Chicken and Crumb Dumpling Casserole a Treat for Company

“This hearty dish is especially good in the wintertime,” Mrs. Michael Bassett writes. “It’s great for company and can be frozen to enjoy later. I got the recipe from my mother.”

CHICKEN AND CRUMB DUMPLING CASSEROLE

1 to 2 pounds chicken breasts

3 onions, cut up

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 (10 1/2-ounce) cans condensed cream of celery soup

2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans clear chicken broth or equivalent amount fresh chicken broth

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 medium carrots, sliced

1 cup frozen or canned green peas

1 (12-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

Crumb Dumplings

Place chicken breasts in large saucepan and pour in enough water to cover. Add 2 cut-up onions and garlic. Bring to boil and simmer until chicken is done. Remove chicken and reserve and measure broth to use instead of canned chicken broth, if desired.

Bone and skin chicken. Return chicken to large pot. Add remaining cut-up onion, paprika, salt, pepper, celery soup, 1 1/2 cans (from celery soup) water, chicken broth, Worcestershire, potatoes, carrots, peas and corn. Bring to boil, then simmer 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Turn into Dutch oven or large casserole with lid. Bake at 350 degrees 30 minutes. Top with Crumb Dumplings and bake 25 minutes longer. Keep covered while dumplings are baking. Makes about 6 servings.

Crumb Dumplings

2 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

1 tablespoon onion flakes

1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

1/4 cup oil

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, poultry seasoning, celery seeds, onion flakes and poppy seeds. Add oil and milk, stirring until just moistened. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons in melted butter and roll in bread crumbs. Carefully place on top of casserole.

--MRS. MICHAEL BASSETT

West Covina