Comfort for the Coast: Chicken Soup with Herbed Dumplings

Nov. 15, 2005 — -- Linda Storey's recipe is a finalist in "Emeril's Comfort for the Coast" contest. The winner of the contest will travel to New York next week to prepare his or her recipe on "Good Morning America." The contest focuses on comfort food recipes because many people turn to food in times of crisis and chef Emeril Lagasse lived in New Orleans. He owns three restaurants in the city.

The Story of Chicken Dumplings and Homemade Chicken Soup

I am originally from the South. I was born in Alabama, lived most of my life in Tennessee, spent my first year of marriage in Lake Charles, La. and lived in South Carolina before moving to California in 1995. I have family still living in Alexandria, La. They have been helping in the hurricane relief efforts even as they themselves have been without power. Chicken and dumplings and homemade chicken soup are two of my family's favorite comfort foods. This recipe combines them both.

For the dumplings:

2 Tbsp finely chopped shallots

3/4 cup finely chopped parsley

1/2 tsps dried Italian seasoning

2 Tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese

3/4 cup milk

3 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup yellow corn meal

2 cups all purpose flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup club soda

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter until butter is melted. Remove from heat.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt.

Stir in club soda and milk/butter mixture until dough forms a ball. Take care not to overwork dough. Cover and let stand while preparing soup.

For the soup:

3 boneless chicken breasts

2 quarts chicken stock

1/2 cup diced carrots

1 medium onion, diced

2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

1 sprig fresh thyme

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

2 Tbsp butter

1 cup diced white button mushrooms

1/2 cup frozen green peas

salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

In a 4-quart saucepan bring chicken stock to a simmer.

Add chicken, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and dash of salt.

Return to a simmer and cook about 15 minutes or until chicken is just cooked through and carrots are tender.

Remove chicken breasts and cut into bite-size pieces.

Remove bay leaf and thyme sprig.

Add chicken back to soup.

While chicken is cooking, melt butter in a small skillet and add mushrooms. Saute just until mushrooms begin to release their moisture.

Add the mushrooms and green peas to soup. Return to a simmer.

Drop dumpling dough by teaspoonfuls into simmering soup. Cover and simmer for about 5 more minutes.

Serve in soup bowls and feel all that love and comfort.