Chicken and Dumplings, Southern Style

Description: Make and share this Chicken and Dumplings, Southern Style recipe from Food.com.

Ingredients:

• 1 (3 lb) chicken
• 2 quarts water
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 carrots, quartered
• 1 stalk celery, quartered
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon peppercorn
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 tablespoons shortening
• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• salt and pepper

Steps:

1. Place chicken in a heavy 5 quart stockpot with water to cover.
2. Add the onion, carrot, celery, bay, peppercorns, salt, thyme and rosemary.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
4. Skim scum if needed.
5. Remove chicken and set aside to cool.
6. Remove meat and return bones to pot.
7. Simmer for 1 hour more.
8. Strain well and remove any fat you can.
9. Dumplings------------------.
10. Combine flour, soda, salt.
11. Cut in shortening until flour resembles coarse crumbs.
12. Add the stock, buttermilk and thyme.
13. Stir to make a stiff dough-and it will be stiff.
14. Turn out onto a floured board and knead gently 6 times.
15. Wrap in plastic and chill 1 hour.
16. Bring strained broth to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
17. Roll out the chilled dough to 1/8 inch thick, and cut into 4x1 inch pieces.
18. Drop them into simmering stock and stir gently.
19. Cook for 10 minutes, add the chicken and cook for 5 min more.
20. Season with salt and lots of pepper.