Winter Broth With Dumplings The Way My Nana Makes Recipes

WINTER BROTH WITH DUMPLINGS THE WAY MY NANA MAKES

Steps:

• In a very large pan, heat the oil or butter very gently.
• Over a low light, add the leeks, turnip, carrots and celery, toss around to coat in oil and then put on the lid.
• Shaking the pan at regular intervals, allow the vegetables to 'sweat' for about 10 minutes.
• Now add the rest of the vegetables, make the stock cubes up with the water and add this, along with the herbs and a touch of salt and pepper (you can taste and re-season later) Bring to the boil, replace the lid, and simmer for at least an hour to bring out the flavours of the vegetables.
• Add the barley or lentils after about 20 minutes cooking time.
• Meanwhile, make the dumpling mix by combining the dry ingredients and mixing to a soft but not sticky dough with cold water.
• Divide this into small pieces about the size of a golf ball and drop one by one into the simmering soup.
• Replace the lid and cook for 15-20 minutes, by which time the dumplings should have puffed up and become light and fluffy.
• Serve with lots of crusty bread and butter!

NANA EDITH'S PEACH DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Stir together flour, eggs and four tablespoons of the cream until a stiff dough forms, just holds together.
• Add more cream ONLY if the dough isn't holding together.
• Mix in salt, sugar & the melted butter.
• Knead on floured board until smooth, about 8-10 times.
• Cover with a warm bowl and let rest for 1/2 hour.
• Put a LARGE pot of lightly salted water on to boil.
• Wash and dry peaches, but DO NOT PEEL OR PIT!
• After dough has rested, cut into four equal pieces.
• Flatten& stretch each piece of dough around one peach.
• Make sure entire peach is covered& there are no holes!
• Place dumplings in boiling water, cover & cook for 20 minutes.
• Remove with slotted spoon, drain well & put each peach in its own bowl.
• Split the dumplings with two forks.
• We leave the pits in for presentation, but they can be taken out.
• Drizzle each dumpling with cinnamon sugar & clarified butter to taste.

WINTER GREENS WITH CHIPOTLE BROTH

Steps:

• Combine vegetable broth, onion, garlic, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in kale. Cook, covered tightly and stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with more salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste.

CHINESE EGG DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Whisk together the eggs, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, water, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a bowl, and let stand for 25 minutes.
• Mix the pork, water chestnuts, green onions, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and toasted sesame oil in a bowl, kneading the mixture till well-combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let rest in refrigerator until needed.
• To make wrappers, spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Slowly pour about 1 tablespoon of the egg mixture into the skillet, and tilt the skillet to spread the batter, forming a flat circle about 3 inches in diameter. Let the egg wrapper cook until firm on the bottom but still moist on top, about 1 minute. Stack the finished egg wrappers on a wax-paper-lined plate as you finish them, and let cool.
• Stir together the chicken broth, soy sauce, sherry, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and black pepper in a saucepan, and heat to a simmer over medium-low heat.
• Place about 1 teaspoon of the pork filling into the center of each wrapper, fold the wrapper over to make a half-moon shape, and gently press the wrapper together to seal. Drop the filled dumplings into the seasoned chicken broth and simmer them until the filling is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with broth.