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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Happy Birthday Billy Jay!

Today is my middle brother's birthday. He is 26. Ahhh! How old am I? Okay, never mind, this isn't about my insecurities. Anyways, I love my brother and cherish every annoying year he's been here. I don't have any baby pictures or I would embaress him to death.

 He's old enough to have his own sweet little boy

I love you Billy Billy Don Billy. Your the best! Have a wonderful birthday.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Chicken and Dumplings-The right way

My mom has made this for as long as I can remember. According to her she has tried every way possible to make these and this is what she has come up with. She has deemed me worthy to know this recipe. It is the biggest hit with all my family. And it is super easy. Easier than you'd think for such a great flavor.
Start with a whole chicken, or if you don't like dark meat you could use chicken breasts. Boil your chicken in a good size dutch oven or large pot till completely done.

 This is what it will look like when it's done. Kinda falling apart. Turn that pot of water off, you will come back to it in a minute.
 While your chicken is boiling, if it's a whole chicken, there will be yucky stuff to skim off the top because his innards are still in his gullet. Just skim it off no big deal, don't be grossed out.
 Next make your dumplings. They are 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp of salt, and 3/4 cup of ice water. Mix these together in a dough form. Use lots of flour to roll it out pretty thin.
 Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1 inch strips. It doesn't have to be real accurate, just get it close.
 This is the pan you boiled your chicken in. Get the water up to a rolling boil. Make sure the liquid in the pan is half full. Let your dumplings dry out just a little while you are waiting for your water to boil. When it boils, pinch off each strip into 2-3 inch pieces, again it doesn't have to be precise. Scoop up all that flour you used to roll out your dough and throw it in the pot. It should be about a handful. Let those boil for about 10 minutes.
 Your chicken should be cooled off by now. Shred the chicken, peel off the bone, if you have to take a knife and cut it up into small pieces or shred further. Put your chicken in the pot when your done.

 At this point turn it down to low and cook for 2-3 hours. Salt and pepper to taste. Allow it to thicken up.

 Riley and Reese's approval. I never have any problems getting them to eat this. Especially when you combine it with a little garlic bread.
Enjoy the chickeny goodness!