Southwestern Chicken Pie With Cheddar-Spoon-Bread Crust

Preparation

1. Step 1

   For the pie, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken and sear until browned, about 5 minutes. Place in a 12-by-3½-inch round clay casserole dish. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the skillet and brown the remaining chicken. Place in the dish. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper.

2. Step 2

   Place 2 teaspoons of oil in the skillet, lower the heat slightly and add the onions, carrots, celery and jalapenos. Saute for 8 minutes. Add 1 cup of broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Stir the vegetable mixture into the chicken. Stir in the remaining broth, cumin, cayenne, ½ teaspoons of salt and pepper. Stir ¼ cup of the stew liquid into the flour, then stir the mixture back into the stew. Set aside.

3. Step 3

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. To make the spoon-bread crust, bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the salt. Whisking constantly, pour the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream. Whisk for 20 seconds and remove from the heat. Place in a large bowl, mix in the butter and let cool. In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, baking powder and pepper. Gradually stir the egg mixture into the cornmeal mixture. Stir in the cheese and scallions. Whip the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into the cornmeal mixture. Spread the spoon bread over the chicken mixture and bake until the bread is cooked through, about 45 minutes. Serve hot.