Meal Plan: Diet Food and Comfort Food – Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
Meal Plan:
– Diet Food and Comfort Food –
Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings Recipe
Meal Plan: Diet Food and Comfort Food – Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
I apologise for missing out on last week’s Monday Meal Plan, but, I was making marmalade in Somerset with Vivien Lloyd, and was away from Sunday until very late on Monday evening when I got back home. I will be writing all about my marmalade making experience later this week, and have some amazing photos to share too. This week will be a little upside-down as I am travelling over to France on Tuesday and will be trying to pack later on today, but, all the more reason to try to plan my meals this week, even if one day is taken up with travelling. So, back to my meal plan for this week; I only managed to do one 5:2 diet fast day last week, and I am only planning one day this week too, but, it will all be back to normal next week, I hope! There are several special days this week, Pancake Day on Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday) and then Valentine’s Day on Thursday, so an opportunity to scoff as many pancakes as I can make, as well as a chance to cook a special meal for Malcolm and I on Thursday. But, to start to the week off, I am sharing a hearty farmhouse style chicken and vegetable stew with dumplings; I say farmhouse style, as this is a dish that my grandmother used to make, in her old stone farmhouse in Northumberland…….so, a farmhouse style stew then; a real family recipe and one that is perfect to make the day after a roast chicken dinner. I made this stew with some of my home-made chicken stew, which is so much better than when made with commercial stock granules, however, if you have no home-made stock, the best stock is Marigold Swiss vegetable bouillon powder, and, like Delia, I love it and use it frequently in my cooking. So, along with seafood, pancakes and low-calorie meals in this week’s meal plan, I’m starting the week off with this hearty and comforting bowl of chicken and vegetable stew with herb dumplings, perfect for the snow that has decided to return again. I hope you enjoy my weekly meal plan and see you later, Karen.
Meal Plan: Diet Food and Comfort Food – Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
Print recipe
| Serves | 4 |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 45 minutes |
| Total time | 1 hour |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Soup, Starter |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Casual Party, Halloween |
| Region | British |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
Stew
- 200g cooked chicken, cut into pieces (skinned and boned)
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 450g mixed vegetables, such as carrots, onions, swede and leeks (peeled and diced or sliced)
- 50g pearl barley
- 400mls home-made chicken stock (or 400mls hot water with 4 tablespoons chicken stock granules)
Dumplings
- 125g self-raising flour
- 50g low-fat vegetable suet (or margarine such as Stork margarine)
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs (or 1 tablespoon freshly chopped mixed herbs)
Note
A fabulous and healthy farmhouse style chicken stew with vegetables and herb dumplings; this is perfect for a mid-week family supper or a hearty lunch with crusty bread. I make mine with home-made chicken stock.
Directions
| Step 1 | Stew: Put the vegetables, pearl barley and cooked chicken in to a casserole dish or large saucepan and add the stock (or water and gravy granules). Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables and pearl barley are soft and then season with salt and pepper to taste. |
| Step 2 | To make the dumplings, mix the flour, suet or margarine, herbs and seasoning (salt and pepper), and add enough water to make dough that is soft and slightly elastic, but not too sticky or wet. With floured hands roll the mixture into 8 balls. |
| Step 3 | Add the dumplings to the stew and put the lid on, and cook for a further 20 minutes without taking the lid off, until the dumplings are light and fluffy. |
| Step 4 | Serve immediately allowing 2 dumplings per person. |
Monday Meal Plan:
Monday 11th February:
Breakfast: Porridge with Honey
Lunch: Sandwiches
Tea/Supper: Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
Farmhouse Chicken & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
Tuesday 12th February:
Breakfast: Porridge with Honey
Lunch: Travelling all day – Sandwiches and Fresh Fruit
Tea: Late supper – Pancakes
A Quire of Pancakes
Wednesday 13th February – Fast Day:
(500 calories)
Breakfast: Boiled Egg (51 cals)
Lunch: Leek Soup (100 cals)
Tea: Mediterranean Wild Haddock Gratin (270 calories)
Mediterranean Wild Haddock Gratin
Supper: Apple (47 cals)
Milky coffee made with 100mls skimmed milk (41 cals)
Total: 508 calories
Thursday 14th February – Valentine’s Day:
Breakfast: French Toast with Raspberries
Lunch: Truffle Omelette
Supper: Pan-fried Scallops with Black Pudding and Warm Fennel Salad
Pan-Fried Scallops with Black Pudding and Warm Fennel Salad
Friday 15th February:
Brunch: Scandinavian Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Egg Breakfast Wraps
Scandinavian Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Egg Breakfast Wraps
Supper: “Sunday Lunch” Chicken, Sausage and Vegetable Hotpot
“Sunday Lunch” Chicken, Sausage and Vegetable Hotpot
Weekend:
Baking and Preserves
Old-Fashioned Granny Loaf (Egg-Free and Fat-Free) Recipe
Three Fruit Marmalade
Ham for Sunday lunch
Ham with Madeira Raisin Sauce
I am linking this meal plan up to Mrs M’s Meal Planning Monday Blog Hop.
And, as this meal is made TOTALLY from scratch, even the stock and is my husband’s favourite meal and therefore a Valentine’s day treat, I am entering this into Javelin Warrior’s Made with Love Mondays challenge.
Maya Russell says
A lovely, hearty, warming stew. Thanks for the recipe.
Karen Booth says
Thanks Maya! Karen
Galina V says
Love stews, ever so comforting, especially when it’s cold.
Karen Booth says
Me too Galina! Stew and dumplings are perfect for this snowy weather!
Fiona Matters says
I’ve never made dumplings – these sound interesting so I think I will have to give it a go!
Beverley says
diet dumplings – a wish come true!
Kim Carberry says
Ohhh I haven’t had dumplings for ages….Think some sort of Stew will be on the menu next week for us 🙂
Diane {Created by Diane} says
Looks delicious chicken and dumplings is one of my families favorite meals!
Dominic says
its that giant fluffy cloud dumpling that I want to sink into surrounded by the fugg of chicken stock and fresh veg… food porn at its very very naughtiest!
Kathryn says
Such a complete bowl of comfort!
Jo Hutchinson says
great for this weather
Lynne OConnor says
Haven’t had dumplings since I was a kid. Must try them again
Claire @foodiequine says
I really need to make something with dumplings very soon. You have inspired me.
Javelin Warrior says
What a hearty stew, Karen! I love the addition of barley with the chicken and vegetables. And the homemade dumplings are just an added bonus! This would be perfect for cold winter evenings curled up in a blanket… Thanks so much for sharing!
Lesley says
I made this for dinner last night and its FANTASTIC. Easily the best recipe I have ever tried, and I’ve tried a lot !!!! Thanks for sharing
Karen Booth says
THANKS so much for your lovely comment, I love it when I hear that readers have tried and liked my recipes! Karen
Deborah Wheeler says
The stew and dumplings sound great – I don’t normally think of making a stew with chicken so this will be a great new idea to try out and you can’t go wrong with dumplings whatever the stew
Meryl Rees says
Dumplings…never have them but they were a favourite as a child! Time to start again I think 🙂
Ali Thorpe says
I just love meals like this: straight-forward, nutritious and satisfying. And EXTRA satisfying that it fits with a healthy diet!
Zoe Howarth says
That looks so comforting!
Vanessa Booles says
This seems very tasty….I am gonna give it a go
Paul Wilson says
Diet food and comfort food all in one – I like it!
mark r says
ahh dumplings 🙂 its been a long time 🙁
Catherine Thomas says
Looks delicious will definitely be giving this a try 🙂
Barbara Bunning says
Perfect Winter Food! Will give this one a a try soon x
Gillian Holmes says
Always love a new stew recipe – I’m an excellent cook as long as I have clear instructions, I’m not a make it up as you go along cook.
Beverley says
Anyone who hasn’t made this yet – MAKE IT! It’s delish!
Hazel Rea says
Great warming winter dish and vegetable stew (even without the meat) has a wonderful flavour.
Dawn F says
One of my favourite meals is dumplings but I make it without the chicken. Just veg, stock and dumplings. The ultimate comfort food.
Tracy Nixon says
shared G+ thanks
tracy says
I do love a good stew and dumpling but must admit, I have never made one using chicken, think I shall have to start experimenting in the kitchen, with all these lovely recipes!
Mark Whittaker says
Just looking at your picture of the chicken stew almost made me cry, it looks so like my Nans. It was my favourite meal of all the things she cooked. I loved the light tasty liquor and filling dumplings. Your picture is exactly how I remember it (apart from a large blue and white bowl) , thank you x
Beverley says
These dumplings go awesomely with beef stew too.
Cheryll H says
This looks amnazing – I think I’m going to try it this weekend 🙂 I love dumplings 🙂
Maya Russell says
I’ve never made dumplings either. I’d really like to give it a go – need to put vegetable suet on the shopping list!
Herbert Appleby says
I wonder if this would help me shed a bit 0f flab from my mid section? mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Beverley says
Made this last night with a little dried sage in the dumplings. Was it nice? None remains.
Diane Hicklin says
Yay! comfort food!
Joanne Mapp says
What a lovely recipe. My family love a stew with dumplings and this one will be on the list to serve
Beverley says
Making this again tonight – can’t wait!
Avvie Cunnington says
Can’t beat a home made stew!
kristy brown says
This sounds like a good alternative to my beef stew!
Beverley says
Return of the cold weather gives a perfect excuse to make my favourite again!
Josie Eevah Tate says
yum! this looks just like the stew my grammy used to make cant wait to try it!
Lesley Bain says
Can’t wait to try this recipe….even my kids would love this so it could become a regular in my house! Thanks for sharing 🙂 x
Maya Russell says
A nice, warming recipe. Good when you’re ill too.