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Mother's Dumplings

Source of Recipe

Old Monroe Farm Recipe, Carol Ann


Recipe Introduction

The fastest growing area in Missouri [2000 Census] is Lincoln County, an agricultural community west of the Mississippi River and north of St. Louis. The first settlers in Old Monroe were Revolutionary War veterans in 1799, building along the Cuivre River... ]the post office was established in 1863. The Keokuk and Northwestern R.R. line ran the 'long line' to St. Louis and the 'short line' to nearby Troy in 1888.For almost 200 years, life was centered around small towns like Elsberry, Foley , Winfield, Troy, Chain-of-Rocks, and others. In spite of the threat of floods, families continued to grow crops and livestock and ship via wagon and then railroad to St. Louis, and also steamboat.Drawn by the beautiful countryside, rolling hills, and earth mounds of previous cultures,today's settlers are the 'immigrants' from Big City Life, perusing the dream of peaceful isolation....the result is a new highway, rising land prices, the sale of family farms, and a rural school system unable to keep up with the growing population..and of course, this could be about any similar county throughout the United States.It is always a bit sad to see a new subdivision replace a familiar landmark; the farm where I bought from the roadside stand, the "Homemade Jams and Pickles" signs replaced by realtor's signs...all signs of progress and New Suburbia.Alas, Time marches on along with the bulldozers.From gentler times , I offer some favorites. Please check out Strawberry Pancakes, Blue Ribbon Corn Relish, Mother's Dumplings, Onion Patties and Wilted Lettuce.

List of Ingredients

Notes from Carol:
I use cut up chicken, all pieces, especially thighs and legs...for the best flavor, do not use all breast meat..also add some parsly flakes to the dumpling dough..
one batch is never enough!
This also is good in Beef Stew.





Recipe

In a large bowl, beat
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
2 Tab melted butter or chicken fat
add
2 cups sifted flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tab. sugar
pinch of black pepper

Mix quickly and lightly by hand with a wooden spoon.Set aside 5 minutes to 'tighten'..
drop into hot broth, dipping the tablespoon into broth each time before dipping into dough.
Cook uncovered for 10 minutes and then cover and cook 10 minutes more or until done..

This is a recipe where the old stewing hen met its fate, cut up in a pot of water, chicken fat ,salt and pepper,onion and celery and cooked til tender. remove meat from bones and drop back in the pot., cook the dumplings and
serve in bowls, with sides of applesauce, coleslaw, and other garden goodies.