Cook Colin Fassnidge’s recipe tonight: Chicken Dumplings and Pearl Barley Broth

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes plus stock cooking time
Serves: 4 to 6
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Ingredients for Chicken Wing Broth
- 2kg chicken wings
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 bulb garlic halved
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ bunch thyme
- Cold water, to cover
Ingredients for the Chicken Dumplings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 brown onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, sliced
- 200g day old sourdough, torn into small pieces
- ½ bunch rosemary, finely chopped
- ½ bunch thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 300g chicken mince
- 2 eggs
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper
- 2 – 3 cups of diced Autumn/Spring vegetables. This could include parsnip, potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, brussels sprouts, spring peas, broad beans, spinach and silver beet.
- 2 cups cooked pearl barley

Method
1 To make broth, place all ingredients in a stockpot. Bring to the boil. Gentle boil for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Strain into a clean stockpot. Season with salt and pepper.
2 To make chicken dumplings, heat half the oil in a frying pan over a medium to low heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring for 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender but not coloring. Transfer to a large bowl.
3 In a blender, blend bread, herbs and spices until breadcrumbs form. Add to onion mixture with mince and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Using your hands mix well.
4 Roll into golf ball size balls and transfer to a tray lined with baking paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
5 Return stock to a gentle simmer. Add root vegetables. Cook for three to five minutes. Add balls and remaining vegetables. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, adding peas and spinach in the last two minutes. Dumplings are ready when they rise to the top of the pot.
6 To serve soup, divide chicken balls among bowls. Spoon over soup. Drizzle with olive oil.
Tip: Replace Chicken Wing Broth with a good quality bought stock.
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