School Cafeteria Chicken And Dumplings

Step 1: The chicken

Step 2: Place a whole chicken into salted, to your taste boiling water.

Step 3: Boil until tender.

Step 4: Reserve the chicken broth.

Step 5: When chicken cools enough to handle, pick apart, retaining the white meat for the dish, and shred.

Step 6: For the dumplings

Step 7: Put a cup of water in freezer to chill.

Step 8: Mix flour, soda and salt.

Step 9: Add shortening, cutting until mixture becomes mealy.

Step 10: Add cold water.

Step 11: Knead dough and form into a log.

Step 12: Cut into thirds for ease of use and roll thirds, one at a time, into thin sheets on floured surface.

Step 13: Cut into 1 1/2-inch strips.

Step 14: Strain broth and bring about 3 quarts to a boil.

Step 15: Drop dumpling strips into boiling broth, one at a time, separating each dumpling with a fork.

Step 16: Cook 15 minutes, then add 1 cup of sweet milk and 2 tablespoons of butter. Mix in chicken.

Step 17: Cover and let stand for about an hour before serving.

Step 18: Season to taste

Step 19: If too thick, add broth from can or carton, a small amount at a time. Heating up the dish