Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Rinse the chicken and place it in a deep pot. Cover with water and put in the onion, carrot, celery, bay leaf and salt and pepper. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to a nice simmer and skim any foam that may come to the top of the water. Simmer for about 1 1/2 hours.

When the chicken is falling off of the bone tender, remove it from the pot and set aside to cool. Strain out the vegetables and discard them. Put the broth back into the pot. Remove the chicken from the bone, discarding the skin and bones. Cut the meat into bite size pieces. Set aside.

Peel a few potatoes and cut into medium size pieces. If you would like carrots or onions add them. If you would like some peas in the mix, add them too. Bring the broth up to a boil, add the chicken and vegetables, turn the heat down to a simmer and cook until almost tender. Make sure you have enough broth to cover the chicken and vegetables by a couple of inches. If not add some canned broth (not bouillon) or water. Season with salt and pepper.

For Dumplings: Mix flour, salt and baking powder, add shortening and work it into the flour mixture, using a fork. Add milk and mix. Bring the chicken mixture up to a boil, using a large serving spoon, drop the dough onto the boiling stew. Lower heat to medium, cover the pot and cook 10 minutes. Uncover and cook 10 minutes more.