Our son-in-law Tom likes to watch American’s Test Kitchen. His quiet enthusiasm has led me to watch whenever I can. Compliments of the Public Broadcasting System, it airs in my area and I think of Tom often when I watch. Not only do we see delectable recipes being demonstrated, but we learn a bit about the science of why one ingredient works better than another, how products like canned peeled tomatoes are rated, or what the best bang for your buck is if you are looking for a stand mixer.
It was while I was up in Minnesota visiting that I saw an episode on chicken and dumplings that set my taste buds afloat and brought to mind my Aunt Babe, who made the most delectable dumplings I ever set my teeth into. Aunt Babe, Isabelle, was my mother’s older and only sister.
Babe was a force to reckon with. Often the instigator of family spats, she could cut you down to size in an instant. She could also be your greatest ally. I was afraid of Aunt Babe as a child. I sometimes resented her when I was I young adult and she moved in with my mother. I grew to love her as a woman and mother.
Aunt Babe would call me on my birthday or holidays, then she would call me more frequently. Eventually, I realized she was repeating herself more and more in the course of a conversation and that she was calling me at odd times. Since she was calling from Michigan, I worried about the cost and asked her daughter if she was aware of how often Aunt Babe was calling me. It was sad to not hear from her as much after that. Her phone bills, it seems, were exorbitant – and she was calling others as well. Eventually, the calls stopped. I miss her gruff “yyyyellow” as a greeting, instead of hello, or picking up the phone to hear “doing?” Her wicked laugh and role as family historian stilled. Her storytelling and good food, however, remain in my heart and mind.
Aunt Babe had given me some recipes when she heard I was putting together cookbooks for my girls. I still have them, in her own script. She was known to leave out ingredients or steps. The little touches that make good recipes great. Aunt Babe never shared with me her recipe for dumplings, but the ones being made on America’s Test Kitchen looked a lot like hers.
I’ve had a hankering for chicken and dumplings ever since I saw them on American’s Test Kitchen. I was intrigued by the use of a dish towel, under the lid as the dumplings cooked to capture the steam. The use of buttermilk and baking soda with the flour sounded like they would float on air. The weather had turned cold, the days had shortened, and my appetite was whetted, so I found the recipe in “The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook” and set out to try my hand at these dumplings.
I can almost see Aunt Babe, nodding approval and smiling down at me.
Yum! You can find the recipe here. For vegetarians, they would be good floating in vegetable broth.
We’re on the road again, headed back up to Minnesota. I wonder if another recipe with a tasty memory will find me there.
What a vivid picture you paint of your aunt Babe, who sounds larger than life. Food carries such memories, doesn’t it. Your dumpling dish looks delicious. Have a wonderful trip Penny. I’m sure you will find many delights with your expanding family.
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She was often larger than life, Juliet. Isn’t it interesting how food does carry memories. Sometimes, it can be just one dish, a loaf of bread, that brings someone or something back to us. It was a good trip, Juliet. Just back last night and catching up.
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Have a safe trip, Penny, and most excellent times with those kiddies.
It’s funny how these strong ladies can crawl into our systems. My godmother always made me what she called ‘soft butter’, but it was really mayonnaise. I can still remember slathering it on saltine crackers and eating it with her.
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I did and I thank you, Andra. Lots of hugs and smiles.
You know, Andra, these women are always there. I was fortunate in my life to have many strong women around me and, though most have now passed on, I feel them with me often. Oh, that slathering of “soft butter” is making my mouth water.
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Those dumplings look delicious, Penny, as is your post about Aunt Babe, who really lives in your description of her. It’s so sad when we lose these links with our family’s past.
Travel safely and have a wonderful time with your family in Minnesota.
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They were mighty good, Perpetua. Tom said to “put these in the rotation”, and I will. It is, indeed, sad when we lose these family members. I try to keep their memories alive in my actions and deeds – and in cooking (though that’s not always the healthiest of ways these days).
We had a safe trip, are home and I’m starting to catch up – and basking in memories of family time.
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That looks so good, Penny! I love dumplings. I did chicken in the middle of the week but neglected to make dumplings and it just wasn’t the same….I shall check out this recipe, thanks!
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Dumplings just add to what is already a good dish, don’t they Kate? I hope you have an opportunity to try these.
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Dear Penny, thanks so much for the link to the recipe. As a vegetarian, I can make a different type of stew and then add the dumplings. Actually, I haven’t tasted dumplings since my mother died in May 1968. Hers were melt-in-your-melt good!
I look forward to learning in a future posting whether you discover another fine recipe while in Minnesota. Peace.
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Oh, Dee, I imagine you can just taste your mother’s dumplings. These would go well with any numbers of soups and stews.
Just back last night from Minnesota where we saw our first dusting of snow. I’ll be posting as well as catching up on reading soon, Dee. Take care.
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Yummm.. I love anything and dumplings. What nice memories of Aunt Babe and her dumplings. I enjoy the way you link the generations together.
My Grandmother always answered the phone with “nn…Yyyellow.” My sister and I would pick up a banana, hold it to our ear and imitate Grandmother’s greeting. Then we would hand some poor unsuspecting friend the banana and say. “Here it’s for you.” That was very funny to us and Grandmother seemed to think so too. Our poor friends never new what to do with the banana.
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Thank you for saying that, Janet.
Oh, that is exactly how Aunt Babe said hello! I remember you holding a banana to your ear on good old 6th floor Hamilton and thinking it was soooo funny. We don’t have these fun things to do so much now with cell phones and computers, do we? Well, accept for you and me! tee hee
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Dear Penny, it’s Dee again. I just wanted to let you know that I read “Two Old Women” yesterday (Saturday) and thoroughly enjoyed it, just as you did. The art so enhances the story and helped me truly “see” what the author was sharing with her readers.
Now I’m going to check the library website to see if it has Velma Wallis’ second book. Hope all goes well on your trip. Getting to be a hands-on grandmother for a few days is an experience I know you treasure. Peace.
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Glad to see you here again, Dee, and appreciate that you let me know you’d read “Two Old Women”. The illustrations do enhance the story; their simplicity and starkness compliment Wallis’ words. I think that honoring and valuing our elders is something that we need to be reminded of these days. You do this, often, Dee as you write about your mother and the many things she taught you in word and in deed.
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I’m all confused! LOL! I don’t know how I missed this post, but when I didn’t see anything from you, I presumed you were on the road. Apparently I just missed you saying goodbye, Penny! What a beautiful memory you’ve shared here. Anything with dumplings is going to make a positive impression on me. The cooking hints are just great, too. I haven’t seen American Test Kitchen, but I never miss Top Chef and a couple of others! By now you’ve returned, so I can’t say have a good trip, but I hope you will post photos! 🙂
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I’m a charter member of the All Confused Club, Debra. There are many of us and our numbers are growing. ha! You were right. I was on the road and now back again. I hope to post a few pictures later today. America’s Test Kitchen is a PBS production, a little slower than Top Chef, more traditional, but, it is fun to watch. You may be familiar with the magazine, Cook’s Illustrated. I believe they are the same entity.
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Oh gosh I’m so hungry now . I loved the story about Aunt Babe. It is so fun the way food brings back family memories!
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It is often food that is the catalyst of memories, isn’t it? Aunt Babe was a character, and I miss her. Thanks for commenting, Sallie.
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Finally, you write about a relative that sounds like one of mine! Thank you for the dumpling recipe, I lost a great one I had years ago and have been looking for another. I will definitely try this one! Even the name of the dish, “Chicken and Dumplings” sounds cozy and delicious, doesn’t it?
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Ha! Our “other half”? There are many more stories of Aunt Babe. I should share a few more. In the meantime, I hope you try this dumpling recipe. The link provides a video, but, if you’ve made dumplings before, you know how the consistency should be. It really was easy once I got going – and soooo good, Janet. Indeed, even the name chicken and dumplings sounds “cozy and delicious”. Just responding here makes me want to make it again.
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[…] Everyone called her Babe, which was more fitting a name for her. A force to be reckoned with, Aunt Babe could be very generous, was an excellent cook, and shared many recipes with me (though she was notorious for leaving out an ingredient or changing […]
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