss up a green salad (the Hens recommend a rice wine or tarragon vinaigrette) and pour a glass of well-chilled Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or apple cider. While the pies are cooling, you can steal into the kitchen to pleasantly burn your fingertips as you sneak pieces of the buttery browned bits of crust that are draped over the sides of the pan.

You’ll never make your own pot pie again. Know why? You’ll never be able to make one this good.

Pate Brisee

The flakey, buttery pate brisée crust tops off a heavenly mixture of chicken, sauce and vegetables.

Stock up on Twin Hens pies to have on hand for a quick, delicious dinner. But don’t forget also to also have some sent along to pie-needy people like harried new parents, a feeling-not-so-hot friend, a famished student...or to anyone in need of a no-fuss, cluckin’ good meal.

—Rowann Gilman

 

 

 

 

TWIN HENS CHICKEN POT PIES

  • Large Pie, 40 Ounces
    (serves 4 small eaters or 2 hefty eaters)
    $22
  • Small Pies, 13 Ounces
    (individual adult serving size)
    Box of 4, $32; Box of 6, $42

Shipping additional. Prices subject to change.

Purchase online at TwinHens.com.

Also available at specialty food stores.
Check the website for retail locations.

FORWARD THIS NIBBLE to your potpie-loving friends.

mailer potpie
From the moment the white carton arrives,
you know you're in for a special experience.

boxed potpie
Family and individual sizes mean pot pie
happiness for all.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, special offers, contests, opinion surveys, THE NIBBLEtm back issues archive, more reviews and articles, product gift-finder, links to our favorite food websites, and the ability to nominate YOUR favorite nibbles, visit www.thenibble.com.

 

 


To change your subscriber preferences, click here. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to unsubscribe@thenibble.com. To contact us with comments or suggestions, click here. If you received this from a friend but would like to subscribe directly, go to www.thenibble.com.

© Copyright 2004-2024 Lifestyle Direct, Inc. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is subject to change at any time without notice. All details must be directly confirmed with manufacturers, service establishments and other third parties. The material in this newsletter may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Lifestyle Direct, Inc.

.









.