Grandma's Southern-Style Chicken n' Dumplings

INGREDIENTS:
1. Cook Chicken And Make Broth:

• 1 whole chicken , thawed and cleaned (remove and discard giblets from cavity)
• 1/2 cup carrots , celery, and onion (OPTIONAL-to flavor the chicken broth)
• Water to completely cover chicken in a large stockpot.

2. Make The Dumplings:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 heaping Tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup HOT water
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

3. Finish Soup:

• Two large chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup water mixed with 2 Tablespoons flour
• Salt and Pepper , to taste (approx. 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Put the chicken and the veggies (if using) in a large stockpot. Cover completely with water. Bring to a quick boil, then continue cooking chicken for one hour. When done, remove chicken to large bowl to cool. Strain broth to remove leftover veggies or other particles. Return broth to stockpot.
2. Once chicken is cool, remove skin, then cut chicken into bite sized pieces. (At this point I divide the chicken pieces in half, and freeze half for use in another meal).
3. Add chicken pieces (approx. 2 1/2 cups) back into chicken broth. Heat the chicken and broth back up to boiling. Add bouillon cubes, salt and pepper (to taste).
4. While chicken is coming to a boil, make the dumplings. In a large bowl, using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the shortening and salt into the cup of flour, until shortening is the size of small peas. Add 1/2 cup HOT water and 1/2 cup, plus 2 Tablespoons of flour to the mixture. Stir and work the mixture until a soft dough ball forms (firm enough to roll out). Divide dough into 3 equal sized balls, then let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
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