1/2 cup (125 mL) Island Gurl Seasoned Salt (see recipe)
1 cup (250 mL) canola oil
3 tablespoons (45 mL) butter
1 large onion, cut into eights
2 stalks celery, cut roughly into 1/2-inch (1 cm) pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups (500 mL) cream of chicken soup
1 bay leaf
8 cups (2 L) chicken stock
4 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch (1 cm) pieces
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoon (10 mL) Italian Melange spice blend
1/2 cup (125 mL) whipping (or heavy) cream (35%)
1 lb (450 g) Flag Dumplings (or rolled dumplings)
2 tablespoons (30 mL) all-purpose flour
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 teaspoon (5 mL) hot pepper sauce
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) white pepper
1/4 cup parsley for garnishing
Native skillet cornbread:
1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 mL) yellow cornmeal
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons (10 mL) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) sour cream
2-1/4 cups (560 mL) coconut milk
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled (reserving drippings)
1 cup (250 mL) fresh or frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen grated coconut, thawed
1/4 jalapeno, diced (seeds removed and discarded) (optional)
2 tablespoons (30 mL) butter
Directions
Homemade dumplings:
In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Slowly add water while mixing with your hand to form the dough.
Dust a clean surface with flour and knead the dough a few times.
Pinch off 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces of dough. Roll each piece back and forth on the surface (dusted with flour) with your hand into pigtails or spinners.
Flag dumplings:
For Flag Dumplings, separate 2-inch (5 cm) pieces of dough, then spread them out with your hands (or roll out with a rolling pin), to make thin circular dumplings.
Set aside on a plate lined with parchment paper. Drop each piece into the soup separately.
Island gurl seasoning salt:
Place all ingredients in a small dish and mix thoroughly with a fork. Keep in an airtight container.
Southern chicken and dumpling soup:
Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken in a large bowl, add vinegar and season each thigh on both sides with seasoned salt.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat, sear the thighs until golden on both sides for approximately three minutes per side. Set aside on a plate.
In an 8-quart (8 L) pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery and garlic and cook, stirring, for two to three minutes.
Add chicken stock, soup, bay leaf, stir and bring to a boil. Add chicken. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover with a lid slightly ajar, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes.
Skim the fat from the surface. Add carrots, thyme, Italian spices, cream and bring to a boil. Add dumplings, one at a time, reduce heat to medium, simmer for ten minutes, add peas.
In a small bowl, combine flour and 1/4 cup (60 mL) water, mix to make a slurry. Temper by adding 1 Tbsp of hot soup to the flour mixture, stir then add it to the pot of soup to thicken. Let cook for an additional five minutes.
Add hot pepper sauce, (taste before seasoning), garnish with parsley. Serve with Cornbread.
Native skillet cornbread:
Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt and form a well in the center.
In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, buttermilk, and bacon drippings. Pour two cups (500 mL) of this mixture into the center of the flour mixture and mix well to combine.
Fold in bacon, corn, coconut, and jalapeno (if using).
In a 10-inch (25 cm) cast-iron skillet, melt butter. Pour batter into the skillet and level with a spatula. Pour remaining milk mixture over batter and bake, about 30–35 minutes or until the center is firm to the touch.