A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity Our Favorite Recipes Dumplings

I am curious. I didn't grow up with dumplings on my dinner table (or dessert table). I had my first as an adult in a favorite restaurant that served home-style type foods.
So I have learned a lot of cooking and I collect cookbooks from all over since then. And have found that there are many types of dumplings. I have had some that reminded me of very wide noodles, Some that reminded me of soggy soda cracker squares. And some in matzo ball soup.
And I wonder what yours are like, how they are made and cooked. Do you cook down in a broth? on top of the solid food in a stew?

I will tell you about mine. I basically use a biscuit recipe or Bisquik mix. I like to add an egg to mine just because it helps it hang together a little better and maybe adds a touch of nutrition that isn't there otherwise. I also like to add herb or spices like garlic or onion powder for a flavor boost. Then I add enough milk to make a soft dough and drop by largish spoonfus on top of boiling broth and turn it down to a simmer. It drops into the broth and rises. 10 minnutes uncovered and 10 more minutes covered. This is where I change the rules. I remove them to a baking pan and I do ten more minutes in a 350 oven. That is because I don't like them too soggy and that will 'finish' any baking that your pot may not have completed. And it gives me time to thicken the broth while they bake.

I use bisquick also. I make up batter like I'm making regular ole' biscuits though. I have water boiling that I cooked the chicken in or I add broth, sometimes both. I add a bit of butter to the slowly boiling water along with some of the bisquick mix. I just shake it in to thicken. then I just add the 'biscuit' mix by spoonfulls into the soup. turn them a couple of times and take out. I try not to make them too big or they will be mushy inside. oh and I also have onion, salt, peppers, garlic, ect in the soup mixture.

oh, and in a pinch and in a hurry....I've just cut up flour tortillas and thrown in for a flat type dumpling.