Ingredients

serves 4 to 6

　　One 2 1/2-pound chicken

　　3 ribs celery, chopped

　　1 large onion, chopped

　　2 bay leaves

　　2 chicken bouillon cubes

　　1 teaspoon House Seasoning (see page 325)

　　4 quarts water

　　One 10 3/4-ounce can condensed cream of celery or cream of chicken soup

　　

Dumplings

2 cups all-purpose flour mixed with 1 teaspoon salt

　　3/4 cup ice water

　　

Step 1

Cut up chicken, but do not remove skin. The skin and bones can be removed later. Place chicken, celery, onion, bay leaves, bouillon, and House Seasoning in water and boil at a rolling boil for 30 to 45 minutes, until meat begins to fall off the bones. Remove skin and bones at this point, along with bay leaves. Return chicken to pan. Prepare dumplings and set them aside for a few minutes. Add cream soup to chicken and continue to boil. If desired, you can thicken the stock a little by mixing 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and adding it to the stock. Drop dumplings into boiling stock. Never stir dumplings. Shake the pot gently in a circular motion to submerge dumplings in stock. Cook for a few minutes more, until dumplings are done. Do not overcook.

　　

Dumplings

Step 2

Put flour in a mixing bowl. Beginning in center of flour, dribble small amount of ice water. Work mixture with fingers from center of bowl to sides of bowl, incorporating small amounts of water at a time. Continue until all flour is used up. Batter will feel as if it is going to be tough. Knead dough and form into ball. Dust a good amount of flour onto dough board and rolling pin. Roll out dough, working from center. Dough will be firm. Roll to 1/8 inch thinness. Let it air-dry for a minute or two while you return your attention to the boiling pot at the point at which you add the canned soup to the chicken mixture. Cut dumplings into 1-inch strips. Working with one strip at a time, hold strip over pot, pull it in half, and drop into the boiling stock. Remember, do not stir mixture after dumplings have been added to pot.

　　Cooks' Note

　　Frozen dumplings are available in most supermarkets if you don’t have the time to make them.

　　Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics