Turkey Stew with Dumplings

My Comfort Food Classic: Turkey Stew with Dumplings

The aroma of simmering turkey stew, the fluffy dumplings bobbing on top… there’s nothing quite like it. This recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, a go-to meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. It’s a dish that effortlessly blends comfort and flavor, satisfying both my family and myself. The beauty of this stew lies in its simplicity; it requires readily available ingredients and doesn't demand hours of slaving over the stove. It’s adaptable too – I often adjust the vegetables based on what’s fresh at the market or what I have lingering in the crisper drawer. Sometimes I add a handful of chopped mushrooms, or if I’m feeling ambitious, a couple of potatoes for extra heartiness.

What started as a simple recipe from a friend has evolved into something personal. I’ve tweaked it over the years, adding a pinch of this and a dash of that until it reached its current iteration – perfect in my eyes. It's become a cherished tradition, a dish that evokes warm memories of family gatherings and quiet evenings at home. More than just a meal, it’s a symbol of comfort, love, and a little bit of culinary creativity. The dumplings, light and fluffy, are the perfect counterpoint to the rich, savory stew. The recipe calls for Bisquick, making the process incredibly easy, but you can also make homemade dumplings if you have more time. The turkey is tender, the vegetables are perfectly cooked – a symphony of flavors and textures that’s guaranteed to please everyone around the table.

Beyond its deliciousness, this stew has a practical advantage. It's a fantastic way to utilize leftover turkey, particularly after Thanksgiving or Christmas feasts. It’s an economical way to transform those leftover turkey scraps into a satisfying and flavorful meal, minimizing food waste and maximizing deliciousness. The recipe is easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings, making it a great choice for potlucks or holiday celebrations. And if you’re short on time, you can prep the stew ingredients the night before, which makes it a total breeze to put together on a busy weekday. But even on a busy day, this simple yet satisfying dish is always worth the effort.

This isn’t just a recipe; it's a story woven into the fabric of my everyday life. It’s a story of simple pleasures, of family and friends gathered around a table, savoring the taste of home. It’s a recipe that I eagerly share, hoping that others will find the same comfort and joy in it that I have. So go ahead, give it a try, and maybe you'll find it becomes your new favorite comfort food too. The warmth of this dish goes far beyond the deliciousness of the food, it speaks to the heart and soul of home-cooked meals and happy memories.

Step-by-step

• Saute bacon in Dutch oven until partially crisp.
• Cut turkey into 1 inch chunks and add with onion. Saute until meat is no longer pink.
• Add carrots, celery, 1 and 3/4 cup water, broth, rosemary and bay leaf.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Mix flour with 1/4 c. water and stir into stew mixture.
• Bring to boil, stirring constantly.
• Remove bay leaf.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix Bisquick and milk and drop by rounded tablespoons onto stew.
• Cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
• Cover and cook 10 minutes longer.