Chicken Casserole with Coriander Dumplings

8-12 chicken portions
1 litre chicken stock
4 celery sticks, halved
2 leeks, white part only, finely chopped
2 red onions cut into wedges
4 carrots, chopped
2 parsnips, chopped
1 celeriac, finely diced
1 bay leaf
Few thyme sprigs
1 lemongrass stalk
Knob of fresh root ginger, bruised
Sea salt and pepper.

Coriander dumplings:
250g plain flour
100g shredded suet
3 tbsp chopped coriander

Put the chicken in a large oval casserole, add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the vegetables and bring back to a simmer. Add the herbs, ginger and plenty of seasoning. Cover and simmer very gently for about 40 min until the chicken is tender. Remove from the heat and allow to cool (this can be done a day in advance)
Skim off any fat from the surface of the casserole. Lift out the chicken pieces, and remove the meat from bone, discarding the skin, then return to the pan and check the seasoning.
Dumplings:
Mix the flour, suet and coriander together in a bowl, adding enough cold water to form a pliable dough. Shape into small dumplings.
Reheat the casserole, and when the liquid comes to a boil, drop in the dumplings. Lower the heat, recover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the dumplings are doubled in size and fluffy. Discard the ginger and herbs.

I don’t actually know where this recipe comes from. I have a bunch of old photocopies of recipes that have no identification on them, this was one of those.
This recipe filled the house with such a warm and comforting smell. It was like the food embodiment of getting tucked into bed. Warm and cozy and safe and good.
It takes a little time because you have to let it cool halfway through, but it’s not terribly labor intensive, so if you are going to be around the house anyway, it’s no big deal to make.
It’s not a terribly fancy or guest impressive dish to make, but if you are feeling out of sorts, if you have a cold, or you’re a bit down, I bet this would help you feel better.
Also, dumplings are dead easy, and they rock! My youngest son (Two next month) ate about 6 of them.