By Sharika Jones
Grandma (Vira) and Grandpa (Irving) Paschal had their own mini farm in Wichita. When it was time to make chicken and dumplings, Grandma would send the children to catch a chicken. They would return into the house and pluck all of the feathers off, cut the head off, and clean it. After Grandma Paschal made sure that the chicken is good and clean, she would then cut it up so that it could fit into a big pot and begin making her chicken and dumplings.
Every year as a Christmas gift, Grandma Paschal makes her famous chicken and dumplings. Grandma had 15 children and way too many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren to buy gifts for everyone. She cooks the whole Christmas dinner and everyone else brings desserts. Out of all the food that Grandma Paschal makes, her chicken and dumplings are the most important on Christmas Day!
Each year Grandma Paschal’s seven daughters ask her how to make those chicken and dumplings. They just can’t get theirs to taste just like their mama’s and that makes them furious. Grandma Paschal just tells them to practice. Grandma Paschals’ chicken and dumplings are so good it makes us not want to eat chicken noodle soup from the can.
Grandma Paschal Chicken and Dumplings
1 whole chicken
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
Clean the chicken and make sure it is free of all feathers. Boil 3/4 of water in a large pot and place chicken inside of the boiling pot of water. Let it boil for 1hour or until tender. About 15minutes before the chicken is completely done cooking, sift in a medium size bowl flour, salt, and egg. Mix well. Roll out dough very thin and cut into medium size rectangle pieces. Remove the chicken from the broth. Place cut dough into the boiling broth and cook until tender. Debone chicken and add to broth and dumplings. Optional: add a little bit of flour to broth to thicken.
