MAMAW'S CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot add whole chicken, celery, onion and garlic. Add water 4 inches above and boil until chicken is cooked thru. I skim the fat from the top of the water.I taste the stock and add chicken stock paste 1 tbsp at a time to taste (if needed) Remove all veggies and chicken. Debone chicken,add Chicken back to stock. My kids do not like the veggies so I remove them and add them to my bowl,otherwise you can dice them prior to adding to the stock for cooking and leave 'em in!
• 2. In a bowl, combine flour,(**OPTIONAL** mix in rosemary and dill for the more "grown up" version) and shortening..I use Crisco. mix together with a fork or pastry cutter(DO NOT OVERWORK), then add buttermilk to form a doughy consistency. (Should be somewhat crumbly, almost like a crisp topping)
• 3. flour a flat work space and roll out dough about 3/8 of an inch and let the kiddies go crazy with the cookie cutters! Drudge each piece thru raw all purpose flour and drop into boiling broth and chicken turn fire down to a simmer and cook till tender...about 2 hours until good-n-creamy. finish with 1/4 stick real butter ***if you aren't including the kiddies you can just pat out with your fingers...***
• 4. Plate as is in a bowl with a piece of garlic bread, or over egg noodles or mashed potatoes!