Miss Mary's Famous Chicken With Pastry

• Chicken↗
• (2 1/2-3 lb) chicken1 1
• large onion↗1 1
• celery rib↗1 1
• teaspoon salt↗1 1
• cup all-purpose flour↗1⁄4 1/4
• cup water↗1⁄4 1/4
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Pastry
• cups all-purpose flour↗2 2
• teaspoon salt↗1 1
• cup shortening or 3/4 cup lard↗3⁄4 3/4
• cup cold water1⁄4 1/4

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Place chicken, onion, celery and salt in a large pot. Add enough water to completely cover the chicken. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until chicken is tender and cooked through, about 1 hour.

2. 2

   Remove chicken from broth and cool enough to handle. Pick chicken off the bones and discard bones.

3. 3

   Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

4. 4

   Remove celery and onion from broth. Measure broth and return 3 cups to the pot.

5. 5

   In a small bowl, blend 1/4 cup flour with 1/4 cup water to make a smooth paste. Stir into hot broth. Cook 5 to 10 minutes or until broth is thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over chicken.

6. 6

   In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt.

7. 7

   Cut in shortening with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture forms coarse crumbs.

8. 8

   Sprinkle with cold water and mix until dough hold together and will form a ball.

9. 9

   Roll out on a floured board or pastry cloth to about 1/4 inch thickness.

10. 10

    Cut into strips and place over the chicken. Bake at 375 degrees F until the pastry is golden brown.