About This Recipe
Dumpling Soup is a comforting dish featuring broth-based soup with dough dumplings. This preparation combines a clear savory broth with tender dumplings made from flour-based dough. The recipe focuses on fundamental techniques for both broth and dumpling preparation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses basic pantry ingredients
- Provides customizable broth flavors
- Features simple dough preparation
- Delivers comforting textures and warmth
- Serves as adaptable base for variations
Ingredients
For the Broth:
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Dumplings:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare broth base: In a large pot, combine broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Bring to boil.
- Simmer vegetables: Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Make dumpling dough: While broth simmers, whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add milk and melted butter. Stir until just combined (do not overmix).
- Form dumplings: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough directly into simmering broth.
- Cook dumplings: Cover pot tightly. Simmer for 15 minutes without lifting lid (steam cooks dumplings).
- Check doneness: Dumplings should be puffed and cooked through. Remove bay leaf.
- Serve immediately: Ladle soup into bowls, ensuring each serving contains both broth and dumplings.
FAQ
Q: Can I use store-bought dumplings?
A: Yes. Pre-made dumplings may require adjusted cooking times according to package instructions.
Q: Why did my dumplings disintegrate?
A: Dough was likely overmixed or broth boiled too vigorously after adding dumplings.
Q: Can I add meat to this soup?
A: Cooked shredded chicken or pork can be added with vegetables during simmering.
You Must Know
- Broth must be simmering (not boiling) when adding dumplings
- Do not lift lid during first 15 minutes of dumpling cooking
- Overmixing dumpling dough creates tough results
- Dumplings expand during cooking – avoid overcrowding pot
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 3 days
- Dumplings absorb broth when stored – add extra broth when reheating
- Reheat gently on stovetop to prevent dumpling breakdown
- Freezing not recommended – dumplings become mushy upon thawing