Chicken and Dumplings

A delicious bowl of warmth for a cold, rainy night.

Few things say warmth and comfort like a bowl of chicken and dumplings.  This is definitely comfort food at its finest.  Today, I needed all the warmth I could find.  When I took the children to school, it was rather warm outside.  By mid-morning, it was freezing.  I am the crazy that wore flip flops with my jacket and my toes are still frozen Popsicles!

My family likes chicken and dumplings with a noodle type of dumpling. I am thinking this is a very Southern thing.  Growing up, my Mom made a biscuit type dumpling, and they were delicious, but just not the same as the rolled dumplings.  I can remember my Mom using canned biscuits as a quick and easy meal, but I promise you, it is worth the effort to make your own.

Take a whole roasted chicken and de-bone.

Here is the meat... You can chop it finer if you like.

Return the chicken bones to the pot and add water, celery and onion and continue boiling.  I boiled mine about 1 hour.  Then strain and return stock to the pot.

Add chicken and chopped carrots to the stock and simmer until carrots are tender.

Now for the dumplings...Mix together flour and salt.

Make a well in the center and add egg and olive oil, and if you like, poultry seasoning.

I use my hands, but knead until the dough forms a ball, and all flour is incorporated.

Lightly flour dough ball and roll out.

Roll until it is about 1/16 of an inch.

Cut dough into strips.  They don't have to be perfect, because it won't really matter anyway...I like to use a pizza cutter for this.

Drop dumplings into boiling stock.  I do this individually so they don't accidentally stick together.

Continue simmering until the broth thickens up a bit.  This is about halfway finished.

When it has thickened, add a little cream for good measure.  Stir and you are ready to serve.

This was a delicious dinner that everyone in my family enjoyed.  I hope that you will try it and let me know what you think.  If you have never had rolled dumplings, step out a little and you might be surprised.

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Chicken and Dumplings

1 whole roasted chicken (a rotisserie chicken from the deli would be great if you are short on time)
3 stalks of celery
1 onion
4 whole carrots, chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 cup half and half cream
1 recipe for dumplings, see below

Remove chicken meat from the bones, and place the bones in a large pot.  Add celery and onion and cover with water.  Simmer about 1 hour.  Strain all bones and solids from stock, and return stock to the pot. Add chicken and carrots to the stock and simmer until carrots are tender.  About 15 minutes. Meanwhile make your dumplings.

Drop dumplings into the simmering stock one at a time. Continue adding until all are swimming the the stock.  Simmer for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until stock starts to thicken.  Remove from heat, and stir in cream.  You are now ready to enjoy a delicious, warm meal!

Dumplings

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons olive oil
5 tablespoons cold water
additional flour for dusting

In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and poultry seasoning. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the egg and oil.  Combine with a fork until crumbly.  Sprinkle water over the mixture and knead with your hands until it forms a ball.

Place ball on a lightly floured surface and roll to 1/16 of a inch thickness.  Cut with a pizza cutter into 1 inch by 3 inch strips.  You are now ready to add them to your stock.