OLD FASHIONED CHICKEN AND DROP DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Using a pastry blender, cut the shortening into the flour until it is mealy; add chives. Set aside in the refrigerator to chill until needed.
• In a large wide pot, add the chicken and top with celery, onion, carrots, chicken stock, chicken base, salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme. Stir to mix well. Place over medium high heat and bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook about 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Strain the stock into another container if desired, returning the broth back to the pot. Cut up the larger chunks of chicken and cut up, returning them to the broth.
• Now we're gonna make a very blond roux. In a separate pan, heat the bacon fat over medium high heat until melted. Whisk in the 3 tablespoons of all purpose flour. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture is bubbly and smooth. Remove from the heat. Scoop out 1/2 cup of the broth from the chicken pot and slowly add to the roux - be careful because it will steam up right away and can easily burn you. Immediately turn the burner down to a medium low simmer and return the pot to the burner; add additional broth, 1/2 cup at a time for a total of 2 cups, stirring constantly until the liquid has been fully incorporated. Add 1/2 cup of milk to roux and blend in.
• Add the peas, if using, and the roux mixture into the hot stock, stirring in well. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Retrieve the flour and chive mixture from the fridge, stir in 3/4 cup of milk. Using a cookie scoop, drop scoops of dough into the simmering liquid until all of the dumpling dough has been added. Cover immediately, so that the dumplings begin to steam; simmer on low about 10 minutes before checking. When they are fluffy, insert a toothpick to see if they are done. If not, allow to low simmer until done, without disturbing the dumplings. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Carefully scoop broth and a few dumplings into individual serving bowls.
• Cook's Notes: If you have a heat resistant, glass pie plate, use that as a lid when you are ready to drop the dumplings. This will enable you to see when the dumplings fluff up, without releasing the steam. The secret to fluffy dumplings is to keep them at a low simmer, never let them boil, and don't overcook them. Use a wider topped pot and don't overcrowd the dumplings because they will need room to expand. When they look fluffy, test them with a toothpick as you would with a cake, to see if they are done.
• May substitute cooled chicken stock or broth for part of the milk in the dumpling for extra flavor. To thicken the stew, use up to 1 cup of instant potato flakes, stirred in 1/2 cup at a time. Stir in the first 1/2 and cook for about 5 minutes; repeat with the second 1/2 cup if more thickening is needed.
• If you make your stock in advance, refrigerate and scoop off the top layer of fat. Use that fat in place of the bacon fat to make a roux. Instead of a roux, you can also substitute a can of undiluted cream of chicken soup.
• For the Slow Cooker: Substitute boneless chicken breasts and/or thighs for ease of preparation. Cut into chunks and add to slow cooker. Whisk together 2 cans of cream of chicken soup with 1-3/4 cup of low sodium chicken broth and 1 cup of water. Add the pepper, rosemary and thyme above, omitting the salt. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours. Turn cooker to high. Prepare dumplings as above and drop into top of broth. Cover and cook another 45 minutes or until dumplings are tender.
• Prefer a rolled or biscuit dumplings? Either one make a fine dumpling too.