Chicken and Dumplings

This is one of my "comfort food" meals.  It's my mom's recipe.  I've tried making dumplings from scratch, but since I grew up with Bisquick dumplings...that's what I have to have.

1 whole chicken (may use pieces, but whole is usually more economical)
4 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup chopped carrots, or to taste
4 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup milk

Rinse chicken and place in a stock pot or deep soup pan.  Cover with water by at least 2 inches, add bay leaves, celery and carrots.  Set on stove and bring to a boil.  Turn down to simmer and cover to cook for about an hour.

Remove chicken from the pot and allow to cool until you can handle without burning yourself. Separate cooked chicken from the bones and return to liquid in pot.  Add potatoes and bring to a simmer again.

While waiting, mix 2 cups Bisquick baking mix in a bowl.  Add 2/3 cup milk and mix until a soft dough forms.  When soup starts to simmer, drop dough by spoonfuls into the soup.  Should make between 8-10 dumplings.  Don't cover.  Cook like this uncovered for 10 minutes...then cover and cook on simmer for another 10 minutes.  Don't peek.  Just let it cook.

Now, uncover and serve.  Be careful this deliciousness is HOT!!!  I like mine sprinkled with a little garlic salt.

Enjoy!