SMOKY CHEDDAR, CHORIZO AND SWEET POTATO POT PIES

Smoky Cheddar, Chorizo and Sweet Potato Pot Pies image

Provided by Damaris Phillips

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 stalks celery, diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound fresh Mexican chorizo or soy-based chorizo sausage, casings removed
1 pound sweet potatoes, parcooked (see Cook's Note)
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded smoked Cheddar
1/4 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 box refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
1 large egg, beaten

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a large saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the celery and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chorizo, sweet potatoes and peas. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the flour. Stir and cook to remove the raw flour flavor, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the vegetable stock and the cream. Bring to a simmer to allow the sauce to thicken; it should coat the back of a spoon, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cheese and the parsley and remove from the heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Place six 8-ounce ramekins in a baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet. Fill each with the chorizo mixture until 1/2-inch from the top (the number of pies you get depends on the size of the ramekins). Let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, roll out the pie crust and, using a large biscuit cutter, cut a circle of dough large enough to cover the entire top of the ramekin and fall over the sides. Repeat until all the ramekins are covered. Brush the dough with the egg, cut 2 to 3 slits in the top to allow steam to escape and bake until golden and the dough is cooked through, 20 to 22 minutes.