Nans Dumplings Recipes

FARM-STYLE CHICKEN AND DROP DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the soup: Place the chicken pieces and the backbones in a large pot and cover with 16 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and poach the chicken until cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Use tongs to remove the chicken pieces and set aside to cool; discard the backbones. Once the chicken cools enough to handle, pull the meat from the bones, shred and roughly chop; set aside. Strain the chicken broth and keep warm.
• In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat, and stir in the carrots, garlic, celery, leeks, onions and poultry seasoning. Cook the vegetables until they begin to soften, 8 to 10 minutes, then stir in the flour.
• Add the reserved chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the soup thickens slightly and vegetables soften, about 25 minutes. Stir in the shredded chicken and bring the soup back to a low simmer.
• For the dumplings: In a medium bowl, add the flour. Use two butter knives to cut in the milk, butter, baking powder, salt and eggs. Add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary. The dough should be moist but not too wet.
• Pull the dough into 1/4-cup pieces and place directly in the simmering soup; cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve.

EASY NAAN

Steps:

• Combine water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let stand until bubbly and frothy, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth, 6 to 8 minutes. Place dough into a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise until the dough has doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Punch down dough and knead well. For garlic naan, knead in garlic at this point.
• Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of golf balls. Roll into balls, cover with a clean cloth, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Roll out 2 balls of dough into elongated ovals. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and cook under the broiler until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Brush butter on both sides and flip. Continue broiling until the second side is firm and golden, 2 minutes more. Repeat with remaining dough.

NAN'S DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients together then stir in cheese.
• Mix Egg, butter and milk together.
• Stir into flour mixture until well mixed (dont over mix).
• Drop into soup or stew, cover and simmer for 12 min.
• I sometimes drop 1/2 teaspoons into soup for mini dumplings.
• They also freeze well once cooked.

NORTHERN-STYLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Place the minced cabbage in a bowl, add the salt and toss lightly to mix evenly. Let sit 30 minutes, then grab handfuls of the cabbage and squeeze out as much water as possible.
• Return the cabbage to the bowl, add the ground pork, minced Chinese garlic chives or leek mixture, the 2 1/2 tablespoons of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, ginger root and 1 tablespoon of the cornstarch. Stir vigorously to combine evenly.
• Place a teaspoon of the filling in the center of a dumpling skin. Moisten the edge of the skin with a little water. Fold skin over to make a semicircle (opened edges should be up). Use the thumb and index finger to form small pleats along one edge. Press the other edge against it to seal. Or simply press the edges together, without the pleats. Arrange the finished dumplings on a cookie sheet that has been dusted with remaining cornstarch.
• In a large pot, heat 3 quarts of water until boiling. Add half the dumplings, stir and return to the boil. Let boil for 5 minutes, then remove with a handled strainer or a slotted spoon. Bring the water back to a boil, add the remaining dumplings and cook as above.
• Mix the 1/2-cup soy sauce and chopped garlic to make a dipping sauce.

NANA'S APPLE DUMPLINGS WITH NUTMEG MILK

Steps:

• Mix syrup; boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add butter.
• Sift dry ingredients and cut in shortening until coarse crumbs. Add milk, all at once and stir until just moistened. Divide into 6 pieces and roll to 1/4" circle, each.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place a cored apple on each circle. Fill core with cinnamon sugar mix. Place pat of butter on top. Fold pastry up over apple and pinch to seal. Place in 9 x 13 pan 1" apart.
• Pour syrup over dumplings and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
• Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.

GINA'S FAVORITE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Beat egg, water, and melted butter in a small bowl. Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture until well blended.
• Drop batter by spoonfuls onto simmering broth or gravy. Cover and simmer until fully cooked through, about 10 minutes.