Chicken and Dumplings

Much like a good ol' chicken soup, but heartier like stew, it's a great meal for a chilly day. Serves 4-6.

Ingredients
3 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
5 medium carrots, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
about 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups broth
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tsp dried dill weed or 2  tbsp fresh diced dill
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp milk
1 1/2 - 2 cups frozen peas
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a Dutch oven or heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and thyme. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup flour and cook, stirring 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly; season with salt and pepper. Nestle chicken in pot; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining 3/4 cup flour, dill, baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. With a fork, gradually stir in 1/2 cup milk to form a moist, soft batter (should be a bit thicker than pancake batter, and be able to draw from a spoon). Add additional 2 tbsp milk if too thick. Set aside.

Stir peas into pot. Drop batter in simmering liquid in 8 -10 heaping tablespoons, keeping them spaced apart (they will swell as they cook). 

Cover and simmer until chicken is tender and dumplings are firm, 20 minutes. Serve.


Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins/Cupcakes

These are one of my feel-good favourites! I'd say they're more like a cupcake than a muffin as they're really sweet. Makes about 14 muffins.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 large ripe bananas, mashed
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup milk chocolate chips (and a few extra to sprinkle on the top if you like)
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Place muffin liners in 14 cups.

Mix together flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together mashed banana, egg, butter, vanilla, and milk. Stir banana mixture into dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill liners about 3/4 full and if you like, sprinkle a few chips on the tops of the muffins.

Bake about 30 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a rack.