Dumpling Stew

This is another super cheap, really healthy recipe. And I love it because it is comfort food. I love the dumplings on top and the flavorful soup underneath. And despite the long ingredient list, it is very inexpensive and probably calls for ingredients you already have on hand. Naturally you could substitute cubed, cooked chicken breast for the chickpeas if you're not a big fan of legumes. But we actually quite like the chickpeas.

Chickpea Dumpling Stew

Source: MamaPea

For the chickpea stew base:

• 1 c. onion, chopped
• 1 c. celery, chopped
• 1 c. carrots, chopped
• 1 T. minced garlic
• 1/2 t. salt
• 3/4 t. curry powder
• 1/2 t. dried oregano
• 3/4 t. dried rosemary
• 1/2 t. dried basil
• 4 c. vegetable stock (or chicken stock. Or chicken bouillon and water if you're a cheapskate like me)
• One 14 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 T. cornstarch
• 1 T. apple cider vinegar

For the dumplings:

• 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 c. unbleached organic flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1/2 t. dried oregano
• 1/2 t. dried basil
• 1/2 c. milk or almond milk
• 1 T. butter or margarine, melted

Instructions

• Spray a pot with cooking spray and place over medium high heat. Add onion, celery and carrot and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until slightly softened and starting to brown.
• Add garlic, salt, curry, oregano, rosemary and basil and sauté for an additional minute, until aromatic.
• Pour in vegetable stock, chickpeas and vinegar and bring to a low boil.
• Put the cornstarch in a small bowl and add 1/4 cup cold water. Whisk to remove any lumps. Slowly pour into the pot while stirring constantly. Return to a boil and reduce heat to low.
• Meanwhile for dumplings, in a medium bowl, combine flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, oregano and basil. Add milk and melted margarine, and stir until a dough just forms. Do not overmix.
• Plop dough by heaping spoonful on top of stew until dough is gone. Cover with lid and allow to “bake” over low for 15-17 minutes.
• Serve while hot and slightly doughy.