A dumpling query.

I made the mistake of putting the uncooked dumplings in a plastic box and putting them in the freezer. When I defrosted them they had stuck together and I couldn't use them. So cooked dumplings wrapped individually before freezing would be my tip.

Yes you can, but I now buy a pack of frozen dumplings. Saves a whole lot of trouble and taste fine. (Auntie Bessie's).

Make up the dry mix, flour, suet, salt in advance. Put in a contaainer and just stir the fluid in on the day and portion.

To be honest dumplings literally take minutes to make so I would just do them about 25 mins before your cooking time ends. Couple of mins making them, pop them in with stew, cover and cook for last 20 mins. They will be perfect!

Haven't had dumplings for a very long time. Primrose may I have the recipe please. Know it's only a few basic ingredients but not sure about quantities. When propped into cooked stew / casserole how long will they take to cook?

I use Aunt Bessies ...... they are as good as homemade ones!

Shelflife

Haven't had dumplings for a very long time. Primrose may I have the recipe please. Know it's only a few basic ingredients but not sure about quantities. When propped into cooked stew / casserole how long will they take to cook?

Makes 8.
100g Self Raising Flour
Pinch of salt
60g Atora Beef Suet
4 tbspns cold water
1tsp dried mixed herbs (optional)

Mix flour, salt, herbs and suet with water to make dough. Do not overwork. Divide into 8 pieces and shape with floured hands. Place on top of simmering stew or casserole. Cover with lid and cook for 20 mins.

They never fail in our house!

Monica’s method is mine! Mix double batch of dry ingredients and keep half in fridge for when you can’t be arsed!

Aunty Bessie’s aren’t made with suet but palm oil plus a host of other ingredients I don’t have in the pantry!

PS Sometimes I have used the green box of Atora which is the veggie suet. It’s not as good as the beef one though but veggies will obviously prefer.

My late mother in law used to bake them. Just put blobs on a baking sheet with parchment on. Takes about 20 mins or so.

My DH loves them I make them most weeks. I use the green box atora I find it tastes less fatty. They literally take a few minutes to make.

Thank you Primrose , suet on my shopping list now.

You can grate frozen Trex as a vegetarian alternative to suet. i use it for Christmas puddings.

I usually batch cook so dumplings are cooked in the casserole and individual portions of stew and dumplings are frozen

I make lamb or beef stew in my large slow cooker there are always several portions to freeze. I put the dumplings (half suet to flour) in the stew and hour before it is finished and freeze whatever stew is left over. Reheat in microwave and add more liquid as it seems to evaporate in the freezer. The suet I use is either type of Attora.

I make a batch, cook by simmering in stock for about 20 minutes, then freeze. Whip out of the freezer as required!

Thank you ladies, I knew you would have the answer. I think I’ll go with M0nica’s suggestion and have the dry mix made up ready to do them at the last minute. I’m tempted to also cook some in stock and freeze so I can have one now and then.

Do you remember when we used to buy suet from the butchers and grate it for suet pastry and dumplings? Bet it was much tastier.

Hello Whitewave 👋. Not seen you for a while!

Our butcher used to have it in half pound bags ready grated.

😊. I can remember that he used to tear it off from around kidneys (lamb?)

Yummy Prinrose

We used to call them "dough boys" years ago. Is this just a West Country thing?

My gran used to call them "little lads" lol. That's Lancashire.

Add to the dumpling mix a small amount of finely chopped onion and a few mixed herbs place in a greased dish, little milk to glaze and bake till cooked approx 30 mins. Yummy.