Sunday, November 30, 2008

COLD DAY..CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS


Ok so I did not get my winter garden started due to 40mph winds. But I unloaded a trunk load of firewood my dad brought out and spent time with him by the fire. I played on the internet.

I got an idea to make a warm mash for the chickens. I made it from laying mash, hen scratch, cracked corn and molassas (of which I have a half gallon left over from when my horse was sick).

I mixed the dry together in equal parts, added about a cup of molassas and covered it with water and put it on the stove. Almost as soon as it became hot I had to add more water. It filled a 13x9 pan to the brim and then I took it out to the chickens. I came back a little later and half the pan is gone! And Red who has been sick was chowing down!

Then my daughters boyfriend who was on his way back from LA wanted chicken and dumplings. We had picked up the chicken thighs and cooked them earlier. Then she and I began cooking. Now mind you it has been more than 3 years since I cooked them and we had two smaller pans instead of one large pan which I am used to. The second batch messed up because the dumplings were too small and began to disintegrate. And she wanted the broth thicker. So my suggestion was to put the second batch into the blender and blend the dumplings which would thicken the broth.

How many of you knew that hot chicken and broth explodes when you hit the pulse button? Well it gave me a reason to mop the floor. And the counter. And the cabinets. And it gave my daughter a reason to laugh at her mom....I love giving her those reasons. That is why I do it so often.

Anyway, the chicken and dumplings is done, we have a new mother daughter family recipe which includes messing up a batch of dumplings, and they are the most amazing chicken and dumplings I have ever in my life tasted. Granny Browning would be very very proud.

3 comments:

Leasmom said...

I love chicken and dumplings...its been awhile since I made some. I need to add that to one of my winter comfort food to do lists...

Carole Burant said...

Yummmm, my mom use to make Chicken and Dumplings and that was one of my very favourite meals while growing up. Since then I've made it a few times but it's been a while since the last time...now you have me hungry for them! lol Oh dear, I can well imagine the look on your face when everything went all over the place...oh well, I've always said a messy kitchen means a happy cook! hehe xoxo

Tracy Bruring said...

lol Pea you are funny. I was only happy after the mess was cleaned up. There is nothing like a meal that can feed a family of 8 on one skinny bird and a little flour!! I can't wait to try it with a home grown bird.