Fran Larson

Want Comfort Food? (My Mother-In Laws Chick and Dumplings)


Posted: Sunday, October 18, 2009

by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/

Yesterday, after my brother-in-law's memorial service, many of us gathered at his home for loads of home-cooked and lovingly-prepared food. The table was loaded with casseroles, salads, fruit, vegetable, deserts.and more love. I used to think it was so strange to eat after a funeral or memorable service, but now I understand that is the way people express their love for you. They can't erase the hurt, but they can comfort you through food.

Madeleine L'Engle, (American Author 1918) said: That's something I've noticed about food: whenever there's a crisis if you can get people to eating normally things get better."

Even if it is not a funeral, don't we all need comfort? Barbara Ehrenreich, author, social critic, said it better: "For the millions of us who live glued to computer keyboards at work and TV monitors at home, food may be more than entertainment. It may be the only sensual experience left."

Here is what Sheila Graham said:" F ood is the most primitive form of comfort."

Whatever your mood today, I want to cheer you up even more with my fabulous recipe. Here it is:

Frannie's Fine Chicken and Dumplings

Handed down from her mother-in-law!

One whole chicken

cup shortening

Flour

cup water

Place chicken in stockpot large enough for water to cover chicken. Boil chicken until it falls off the bone. De-bone chicken and place back in pot.

Blend 1 cup of Flour with the shortening until pea-sized granules. Gradually add the water. Mix well. Keep adding flour until dough is of a stretching consistency (roughly 1 cups).

Turn stove back on and let chicken pieces come to a boil. (This is very important; chicken stock must be boiling for dumplings to not break up)

Roll out dumpling dough until very thin (about 1/8 inch). Cut in big squares and drop in boiling chicken stock.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Turn heat down to low and let simmer for about 25 minutes.

Serves four people or 3 very hungry people!

Francine Larson:

Co-Author of Character Keys to a Bright Future.

She is a freelance writer

See more articles by Francine Larson at:http://www.examiner.com/modern-love-in-tampa-bay/francine-larson

She also writes for The Highlands at Scotland Yards. She writes poetry and short stories. She is a contributor for Yahoo (http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/685738/francine_larson.html)

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