Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie

Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie
Maria Robledo
Serves 6 Hands-On Time: 35m Total Time: 1hr 10m
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions, chopped
4 carrots, diced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups 1 percent milk
1 10-ounce package frozen peas
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
kosher salt and black pepper
1 9-inch store-bought piecrust, thawed if frozen
Directions
Heat oven to 400° F. Cook the chicken in a pot of simmering water until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes; let cool, then shred.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stir-ring, until they begin to soften, 6 to 8 minutes (do not let them darken). Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add the wine and cook until evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the milk and simmer until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken, peas, thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to a shallow 1 1/2- to 2-quart baking dish.
Lay the crust on top, pressing to seal. Cut several vents in the crust. Place the pot pie on a baking sheet and bake until bubbling and the crust is golden, 30 to 35 minutes.

Tax Credit Extension

Tax Credit Extension Seems Likely It seems likely that the U.S. Senate will approve a deal to extend the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, but the devil is in the details.Florida Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson told reporters traveling to Florida with President Obama on Monday that he thought that the extension would be approved, but both senators and representatives are among those who think that there should be some fiscal offset for the cost of the extension. Spending any more money on the stimulus effort also could stir up a hornets' nest in some circles.
The proposal in the Senate that appears to have the most likelihood of passage would extend the $8,000 credit through March 31, then its value would drop by $2,000 for each of the subsequent three quarters of 2010. This plan was offered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat.

Source: Associated Press, Andrew Taylor (10/26/2009) and The Wall Street Journal, John D. McKinnon (10/27/2009)

Infrared Heaters, Posted 10-13-2009

Brrrrr...., yup it is getting cold here in Kuna, Idaho. We have finished the harvest of the garden and have been grape juicing for the past three weeks. We are definitely good for the winter on grape juice. I still need to make applesauce.

So I have spent the last two weeks researching the infrared Heaters. Edenpur, Sunglow are a couple. It took me a week but I actually found two suppliers of the Sunglow here in our Valley. So I was actually able to test and touch. Only a $1.00 a day to operate, that I really liked. The one we finally ordered was from ebay and we are still waiting for it to get here. I am excitedly awaiting it arrival. Last year my highest heating bill was over $350. Ouch! Plus we had to fill the propane tank (gas fireplace) that was another $700. Big Ouch! So I am definitely on the hunt for more affordable heating. We have a newer electric heat pump, which works good but definitely costs alot to operate when it is cold. You can get the infrared heaters in different sizes. We are getting one that will heat a 1000 sq. ft. The supplier will also be getting the infrared heaters to use in fireplaces. I will be checking that one out as soon as it comes in at our local supplier. Thus we might be able to put a unit in the gas fireplace and the box heater out in the Shop. Just email me if you would like more of my personal information and experience with this type of heat source. Stay Warm!