Creamy White Bean And Leek Pot Pie Recipes

RUSTIC WHITE BEAN & THYME POT PIES

Steps:

• To a medium saucepan, add the olive oil or vegan butter. Warm over low heat. Add the onion and carrots and saute just until the onions are beginning to become translucent, 5-6 minutes.
• Add flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir constantly for three minutes, adding the garlic during the last minute.
• Slowly pour in the vegetable broth, stirring constantly. Add the beans, potatoes and thyme sprigs. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just about fork tender, about 5 minutes. Remove thyme stems. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired, to taste.
• If adding chicken or turkey to any of the pot pies, add 1/4 cup to each ramekin.
• Divide bean filling between the four or five ramekins, carefully stirring those that have meat with a small spoon to evenly distribute.
• Cut circles of crust about 1" larger than the circumference of the ramekins. To keep track of the meat pot pies vs. the veggie pot pies, I like to use letter cookie cutters - "VEG" for veggie and, in the case of the batch I made for the blog, "CHX" for chicken. A simple V or C will work or any old shape to help you tell them apart will do! Just be sure you at least slit the top to allow for steam to escape.
• Bake 375 degrees for about 35 minutes, until the pie crust is golden brown and the filling is nice and bubbly.
• Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.

CREAMY WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• In a blender purée the beans in batches with the tarragon and the broth and strain the purée through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on the solids. In a large saucepan cook the leek, the garlic, and the red pepper flakes in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the leek is softened and begins to turn golden. Add the purée, the half-and-half, the lemon juice, and salt to taste and simmer the soup, stirring, for 5 minutes.