Veal Dumplings With Escarole In Broth Food

LIVER DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the liver, onion, salt, 1 teaspoon sage, coriander, basil and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cover and process until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, egg whites and yolk; process until well mixed. Batter should be thick and spoonable. (Add a little water if too thick or a little flour if too thin.) Set batter aside. , In a 5-qt. Dutch oven, combine the broth, cornstarch and remaining sage and pepper; bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a gentle boil. Drop batter by heaping teaspoonfuls onto broth, dipping spoon in broth to release dough. Gently boil, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until dumplings are no longer sticky. Stir occasionally.

ESCAROLE AND LITTLE MEATBALL SOUP

Steps:

• Trim the escarole and discard any bruised leaves. Cut off the stem ends. Separate the leaves and wash well in cool water, especially the center of the leaves where soil collects. Stack the leaves and cut them crosswise into 1-inch strips. You should have about 4 cups.
• Combine the escarole, carrots, and stock in a large pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until the escarole is almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• To make the meatballs
• Meanwhile, combine the ground meat, bread crumbs, cheese, onion, egg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Shape the mixture into tiny balls, less than 1 inch in diameter.
• To assemble
• When the escarole is almost tender, stir in the pasta and return the soup to the simmer. Drop the meatballs into the soup. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until the meatballs and pasta are cooked, about 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Serve hot with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

WINTER BROTH WITH DUMPLINGS THE WAY MY NANA MAKES

Steps:

• In a very large pan, heat the oil or butter very gently.
• Over a low light, add the leeks, turnip, carrots and celery, toss around to coat in oil and then put on the lid.
• Shaking the pan at regular intervals, allow the vegetables to 'sweat' for about 10 minutes.
• Now add the rest of the vegetables, make the stock cubes up with the water and add this, along with the herbs and a touch of salt and pepper (you can taste and re-season later) Bring to the boil, replace the lid, and simmer for at least an hour to bring out the flavours of the vegetables.
• Add the barley or lentils after about 20 minutes cooking time.
• Meanwhile, make the dumpling mix by combining the dry ingredients and mixing to a soft but not sticky dough with cold water.
• Divide this into small pieces about the size of a golf ball and drop one by one into the simmering soup.
• Replace the lid and cook for 15-20 minutes, by which time the dumplings should have puffed up and become light and fluffy.
• Serve with lots of crusty bread and butter!

MENNONITE VEAL WITH DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter.
• Add veal and onion (and carrot if using) to pan and let veal brown just a little bit; add mushrooms and continue to cook for 2 or 3 minutes more.
• Season with salt and pepper and stir.
• Cover veal entirely with boiling water and turn heat down to a simmer; let simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until veal is tender.
• Make egg dumplings: In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients together, then add melted shortening or margarine, beaten egg and just enough milk to make a moist, stiff batter.
• Drop/plop dumplings onto simmering mixture with large spoonfuls and cover tightly with lid.
• Turn heat up to medium-high and let simmer for 15 minutes, DO NOT PEEK.
• After 15 minutes, remove lid and take pot off heat, cover with parsley, and serve at table straight from pot.
• Variation: Remove dumplings to serving bowl, using a slotted spoon remove veal and veggies to a serving bowl, then thicken broth as you would gravy and serve on the side; I usually don't bother though: if you want it a little thicker, shake veal pieces in flour before you brown them.
• Variation#2: Add a big handful of frozen peas just before you add dumplings to the pot.