Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Grandma's Chicken & Dumplings for Jo

Still haven't returned to blogging yet, but I did want to honor Jo. I had the pleasure of meeting her and her husband in North Carolina back in Sept 2013, almost two months after my wife passed away. It was a great "blogging buddies meet in person" experience. We ate, bowled, played putt putt, enjoyed good ice cream and great conversation.

Jo and Matt joined me for putt putt on NC coast in 2013


For my recipe, I'm divulging Grandma's secret for chicken and dumplings. I chose this one not because Jo was known as Grandmother Dragon, but because she specifically asked me for the southern buttermilk biscuits recipe, from which the dumplings in this recipe are made.

So, for the recipe...

The chicken: 

Use preferred part(s) of chicken. I receive more compliments when using dark meat only, and most compliments when using legs only. (Note: using boneless or skinless chicken diminishes flavor.)

Broth flavorings (to taste):

  • Salt (generous)
  • Pepper (generous)
  • Garlic salt (sparingly)
  • Minced onion (sparingly)

Add chicken and flavorings to a large pot of water and bring to a slow/soft boil until meat is cooked. Lower heat and allow chicken to simmer for a couple hours or more. Stir occasionally, adding water when necessary. (For best results, allow to cool after simmering and refrigerate overnight. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with following directions.)

Separate bone and skin from chicken. I place chicken into a pot strainer and use two sets of tongs as meat will be hot. Return meat to pot and prepare dumplings.

Dumplings:

  • 2 cups Self-rising flour
  • 2/3 cup Buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup Shortening 

Note: This makes the equivalent of ten 2 1/2 inch biscuits. I make enough to share so I typically make three or even four batches of dough/dumplings.

Combine flour and shortening in large bowl; mix well until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Add buttermilk and knead dough until surface is smooth and no longer sticky.

Roll out dough until thickness is 1/8 inch or thinner. 

Cut dough into strips of 2-4 inches long by 1/2 inch wide (or to preference) and place on large plate.

Repeat above steps for each new batch of dumplings.

Add dumplings to broth strip by strip. Place them side by side and keep them separate; do not let them overlap. Once broth surface is covered, gently push them down just deep enough for the broth to cover them. Let the layer of dumplings simmer and begin to "rise" for several minutes and then repeat this process. Note: Adding the dumplings is done gradually. Do not rush the process or the dumplings may clump together or begin sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Let simmer until all added dumplings have "risen". Note: Flour from the dumplings will want to settle at the bottom of the pot and can burn. Use a spatula to stir the bottom frequently to prevent settling and burning.

It can be served after all dough is "done" but I prefer to let it sit on lowest heat for a while longer. Remember to stir frequently as long as the pot is over heat.

Excess dumpling dough is not a problem. Serve portions of cooked dumplings and add more dough. Another option is to split the single pot into two pots and add dumplings (and water) accordingly. You can also freeze some or all for later or keep refrigerated.

The "grandma secret" is in the how, not the what. Patience pays off handsomely. Take your time and enjoy the results.




21 comments:

  1. I love the tributes to Jo.
    I do hope she realised just how loved she was. And is.

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  2. Jo seems like a wonderful person. I wish I had known her!

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    1. She was, Rachna. You would have liked her loads.

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  3. That is awesome you got to meet her and Matt!

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  4. I remember when you met them as I joined you guys for a little while. I'm so glad I did, too.

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    1. I remember that too! As I recall you were on your way to or from someplace. Would have been nice if you could have stayed longer.

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  5. Hi Jeff - so pleased to see and read this ... it must have been fun meeting up with them. Interesting she was wanting buttermilk recipes ... while this Grandma's dish sounds delicious ... I really enjoy dumplings in a pot of excellent 'stew' ... all the best - Hilary

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    1. Hey there. Yes, I found it interesting as well. Growing up in the sunbelt, I assumed everyone knew how to make buttermilk biscuits. :-)

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  6. That's an interesting way of making dumplings! Must try it some time. Thanks for your memories of Jo. I wish I'd known her.

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    1. I wish you'd had the chance to as well. And yes, you do need to try these dumplings. They're what I requested from Grandma every year for my birthday.

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  7. Ah, I do remember that time. She was very glad also about the time she could spend with you on that visit. And I think that's one of the best described recipes I have seen. I must have my dwarves try it soon. I had one with beans on it, OF COURSE.

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    1. I thought about that when I read your recipe. All I could think about was those dwarves getting into the beans again. I must admit I chuckled a fair bit at that. Do let me know if you try the recipe. It's a family favorite here.

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  8. I haven't had dumplings since I moved out of mom & dad's house many years ago! I might just have to try this!
    So glad to see so many people remembering Jo!

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    1. Every year, Grandma would ask, "Jeff, what you want for your birthday?" Every year, I'd answer, "Chicken and dumplings, please!" She never let me down. And yes, I've been trying to find all the places remembering Jo today. Lots of smiles here at the outpouring.

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  9. Oh thanks so much, not only for the recipe, but for you memory of Jo and Matt. I knew her mostly from afar (internet), but did have the chance to meet them as well when we went to Canada two years ago. We visited with them for three days and had many conversations and lots of fun. I love how I'm learning more about Jo through all her other friends here. Thanks again for sharing, and for commenting on my blog.

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    1. It's awesome you got to spend that much time with her in person. I've never been quite that far north. She impacted a lot of lives.

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  10. Thank you for the dumpling recipe. I didn't know Jo but after reading her blog I wish I had.

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  11. Thanks for the recipe. And awesome that you got to meet Jo.

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  12. Now I know why mine never turn out right. I have zero patience in the kitchen and I throw all the noodles in at once. My mother always made me chicken and dumplings for my birthday dinner. Maybe one day, I will have the patience to make them the right way.

    Jo would be so happy that she prodded you into logging onto your blog. She was a writer's best cheerleader.

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