Yummy Heritage Poultry Recipe[ Chicken and Dumplings

For anyone who has tried, cooking heritage bred poultry is a bit different than cooking the genetically modified, juice and stuff injected poultry from the factory farms. I have spoken with lots of folks who absolutely understand the value of the traditionally bred, pasture raised birds, the cost of the organic, un-subsidized healthier farming practices makes this very difficult. Another issue, these birds tend to be drier, and need to be cooked more slowly.

I know this can be another factor in the choice to go with organic, heritage bred poultry for your food choice, despite the knowledge that the choice for the environment and the health of those who eat the poultry may seem such a simple one.  So I am slowly sharing recipes that have passed the test of our family- my toughest critics!

So this would be the first installment, Chicken and Dumplings:

I know that not everyone likes veggies in their chicken and dumplings, so feel free to omit as appropriate to you....

1 whole chicken, without skin.

6-8 cups water

poultry seasoning

salt and pepper

6 medium potatoes

1 medium onion

2 cups veggies, if desired

1 cup butter

3 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

enough milk or broth for dough

Place the whole chicken in the crock pot, rub with poultry seasoning until liberally coated, add 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh garlic (bottled or chopped and frozen works just fine), and add 6-8 cups of water (enough that the chicken is mostly covered.)  Feel free to sprinkle in a little salt and pepper, then cover and cook on low for a couple hours.

Coarsely chop six medium potatoes, add them to the pot along with a diced medium onion.  By now, the chicken should be cooking well, feel free to add additional spices to taste. Cover and allow to cook again for another 2-3 hours. At this point, you should be able to begin pulling out the bones.

Add 2 cups of mixed veggies, I used some carrots, corn and peas and beans. (Note, in my opinion, corn is fine as an occasional component, but not the central focus of nutrition. You can include or omit veggies as you wish.)  Cover, turn the crock pot up to high, and let the broth heat while you make the dumplings.

Mix 1 cup of butter, 3 cups of flour and 1 tablespoon of baking powder, add milk or broth until a dough is reached.  You can choose to either roll out the dough and cut into strips, or roll into little balls or drop by spoonfuls into the hot broth of the crock pot. The broth being hot enough should seal the dumplings. COver and allow to cook to the desired dumpling consistency, serve hot.

Let me know how you like it!