Chicken and pumpkin pot pies

Step 1

Place chicken in a medium saucepan; cover with cold water. Bring to the boil; reduce heat, simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Drain chicken reserving ½ cup of the poaching liquid. Shred chicken.

Step 2

Meanwhile, boil, steam or microwave pumpkin until tender; mash coarsely.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F.

Step 4

Cook leek, garlic, thyme and the water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until leek is tender. Add flour; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add chicken, reserved poaching liquid and pumpkin, bring to the boil, stirring, for 2 minutes or until thickened slightly. Season with pepper to taste.

Step 5

Brush pastry sheets with egg white, folding in half three times to make a square. Brush edges of two 1-cup (250ml) heatproof ramekins with egg white. Divide chicken mixture between ramekins, top with pastry squares turning edges of pastry upwards. Brush tops with egg white. Using a small sharp knife, make a hole in the centre of each pie; sprinkle with pepitas. Bake pies for 25 minutes or until pastry is browned lightly

Step 6

Combine beetroot leaves and juice in a small bowl, season with pepper to taste. Serve hot pies with beetroot leaves.