cluck-n-my-cup

since i had the day off and boy was working from home, i've had time to make breakfast, clean out the pantry, toss leftovers from the fridge, fold laundry, wash my car, pull together looks for when the weather gets one step chillier, get to the grocery, fold more laundry...the list continues to be checked off...i love the progress!

in my quiet time, while boy was on a con call, i thought, why not make chicken and dumplings, or is it chicken 'n dumplings? for dinner. after much ado and googling for the best recipe, it was mama bear who told me about fannie farmer. have you guys heard of her before? whoever she is, she's brilliant.. i couldn't find a website specifically for her (i didn't try that hard) but i did find enough websites that highlighted her chicken with dumplings as the best.

to me chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food, sitting right next to good old macaroni and cheese, this is the next best thing to sitting by the fire with family...eh except our fire is going to be the 2nd season of lost or dexter..

Chicken with Dumplings
source: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook

4 or 5 lb. chicken
2 carrots, sliced thin
2 ribs celery with leaves, sliced fine
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. thyme, crumbled
1/2 tsp. rosemary, crumbled
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Dumplings:
2 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. minced parsley
4 tbsp. shortening
3/4 to 1 cup milk


Rinse chicken and place in a large pot with water to cover. Add vegetables and spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce and allow to simmer until chicken is cooked. Remove chicken, separate meat from bones, and place meat back in simmering broth. Discard skin.

Dumplings:
Combine dry ingredients and parsley. Cut in shortening until it looks like coarse meal. Stir in 3/4 c milk with a fork - add remaining milk if the dough will not hold together.

Drop dumplings by spoonful into pot. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes without lifting lid.


mmmm!!
xo marysue