Stove Top Chicken and Dumplings

I love Chicken and Dumplings so I am trying out different ways to make it, this was one that I tried last week. The recipe made a huge batch, like maybe 8-10 servings huge. My kids hated this because I added carrots, so after I picked them out they were digging it. I kind of winged it and made this one up myself, if it sucks when you try it , I am sorry.

1 package of frozen ready made dumplings

3 boxes of chicken stock

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken pieces

1 bag of baby carrots 

Take one and a half boxes of chicken stock and boil chicken 15 minutes or until cooked through. 

Once cooked set the chicken on a plate to rest a few minutes then shred. I used my stand mixer with the regular paddle (? maybe? is there a "normal" attachment?)

A  friend told me of this trick. It is a HUGE time saver. I feel like I owe her a massage by a hunk of her choosing for this tip. 

In a separate pot boil carrots in remaining stock. Add salt, pepper and oregano to taste.

Once stock is boiling add the package of noodles one at a time. I broke them in half and constantly stirred so they would not clump and stick together. 

Reboil for 30-35 minutes 

Add Chicken and cook for another 5-10 minutes. 

Enjoy.

    

Cooking Substations

I found these floating around the internet today and thought I would pass these on. 




Cooking Substitutions:

Baking Powder (1 t.)
1) 1 t. baking soda plus 1/2 t. cream of tartar.
2) 1/4 t. baking soda plus 1/2 t. cream of tartar.
3) 1/4 t. baking soda plus 1/2 c. buttermilk (to replace 1/2 c. liquid in recipe).

Butter or Margarine (1 cup)
1) 1 1/2 c. margarine or butter powder.
2) 2/3 c. vegetable oil.
3) 1 c. shortening plus 1/2 t. salt
4) 2 sticks softened margarine plus 1/3 c. vegetable oil & 1/2 c. buttermilk. Beat until liquid is absorbed. Refrigerate.

Buttermilk
1) 1 T. vinegar (or 1 t. lemon juice or 1 3/4 t. cream of tartar) mixed in 1 c. milk.
2) 1 c. water, 1/3 c. powdered milk, 1 T. vinegar or lemon juice.
3) 1 3/4 c. dry milk in 3 c. slightly warm water (shake or beat until blended). Cover an allow to stand at room temperature until clabbered (6 - 12 hours). Refrigerate.
4) 1 c. water, 1/3 c. powdered milk, 1 T. vinegar or lemon juice. Let mixture stand in a warm place until thickened (18 hours). Stir until smooth. Refrigerate.
5) A buttermilk freeze dried culture can be purchased at a grocery or health food store, and kept indefinitely.

Chocolate (one square)
1) 3 or 4 T. cocoa plus 1/2 T. fat (butter, margarine or shortening).
2) 3 T. cocoa plus 1 T. butter.

Corn Starch (1 T.)
2 T. flour.

Cream (1 cup)
1/3 c. butter plus 2/3 c. milk.

Egg
1) Combine 1 t. unflavored gelatin with 3 T. cold water and 2 T. plus 1 t. boiling water.
2) Dissolve 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin in 1 tablespoon cold water, then add 2 tablespoons boiling water. Beat vigorously until frothy
3) 2 egg yolks plus 1 T. water.
4) 2 T. dehydrated eggs plus 2 1/2 T. water.

Evaporated Milk
1 c. water, 2/3 c. powdered milk

Fats/Oils
Applesauce (subtract some sugar), or Beans (cooked and mashed).

Flour, White (1 cup)
1) 3/4 c. whole wheat flour.
2) 7/8 c. rice flour.
3) 1 c. corn flour.
4) 1 c. corn meal.
5) 3/4 c. buckwheat.
6) 1/2 c. barley flour.
7) 3/4 c. rye flour.

Green Pepper (1 medium)
1/4 c. dehydrated green pepper.

Half and Half (1 cup)
1) 7/8 c. milk plus 1 T. butter.
2) 1/2 c. coffee creamer and 1/2 c. milk.

Honey (1 c.)
3/4 c. sugar plus 1/4 c. liquid.

Jello (3 oz.)
1 T. plain gelatin plus 2 c. fruit juice.

Ketchup (1/2 c.)
1/2 c. tomato sauce, 2 T. sugar, 1 T. vinegar, 1/8 t. ground cloves.

Milk, Whole (1 cup)
1) 1/2 c. evaporated milk plus 1/2 c. water.
2) 1 c. reconstituted milk plus 2 T. butter.
3) 1 c. water, 1/3 c. powdered milk

Onion (1 medium)
1/4 c. dehydrated onion

Sour Cream (1 cup)
1) 1 c. milk plus 1 1/2 T. vinegar. Let stand until mixture thickens and clabbers.
2) 1 c. plain yogurt.

Sugar (1 cup)
1) 3/4 c. honey (reduce liquid by 1/4 c. or add 1/4 c. flour).
2) 1 c. molasses.
3) 1 1/2 c. carob syrup.
4) 1 1/4 c. malt syrup.
5) Corn syrup (reduce liquid). 6) Brown sugar.

Sugar, Brown
Sugar & Molasses.

Sugar, Powdered (1 cup)
1 c. sugar and 1/2 t. cornstarch. Blend in blender until powdered.

Sweetened Condensed Milk
1) 1 1/2 c. powdered milk, 3/4 c. sugar, 1/2 c. hot tap water. Place hot water in blender. With blender going, add sugar and dry milk, blend until smooth.
2) 1 c. hot water, 4 c. powdered milk, 2 c. sugar, 1/4 c. butter. Blend in blender. Can be refrigerated or frozen.
3) 1/2 c. hot water, 1 c. powdered milk, 1 c. sugar. Blend in blender. Can be refrigerated or frozen.

Tapioca (2 t.)
1 T. flour.

Tomatoes, Canned (1 cup)
1 1/3 cups cut up fresh tomatoes, simmered 10 minutes.

Tomato Juice (1 c.)
1/2 c. tomato sauce, 1/2 c. water

Whipped Topping
1) 6 T. powdered milk, 1 c. boiling water, 2 t. unflavored gelatin, 2 T. cold water, 2-4 T. sugar, 1 t. vanilla. Dissolve the milk in the cup of water and scald (boil until milk forms a skin on top). Soak the gelatin in cold water. Combine the scalded milk, dissolved gelatin and sugar. Stir and chill in the refrigerator until it jells. Then beat the mixture until it acquires the consistency of whipped cream. Add the vanilla and whip again.
2) 1 c. water, 2/3 c. powdered milk. Chill. Add 1/2 t. lemon juice. Whip. Fold in 1 T. sugar to taste.

Wine
1) Use apple or grape juice minus some sugar.
2) Use broth and lessen the salt.

Yeast (1 package)
1 T. yeast.

Meal Planning Monday

I am pretty terrible lately about meal planning and around 6pm doing this:

" David.. what are we going to do for dinner?"

" I don't know. What would you like to do?"

"If I knew I wouldn't have asked you, and dinner would be done by now."

"Babe, what are you in the mood for?"

" You know, the usual, wings, mexican or sushi.Kids what do?"

"PIZZA!"

Gross. And the floor of my garage is littered with pizza boxes waiting for the recycle bin.

So here is a stab at becoming more organized, and eating less fatty shit. I might make this a blog hop one day.

Meal Plan for the Week of 4/16

Monday: Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwiches sandwiches and corn on the cob.

Tuesday:  Lunch: Avocado egg salad

                        Dinner: Roasted pork loin with sauteed mushrooms and steamed (or raw, depending on which kid hates which)

Wednesday: Hot ham and fresh mozzarella sandwiches and croc-pot  baked potato soup.

Thursday: The busiest day here Broiled gnocchi and marinara with ricotta  , kids choice veggie.

Friday: Spicy cheesy grits with Shrimp and a side salad.

I will post recipes later in the week. 

Happy Monday Y'all!

Grilled Macaroni and Cheese

*I apologize in advance for the crappy cell phone pics, hubby took my camera to work.


Here was my pinspiration :

But there was no recipe for it from the original pin. So I made one up. And it is an *almost homemade, aka a Soccer mom cheat. It goes a little something like this:

Sliced bread

Butter or Margarine 

Ready made Mac and Cheese

 ( I used Country Crock, it is near the meats in my grocery store)

Shredded Cheddar and Mozzarella

Take out two slices of bread for each sandwich and spread butter on one side of each  piece.

Microwave the macaroni for 2 minuets and put in a large bowl.

Add 1/2 half cup of each cheese.

Mix well. 

Using an ice-cream scoop, spoon on to bread.

Top with a slice of bread. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes each side. Enjoy!

  

 

Recipe: Cowboy Quiche

Cowboy Quiche   

Ingredients:

Ready made pie shell

Thick cut bacon

  6 large eggs

2 cups heavy cream or milk

1/2 cup shredded monterrey jack cheese 

1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 small can diced green chilies

salt,pepper,ground nutmeg, dill ,and onion powder

Preheat the oven to  375 f

Cook bacon , drain, chop, set aside.

Wisk together 5 eggs, cream or milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg,dill and onion powder to taste.

In the pie shell add cheeses, bacon , chilies. Pour egg mixture over it.

Take the last egg and wisk, brush over pie crust.

Bake for 30-40 minuets, the top should be golden brown.

Wait 10 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!