Turkey and Dumplings

Ingredients

2T butter

1T olive oil

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 onion, chopped

3T fresh parsley, chopped

1/2t poultry seasoning

1/4t thyme

salt and pepper

1/4c flour

6c chicken broth

1/2c apple cider

2 cups leftover turkey, light and dark meat, chopped

1c frozen peas

1/4c half and half

For the dumplings:

1 1/2c flour

1/2c cornmeal

1T baking powder

1t salt

1 1/2c buttermilk

milk for thinning

Instructions

In a large pot over medium heat, add oil and melt butter. Add carrots, celery, and onions. Cook 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent. Toss in parsley and seasonings. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then add flour. Cook, stirring, two more minutes.

Pour in broth and cider and add turkey. Bring to a boil and turn down to low, simmering 20 minutes, until veggies are tender.

Meanwhile make dumpling batter. Stir all dry ingredients together in a bowl and pour in buttermilk. Whisk to combine. If batter is too thick to whisk, add milk to thin until it loosens up. Batter should be loose, slightly thicker than pancake batter, but should hold together when scooped.

Add peas to pot, stir, and bring back to a simmer. Turn heat up to medium. Soup should be at a steady boil.

Drop scoops of dumpling batter (I use a medium cookie scoop) into boiling soup, scattering them around until the top of soup is covered with dumplings (they will puff up as they cook). Cover pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through. Do not stir the soup while dumplings are steaming.

Remove from heat and add half and half to soup. Gently stir, being careful not to break the dumplings. Check seasoning and serve hot, making sure each bowl receives 1-2 dumplings.