New Year, New Pie

To celebrate on New Year's Eve, I made a pot pie.  We stayed at home, ate pie, and forewent the usual shots of tequila.   No regrets... except that I missed dancing all night to Jeffrey Jerusalem, but it's fine, it just wasn't going to happen.  Anyway, making pie makes me feel good - in control - which is a nice, if different, way to start the year for me.  I like how I can plan ahead for pie: I make the dough the day before so I can roll it out as soon as all the other ingredients are ready.  I like how getting all those other ingredients just right make the whole thing taste that much better: the broth must by rued up with a little flour and the frozen veggies must be poured in to thaw and cook for a bit - but not too long or they get soggy.  I also like how  correct assembly gives the whole thing a nice texture and flavor: the cheese must go in first, to blend with the buttery crust as well as add richness to the sauce.  All of these things have their proper place and time.  A good balance creates a good pie.  


In contrast, my life in 2012 was characterized by a lack of balance.  I was struggling to live without structure, to find creativity in spontaneity and lack of discipline.  It made me feel alive and gritty.  But it wasn't working, even early on.  In April, I found myself crying during a bi-weekly check in with my boss.  I was dealing with a lot of family stress and feeling like my life was out of control at the time.  She told me that she sensed I needed a good balance in my life to feel "OK" and sent me home from work that day to find it.  Since then, I've struggled to keep balance while continuing to resist structure.  But still I often find myself a little short, spread thin, and depressed.  

I want 2013 to be better than that.  I want to figure out how to be creative and in control.  I know that, just like my pie, it takes balance to make a good life.  But like a recipe, that can consist of so many (forgettable) steps and actions.  So, as I was making my pot pie on New Year's Eve, this all sort of came together for me and I made a resolution for the new year.  I am going to be realistic and try to remember one thing above all - one thing that will blanket all my other goals.  I resolve to live with discipline.  In every decision, I resolve to choose the disciplined path rather than the easy and soonest rewarded.  

For example, I would really like to save more money.  But last year I couldn't save.  When I wanted to buy something on a whim, I just did.  I had no self control.  I believe that if I only remember to be disciplined, saying it, like a mantra, I will at least be driven to evaluate the purchase (Why do I want this?  Do I need it?  Can I afford it?).  If I have to stop and actually think through the consequences of my actions, I hope that this intentional deliberation will lead me to make choices that better support my goals.  Like not buying things I don't need - so I can save more. 

In turn, practicing discipline will give me confidence and momentum.  Resisting the urge to buy something I don't need feels like a victory.  I've succeeded in controlling myself from succumbing to pointless consumerism.  On the other hand, giving in and buying something I don't need feels like failure.  Actually, it feels good for a while, but then, when I realize I don't need it and I wasted money, it feels like a failure.  Fortunately, I have the option to be victorious - I can choose to save and to be in control of myself and my life.  That makes me feel good and gives me a reason to keep on keeping on.

So simple!  OK, maybe it's a bit harder in practice, but like I said above "Be disciplined" is much easier to remember than: eat healthy, don't spend money friviously, exercise, write everyday, take Vitamin D, finish projects, don't start too many projects, keep the house clean, stay focused at work, don't drink too much, and quit bitchin' about everything.  Which are all things I need to do to stay balanced.

Anyway, all of this started with pie and even though I want to live with discipline, I think you have to indulge a little too.  Discipline is everyday living if you don't act like an animal every once in a while.  So how about this kind of discipline:  make a perfectly balanced vegetarian pot pie and then eat 3 slices with a few glasses of champagne.  Happy New Year.

New Year New Pie

1 double pie crust (I live by this recipe)
2 tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp celery seed
1 3/4 cup veggie broth
2/3 cup milk
4 cups frozen/fresh steamed veggies (such as carrots, broccoli, peas, and green beans)
1/2 cup Manchego sheep's milk cheese, grated

- Preheat oven to 425.  
- Melt butter and saute onion and garlic powder for 5-10 mins, until onion is soft.  
- Sprinkle flour over onions, stirring to incorporate.  Stir in spices.  
- Stirring constantly, gradually add veggie broth and milk
- Simmer over medium low until thickened.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in vegetables.  Let cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, roll out the bottom crust and place in a buttered pie pan.  Roll out the top crust to have at the ready.

- Assemble pie - sprinkle cheese in the bottom of the prepared pie crust.  Add veggie mix and top with remaining pie crust.  Crimp edges and cut 3 slits in the top of the pie.  
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.  Depending on your oven, you may want to turn the heat down to 375 for the last 10 minutes.  Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

NOTE:  I adapted this recipe from here.  That recipe may be especially interesting to meat eaters, since mine is vegetarian.  My changes make my pie a bit easier to make and my meat-eating husband has been eating the leftovers for several days (which is unheard of in these parts).  So, all veggie some of the time can't be too bad.