Chicken and Dumplings Surprise

crystal wolfe

Total Time: An hour to an hour and a half.

Yield: 4 adults, 4 grand children, and 2 spoiled dogs

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• 1 large onion
• 3 celery stalks
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp cream of tarter
• 1 package of frozen dumplings

Steps:

1. Dice celery and onions.
2. Place whole chicken in large pot and cover with water.
3. Add celery and onions and bring to boiling.
4. Once at rapid boil, turn down to low medium and go get grand kids to make the "dumplings".
5. Mix flour, salt, and cream of tarter together in a bowl. Let each child add an ingredient. Over low heat add 2 cups warm water to a sided skillet with dry ingredients and 2 T. oil. Stir till a gooey mess. Now let each grand baby stir it from the sides and keep stirring till it is dry. Place the dried dough back in the bowl and place in the fridge to cool.
6. Take the chicken out of the pot to cool at this time or 45 minutes from when you started, whichever is longer. I put chicken in the fridge to cool faster. Time for a potty break and snack.
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7. After washing all grand children's hand thoroughly, take dough out of the fridge and divide equally among grand children. I highly suggest putting the dough on Sarah wrap or rubber cutting boards. Let the kids knead the "dumplings" till it is smooth and elastic. Place in a covered dish when done to rest.
8. Take chicken out of fridge and remove skin first. Then pull all meat off the bones. I only use half the chicken for the recipe and save the other half for fajitas the next day. The grand kids will get grossed out at this point and go play.
9. Add chicken to the pot with a package of frozen dumplings that the grand kids never see. Place empty frozen dumpling trash at the bottom of the trash container, so you can keep the "surprise" going for years. Bring chicken and dumplings to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and let cook for 15-20 minutes.
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10. If you want a thicker mixture add 2 T. cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water into the chicken and dumplings to thicken. May need to be repeated if you have tons of chicken broth.
11. Serve the meal and tell the grand kids you cut their "dumplings" up when they left the kitchen after the chicken de-boning. Rave about how good the dumplings taste. Once their little tummies are full with delicious chicken and dumplings, and their heart is full of love that you shared making a meal together put them down for a nap.
12. When they are asleep, take the dough mixture out and separate into 4-6 different balls. Take each ball and flatten slightly, add a different food coloring to each flattened ball. Knead each till you have the desired color.
13. When the kids wake up from nap time."Surprise! You are the best Grandma in the world for having play-doh for them to play with!
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Shawna

July 12, 20140 found this helpful

I don't enjoy being negative, but I really don't really understand this post... why the deception? While the idea of letting the grandchildren help you in the kitchen is wonderful and can lead to great family memories, why be dishonest with them about it? How about letting them make the play dough and help with the meal (perhaps by breaking up the frozen dumplings)? Then their memories will be about how much fun it was to make their own play dough when grandma made chicken and dumplings... no lies required.

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I just have a thing about being honest with children, even if a deception is "for fun." I remember helping my mother make chicken and dumplings when I was in the age range of the children in the photo. She actually let me really help by rolling the dough out thin and when I was old enough she let me cut the dumplings up with a butter knife, and I got to keep a piece of dough to play with for a while. I'm glad my memories don't include false praise (untruth) for dumplings I didn't make.

I'm sorry, but I really don't see the benefit of deception when dealing with children. They will find enjoyment just in being with you and doing simple things, and there is no need to mislead them.

 

Louise B.
Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks

July 12, 20140 found this helpful

I'm sorry, but I also agree with the previous poster. I suppose this is a fun time, but I don't understand why you don't just actually cook with the kids? Or just make playdoh with them? And if dumplings aren't something that kids can help make, why not just bake some sugar cookies?

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Thanks for sharing your idea, though, as it might spark people to actually teach little kids how to cook.

 

crystal wolfe

July 17, 20140 found this helpful

As you can see from the picture, my grand girls are 3,2,2,1,and a few months old. They are too young to remember anything... the recipe is for FUN! It is not meant to be a Paula Dean or Rachael Ray competition. Thank you for reaffirming the way our family see things... we do not take life seriously! Our family time is spent laughing, smiling, joking, and full of surprises. I am thrilled that my children and grand children will remember the adventures, surprises, positive attitudes, and not some boring way to cook.

 

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