Ina Garten's Chicken Pot Pie (Original Recipe as it appears on FN):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chicken-pot-pie-recipe/index.html

I did a quick calculation of how much all ingredients would cost if bought at a regular grocery store in California (prices may be lower or higher depending on your state, of course.)  The total breakdown cost for 4 semi-large pies was $63.95 total (considering you'd have the olive oil, condiments and other minor kitchen items you could use over and over again).  At this total price, each pie would cost just close to $16.00 EACH!  C'mon, who on this day and age can afford this type of expense for a homemade (if albeit delicious) chicken pot pie.  Thus, the reason for this blog, can we replicate Ina's "Hampton-esque" versions to a SemiHo ones?!   Let's see, I'll post results later this week.   It'll be a challenge but I'm hoping we'll have fun together--especially if you are an Ina fanatic as I am and have a love-hate relationship with our own "Aunt Sandy".  Just keep reading. 

Barefoot Contessa Meets Sandra LEE!!

Well,  as I watch my all time favorite show on the Food Network (Barefoot Contessa) I cannot stop thinking of how much Ina spends on each of her luxurious recipes for friends and guests.  I'm always amazed at the qualify of products she chooses and she always makes a point to say "always get the good (fill in the blank)...vanilla, mayo, wine (make sure it's the one you would want to drink!).  So I decided to try to revisit Ina's recipes by using the dreadful but handy semi-home made way!  How fun is that?   These two are completely polar opposites, Ina believes in using the best and freshest ingredients possible, as to Sandra she believes in using the cheapest and most "convenient" ones you can find for your dollar!  I decided to join these two worlds "IT'S SEMI HOMEMADE CONTESSA".  Be scared, I know, be very scared!  Ina and Sandra's tablescapes and all!   Here you have it.  My first post.