Jamaican Dumpling Soup
A hearty and comforting soup featuring tender, fluffy boiled dumplings simmered in a flavorful broth, often with vegetables and sometimes chicken or saltfish. It's a staple for its simplicity and nourishing qualities.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour(for dumplings)
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder(for dumplings)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt(for dumplings)
- 0.75 cup Water(approximately, for dumplings)
- 8 cups Chicken broth
- 2 medium Carrots(diced)
- 2 stalks Celery stalks(diced)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 sprigs Thyme sprigs
- 4 berries Allspice berries(crushed)
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 cup Optional: Cooked chicken or saltfish(shredded or flaked)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the dumplings: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add water, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead briefly until smooth. Divide into small, oval-shaped dumplings.
💡 Tip: Do not overmix the dough; it should be soft and pliable. - 2
In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add diced carrots, celery, chopped onion, minced garlic, thyme sprigs, and crushed allspice berries.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Season the broth with salt and black pepper. If using, add the cooked chicken or saltfish.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Carefully drop the prepared dumplings into the simmering soup, ensuring they are submerged. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through.
⏱️ 12 minutes💡 Tip: Do not lift the lid during the first 5-7 minutes of cooking the dumplings to ensure they steam properly. - 6
Remove thyme sprigs before serving. Ladle the soup and dumplings into bowls.
💡 Tip: Serve hot as a complete meal.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer broth, you can use homemade chicken stock.
- ✓Add other vegetables like chopped cho-cho (chayote) or green beans for variety.
- ✓Ensure dumplings are cooked through; they should be fluffy and not doughy in the center.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of ground nutmeg to the dumpling dough for extra flavor.
- Incorporate a small piece of smoked ham hock for a deeper, smoky flavor.