. . . for Lauren and Lauren: chicken pot pie

December 10, 2013

Why I'm a bad wife

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #KleenexTarget http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

There are a few things that I could say that I do well as a wife, like put away laundry, and take care of our bills. But there are definitely areas where I know I could do better. One of the biggest things I fail at is being sympathetic when Chris is sick. I rarely get sick myself and when I do, I would still go to work and somewhat function pretty well. Chris on the other hand, gets sick and is in bed for days straight. He immediately needs gatorade, Kleenex and a million hours of sleep.
The thing is that I know I don't get as sick as Chris (which sometimes I attribute to be just being stronger) and I know I should be a little more compassionate. Unfortunately Chris has been sick twice in the last three weeks and I failed at being a caring wife. BUT I am prepared for the next time and know how to make him feel a little better:
1. I am one of the cheapest people you will meet and buy just about everything generic, and for the most part Chris has adapted. I have learned however, there are a few things that you should buy name brands, because they are way better. One being toilet paper. And the other being Kleenex. Buying the real stuff makes a huge difference and I know Chris appreciates it. I do know that having a soft, absorbent tissue is much better on a sick nose.

And turns out when you have a good coupon for $1 a four pack or more of Kleenex at Target, you don't end up paying much more for a much better product.
2. Cook him a good meal. When you have a really bad cold, a good comfort meal is a great way to feel better and I am definitely capable of doing that.

One of Chris' favorite meals is chicken pot pie. I've used this recipe before and it is pretty simple (especially when you buy a rotisserie chicken and using a bag of frozen veggies instead of cutting fresh ones) and SO delicious.

Ingredients: 1 rotisserie chicken (shredded) 1 bag frozen veggies (peas and carrots) 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/3 cup chopped onion 1/3 cup butter 1/3 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/3 teaspoon celery seed 1 3/4 chicken broth 2/3 cup milk 2 pie crusts

Shred your chicken, cut up your onion and celery.

In a saucepan, combine frozen veggies and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside. Add chicken.

In another saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

Form one pie crust onto the bottom of a casserole dish or pie pan. Place the chicken mixture in the bottom of the crust. Top with sauce mixture. Put pie crust on the top and fold down the sides and cut slits across.

Bake is 425 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool about ten minutes.

3. Make a fire. Okay I actually have only done this twice because I'm scared of starting a fire. But I know I could do it. And I know if Chris ever came out of bed when he was sick and found a fire and a delicious meal, I'd earn some major wife points.

So let's just hope that Chris doesn't get sick again for a very long time. But if he does, let's hope I can be a little more sympathetic and be prepared with Kleenex, a good comfort meal and a warm fire.