Herb and Black Pepper Dumplings with Gravy

4/28/2009

2 cups biscuit baking mix

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon,

or 1 teaspoon dried

1⁄8 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 cup milk

2 quarts chicken broth

Chopped fresh herbs, optional

Whisk together baking mix, chives, tarragon, thyme, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in milk until batter is nearly smooth.

Heat chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan.

Spoon ping-pong-ball-size dollops of the batter, in batches if necessary, into the broth. Boil gently, without stirring, 10 minutes. Cover the pan; simmer gently until dumplings cook through, about 10 minutes. Remove the cooked dumplings to a serving dish. Cover and keep warm if you have more batter to cook. Serve the dumplings with the broth (thickened further, if you like, with a little biscuit mix whisked into water). Sprinkle with herbs if desired.

Yield: 8 servings