March 16: Beef Stew with Dumplings

Recipe from Robyn Flynn

1 lb beef, cut in 1" cubes
1 TB shortening
3+ c water
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 lg potatoes
2 medium carrots
1 medium celery stalk
1 small onion
1/2 tsp Kitchen Bouquet
1 bay leaf
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 c cold water

Brown beef in shortening. Add salt and pepper. Add water. Bring to boil and simmer 2-2 1/2 hours. Add water as needed. Add vegetables, Kitchen Bouquet, bouillon, bay leaf and more salt, if needed, to taste. Simmer 30-45 minutes.

Dumplings:
3 TB shortening
1 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 c milk

Cut shortening into dry ingredients. Add milk. Mix. Add 1/2 c water to 2 TB flour. Add to stew. Simmer . Drop dumplings onto stew. Simmer 10 minutes, uncovered and 10 minutes covered.