Farmer Cheese Dumplings Recipe

On a chilly evening, after a long day, you might consider a simple, cozy meal to make things better. Instead of just grabbing a can of soup, why not treat yourself to something a bit more comforting and homemade? Farmer Cheese Dumplings might just be the answer. These fluffy dumplings, with a texture that sits comfortably between bread and pasta, are easy to prepare and versatile, offering room for creativity with different cheeses and herbs. Lets dive in!

Ingredients

Gravy

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cubed
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• cup flour
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (Optional)
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions

Dumplings

• cup farmer's cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
• teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
• cup self-rising flour

Directions

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients for both the gravy and the dumplings to have everything ready.
2. Cook the Chicken: In a high saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken thighs and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the Onion: Once the chicken is browned, add the diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Season: Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, stirring to combine the flavors.
5. Make the Roux: Stir in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, mixing it well to form a roux. If you'd like a thicker stew, you can add a bit more flour at this point.
6. Add Broth and Vegetables: Slowly pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the diced carrots and celery, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
7. Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and maintain a gentle simmer for about 45 minutes. Add thyme leaves (if using) and let the gravy thicken as it simmers.
8. Prepare the Dumplings: While the gravy is simmering, combine the farmer's cheese, egg, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix with a spoon until smooth.
9. Make the Dumpling Dough: Gradually add the self-rising flour and mix until the batter forms a very stiff consistency. The dough should be firm enough to hold its shape when spooned.
10. Simmer the Dumplings: Once the gravy is ready, raise the heat to medium and bring the mixture back to a steady simmer. Stir in the sliced green onions.
11. Form the Dumplings: Use two spoons to scoop heaping tablespoon-sized portions of the dumpling batter. Shape them into ovals with the spoons and carefully drop them into the simmering gravy.
12. Steam the Dumplings: Dust the dumplings with a pinch of cayenne pepper. Cover the saucepan with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the dumplings steam, undisturbed, for about 15 minutes, until they are puffed up and cooked through. Avoid stirring or lifting the lid during this time.
13. Final Adjustments: After 15 minutes, taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
14. Serve: Once the dumplings are fully cooked, serve the dish hot and enjoy your comforting meal!

Chefs Notes

• You can experiment with different soft cheeses instead of farmers cheese, such as cream cheese, ricotta, or even blue cheese for a bolder flavor.
• If you don't have self-rising flour, you can make your own by adding 1 teaspoons of baking powder and teaspoon of salt per cup of all-purpose flour.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)