CALICO CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Place chicken, celery, onion, parsley, parsnips in a large Dutch oven and cover with water.
• Bring to a boil and lower heat to medium low, just hot enough to maintain a slow simmer.
• When chicken is tender, remove the chicken to a bowl.
• Whisk the flour into about 1/2 cup of the chicken broth from the pot.
• When smooth, return to the pot, stir and heat to thicken.
• Add seasoning salt to your taste.
• When the gravy tastes just right, return the chicken and add the frozen vegetables to the pot.
• Prepare the dumplings: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together.
• Stir in parsley, chives; thyme and marjoram if you're using them.
• Beat the milk and egg together and add to the dry ingredients.
• Stir with a fork just until mixed.
• Don't beat or handle too much.
• Bring chicken and gravy to a simmer.
• Drop heaping tablespoons of the dumpling batter all over the surface of the stew.
• Replace cover and steam for about 10 minutes.
• If you have more batter than you have room, make a second batch.
• Don't overcrowd the dumplings.