Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and Dumplings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken and Dumplings

Here’s another of those ubiquitous recipes with as many ingredients as can be imagined.  Breaking it down to its simplest form chicken soup with dumplings.  You can go really simple and use processed ingredients or make it all your self, or a combination.  It really doesn’t matter, it’s what works best for you.  The amounts in the recipe are also approximate use as many vegetables as you think you’ll need, add more chicken if you want, this dumpling recipe will serve 4 – 6 easily.  My recipe gives you a thick rich soup that’s a great dinner on a cold night!

Ingredients for Chicken and Dumplings

  1. 1 1/2 to 2 cups of good chicken stock per person
  2. 1 chicken thigh per person
  3. Carrots peeled and diced
  4. Onion diced
  5. Garlic minced
  6. Celery diced
  7. 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  8. 1 Tbs of butter for each cup of stock
  9. 1 Tbs flour for each cup of stock
  10. 1/2 cup half & half for each 4 -5 cups of stock
  11. Chopped parsley for garnish
  12. Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dumplings:

  1. 2 cups all purpose flour
  2. 2 tsp baking powder
  3. 1 tsp salt
  4. 1/4 cup shortening
  5. 3/4 cup milk

Directions for Chicken and Dumplings

 

In a stock part large enough to accommodate the recipe size you’ll be cooking place the chicken thighs, cover with water and bring to boil, cook for about 20 minutes.  Remove chicken and let cool, remove the skin shred the chicken and cut into bite size pieces. 

In a stock pot place the butter and melt.  Add the carrot, celery, garlic and onion and cook for a few minutes on medium heat until the onions are translucent.  Add the flour and stir and cook until the flour is completely incorporated.  Add the stock and bring the mixture up to a boil to thicken.  If too thick add a little more stock but don’t make it too thin as you will be adding half and half later.  Lower the heat to a simmer  add the chicken, cover and let cook for about 20 minutes.

While the soup is cooking begin the dumplings.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.  Using a pastry cutter cut in the shortening, then add the milk and stir to combine completely.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 or 6 times to form a ball.  Press or roll out to about a 1/2 inch thick square.  Cut the dough into 1/2 inch squares.

Bring heat up to a light boil, add the dumplings and peas to the pot cover and let cook about 20 minutes until center of dumplings are done.

Once the dumplings are cooked take off heat let boiling subside and then add the half & half stirring as you add. Ladle into bowls garnish with the chopped parsley over each dish.

 

Here are a few items to help make this recipe:
OXO Good Grips Dough Blender with Blades
Cuisinart 766-24 Chef’s Classic 8-Quart Stockpot with Cover

 

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It’s chicken! Need I say more? 5 paws easily.

 

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If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site.  It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .  

 

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Chicken and Dumplings
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Print
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr 15 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr 15 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 to 2 cups of good chicken stock per person
  2. 1 chicken thigh per person
  3. Carrots peeled and diced
  4. Onion diced
  5. Garlic minced
  6. Celery diced
  7. 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  8. 1 Tbs of butter for each cup of stock
  9. 1 Tbs flour for each cup of stock
  10. 1/2 cup half & half for each 4 -5 cups of stock
  11. Chopped parsley for garnish
  12. Salt and pepper to taste
  13. For the Dumplings
  14. 2 cups all purpose flour
  15. 2 tsp baking powder
  16. 1 tsp salt
  17. 1/4 cup shortening
  18. 3/4 cup milk
Instructions
  1. In a stock part large enough to accommodate the recipe size you'll be cooking place the chicken thighs, cover with water and bring to boil, cook for about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and let cool, remove the skin shred the chicken and cut into bite size pieces.
  2. In a stock pot place the butter and melt. Add the carrot, celery, garlic and onion and cook for a few minutes on medium heat until the onions are translucent. Add the flour and stir and cook until the flour is completely incorporated. Add the stock and bring the mixture up to a boil to thicken. If too thick add a little more stock. Lower the heat to a simmer add the chicken, cover and let cook for about 20 minutes.
  3. While the soup is cooking begin the dumplings.
  4. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Using a pastry cutter cut in the shortening, then add the milk and stir to combine completely. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 or 6 times to form a ball. Press or roll out to about a 1/2 inch thick square. Cut the dough into 1/2 inch squares.
  5. Bring heat up to a light boil, add the dumplings and peas to the pot cover and let cook about 20 minutes until center of dumplings are done.
  6. Once the dumplings are cooked take off heat let boiling subside and then add the half & half stirring as you add. Ladle into bowls garnish with the chopped parsley over each dish.
Notes
  1. The amounts in the recipe are also approximate use as many vegetables as you think you'll need, add more chicken if you want, this dumpling recipe will serve 4 - 6 easily. My recipe gives you a thick rich soup that's a great dinner on a cold night!
Rants Raves and Recipes https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millionaire’s Shortbread

Millionaires Shortbread
Millionaires Shortbread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millionaire’s Shortbread

I suppose that given the rate of inflation, a millionaire not being what it used to be, that maybe we should rename this truly decadent dessert “Billionaires Shortbread”.  In any case it is a recipe that takes a bit of work and a lot of time but the results are really worth it!

I tried a number of different recipes for the caramel and topping and these I found on instructables.com were the best, no need to come up with another: http://www.instructables.com/id/Millionaires-Shortbread-Bars

For the shortbread I used my family favorite recipe:   http://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/worlds-best-shortbread-cookie-recipe , which can make three  batches or one and a lot of cookies or use part to make another type of shortbread bar recipe (which I did and will post later).

Ingredients for Millionaire’s Shortbread

For Shortbread:

  1. 1 cup sugar
  2. 1 pound butter softened
  3. 1 egg yolk
  4. 2 tsp vanilla
  5. 4 cups all purpose flour

 

For the caramel

  1. 1/2 cup butter
  2. 1/2 cup sugar
  3. 2 Tbs corn syrup
  4. 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  5. 1 tsp vanilla

For the chocolate topping

  1. 4 oz semisweet chocolate
  2. 1/4 cup butter
  3. 1 tsp corn syrup

Directions for Millionaires Shortbread

Take a 8 X8 inch baking pan and line it with aluminum foil.

Preheat oven to 325°.

In a mixer place the butter and sugar for the shortbread and cream.  Once creamed add the egg yolk and continue to mix until completely combined.  Add the vanilla,  with the mixer on low add the flour and mix until a ball begins to form.  Take the dough out of the bowl and form into a round, and cut into 3 equal parts.

On a silpat or a lightly floured surface take 1/3 of the recipe and roll out to about a 7 1/2 inch square, it should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  Place the square of dough into the foil lined pan and press into the corners and edges.  Place into the center of the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes until the top is lightly browned.  Remove pan to a wire rack and let the shortbread cool completely.

Once the shortbread has cooled go to step 2 the caramel.

Put the butter, sugar and corn syrup and the condensed milk in a sauce pan and on medium heat melt the butter stirring as it melts.  Once the butter is melted bring the heat up and while continually stirring bring the mixture up to a boil.  Constantly stir until the mixture turns a light caramel color (be careful not to over cook or it will taste burnt).  Once it reaches the proper color take it off the heat and very carefully add the vanilla and stir in ,watching out as the cool vanilla can cause the mixture to bubble up.

Pour on top of the shortbread and rotate the pan to get the mixture to cover the shortbread completely.  Put into refrigerator for at least 2 hours, over night better.  

Once cooled and firm go to step three.

In a small saucepan put the chocolate, the butter and corn syrup and on low heat melt and stir to combine.  Once fully melted and combined pour over the caramel and rotate the pan to completely cover.  Refrigerate for a few hours until chocolate is firm.

Once the recipe is firm carefully pull out of the pan and loosen from the aluminum foil.  Place on a cutting board and cut into 2 inch squares, will yield 16 squares.

 

Here are a few items to help with this recipe:
Silpat Roul’Pat Non-Stick Silicone Countertop Work Station with Non-Slip Grip, 16.5-Inch by 24.5-Inch
Kitchen Supply 8 Inch Square Glass Baking Dish
Paula Deen Signature Porcelain Nonstick 1-Quart Saucepan with Spouts, Red Speckle

 

The Official                       Taste Tester
The Official Taste Tester

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No chocolate for me.  But the first two layers – OMG! they’re like sooo good!  even with out the chocolate it’s a 5 paw recipe!

 

IMG

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site.  It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .  

Please help us keep our blog going by letting your friends know we’re here and by checking out the links on our front page.

 

copyright © rantsravesandrecipes 2013 all rights reserved

 

Millionaire's Shortbread
Yields 16
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
4 hr
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
5 hr
Prep Time
4 hr
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
5 hr
For Shortbread
  1. 1 cup sugar
  2. 1 pound butter softened
  3. 1 egg yolk
  4. 2 tsp vanilla
  5. 4 cups all purpose flour
  6. For the caramel
  7. 1/2 cup butter
  8. 1/2 cup sugar
  9. 2 Tbs corn syrup
  10. 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  11. 1 tsp vanilla
  12. For the chocolate topping
  13. 4 oz semisweet chocolate
  14. 1/4 butter
  15. 1 tsp corn syrup
Instructions
  1. Take a 8 X8 inch baking pan and line it with aluminum foil.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°.
  3. In a mixer place the butter and sugar for the shortbread and cream. Once breamed add the egg yolk and continue to mix until completely combined. Add the vanilla, the with the mixer on low add the flour and mix until a ball begins to form. Take the dough out of the bowl and form into a round, and cut into 3 equal parts.
  4. On a silpat or a lightly floured surface take 1/3 of the recipe and roll out to about a 7 1/2 inch square, it should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Place the square of dough into the foil lined pan and press into the corners and edges. Place into the center of the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes until the top is lightly browned. Remove pan to a wire rack and let the shortbread cool completely.
  5. Once the shortbread has cooled go to step 2 the caramel.
  6. Put the butter, sugar and corn syrup and the condensed milk in a sauce pan and on medium heat melt the butter stirring as it melts. Once the butter is melted bring the heat up and while continually stirring bring the mixture up to a boil. Constantly stir until the mixture turns a light caramel color (be careful not to over cook or it will taste burnt). Once it reaches the proper color take it off the heat and very carefully add the vanilla and stir in ,watching out as the cool vanilla can cause the mixture to bubble up.
  7. Pour on top of the shortbread and rotate the pan to get the mixture to cover the shortbread completely. Put into refrigerator for at least 2 hours, over night better.
  8. Once cooled and firm go to step three.
  9. In a small saucepan put the chocolate, the butter and corn syrup and on low heat melt and stir to combine. Once fully melted and combined pour over the caramel and rotate the pan to completely cover. Refrigerate for a few hours until chocolate is firm.
  10. Once the recipe is firm carefully pull out of the pan and loosen from the aluminum foil. Place on a cutting board and cut into 2 inch squares, will yield 16 squares.
Rants Raves and Recipes https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/

Sausage and 3 Cheese Bread

Sausage and 3 Cheese Bread
Sausage and 3 Cheese Bread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sausage and 3 Cheese Bread

The original sausage and cheese bread recipe we have, came from my wife’s sister.  Over the years we have changed it slightly.  It makes a  great lunch or dinner and a fantastic hors d’oeuvre for a party.  Served warm it’s great and it is easy to rewarm and serve the next day.  Most grocery stores today sell pizza dough and if yours doesn’t a lot of pizza stores will, or as a last resort you can make your own.  We usually make a large batch and freeze them in individual bags and thaw as needed.

For the sausage you have many options.  You can use an italian sausage removed from the casing (mild or hot), or your favorite style, we like Jimmy Dean’s sage sausage it gives a great flavor and isn’t too greasy.

Ingredients for Sausage and 3 Cheese Bread

  1. 1 recipe pizza dough
  2. 1 pound loose Sausage meat 
  3. 1/2 cup Mozzarella diced small
  4. 1/2 cup Asiago diced small
  5. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  6. 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
  7. 2 eggs

Directions for Sausage and 3 Cheese Bread

Preheat oven to 350°

Fry up the sausage breaking it up into small pieces.  Once cooked drain and place into a bowl.  Add the cheeses, parsley and one egg and combine completely.

Roll the dough out to about a 12 X 9 rectangle. for easiest results place the dough onto the baking sheet before forming the log.  Place the sausage in the center of the dough and pull the long sides of the dough up and over the sausage forming a roll.  Now fold the ends up and over to encase and seal.  Turn the roll over so that the folded seam are on the bottom.

Beat the second egg and brush over the top of the roll.

 

brush with egg wash
brush with egg wash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bake at 350° for about 1/2 an hour until top is golden brown.  

 

bake till golden brown
bake till golden brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remove from oven and let rest for about five minutes before slicing.

 

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The Official                       Taste Tester
The Official Taste Tester

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now this is a great way to start a party!  Almost  a little too spicy for a SAPP (Scotish American Puppy Princess) but I did enjoy it greatly.  A 5 paw recipe for sure!

 

IMG

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy our site and are thinking of purchasing anything from Amazon, please use the link to Amazon from our site.  It doesn’t cost you anything and we profit from the ads and purchases .  

Please help us keep our blog going by letting your friends know we’re here and by checking out the links on our front page.

 

copyright © rantsravesandrecipes 2013 all rights reserved

 

Sausage and 3 Cheese Bread
A great hor d'oeuvre or lunch or dinner
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr
Ingredients
  1. 1 recipe pizza dough
  2. 1 pound loose Sausage meat
  3. 1/2 cup Mozzarella diced small
  4. 1/2 cup Asiago diced small
  5. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  6. 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
  7. 2 eggs
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Fry up the sausage breaking it up into small pieces. Once cooked drain and place into a bowl. Add the cheeses, parsley and one egg and combine completely.
  3. Roll the dough out to about a 12 X 9 rectangle. for easiest results place the dough onto the baking sheet before forming the log. Place the sausage in the center of the dough and pull the long sides of the dough up and over the sausage forming a roll. Now fold the ends up and over to encase and seal. Turn the roll over so that the folded seam are on the bottom.
  4. Beat the second egg and brush over the top of the roll.
  5. Bake at 350° for about 1/2 an hour until top is golden brown.
  6. Remove from oven and let rest for about five minutes before slicing.
Rants Raves and Recipes https://www.rantsravesandrecipes.com/