Yankee Feeds a Reb Chicken & Dumplings

Dan'l, the young union cook had really gotten into trouble now! Not paying attention, he had wondered far into the woods, foraging for something to make the meals taste better for his men. He had been captured behind the enemy lines and was now forced to cook for these new Dixie Masters. He had never prepared any rebel dishes but knew this one had to be good if he ever hoped to see the beautiful green hills of southern Indiana again.

There are as many ways to cook this classic Chicken and Dumplings as there are southern kitchens. Each loving chief nurturing this hearty dish as their own. Northerners called these dumplings, in the south they would be called noodles. But either way here is an easy approach that still gives that old time granny goodness. Dig in and have seconds.

Ingredients:

2 slices bacon

3 carrots

3 stalks celery

4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut up into bite sized pieces

32 oz chicken broth

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup half-and-half

3 tbs cornstarch

Directions:

Do your cutting: dice the celery and cut the carrots at an angle.

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cut two slices of bacon into thirds.

Place bacon in a dutch oven. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. 

Drain, crumble and set aside; reserve bacon drippings. 

 

Add, celery, carrots and chicken to bacon drippings and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the chicken to start to turn brown for the best flavor.

Pour in about ½ cup of broth and stir to loosen up the brown bits on the bottom. Then add the rest of the stock. Heat to a simmer for another 15 minutes.

Mix cornstarch into half & half and crumbled bacon and stir into the mix.

Stir until thickened. 

 

Stir in the dumplings, let simmer for another 10 minutes covered.

(Note: Do not stir while simmering, or dumplings will break apart).

Serve hot. 

 

Make some corn bread to serve along with this classic. Slave uses the inexpensive mix and adds 3 tbs of honey to the batter.

This makes such a heart warming meal. A combination that has been comforting for as long as recipes have been recorded.

For our music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdoI4udLOxs

So grateful to be able to serve my Master Indy

socialslave

To satisfy and restore.

To nourish, support and maintain.

To gratify, spoil, comfort and please,

to nurture, assist, and sustain

…..I cook!

Please buy slave's cookbook:

The Little Black Book of Indiscreet Recipes by Dan White http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F315Y4I/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_vAT4sb0934RTMvia @amazon