In the heart of every home kitchen, there lies a secret desire for comfort food that warms the belly and soothes the soul. Among such cherished recipes, there’s one that stands out for its innovative twist on traditional comfort food: Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup Dumplings. If you crave the wholesome goodness of chicken soup but yearn for the satisfying bite of a dumpling, your culinary dreams are about to come true.
How to make Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup Dumplings
Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup Dumplings are frozen dumplings that combine the classic flavors of chicken soup with the convenience of a dumpling. They typically feature a flavorful broth inside a tender dumpling wrapper, often made with chicken, vegetables, and seasonings.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (for a gluten-free version, use a blend of gluten-free flours)
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
For the Soup Gelatin:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet of unflavored gelatin
Instructions:
Prepare the Soup Gelatin:
- Heat the chicken broth until it’s hot but not boiling.
- Dissolve the gelatin packet into the hot chicken broth.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow dish and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until firmly set.
Make the Dough:
- Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Pour the boiling water into the flour mixture and stir immediately with a fork or chopsticks until a dough forms.
- When cool enough to handle, knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth, about 5 to 10 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped scallions, and white pepper. Mix well.
- Take the set gelatin out of the fridge and chop it into small cubes.
- Gently fold the gelatin cubes into the chicken mixture.
Form the Dumplings:
- Divide the rested dough into small pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a thin circle.
- Place about a tablespoon of the chicken and gelatin mixture in the center of each wrapper.
- Wet the edges of the wrapper with a little water, fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, and pinch the edges to seal them. Make sure there are no air pockets.
Cook the Dumplings:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and place the dumplings in the water. Once they float to the top, cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can steam the dumplings for about 8 minutes in a bamboo steamer lined with parchment paper.
- Serve the dumplings hot, with a side of soy sauce or a dipping sauce of your choice.
Tips:
- Working with hot dough can be challenging for a beginner. Allow the dough to cool enough to handle safely but work quickly before it cools completely as it is more pliable when warm.
- Ensure the dough and filling are sealed tightly to prevent the dumplings from bursting open during cooking.
- The soup gelatin is the main attraction of these dumplings, so make sure to gel it properly.
- For the dough, if you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative, you’ll need to use a blend of gluten-free flours, xanthan gum, and sometimes additional water to reach the right consistency.
- If you are short on time or prefer a ready-made solution, consider purchasing Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup Dumplings, which provide a convenient and similarly delicious experience without creating the dough or soup gelatin from scratch.
What to serve with
Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup Dumplings are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on their own or with various sides.
1. Dipping Sauce
A flavorful dipping sauce can enhance the taste of Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup Dumplings. Here are a couple of options:
- Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce: Mix 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar. Add chopped scallions and a bit of chili oil or flakes for an extra kick.
- Garlic Sesame Sauce: Combine 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
2. Steamed or Stir-Fried Vegetables
Lightly prepared vegetables provide a fresh contrast to the savory dumplings.
- Steamed Bok Choy: Steam bok choy until tender but still crisp, and drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil and soy sauce for added flavor.
- Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables: Sauté a mixture of your favorite vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots in a bit of oil with garlic and ginger for a simple yet delicious side.
3. Rice or Noodles
A side of rice or noodles can make the meal more filling and round out the dish nicely.
- Jasmine Rice: Serve the dumplings over steamed jasmine rice for a classic pairing.
- Soba Noodles: Toss cooked soba noodles with some soy sauce, sesame oil, and sliced scallions for a nutritious and tasty side dish.
4. Soup
A light soup can complement the dumplings, especially if you’re serving them as part of a larger meal.
- Miso Soup: Prepare a simple miso soup with tofu and seaweed. Its subtle flavor pairs well with the chicken dumplings.
- Clear Vegetable Broth: A clear vegetable broth with noodles and greens can serve as both a soup and a more substantial side.
5. Salads
A refreshing salad can balance the richness of the dumplings.
- Cucumber Salad: Thinly slice cucumbers and toss with rice vinegar, sesame oil, a little sugar, and chili flakes for a quick and crispy side salad.
- Asian Slaw: Combine shredded cabbage, carrots, and red peppers with a vinaigrette made from lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and minced garlic for a vibrant side dish.
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating a homemade version of Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup Dumplings can be a delightful and rewarding experience. However, you might not always have access to all the exact ingredients needed for the recipe. Fortunately, there are several suitable substitutes that can be used without significantly altering the taste and texture of the final dish.
For the Dumpling Wrapper
Original Ingredient: Store-bought dumpling wrappers.
Substitutes:
- Homemade Wrapper Dough: Mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour with about 3/4 cup boiling water, stirring until a dough forms. Knead until smooth and elastic, then roll out thin before cutting out rounds for wrapping.
- Wonton Wrappers: These are thinner and may have a slightly different texture but are an easy-to-find alternative.
For the Chicken Filling
Original Ingredient: Ground chicken.
Substitutes:
- Ground Turkey: A lean ground turkey can replace ground chicken almost one-for-one, offering a similar texture and a slightly different but still delicious flavor profile.
- Tofu (for a vegetarian option): Crumbled firm tofu can mimic ground chicken when seasoned properly. Press the tofu beforehand to remove excess moisture.
For the Soup Gelatin
Original Ingredient: Chicken stock concentrate or gelatin cubes.
Substitutes:
- Agar-Agar: For a vegetarian option, agar-agar, a plant-based gelatin substitute made from seaweed, can be used. It gels at room temperature and should be dissolved in hot water before mixing with your flavorings.
- Homemade Chicken Jelly: Simmer chicken bones with aromatics (like onions, carrots, and celery) for several hours, then strain and cool. The stock will solidify due to the natural gelatin from the bones and can be diced into cubes to incorporate into the filling.
For the Seasonings and Flavorings
Original Ingredients: Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, scallions.
Substitutes:
- Tamari or Coconut Aminos: If you need a gluten-free option or simply don’t have soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos can provide that umami flavor.
- Olive Oil for Sesame Oil: If you’re out of sesame oil, a small amount of olive oil can be used, though the nutty flavor of sesame oil will be missing. Consider adding toasted sesame seeds to compensate partially for this flavor loss.
- Powdered Ginger for Fresh Ginger: If fresh ginger isn’t available, ground ginger can work in a pinch. The general rule of thumb is 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger for every tablespoon of fresh grated ginger required.
- Garlic Powder for Fresh Garlic: Similar to ginger, if fresh garlic isn’t handy, you can use garlic powder as a substitute. Use 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of garlic.
Final Thoughts
Remember, the beauty of making Feel Good Foods Chicken Soup dumplings at home is that you can tweak the recipe to suit your tastes. Experiment with different fillings and enjoy the process of crafting these savory bundles of joy.
More Dumpling Recipes:
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (for a gluten-free version, use a blend of gluten-free flours)
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
For the Soup Gelatin:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet of unflavored gelatin
Instructions
Prepare the Soup Gelatin:
- Heat the chicken broth until it's hot but not boiling.
- Dissolve the gelatin packet into the hot chicken broth.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow dish and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until firmly set.
Make the Dough:
- Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Pour the boiling water into the flour mixture and stir immediately with a fork or chopsticks until a dough forms.
- When cool enough to handle, knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth, about 5 to 10 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped scallions, and white pepper. Mix well.
- Take the set gelatin out of the fridge and chop it into small cubes.
- Gently fold the gelatin cubes into the chicken mixture.
Form the Dumplings:
- Divide the rested dough into small pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a thin circle.
- Place about a tablespoon of the chicken and gelatin mixture in the center of each wrapper.
- Wet the edges of the wrapper with a little water, fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, and pinch the edges to seal them. Make sure there are no air pockets.
Cook the Dumplings:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and place the dumplings in the water. Once they float to the top, cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Alternatively, you can steam the dumplings for about 8 minutes in a bamboo steamer lined with parchment paper.
- Serve the dumplings hot, with a side of soy sauce or a dipping sauce of your choice.
