WonderGirl and the Sift's Feed Me, Seymour Archives

November 20, 2008

Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings

Sorry I've been a bit absent lately, guys. I've had a sick crew over here, so I've been busy taking temperatures and changing cartoon dvds. In my nursing efforts, I've turned to a tried and true recipe for the best chicken and dumplings you've ever tasted. And, why yes, I'll be happy to share it!! It's honestly much easier to make your own dumplings than you think, and it tastes so much better. Don't be skurred. Just go for it.

This recipe comes from my dear friend Amy's family. Her mother made me a cookbook filled with recipes from my family, from King Pen's family, and some of their own personal favorites. It's the one wedding present that I have used a billion times, and added to many times over the years. I'd be lost without this cookbook!

Anyway, here it is:

2 chicken thighs or breasts- deboned and torn into bite sized pieces
2 1/4 cup All Purpose flour (NOT SELF RISING!!)
1/4 c shortening
1 tsp salt
ice water to make stiff dough
1 can chicken broth, or broth from boiled chicken (actually, I usually end up with 2 cans)
1/2 to 1 cup milk (evaporated will give a richer flavor)

Mix flour and salt, cut in shortening with fork. Add water a little at a time until stiff dough is formed. Roll onto floured surface until thin, cut into strips. Drop into boiling broth (big pot). Cook one minute, then add chicken and milk. Cook until thickened, stirring often, then salt and pepper to taste.

Now, as a side note, if at all possible, try cooking the chicken in a crockpot ahead of time, because it makes the meat sooo tender. I season my chicken with some mild spices, and then I also use the drippings in the broth. It makes a DIVINE dish, I promise. Plus, with your crockpot, you can prepare chicken for lots of dishes/casseroles and freeze it until you need it. This saves me a lot of time!

Okay, that's my post for today. Please don't nominate me for Most Boring Blogger Ever. That would hurt a little. Just remember the good old days, back when I used to be pretty interesting and thought provoking. (A couple kids back, I think, in case you're wondering where in the archives that is. Ha.)

Peace out, and happy eating.

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:47 PM | Comments (5)

February 28, 2008

Brunch is Better

We've been in Pineville for two months, and we know four people. That's actually not too bad, considering we've been in a different church every weekend, and we only have one car. This whole friendmaking process is just a longgggg one.

-sigh-

Anyway, one of these friends I sort of borrowed from another friend. She's Emily's mother-in-law, (stay with me - it doesn't get any more complicated than that) and she's a dear. She's made us very welcome here. This woman saved my life by loaning me a coffeemaker when mine was lost in boxes. She's good people. Tomorrow, she's coming over for an old fashioned Southern brunch. We'll have coffee (huzzah!), fruit, mini-ham puffs, and mini pecan pies. I don't know why all the mini. It just seems right for a brunch, doesn't it? Anyway, the pecan pies are scrumptious! And you need this recipe. So get a pen, or hit "print", and prepare to host a brunch just to serve them.

February 26, 2008

Caribbean Jerk

Chicken, that is.

Okay, some of you have been after me for this recipe, and since I have it out at the moment for dinner tonight, you're in luck.

This is top-secret. It came from my mother-in-law, bless her soul, and it's the tastiest dish to serve company. Seriously, I only get raves when I make it. (We're having our neighbors over for dinner tonight, so I get to relive the culinary pleasure all over again!)

Okay, mon. Here it tis.

Caribbean Jerk Chicken

Uncooked chicken, bite-sized pieces
1 can chicken broth
Smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized chunks
4-5 potatoes, peeled and bite-sized
Garlic pepper
Caribbean jerk seasoning

Salt and garlic pepper chicken. Place in a large casserole dish. Arrange sausage and potatoes around chicken. Sprinkle seasoning on top, and pour in broth. Cover and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

That's it. Seriously. It's the easiest dish in the world, and so easy, you could cry. Careful with that garlic pepper though, it's what makes the dish spicy. The c.j. seasoning is good, but not what gives it the real kick.

So, try it! Lemme know whatcha think.

Posted by WonderGirl at 4:22 PM

November 6, 2007

In My Kitchen

"Bread is the warmest, kindest of all words. Write it always with a capital letter, like your own name."

Continue reading "In My Kitchen"

Posted by WonderGirl at 10:53 PM

October 15, 2007

Gumbolicious

For Amy...

I'm a Mississippi girl married to a Louisiana man, and in our wedding vows, he made sure to include the disclaimer "if she learns to make a proper gumbo". So I knew what I was getting into right up front. I set to work early on learning how my mother-in-law made her delicious gumbo, and ensured my position as Mrs. King Pen till death do us part. Here is a casual rendition of my recipe.

Chicken & Sausage Gumbo:

Continue reading "Gumbolicious"

Posted by WonderGirl at 10:59 AM

October 7, 2007

Hen House Whole Wheat Bread

I promised Meghan half a dozen times that I'd share the recipe, so here it is. Amy V., you will recognize this from your mother, who gave it to me when I first got married. I always loved coming to your house and the smell of freshly baked bread!!

This is my Monday activity, and I have to say, I enjoy the whole process. My favorite part is the large, old, heavy bowl I use to mix it all in, and the sweet, yeasty smell of the bread as it rises into a puffy ball inside. Ahhh... now on to the recipe.

Continue reading "Hen House Whole Wheat Bread"

Posted by WonderGirl at 10:16 PM

November 30, 2006

Indulgences

These are some of the best no-bake cookies around, seriously. Yum. I drool just typing out the recipe.

Cocoa Oatmeal Drop Cookies

2 c sugar
3 tbs cocoa
1/2 c butter
1/2 c milk
1/2 c peanut butter (crunchy if you like nuts!)
3 c uncooked oatmeal
1 tsp vanilla

Boil sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients, and drop onto wax paper with a spoon.

*As an aside, I've just decided to not look at my butt in the mirror anymore. At least until the baby is six months old.

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:13 PM

February 14, 2006

Cook Me

I can take no credit for this recipe whatsoever- Debby passed it along to me (ensuring her place in the top 4 if we ever go on Survivor together). It is one of the best and easiest chicken dishes I've ever made, and let me tell you, I ate it like there was no tomorrow. You must try it. You will try it if you really love me. (And I'll know if you didn't.)

Herbed Chicken Pasta

1 tsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound skinned, boned chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups coarsely chopped tomato
4 cups hot cooked fettuccine (but I used bowtie because it's cuter.)
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oil in large skillet, add mushrooms, onion, and garlic, saute 2 minutes. Add chicken, salt, basil, and pepper, saute 5 minutes or until chicken is done. Add tomato, saute 2 minutes. Serve over pasta, sprinkle with cheese. Makes: 4 servings.

Please tell me when you are cooking it, as I will probably be dropping in unexpectedly for a quick visit. And why, yes, I'd love to stay for dinner! You're so kind.

(You may want to double those portions... I have a healthy, growing girl's appetite.)

Posted by WonderGirl at 12:12 PM

January 4, 2005

A Happy Story

Once upon a time, something wonderful happened. (This tale brings tears to my eyes, friend.) My mom, that sweet angelic beautiful woman, found something special. A treasure. A magical, priceless thing that she brought home to her family- and changed our lives forever.

This recipe.

I don't know where or when she stumbled upon this jewel- but as soon as I was old enough to utter that great word, "MORE" - she knew she'd hit the jackpot. Every year on my birthday for as long as I can remember, she makes me a dish of Chicken Divan, and everything is right with the world for a few hours. So now, I share it with you, and insist that you print it out and try it right this very moment. You won't regret it. Go on, hit print. You don't even have to finish reading it, trust me. You'll love it.

Chicken Divan

Steamed broccoli spears (or cooked frozen for you lazy folks)
2 cups bite-sized cooked chicken (boiled)
2 cups cooked rice
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 to 1 cup mayonnaise (depending on how much you like mayo)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (shred it yourself and it's MUCH yummier!)
1/2 cup bread crumbs** optional

Cook broccoli until crisp-tender; drain. Place chicken in a buttered 11 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 1 1/2-inch baking dish. Put broccoli on top of chicken, and top with the rice. Mix soup with mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and cheese; heat in saucepan until cheese is melted. Pour over rice. Top with buttered bread crumbs - if you want. I leave that off. Bake at 350� for 25 to 30 minutes, until heated through.

Chicken divan recipe serves 6... or just one hungry pregnant woman.

Enjoy! Feel free to post your undying thanks and adulation for this recipe-- and I will be accepting monetary gifts of appreciation if you feel so inclined.

Posted by WonderGirl at 5:27 PM