Makes about 4 large dumplings or many small ones - it’s up to you!
INGREDIENTS
Some stale bread - could be bagels, a french stick, whatever you have that needs using - about 500 grams is good. Cut it up into cubes
1 cup of milk (we used some baby formula that needed using up!)
2 tbsp butter or oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp chopped parsley
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp of salt
1 pinch of black pepper
1/2 cup of dry breadcrumbs (optional if your dumpling batter comes out too wet)
METHOD
1. Put the bread cubes into a mixing bowl. Heat the milk until close to boiling (first couple of bubbles), then pour it over the bread cubes. Give it a quick stir together to coat the bread and let it soak for 15 mins.
2. Meanwhile melt the butter and then add onions and cook until tender. Stir in the parsley and remove from the heat. Mix into the bowl of bread cubes and add egg, salt and pepper. Then using your hands squeeze the dough until it is smooth and sticky and then form your dough into dumpling balls. The original recipe we followed said about the size of tangerine but it's up to you!
3. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to the boil - the water should be about 3-4 inches deep. When boiling, carefully drop one of your dumplings into the water, if it falls apart then your dough is too wet and you'll need to add some breadcrumbs into the rest of the batter.
4. Once you have a batter that doesn't fall apart in the water place all the remaining dumplings in the pan and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and serve. They should be lovely, soft and spongey!
5. Enjoy! Knowing you've used up some good food that would have otherwise gone to waste!
