1262. CARROT SOUP with BACON and DILL DUMPLINGS

yields 4 servings


for Dumplings
4 bacon strips, cut small
1 onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
1 boned chicken breast, cut into chunks
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 large potato, peeled, boiled and riced
1 egg
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 cup minced fresh dill

for Soup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 onions, sliced
2 teaspoons salt
4 cups chicken stock
3/4 lb carrots, peeled
1 cup milk

Prepare the dumplings: Cook bacon in a skillet over low heat until tender, not crisp. Add onions, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat until onions are soft, about 7 to 10 minutes. Reserve. Place chicken in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, along with the allspice, potato and egg. Process until chicken is ground, about 2 minutes. Add the cream and process until mixture is thick and sticky. Stir in the reserved sauteed onion and bacon, along with the dill. Place mixture in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the soup: Melt butter over medium-low heat in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Cook onions with salt and pepper until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and cook over moderate heat, uncovered, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, finely chop carrots in a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Add carrots to soup. Bring to a boil, return to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until the carrots are soft, about 10 minutes. Puree soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain back into pot, pressing with the back of a ladle to extract all the juices. Shape dumplings with 2 oval soup spoons dipped in hot water or with slightly wet hands. They should be ovals or balls, about 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Drop dumplings carefully into simmering soup and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until they float to the surface. Add milk, bring to a boil and remove from heat. Serve immediately.


courtesy of: Too Hot Tamales World Tour, with Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, Food Network