After Sandy, Lots Of Support

Another storm blew its way into our area last night. Needless to say, having record snow falls was NOT what anyone needed on the heels of Hurricane Sandy’s visit. That makes this day to remember those affected by Sandy all the more important. 

  

 

Bloggers Jenn and Barb suggested that food bloggers post a heartwarming recipe today for comfort food, as well as provide links to the relief efforts from the American Red Cross. Done!

I don’t know any dish that says COMFORT! more than Chicken and Dumplings. It’s hot, it’s soothing and can be an entire meal on its own.  It’s got those carbs we crave when we’re stressed, protein for building new cells and chicken soup which often cures anything that ails.    

Go to Twitter at hashtag #FBS4Sandy to see other Support for Sandy posts.

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I like to cook the chicken and then take it off the bone before I add the dumplings to the pot. Also I’m going to give you a long(ish) version of this recipe first and then tell you how you can slap it together even faster. Enjoy and stay out of the way falling trees…Please!

 

 

Chicken and Dumplings (serves 4)

Printable recipe here.

2 large chicken breasts

2 onions, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 tbls. flour

4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
3/4 cup frozen peas

Dumplings:

1½ cups flour

2 tsps. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

a pinch of dried sage

Optional: 1 tbl. chopped fresh parsley

2 tbls. melted butter

¾ cup milk

For the chicken, spray just the bottom of a Dutch oven with non-stick spray. Cook chicken, skin side down, over medium heat until nicely browned. Turn over and cook other side for 3 minutes. There should be some nice chicken drippings in the pan. Leave those and remove the chicken and set aside.

Stir in the onions and carrots with a bit of salt. Cook over medium heat, covered, until onions are translucent about 3 or 4 minutes. Turn down heat to low, stir in flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Slowly add stock, stirring to avoid lumps. Return chicken to pot, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove chicken from pot, cool and cut off the bone into large cubes, discarding the skin. Place the cubed chicken back in the pot with the peas. Keep the heat on low.

Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, stir together the flour and baking powder with salt, sage and parsley, if using. (I always like to sieve baking powder)

Mix together butter and milk and stir into dry ingredients. Don’t overmix.

With wet hands, form 10 round dumplings from the flour mixture and drop onto the top of the simmering chicken stew.

Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Serve at once or after you’ve finished more hurricane clean up.

Here’s a faster version (and more like a soup than a stew):

Place chicken, onions and carrots in pot with 4 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove chicken, cool slightly, and take off the bone. Cut into cubes. Add back to pot with peas.

Mix and form dumplings as above. Place on top of the simmering soup and cook, covered for 15 minutes. Serve. 

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Here are links to some organizations, along with the Red Cross, offering help to those who need aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy:

The American Red Cross - Donate directly to the Red Cross or you can text the word “Redcross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Standard messaging and data rates apply.

Community FoodBank of New Jersey

Feeding America

Jersey Cares - Make an online donation here. Or visit their website to register for Sandy recovery projects.

 

New York Cares
Donate to their relief efforts for Sandy by texting "iCARE" to 85944 to donate $10. Reply "YES" to confirm after sending the message. Standard messaging and data rates apply.

Salvation Army
 
Ready.gov Volunteer Opportunities

United Way - UWSandyRecovery.org

For help with animals and pets:

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) –
to donate $10 to the HSUS Disaster Relief Fund, text “ANIMALS” to 20222. Standard messaging and data rates apply.

ASPCA (and ASPCA on Twitter)