Recipe for Chicken and Dumplings

My son Paul, 15 years old, loves to cook. He thinks he may want to be a chef and restaurant owner some day. He occasionally cooks dinner for the family. I love it as I as a mom get a break and I am NOT allowed in the kitchen while he cooks. He is good, neat and his food is always great. He made this last night and we all loved it. Many have requested the recipe so here it is.
Not sure of the caloric content but it sure is good. We had some fresh cut up fruit along side but you could also make a wonderful green salad for a side.
Enjoy.
Picture is Paul and me a few years ago....





Chicken and Dumplings

For the Soup:
2 T olive oil
1 3 pound chicken, cut into pieces. ( we used 3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut up )
1/4 c. flour, season ed with salt and pepper to taste
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and cut in chunks
2 carrots, peeled and cut in chucks
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
1/4 tsp turmeric
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 c. low sodium chicken broth

For Dumplings:
1 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 c. coarsely ground cornmeal
1 T sugar
1 teas. kosher salt
1 3/4 c. heavy cream

In a wide, heavy pot with a tight fitting lid, heat the olive oil.
Dredge the chicken piece in the seasoned flour then brown in oil over medium heat., about 2 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside
Add the onion to the pot and cook for 1 minutes
Add the carrots, celery, bay leaf, thyme, turmeric, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute more.
Stir in the broth.
Return the chicken to the pot, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the first 5 dumpling ingredients.
Add the cream and mix until just combined.
Drop about 12 heaping tablespoons of the dumpling mixture into the pot.
Cover and simmer 12 minutes more.
To serve, scoop the dumplings and chicken into bowls then cover with broth.
Garnish with some fresh parsley if you like.

Food for thought from Leanne Ely at Savingdinner.com: Are we all just sugar junkies?

Some great Food For Thought from Leanne Ely from savingdinner.com...Are we just sugar junkies?
And re. supplements...of course I recommend Shaklee supplements as I have used them for 10 years and have seen such a positive change in my health and energy level as well as those of my children and husband, I do highly recommend them....

Have you noticed that your good intentions to eat better are derailed because of a socially acceptable addiction: we're sugar junkies. It's easy to brush this one off. It's not nearly as unacceptable as alcoholism; there are no 12 step programs dedicated to getting you off sugar. Its addictive traits are pictured beautifully in magazines, on television commercials and on the wrappers of the food itself: great big luscious looking cinnamon buns with melty icing dripping down the sides. Glossy chocolate bars waiting for us to sink our teeth into their brown riches. It's overpowering and intoxicating! But we have to understand this: sugar is most likely at the very heart and soul of our body clutter. No matter what form it takes, whether it be in the simple carb form of white rice or white flour, or something more obvious like ice cream, pie and chocolate, it has the same deleterious effect on our bodies: it makes us feel good for awhile, but then it tears us down to the ground--just like an addict who needs another fix.
I'm here to tell you it's time to get real and call food a drug when it acts like one and that is exactly what sugar is doing. A Princeton study found that fast food and sweets can be nearly as addictive as heroin because they set off hormonal changes in the body. They believe that eating a lot of foods that are high in fat and sugar can activate your brain the same way drugs can. That's scary! But it doesn't have to be that way! You can make some simple changes that will set you free from this bondage. Here is a simple list to help you kick your sugar habit:
1) Eat good quality protein sources with each meal. Making sure you have protein will help stabilize your blood sugar. Stable blood sugar means you will feel better and are less likely to develop the cravings that pull you down

.2) Make an easy exchange. White flour, white sugar and white rice do nothing for you nutritionally. Nothing! Change them out for whole wheat flour, xylitol (see xylitol.org for info) and brown rice. Easy substitutes and you will notice a dramatic difference in how you feel. If it is difficult to completely change, start mixing the white with the brown and making the change gradually.

3) Supplements may help. Specifically, vitamin C, a B-complex, calcium with magnesium and chromium picolinate. Please understand: this is information I have gathered: I am not diagnosing nor prescribing anything to anyone! Please don't email me asking me how to use these supplements or which ones to buy.

4) Move! That means the e-word: exercise! When you move, you produce endorphins. Endorphins make you happy and this will in turn also help to quell the desire and craving of sugar. (although you crash later on sugar; you don't from exercise induced endorphins). Above all, stay balanced when you eat! You need protein, complex carbohydrates (not the simple ones!), fats and water. My menus are designed to be very balanced and will help you get your nutritional self together for dinner.

Go to the website and pick up your free menu and shopping list when you sign up for our newsletters. You are your own nutritional expert for your own body. I've said that for years starting in my very first book. You need balanced eating, a healthy dose of common sense and a new attitude that says yes to success!


Love,Leanne Elywww.savingdinner.com