I just completed a fun project. I used Shutterfly to create a memory cookbook for our grown children. The book includes photos of my husband’s parents and his mom’s recipes we all loved most. I ordered 5 books. One for me, one for each of our grown kids, and one for Wayne’s nephew.
The idea for the project took root early this past summer. Wayne’s dad passed away in March and we were going through his things. We found two small boxes containing all of Wayne’s mom’s handwritten recipes. Wayne’s mom – we called her Mammaw – was a wonderful grandmother and a great country cook. She also taught first grade for 34 years. I learned a lot from her about parenting and cooking.
Sadly, Wayne is now the last of his nuclear family. Cancer claimed his brother in 1994. Mammaw died in a car accident in 2004. And we lost “Pappaw,” Wayne’s dad, this spring. The memory cookbook seemed like a nice keepsake for the grandchildren.
Howard Family 1993
So, since I’ve been focused on recipes the last few days, you all get to benefit. My favorite “Mammaw recipe” is her Chicken and Dumplings. Since the dumplings are made from scratch, it’s a bit time-consuming. But it’s totally worth it!
The recipe is below, but you can also print this PDF!
Chicken and Dumplings
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken
- 4 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- Salt and pepper
Cook chicken in large pot of water until done. Remove chicken from pot and reserve broth. When chicken is cool enough to handle remove skin and bones. Cut or tear chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set meat aside.
Add enough water to broth to make two quarts of liquid. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare dumplings. Mix flour and salt. Blend in butter. Add boiling water. Roll dough out thin and cut into short strips. Drop dumplings into boiling broth and simmer until done. Add chicken, soup, and salt and pepper to taste. Serves 8 to 10.
If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turns out and how your family likes it! What is your favorite fall recipe??
Kathy, I’m sorry to har about Wayne’s dad. It is so hard to lose our parents.
I can remember you teaching me to make chicken and dumplings one afternoon. It became one of my kids favorite dishes….especially Brian’s. I am sure your children thoroughly enjoyed receiving this cookbook. My sister-in-law did the same with Ron’s moms recipes. It’s a keepsake!
Hi Susan! We had such fun times together when our kids were little! Now our kids have kids. I can hardly wait to give the book to the family. It is being printed now. We will all be together at Thanksgiving so I will give it to them then. Can’t wait!