Grape dumplings are a family tradition in many a Native's home. My husband's grandmother made the best I have ever eaten. Grape dumplings are a dessert of sorts. In the old days they were made with Possum Grape or Winter Grape juice. I can still remember eating dumplings made with them. Possum Grapes are hard to find now days but we have a good supply along Beaty's Creek. You can use store bought grape juice and the dumplings will still taste oh so good! This is What's Cookin on Beaty's Creek tonight!
Needed:
2 quarts purple grape juice or if you are lucky 2 quarts of possum grape juice
2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1 1/2--2 cups water
*1 T cornstarch-mixed with 1 cup of cooled juice
Pour grape juice into a soup pot and bring to a slow boil, now add your sugar and stir. Simmer while you are making dumplings. To make dumplings you will sift flour and baking powder together in a large bowl and make a hole in the middle of flour mixture(this is where you will pour your water.) Pour in your water and with your hands mix flour in a little at a time until dough comes together. You may need a little more water or a little more flour. I know this sounds weird but once you feel the dough in your hands you will know what I mean. Once dough comes together roll out to a 1/4 inch thickness on a well floured rolling board. Now take a pizza cutter and cut into 1 inch squares. Once all of the dough is cut up bring your grape juice to a rolling boil and drop a few dumplings in at a time, I stir each time I drop a few. Boil for 10-15 minutes, *I like to add a little cornstarch to a 1/2 cup of cooled juice and add it back to the pot.* We like a little thicker sauce with our dumplings. This is so good with vanilla ice-cream.
