Comfort in a Bowl: Easy Chicken and Dumplings with Freshly Milled Flour

With cooler days rolling in and the hurricane bands bringing the wind and rain—can there be a better time for a warm, comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings? Chicken and dumplings have always been a Southern favorite for me. It was my mother-in-law’s signature dish for many years. Now, I’m putting my own spin on it using freshly milled flour and ditching store-bought mixes.

Here’s how I modernized this classic, healthier, fresher, and tastier than ever.

Simple Foundations: Making Chicken and Broth

You could use a rotisserie chicken for convenience—no judgment! For today’s recipe, we’re all about maximizing flavor, so I’m using homemade broth with tender chicken pulled from the bone. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, carrots, celery and spices in my favorite infused olive oil. Then, add a whole chicken and cover with water. Simmer until meat is falling off the bone. Remove all bones, pick meat off bone and set aside. Store for later use or add dumplings and enjoy right away.

Pro tip: To save time later in the week, you can get ahead by making broth and shredding chicken in advance. I threw mine in the fridge for a couple of days before coming back to finish the recipe.

Making Healthy Dumplings from Scratch

Store-bought dumpling or biscuit mixes like Bisquick used to be my go-to. But once I started eating gluten-free, they quickly fell out of rotation. You can try the gluten-free boxes, but that route didn’t work well for me. Instead, I now use freshly milled flour from soft white wheat. That’s a game-changer for making these dumplings taste hearty but light.

I used Sue Becker’s recipe for faux Bisquick drop biscuits, but with some modifications. Freshly milled flour can sometimes need more liquid than prepackaged mixes, so you can adjust as needed.

Ingredients for the Dumplings:

• 2 cups of freshly milled soft white wheat (retains all the bran and germ for better nutrition)
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder (aluminum-free, of course)
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ¼ cup of melted butter (or oil, but butter is better)
• 1 cup of whole milk

Mix these simple ingredients together and drop the biscuit mixture straight into your boiling broth. If needed, add extra flour for a better consistency with the freshly milled grains—it’s all a balancing act!

Cooking Chicken and Dumplings

Once your broth is boiling, it’s time to drop in those biscuit dumplings. Spoon smaller dollops—I’m not a fan of huge dumplings, but if you like them big, go for it. Keep in mind though, bigger dumplings may need a little longer to cook. Let them simmer for about 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready once they’re pillowy and well-cooked through. Simple, authentic, and ready to warm up any dreary day!

Extra Flavor Hacks

Don’t let those extra ingredients go to waste! While some folks prefer to strain out things like garlic, onions, and carrots, I let them stay in my soup. The added flavor and texture make a big difference.

If you’ve got picky eaters, you can strain everything out to create a clearer broth, but for my family—and our love for hearty meals—the more flavor, the better. This is your soup, so customize it however you like!

Chocolate Banana Chocolate Chip Cake: The Sweet Ending

While we wait for our dumplings to cook, let’s talk dessert. I had some extra flour left over, and when you’ve got ripe bananas in the house, there’s only one thing to do: bread machine cake. Yep, I threw together a Chocolate Banana Chocolate Chip Cake in my Zojirushi bread machine, and it was a winner. Here’s the quick version of what I did:

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 3 eggs (beaten)
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups of flour (1 cup soft white wheat, 1 cup all-purpose Einkorn)
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 7 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2⁄3 cup honey
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

I mixed the dry ingredients, dumped the wet ingredients in my bread machine, and used the 2-hour cake setting. About 10 minutes into the kneading, the machine beeped, and I added the chocolate chips—super easy! It turned out moist, sweet, and chocolatey in the best way.

If you don’t have a bread machine, this could easily be done in a regular baking dish in the oven. The key is the balance of the ingredients and the ripe bananas that add natural sweetness.

Let’s just say we polished off that cake pretty fast.

Essential Tips for Fresh Milling at Home

If you’re thinking about milling your own grains, do it! You don’t need a fancy mill right away, and I’ve found decent options secondhand. WhisperMills are my personal favorite, but Bread Beckers has other great recommendations too. If you live in a humid area like me, certain mills may have some challenges, so make sure to choose one suited for your climate.

When using freshly milled flour, keep a few things in mind:

• Use the flour quickly! The nutrients in freshly milled grains start to degrade fast, so aim to use it within days.
• Store extra flour in the freezer to preserve those nutrients.
• If investing in a mill isn’t in your budget, check out local grain mills. Sometimes, you can buy fresh flour, but you’ll want to use it quickly or store it properly to get the benefits.

Conclusion

Chicken and dumplings don’t have to be a guilty pleasure—they can be healthy, comforting, and steeped in Southern tradition. By milling your own flour and keeping things fresh, you aren’t just preparing food; you’re nourishing your family (and yourself!) in the best way possible. Add in a chocolatey banana cake, and you’ve got the perfect ending to a cozy, rainy day.

What are your favorite cold-weather meals? If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out for you! I’d love to hear your experience in the comments. And as always, thank you for stopping by and sharing this kitchen journey with me.

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Want to keep up with more delicious recipes and meal ideas? Make sure to follow us on Instagram and check out the links below for more tips, tricks, and tasty meal inspiration.

• Instagram
• The Bread Beckers Cookbook
• Zojirushi Bread Machine

I have the video chapters for you, if you’d like to skip around (consider subscribing :)).

00:26 Recovered from illness.
01:35 Elderberry tincture helped.
03:39 Homemade granola recipe.
05:07 Sourdough banana blueberry bread.
11:09 Mixing granola ingredients.
13:43 Baking and cooling granola.
15:30 Mashing bananas for bread.
23:49 Baking sourdough banana blueberry bread.
24:49 Completed granola.

Crafting Wholesome Mornings: Granola and Sourdough Banana Blueberry Bread Recipes

Hey Everyone,

As a health-conscious homemaker, my recipe for breakfast brings us not just recipes but a delightful journey towards nourishing our mornings. In a recent video, I shared insights into my health journey, accompanied by recipes for homemade granola and sourdough banana blueberry bread.

A Health Odyssey: Brandy’s Recovery and Herbal Concoction

In the video I shared my recent health journey, emphasizing the importance of natural remedies. Battling an illness, I incorporated homemade Elderberry and Goldenrod tinctures into my routine. I can’t scientifically prove it, but I do attribute my successful recovery to the antiviral properties of these herbs and plants. I also think they helped me steer clear of secondary infections. I had a diagnosis of viral bronchitis, which brought on asthma, and my doctor recommended a nightly “herbal concoction,” paving the way for my holistic recovery. I believe it did work.

Dive into Wholesome Breakfasts: Granola Unveiled

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Almonds
• Raw pumpkin seeds
• Tart cherries
• Coconut oil
• Wildflower honey

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine rolled oats, cinnamon, salt, almonds, and raw pumpkin seeds.
2. Add Cherries: Introduce tart cherries for a burst of flavor.
3. Coat with Oil and Honey: Drizzle the mix with coconut oil and Wildflower honey.
4. Bake: Spread the mixture on parchment paper and bake at 300°F for 20 minutes.
5. Cool and Break: Allow the granola to cool, then break it into delectable pieces.

This granola recipe stands out for its simplicity and adaptability. My use of local honey adds a touch of community spirit, and the customizable ingredients make it a nutritious breakfast option. Plus, I think getting honey locally helps you because the bees are around the same plants you are. It can benefit you and help you power through the spring and summer plant allergies, imho.

Sourdough Banana Blueberry Bread: A Symphony of Flavors

Ingredients:

• Ripe bananas
• Sourdough starter
• Kefir
• Coconut oil
• Vanilla
• Egg
• Coconut sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Oat fiber
• Commut flour
• Blueberries

Instructions:

1. Mash Bananas: Begin by mashing ripe bananas.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: Combine sourdough starter, kefir, coconut oil, vanilla, and an egg.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Introduce coconut sugar, baking powder, salt, oat fiber, and commut flour.
4. Fold in Blueberries: Gently fold frozen blueberries into the dough.
5. Bake: Pour the mixture into a prepared pan and bake at 350°F for 55 minutes.

Brandy’s Sourdough Banana Blueberry Bread recipe not only provides a delightful taste but also offers options for those with dietary restrictions. The use of kefir for probiotics and the flexibility in flour choices make it a versatile addition to any breakfast table.

Beyond the Recipes: Practical Tips and Advocacy

I want to offer these tips as well. Make sure you use, properly, parchment paper, proper preheating, and optional ingredient variations, making the recipes accessible to you. Don’t make it too hard. You’ll never do it if you do. Use what’s available and be a responsible steward of resources. It’s commendable to do that. You’re doing right.

Conclusion: Nourishing Mornings with Brandy

In conclusion, my video serves as an inspiration for crafting wholesome mornings. Hopefully, the “fusion” of personal health anecdotes, practical cooking tips, and delicious recipes makes my post and video useful for those of you seeking a healthier start to their day. I honestly hope it does.

Fancy Talk:

Embark on a journey to wholesome mornings with Brandy’s health tips and delightful recipes for homemade granola and sourdough banana blueberry bread. Discover the art of nourishing your day naturally! I have to admit that sounds funny, but it is true. Consider subscribing to the SowingBack YouTube channel. Click the video above. Thanks again. I couldn’t do any of this for very long without you. Your engagement is my motivation.

Hey y’all. These are my notes for easy copy and paste.

Enjoy!

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#WholesomeMornings, #HomemadeRecipes, #HealthyEating, #BreakfastIdeas, #NaturalRemedies, #CommunityCooking, #WellnessJourney, #NutritionTips, #BrandyCooks, #SourdoughMagic