Well friends, this is the final entry for Tyler Florence Fridays. Natashya and Deb (who founded the group and graciously allowed me to ride on their blog-tails) had planned on cooking through Tyler’s recipes for one year, and believe it or not, that year is up.
Parting is such sweet sorrow :: sniff ::
It seems fitting that comforting, soothing food is in order – and with that in mind, I made Tyler’s Ultimate Chicken and Dumplings. A perfect wintry dish – and to boot, this recipe was a record of firsts for me:
1. The first time I ever made homemade stock.
2. The first time I ever made homemade dumplings.
Ok, I realize that’s only two, but work with me here.
I was proud of myself, because sometimes, I’ll put a lot of work into trying something new, and it flops. Which really gets to me – but this was outstanding, and therefore became another recipe that will go into my repertoire for the winter.
And what’s even better, I had enough leftover stock to use for my pasta e fagioli soup – which made it taste so much better. Even the kids noticed it, which is really saying something.
Not very photogenic, is it?
One note – this recipe does take quite a bit of time to prepare – which is why I spent all day Sunday making it. It truly is worth the time and effort, though, so don’t be put off by the length of ingredients or directions.
Chicken and Dumplings - adapted from Tyler Florence
Chicken and Stock
1 (3 to 3 ½ pound) whole organic chicken
2 bay leaves
6 sprigs thyme
4 to 5 black peppercorns
1 tbs. salt
Directions
Buttermilk-Chive Dumplings:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped chives
1 cup buttermilk
Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons oil
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups chicken stock
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen pearl onions
Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish
Chopped chives, for garnish
For the stock:
Place the chicken and all stock ingredients in a large Dutch oven and cover with water. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 hour until the chicken is tender. Skim the surface of fat and scum as it cooks.
When done remove the chicken to a cutting board. Strain the stock and shred the meat into big pieces – the stock will be used for the sauce and the chicken will be folded into it.
For the dumplings:
Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a small bowl, using a whisk, lightly beat the eggs, chives and buttermilk together; pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold. Mix just until the dough comes together; the batter should be thick and cake-like.
To prepare sauce: In a Dutch oven, over medium heat, add the butter and oil. Add the carrot, celery, garlic, and bay leaves and saute until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour to make a roux. Continue to stir and cook for 2 minutes to coat the flour and remove the starchy taste. Slowly pour in the chicken stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add frozen peas and pearl onions.
Let sauce simmer until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 15 minutes. Fold the reserved shredded chicken into the sauce and bring up to a simmer. Using 2 spoons, carefully drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the hot mixture. The dumplings should cover the top of the sauce, but should not be touching or crowded. Let the dumplings poach for 10 to 15 minutes until they are firm and puffy. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and garnish with chopped chives before serving.
A friend of mine just made these this week and RAVED about them…and now I see why! BOOKMARKING!:)
By: juju73 on October 29, 2009
at 1:03 pm
This is the perfect recipe for this time of year.
By: Wendy on October 29, 2009
at 2:24 pm
I love chicken and dumplings! This looks fabulous!
By: Erin on October 29, 2009
at 4:36 pm
Think you might try the rolled out, thin dumplings next time? It’s personal preference, but I find these far superior to the dropped dumpling. Both versions are still time-consuming to make, though.
By: Carol from Ohio on October 29, 2009
at 6:31 pm
I am glad you like your homemade stock! I tried to make my own once… and that was far from a success.
Your dumplings sound delicious. Thanks for sharing!
By: Karine on October 29, 2009
at 8:31 pm
OMG! I am so going to try this receipe. I am just about done reading Paula Deen’s autobiography and she talks all about food throughout. One of things she talks about is Chicken & Dumplings – perfect timing for you to post this! Thanks!!!
By: Lauren Liebert on October 29, 2009
at 8:48 pm
Yay for firsts!
I think the photo looks great, what a lovely dinner. Very comforting for our last round-up.
By: Natashya on October 30, 2009
at 4:54 am
This sounds like the perfect recipe for you and your family this week. This is one of those meals that just makes you feel better. It looks great Megan! Another Tyler recipe that I can add to my always expanding Tyler list.
By: Kim on October 30, 2009
at 6:06 am
I’m comforted just by looking at your chicken and dumplings, Megan! Homemade stock is the best thing ever and dumplings make a chicken dish very special (even if a bit homely!) Thanks for a great year, I’ve enjoyed TFF.
By: Nancy (n.o.e.) on October 30, 2009
at 1:15 pm
What a wonderful looking dish. I did not know Tyler had a Chicken and Dumpling recipe or I would have made it long ago!
By: Michelle on October 30, 2009
at 5:20 pm
Perfect comfort food! It has been a fun ride (even making the gnocchi!)
I hope you come join us at IHCC too.
By: DebinHawaii on October 30, 2009
at 10:52 pm
What a great way to end TFF! And two firsts is better than none. A great example of how Tyler can force (coerce) us to get adventurous in the kitchen.
By: Joanne on November 1, 2009
at 8:21 am
Great Dinner. Thanks Megan!
By: David on November 1, 2009
at 11:55 am
It’s working…..!
I love chicken and dumplings. Unfortunately, I am alone in this one here. Can I come to your house for dinner instead.
By: Jenny on November 5, 2009
at 3:17 am
Hey there, I am in the process of making this and was reading through the recipe one last time… In the recipe it says to add in heavy cream, but heavy cream isn’t on the ingredients list…. just curious how much you used…
By: Heather on November 10, 2009
at 4:13 pm
Heather, I left out the cream, but you could use milk if you wanted to. And I’ll correct the directions accordingly.
By: Megan on November 10, 2009
at 5:51 pm