Chicken apple stew with cornmeal dill dumplings
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Makes: 4 to 6 servings
For the stew:
1⁄ cup all-purpose flour
4
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds chicken parts, legs and thighs
1⁄ cup olive oil
4
4 leeks, cleaned, light green and white part only, thinly sliced
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
6 carrots, peeled and sliced
4 celery ribs, sliced
2 medium red apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill weed
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup apple juice
For the dumplings:
1 1⁄ cups all-purpose flour
4
1⁄ cup cornmeal
3
2 teaspoons baking powder
1⁄ teaspoon salt
2
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill weed
3 tablespoons chilled vegetable shortening
1 cup milk
1. In a large plastic bag combine the flour, salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken parts in the flour. In a large Dutch oven heat 3 tablespoons of oil on medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, brown the chicken pieces for about 5 minutes on a side or until nicely browned. Remove to a side bowl.
2. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, lower the heat to medium and then add the leeks and onion and saute for about 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned, scraping up the brown bits. Add the carrots, celery and apple slices and cook another 3 to 5 minutes or until slightly softened. Add the dill weed, broth and apple juice and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and cook about 15 more minutes, covered.
3. While the chicken is cooking make the dumpling batter. In a bowl combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and dill weed. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the shortening and then add the milk, stirring with a fork to just blend the dough together. It should resemble a rough mass.
4. With an ice cream scooper or large tablespoon, scoop out the dumplings over the chicken pieces (there should be about 6 to 8 dumplings) and cook on a low simmer for about 15 to 18 minutes, covered. Carefully spoon some cooking juices over the dumplings once or twice. The dumplings are done when a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve the chicken pieces with a dumpling or two and some sauce.