Monday, October 24, 2011

Comfort Food To Comfort A Friend

Our good friend Peggy had a really bad medical experience earlier in the week and since she doesn’t much cook, Bev wanted to take her some serious comfort food, so she made potato soup and chicken and dumplings.

I’d post recipes, but she doesn’t use any.  For her soup she cooks potatoes in water then adds milk and a milk/ flour mix for thickening, butter, Tiger Seasoning and S&P.  Rather than more ingredients in the soup, which I would do, she adds it via garnishes of shredded cheese, crispy chopped bacon, and chopped green onion.
She made enough for us to have for lunch and I have to admit, her way is very good and the extras can be added or deleted for when you have a bad cold and just want the soup.

She made the chicken and dumplings by pressure cooking two Dolly breasts – those big chicken breasts usually found on sale in the markets – after covering them with chicken broth.  She removed, cooled, deboned, and chopped the meat.  She added more chicken broth to get the amount she wanted, brought it to a boil, and added the chicken and drop dumplings made from baking mix (Pioneer) to which she’d added chopped fresh parsley.  She adjusted the seasonings, added chopped parsley and of course I had to sample some for quality control.
They were delicious as always and while I like both kinds, we prefer the lightness of the drop dumplings vs. the rolled and cut ones.

When we delivered them, Peggy was very pleased to have the soup then discovered the second dish and said “wow, chicken and dumplings are one of my favorite things to eat.” 

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

One year ago: Shrimp Remoulade Salad

Two years ago: Tex-Mex Party Prep Day

Larry

14 comments:

  1. It looks good the potato soup and the chicken and dumplings, cool and cloudy here so good food for those days..I love your blog and all your recipes and your gracious ways of treating your family and friends, the food looks great, your home and your friendship and help to others..Yummee, happy halloween and keep posting those wonderful recipes, mjs from the 'couv in Washington state!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. what a great food to take to a friend.Love your wife's soup;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sure Peggy really appreciated your kindness. You are both such great people and Bev's soup and chicken and dumplings would make anyone feel better. I especially like the idea of topping choices for someone who feels under the weather.

    We get the same chicken here. Had to smile when you called them Dolly breasts. Thanks Larry, we will use that one.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am sure your friend was thrilled with all this. You are so sweet and kind.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My husband had some pretty serious surgery this summer so the calming feel of delivered home made comfort food is fresh in my mind.

    I like Bev's potato soup. That's a lot like my mom used to make. We're having our first Arctic blast this week, so soup is definitely on my mind.

    Your photos are very good Larry.

    Any by the way - Dolly Breasts? LOL

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm with Peggy - chicken and dumplings are one of my favorite comfort foods. I hope she feels better soon. Your header photo is spectacular, Larry. The whole series is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You all are so sweet to cook for a friend in need! And what great things to bring her, too!! Both of those soups/stews are on my top 5 list of favorites. YUM!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love making food for friends and family who aren't feeling well or going through a rough time. It's a great way to make them feel loved! Both the soup & chicken and dumplings look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That bowl of soup is just full of win. Beverly's amazingly good soup. Freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Fresh green onions. Benton's bacon. It was a great way to start my day, and I know Peggy will enjoy that along with the chicken and dumplings. (Is there really a g on the end of that word?) Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can't decide which is my favorite! I love them both! I might have to make some potato soup later this week when it gets cold again.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This was very kind of Bev. Has she ever tried making her soup with cornstarch instead of flour for thickener? I find that cornstarch adds no flavor to foods, and flour adds a little taste. Just an idea, since you guys cook like I do, by the seat of your pants, so to speak!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, I just adore chicken and dumplings.. it's one of my favorites too!
    I also love that Bev doesn't use a recipe for her soup.. that's a sign of someone that knows what they are doing and I bet her soup is just out of this world!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Larry, The soup plus the chicken and dumplings look just great! If it would do any good, I might have to 'get sick' and then put out a plea for the comfort food. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

    ReplyDelete
  14. That potato soup sure looks like it has healing powers to me.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate and enjoy your comments