Portobello Pot Pie

[csipal]

Since I'm the only vegetarian during the holidays, I tried out a new recipe that I hope would be pleasing for all - and I desperately needed something that could fill me up since almost every side dish will likely be cooked with meat.

This was SO good.  I loved it and I can't wait to eat it again on Thursday.

• 2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts
• 6 small red potatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 1 cup thinly sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
• 5 tablespoons rice flour
• 2 portobello mushroom caps, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried sage
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, cubed

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Press one of the pie crusts into and up the sides of a 9 inch pie plate.

1. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add potatoes, and cook until tender, 10 to15 minutes. Drain, and cut into cubes. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over low heat. Add onion and shiitake mushrooms, cover, and let the mushrooms sweat for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the water and tamari, and bring to a boil. Whisk in rice flour, stirring until there are no lumps. Allow to simmer.
3. Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add portobello pieces, and saute briefly until mushrooms are browned on the outside. Add mushrooms to the gravy mixture along with the carrots, celery and potatoes. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with thyme and sage. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust. Cover with the other pie crust, and crimp edges to seal. Make a few slits in the top crust to vent steam.
4. Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until crust is golden brown.

*I did stray from the recipe a little.  When I sauteed the portobello pieces, I also sauteed the carrots and celery as well - that was also when I added the sage and thyme.