Chicken and Dumplings...Real Comfort Food and a Special Memory

Years ago I started fixing chicken and dumplings for my family, always a favorite for everyone!  This recipe uses Bisquick to make a dough that you drop into a rich chicken filled broth.  The dumplings break apart slightly and the result is a thick, luscious chicken and dumplings dish.  I have lots of memories with this dish but the one that always comes back, whenever I prepare this, is an evening at the Molinari's after our dear friend Pat had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Pat had been in the hospital for a few weeks  and his wife, Evie, called and asked us to come.  We armed ourselves with NC barbecue, which I knew their sons loved and headed to Montclair.  When we arrived, Pat was released from the hospital, and arrived home shortly after we got there.  Lunch was NC barbecue, and for dinner I decided to get the makings for chicken and dumplings.  The whole family, including Pat, sat around the table that night...Pat seemed to have a very special energy with all of us there. He commented, "Isn't this great!"  I think he was so happy to have his daughter, Lynnie and his sons, Patrick and Scott with him and Evie.  When he got up to leave the table he wrapped his arm around Evie and pronounced his love (this was unusual for this "no public displays of affection" guy!).  Later in the night, Pat peacefully left us.  A special memory of a special man.

Ingredients

• 1 (2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 4 quarts water
• 2 cups Bisquick
• 2/3 cup of milk

1.    Place the chicken and salt and pepper in a pot, season will salt and pepper. Add 4 quarts of water  bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer the chicken until it is tender and the thigh juices run clear, about 40 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and, when it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and meat from the bones. (I always taste the broth to make sure it has enough seasoning)

2.    Prepare dumpling dough according to the directions on the Bisquick box.

3.    Add chicken pieces  to the broth and bring to a boil.

4.    Drop dumpling dough by spoonfuls onto boiling chicken.  Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes, uncovered.  After 10 minutes cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

5.    Serve in a large bowl, sprinkle with fresh parsley.