Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole

Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole Recipe - Delicious and Flavorful Dish!

Region / culture: Mennonites | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 40 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner. This recipe combines tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy dumplings in a creamy broth for a delicious meal that will warm you up from the inside out.

History

This recipe has been passed down through generations of Mennonite families, who are known for their simple and wholesome cooking. It is a classic comfort food dish that is often served at family gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
0.5 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
0.25 cup butter or margarine
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried basil
0.5 tsp pepper
4 cup chicken broth
1 (10 oz (283 g)) package frozen peas
4 cup cubed cooked chicken

Dumplings

2 cup buttermilk baking mix
2 tsp dried basil
0.67 cup milk

How to prepare

In a large saucepan, sauté the onion, celery, and garlic in butter until tender.
Add flour, sugar, salt, basil, pepper, and broth; bring to a boil.
Cook and stir for 1 minute, then reduce the heat.
Add peas and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Stir in chicken.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.

Dumplings

Combine biscuit mix and 2 tbsp of basil in a bowl.
Stir in milk with a fork until moistened.
Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto the casserole to form 12 dumplings.
Bake uncovered at 350°F (177°C) for 30 minutes.
Cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the dumplings are done.

Variations

Add diced carrots or potatoes to the casserole for extra vegetables.
Use turkey or ham instead of chicken for a different flavor.
Add herbs like thyme or rosemary for a more aromatic dish.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to sauté the onions, celery, and garlic until they are tender to bring out their flavors.

- When making the dumplings, be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough dumplings.

- Make sure to cover the casserole during the last 10 minutes of baking to ensure that the dumplings cook through evenly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

The key cooking techniques for this recipe include sautéing, boiling, and baking.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use butter instead of margarine for a richer flavor.

- Use fresh peas instead of frozen peas for a different texture.

- Use a gluten-free baking mix for a gluten-free version of the dumplings.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the casserole up to the point of adding the dumplings, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add the dumplings just before baking.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole in individual bowls garnished with fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole with a crisp white wine or a light beer for a delicious meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole contains approximately 400 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole contains approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole contains approximately 15 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole contains approximately 25 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains wheat and dairy.

Summary

Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole is a classic comfort food dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner. With tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and fluffy dumplings, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of anticipation I felt when I first discovered this recipe for Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living on my family's farm in the countryside. My mother had invited our neighbor, Mrs. Miller, over for dinner one evening. Mrs. Miller was a wonderful cook and always brought the most delicious dishes to share with us.

On this particular evening, Mrs. Miller arrived with a large casserole dish filled with a bubbling, golden-brown chicken and dumpling concoction. The aroma that wafted through the kitchen was absolutely intoxicating, and I couldn't wait to dig in. As we sat down to eat, Mrs. Miller shared the recipe with my mother, who listened intently, taking notes on a small scrap of paper.

After dinner, I begged my mother to teach me how to make the dish. She smiled and agreed, telling me that it was a traditional Mennonite recipe that had been passed down through generations. I was thrilled at the prospect of learning such a treasured family recipe.

The next day, my mother and I set to work in the kitchen, gathering all the necessary ingredients and carefully following Mrs. Miller's instructions. We started by boiling a whole chicken in a large pot of water, along with onions, carrots, and celery, until the meat was tender and falling off the bone. While the chicken simmered away, we prepared the dumpling dough, mixing together flour, baking powder, salt, and milk until it formed a soft, sticky batter.

Once the chicken was cooked, we removed it from the pot and shredded the meat, discarding the bones and skin. We then returned the shredded chicken to the pot, along with some peas and corn, and brought the mixture to a simmer. Dropping spoonfuls of the dumpling batter into the bubbling pot, we covered it and let the dumplings cook until they were light and fluffy.

As we ladled the steaming casserole into bowls and sat down to eat, I couldn't believe how delicious it was. The tender chicken, flavorful broth, and pillowy dumplings were a winning combination that I knew I would be making for years to come.

Over the years, I have made this Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole many times, tweaking the recipe here and there to suit my family's tastes. Sometimes I add extra vegetables, like carrots and potatoes, or a splash of cream for a richer broth. Other times, I experiment with different herbs and spices, like thyme and parsley, to give the dish a unique twist.

No matter how I choose to make it, this dish always brings back memories of that first time I learned to make it with my mother. It reminds me of the warmth and comfort of a home-cooked meal shared with loved ones, and the joy of passing down a beloved family recipe from one generation to the next.

As I sit here now, surrounded by my own grandchildren, I can't help but smile as I watch them eagerly dig into a steaming bowl of Mennonite Chicken Dumpling Casserole. I know that one day, they too will carry on the tradition of making this dish, sharing it with their own families and creating new memories to cherish for years to come.