Chicken and Dumplings

• This is a Paula Deen recipe I have been using for several years now. Growing up we always had soft, biscuit type dumplings. This is not, however, what Phillipp was asking for when he asked for "Chicken and Dumplings." After a bit of arguing over which was the real style, we gave up and I found a recipe for the style of dumplings he would prefer. This is the recipe I've been using ever since. I have substituted chicken breasts for the whole chicken in the recipe, but the flavor is not as good this way, of course. I generally don't use as much water as the recipe calls for either. Usually no more than 3 quarts (12 cups).
  
  1 (2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 teaspoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
• 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery or cream of chicken soup

Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Ice water

To start the chicken: Place the chicken, celery, onion, bay leaves, bouillon, and House Seasoning in a large pot. Add 4 quarts of water and in water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer the chicken until it is tender and the thigh juices run clear, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and, when it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones. Return the chicken meat to the pot. Keep warm over low heat.

To prepare the dumplings: Mix the flour with the salt and mound together in a mixing bowl. Beginning at the center of the mound,drizzle a small amount of ice water over the flour. Using your fingers, and moving from the center to the sides of the bowl, gradually incorporate about 3/4 cup of ice water. Knead the dough and form it into ball.

Dust a good amount of flour onto a clean work surface. Roll out the dough (it will be firm), working from center to 1/8-inch thick. Let the dough relax for several minutes.

Add the cream of celery soup to the pot with the chicken and simmer gently over medium-low heat.

Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. Pull a piece in half and drop the halves into the simmering soup. Repeat. Do not stir the chicken once the dumplings have been added. Gently move the pot in a circular motion so the dumplings become submerged and cook evenly. Cook until the dumplings float and are no longer doughy, 3 to 4 minutes.

To serve, ladle chicken, gravy, and dumplings into warm bowls.

Cook's Note: If the chicken stew is too thin it can be thickened before the dumplings are added. Simply mix together 2 tablespoonscornstarch and 1/4 cup of water then whisk this mixture into the stew.

House Seasoning:

• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups