Chuck Wagon Stew With Cornmeal Dumplings Recipes

CHUCK WAGON STEW WITH CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• FOR THE STEW: Cut beef into 1 inch pieces. In paper bag, combine 1/4 cup flour, chili powder, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add meat a few pieces at a time; close bag and shake to coat. Repeat with remaining meat. Reserve remaining flour mixture in bag.
• In 5 quart Dutch oven over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp; remove bacon, reserving drippings in pan. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble and set aside.
• Over medium high heat in bacon drippings, cook meat until browned on all sides. With slotted spoon, remove meat to bowl, reserving drippings. In drippings, cook onion, green pepper, celery and garlic until tender. Stir in reserved flour mixture.
• Gradually stir in tomatoes, water, oregano and sugar. Over medium heat, cook until mixture boils, stirring constantly. Return meat to Dutch oven. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• FOR THE CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS: In medium bowl, stir together cornmeal, baking powder, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup flour. Add milk, egg and butter; stir just until smooth. Stir in reserved bacon. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto simmering stew. Cover; simmer 15 minutes more without lifting lid. Yields 6 cups.
• Great American Cookbook.

SHORT RIBS WITH DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Cut ribs into 1-in. pieces. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, brown beef in oil on all sides. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes, 1/2 cup broth, soy sauce and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until meat is tender. , Combine cornstarch and remaining broth until smooth; stir into beef mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , For dumplings, combine the water, cornmeal and salt in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened; remove from the heat. Stir a small amount into egg; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Combine flour, baking powder and pepper; stir into cornmeal mixture. Stir in corn. , Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls into simmering stew. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes (do not lift lid) or until a toothpick inserted in a dumpling comes out clean.

PORK RIB STEW WITH SAGE CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Arrange pork pieces one layer deep in a large baking pan. Broil, stirring often, until meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Pour off and discard the fat.
• Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions; cook and stir until the onions have softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not brown, 2 minutes more.
• Stir in potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Pour in water, beef bouillon, sliced carrots, chili powder, marjoram, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, bay leaves, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer until the meat and all of the vegetables are tender, about 3 hours.
• To make the Sage-Cornmeal Dumplings: combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, sage, 1/4 teaspoon thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add milk all at once, stirring just until the mixture holds together.
• When the stew is ready, remove the bay leaves. Bring the stew to a gentle boil over medium-low heat. Drop the dumplings by rounded spoonfuls evenly over the surface. Cover the pot and boil for 12 minutes, until the dumplings are cooked through. Ladle the dumplings into soup bowls and top with lots of stew.

CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Combine dry ingredients.
• Cut in butter (using fingers or pastry blender) until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add milk and stir.
• Drop dough by spoonful (6) into stew.
• Cover and simmer about 18 minutes or until dumplings are firm to the touch.