Easy Yummy Chicken & Dumplins

Chicken:

1 pkg of Whole Chicken Cut Up (disgard little baggy with gizards,etc.)
4 quarts water
2 ribs celery, chopped into large pieces
1 large onion, chopped into large pieces
1 carrot, chopped into large pieces
1 bay leaf
1 chicken bouillon cube (Knorr is a good brand)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

***You will need to save broth when chicken is done. Disgarding veggies and bay leaf when done.***

Use soups after chicken has boiled and done. See below.
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
Ice water


Chicken: Place the chicken, celery, onion, bay leaves, bouillon, and seasonings in a large pot. Add 4 quarts of water and in water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer the chicken until it is tender and the thigh juices run clear, about 45 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and, when it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones. Return the chicken meat to the pot with broth. Keep warm over med. low heat. Stir in soups as well. (Make sure you discard vegetables, bay leaf, etc.)

Preparing dumplins: Mix the flour with the salt and mound together in a mixing bowl. Beginning at the center of the mound, drizzle a small amount of ice water over the flour. Using your fingers, and moving from the center to the sides of the bowl, gradually incorporate about 3/4 cup of ice water. Knead the dough and form it into ball.

Dust a good amount of flour onto a clean work surface. Roll out the dough (it will be firm), working from center to 1/8-inch thick. Let the dough relax just for a few minutes.

Cut the dough into 1-inch or so pieces. Pull a piece in half and drop the halves into the simmering soup. Repeat. Do not stir the chicken once the dumplings have been added. Gently move the pot in a circular motion so the dumplings are covered and cook evenly. Cook until the dumplings float....3 to 4 minutes.

To serve spoon into big soup bowls. May need to salt and pepper to taste.

Dumplin Tip: If the chicken dumplins are "too thin" it can be thickened before the dumplings are added. Simply mix together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water then whisk this mixture into the stew. If "too thick" just add some water or chicken broth a little at a time to thin out. You be the judge of how you like them when they are done.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.............

Slow Cooker Very Berry Cobbler

Cobbler Filling:

1 (10-ounce) bag frozen strawberries
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen blueberries
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen raspberries
1/3 to 2/3 cup sugar, depending on how sweet you like it
1/2 cup baking mix

Cobbler Topping:

2 1/4 cups baking mix
1/4 cup sugar, plus 1/4 cup
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tblsp ground cinnamon


Spray the insert of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. "This is a must in all slow cookers, it saves you tons on sticking problems and cleanup."

In a large mixing bowl, toss together all the frozen fruit, sugar and 1/2 cup baking mix. Transfer the fruit to the slow cooker.

In another large mixing bowl, stir together 2 1/4 cups baking mix, 1/4 cup sugar, melted butter and milk with a wooden spoon. With your hands, drop bits of dough on top of the fruit in the slow cooker.

In a small mixing bowl, stir together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top of the dough and place the lid on the slow cooker. Turn the power onto high and slow cook for 3 to 4 hours until the topping has a puffed golden top and the cobbler is good and bubbly.

ENJOY!! Great with vanilla ice cream.

New Recipe Coming Soon.....

Just a quick note to those of you reading the blog. I will blog soon and post a incredible new recipe that you just have to try. YUM!

Most of you know and some of you don't that I have severe RA (Rhuematoid Arthritis). It has been giving me a fit the last couple of weeks (more so than usual) so I have had to slow down just a bit. I have had it for years and I don't give into it much...but had to chill out a bit this time.

Went to see the SATC premier last night with a bunch of my girlfriends and had a fantastic time. Thank God for good girlfriends. Don't ever let the special women in your life get misplaced. They are so special. So to all the special women in my life.....I love you very much!!

Blog to you soon.......

Drain the Rotel

I can't believe I didn't put (drain) beside the Rotel on the recipe I posted on the 12th. So if you make this recipe please drain the Rotel as it can make a touch watery if you don't. Can't call me stupid because I caught this before anyone made it. (I hope). See below...

Now, if you read It's a Pilots Life and Victorias Secrets you will notice they made a list of things they would like to say to someone but don't. Loved it. It is so true though. There are some people who just make you think things that you really shouldn't have to think if they weren't so stupid, thoughtless or so into themselves that they just don't see the whole picture.

I just would like to say that the thing I would like to say (maybe yell) to some people is:

Are you Stupid? What on earth are you thinking? OOOHHH, you're NOT!!

That about covers it for me. I can about sum up the vast majority of stupids that cross my path with that one line.....as for other folks that do other things, well, I will save that for another day.

Everyone have a wonderful day and watch out for the not so smart!! ha,ha,ha. Well, they can't all be smart like we are................lol. Right?

Vegetable Mexican Casserole

Make a Smilebox postcard

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I want to wish all the Mom's a very Happy Mother's Day today. I hope you get to do all that your heart desires. Let them pamper you all day and enjoy it!! Sometimes it is hard to enjoy your day because we are Mom's. But it is ok......that is what this day is for.

This is for all the Women in My Life..................

Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don't do what they're supposed to do. Hearts break.
Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end.

BUT.........The women in your life are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on Praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on Your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the Valley's' end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out when you can't make it ........Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law , sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!

Thanks for being a part of my life!! Much Love to You All!!

My 1st Blog

Today I signed up to do my on own blogspot. Me (a family member - she knows who she is) told me (really me this time) to join so that they can read my wonderful world of goings on. Maybe she will wish I never did this once I start blogging. But oh well, here goes.....

I titled my blog Cooking with Ann because well I just love to cook. I am in the process of writing a cookbook, personal chef'ing for friends and baking lots of cakes that people seem to love. I will be from time to time posting a recipe for those who also like to cook. Though I will not be giving my secrets away to my cakes. So don't ask....I will have to tell you no - but I would love to bake you one. Prices will follow later.....ha,ha,ha. Just kidding. Now that I think about it, I don't bake them for free so I take that back but would still love to bake one for you.

Anyway I look forward to sharing with you recipes, life's ups and downs and of course God's Love for all of us. Wish me luck on this new bloggin thing.....