WELCOME to CAROLINA PANACHE! I believe our homes should be a haven, a place of beauty and peace that reflect who we are and what's important to us. I'm on a journey to add personality and panache to every corner of my house. For me, good design evolves, grows and changes with the needs of one's lifestyle. I want my home to be creative, to be stylish, to be entertaining, to be real. I hope you will join me on my journey. It's always more fun to travel together.
This blog is all about bringing style and elegance to the home. The art of dressing your home goes beyond hanging a few items on the wall and arranging furniture. Much like a fabulous set of earrings or a new stylish handbag may take your little black dress from fine to fabulous, home accesories and key furnishings can take your rooms from ho-hum to singing the Halleluiah Chorus! Join with me as we discover new ways to add panache to every room of the house.

The Cook's Corner on a Snowy Day

Welcome to The Cook's Corner and another Simple Supper recipe. I am also participating in Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan at (A Southern Dreamer). Today we woke up to a snowy, cold day here in my corner of NC. The kids are ecstatic because once again school has been closed! I had just replaced my evergreen wreath with a Red Rose and Hydrangea wreath for Valentine's Day and the snow added it's own white sparkly decoration. Pretty but cold! Of course my little one didn't waste any time getting suited up for some fun.
Look at those rosy cheeks! Hot Chocolate by the fireplace and a warm shower when he comes in will be the ticket for warding off those winter chills.
I have a Holly Berry bush beside my front entry. I am not sure the exact type, it does not have the pointy, prickly leaves like the holly you see at Christmastime. I thought it was so pretty dusted with snow. I use clippings of this bush in flower arrangements during the winter. It really makes a pretty accent to roses, hot-house tulips and mums.

I wanted to share my Grandmother's Chicken and Dumplings recipe with you. Unfortunately, I've got my photos backwards :-(

Here's the ingredients:
3 - 3 1/2 pounds of Bone-in Chicken Breasts
2 Quarts water (enough to cover your chicken)
2 to 3 stalks of celery, coarsely chopped
1 whole onion, quartered
Salt and pepper to taste (for broth)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
Bonus Item:
1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup

Directions:
Place chicken, water, celery and onion in large Dutch Oven or stock pot.
Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat. Simmer for approximately one hour. Salt and pepper to taste. Once chicken is tender and "falling off the bone", remove from heat. Remove chicken and let cool. De-bone and set aside. Remove celery and onion. If you like you can puree the vegetables and return them to the stock.
Set meat aside and remove 3/4 cup of the chicken stock. Leave remaining broth in the pan.
For the Dumplings:
Combine flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the reserved 3/4 cup chicken broth; stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. If the batter is a little dry, add 1-2 tablespoon of water until "doughy". Next, return broth to heat and bring to a boil. Gently drop teaspoonfuls of your dumpling batter into the boiling broth. Stir gently after each addition. Reduce the heat to low; cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes. Then stir in chicken pieces and if desired 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup. The soup adds more delicious creaminess to the broth. Be careful not to get your heat to high. The dumplings will stick to the bottom of your pan. Stir often but gently.
Saturday night I made a big pot of Chicken and Dumplings and biscuits. Can you say comfort food? My Good Ole' Southern-boy husband was in "Hog-Heaven".






Here's a shot of my house this morning. There's only about 2 inches of snow out there but underneath it is a layer of ice. Last night it started raining, then it turned to ice, then the snow came in the wee-hours of the morning. Burr!

Even poor Leo looks cold.

The snow has completely covered the planter beds. My little daffodils and tulips that have already pushed through the earth have been hidden beneath a blanket of white.


Our Magnolia tree stands at the end of our drive. There is something enchanting about those glossy green and brown leaves covered with snow.


Tomorrow is TABLESCAPE THURSDAY. Be sure to stop back by to take a peek at my table. Can you say "Breakfast at Tiffany's"? or "Diamonds are a girl's best friend"? Until then,
Happy Cooking!
~Alisa











16 comments:

Gone said...

First off...it's nice to come to your blog and see your smiling face!! And I always look forward to your posts! They include so much about you...your home...your interior design capabilities, recipes and on and on!! I love it!!!

~Blessings,
Jan

PreppyBumpkin said...

Lucky you with your snow! After beautiful flakes last night...my corner of the world got nothing!

Love your blog -- you're a decorating inspiration!

Terri Steffes said...

Love your post! I am amazed at how much snow and ice you have. We are slowly but surely getting rid of ours.

I will have to try that recipe. Sounds like "home" to me!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love the recipe, so warm for a snowy day, and soooo good. Your know looks so pretty. It just looks like angel dust on everything. Hugs, Marty

kelly said...

Thanks for sharing the snow with me if only in pictures. Being from Southern Louisiana I never get to see snow. It looks so beautiful but also sooooo cold!!

~CC Catherine said...

Hi Alisa! Love the chicken and dumplings, a great dish for a snowy day! Thanks for dropping in earlier today...the vintage trunk show was fun, wasn't it? I'm going to try and keep up with it. Your home is absolutely stunning! Love the color of the brick and style of the exterior! You have a blessed day! I always love the comments you leave me! You warm the heart of my blog! ;) ~CC Catherine

Carolina Mama said...

Enjoy! They called for snow here and we just got a two hour snow delay. :)

Your Chicken N Dumplins' look gooooood! :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Alisa, I just left you a post, but it seemed to disappear! So if you get two, you will know why. ;-)

Your link at Susan's isn't working, but I persisted and saw "panache" at the top of the page. So I googled you and got here. Whew! But it was worth it. Love all of your snow scenes (cute son!) and your recipe.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

"Blossom" said...

Alisa,
I too have a chicken soup recipe and it's real close to the one you have. Love the door decoration; so pretty.
blossom

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

Ya know I have never had chicken and dumplings. I'll have to try this recipe. Looks yummy!

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday Alisa!

(Your link on my page doesn't work. I think it is missing an "a". Copy/right click and copy the link to your post and put that in the Mr Linky box..thanks)

I loved seeing all your snowy pictures..and the dumpling recipe sounds yummy (my stomach is growling now)

Thanks for sharing your photos

Susan

Melanie said...

I cannot believe the snow ya'll are getting. It's supposed to be in the 30's here tonight. Maybe snow? ;)
I think I'll have to make some dumplins for dinner this weekend. It will be Avery's b-day meal.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Sue said...

What a beautiful blog you have ,and on todays post the holly bush with the dusting of snow is so pretty. The dumpling recipe looks delicious. Thanks for sharing,
Sue

Linda Charlene said...

hey sister...what's all that white stuff? what a cute little boy, he must look like his aunt;)

redsoxmom said...

The best was last for me today. Just love, love this tablescape--the colors, the decorations, the theme...everything! This would make a fun party for girlfriends. Those placemats are gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing!

Blessings!!

Jewel Sauls said...

Your chicken and dumplings look delicious! We had some snow too!

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