Chicken and Dumplings Heals Everything

Being a baby boomer who loves to cook, I am accustomed to preparing a dish or casserole and taking it to the home of someone who needs a break. Maybe they are grieving, maybe they are not grieving but their home is full of relatives gathered for a memorial or funeral. Perhaps they have lost their energy to get food into the house or they have simply lost their appetite.  In my generation it is expected to bring food to a family in this situation. Whatever you bring will be accepted and considered appropriate.   Try this chicken and dumplings duo.

You will need a 5 pound stewing chicken, a pot large enough for the chicken and dumplings, a small onion peeled and quartered, 2 stalks celery, diced and about 3 quarts of boiling chicken broth. Put the chicken in the pot of broth and add the onion, celery and salt and pepper to your taste. Cover and allow this to simmer for 3-4 hours, or however long it takes for the chicken to cook thru. While the chicken is cooking, start working on the dumplings.

For the dumplings you will need 2 cups all- purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, ½ stick butter, 3 eggs and 1/3 cup milk. Put all your dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut butter into the mixture.

   

In another bowl combine the eggs with the milk, stir that into the butter-flour mixture to make firm dough. Roll the dough on a floured board. Either cut the dough into 2 inch pieces or pinch off small pieces of the dough.

WHEN THE CHICKEN IS DONE: drop the dough, a few pieces at a time into the simmering chicken stock. Allow the dough to cook until done, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the dumplings and repeat the process. When all the dumplings are cooked place the chicken, the dumplings and all the broth in a casserole dish or pretty pot with a matching lid and take it, with love and a smile, to the home that need cheer.

My mother was constantly cooking this or other “casseroles” and giving them away. I have some of her best recipes and they are available to you.  Just be sure to get your pot, your lid, or your casserole dish back.

Thank you for stopping by, please return!

Your comments are welcomed 🙂