chicken 'n' dumplings

Chicken 'n' dumplings....these are so good, I almost feel that they don't need an introduction.  It's hard to find comfort food as good as this.

Chicken 'n' Dumplings

• 2 cups self-rising flour (or 2 cups all-purpose flour plus 3 t. baking powder and 1/2 t. salt)
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. sugar
• 1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 4 cups cooked chicken
• 1 cup milk

Mix together flour salt, sugar, and black pepper.  Add Smart Balance Light or shortening and cut in with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add 3/4 cup buttermilk; stir with a fork until soft dough forms (adding more flour if necessary).  Roll onto a floured surface until 1/4 inch thick.  Cut into 1/2 inch squares with table knife.

Drop dumplings one at a time into 4 cups of boiling chicken stock, stirring constantly.  Place 4 cups of cooked chicken over the top of the dumplings.  Pour 1 cup milk over chicken.  Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 20 minutes, or until dumplings are cooked.  Serves 10.