Fluffy Drop Dumplings with Parsley

When it’s cold here in the North country, I like to make hearty meals like stews, and top them with delicious fluffy dumplings. In another one of my chicken and dumplings recipes, I made rolled dumplings; however, these dumplings are just dropped by the spoonful on top of your favorite stew. They are super easy to make and are sure to become a favorite, especially when you are in a hurry. Here’s how to make them:

In a medium sized bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose unbleached flour, 2 tsp. aluminum free baking powder, and 3/4 tsp. sea salt. Stir well to combine. Next, take 3 Tbl. of very cold butter and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Add the butter pieces to the flour mixture and using your hands, crumble the butter into the flour quickly so not to melt the butter until the texture looks like course sand. A few lumps are okay as seen above.

Stir into the flour, 1/2 cup of chopped parsley until well distributed. Add 1/2 cup of buttermilk and 1/4 cup of milk and stir until a thick batter is formed.

Drop the dough by tablespoons full on top of boiling stew over medium heat. Cook dumplings uncovered at a medium boil for 10 minutes. Then cover, and cook for 10 minutes more. Note* Make sure you have enough liquid in the stew so that it does not run dry and burn. The dumplings will cause the liquid to thicken as they cook.

After ten minutes with the cover on, remove the lid and serve. If the sauce is too thin and you want to thicken it, remove the dumplings gently to a plate and thicken the sauce. Then, you can place the dumplings back on top or just serve the stew and place the dumplings on top of each serving.

These dumplings are great on top of chicken, beef, pork, or vegetable stews. They can even be put on top of chili, just substitute 1/2 cup of cornmeal for 1/2 cup of the flour and be sure you have enough liquid in the pot for cooking them. Enjoy and happy cooking!

Prep Time: 15 min.

Cooking Time: 20 min.

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: makes 10-12 dumplings

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour

2 tsp. aluminum free baking powder

3/4 tsp. sea salt

3 Tbl. very cold butter cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 cup freshly chopped parsley

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup milk