We’re just a few days away from “Holiday Season” here in the US. Thursday is Thanksgiving and then comes Hannukah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwansaa and New Year’s. Wow. Busy time of year. Lots going on with parties, family dinners, etc. Sometimes, we want to take something a little different or, in the case of those of us around here who have a touch of Native in the family, we like to pass along a yummy traditional dish.
GRAPE DUMPLINGS Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 egg 1¼ cups water 1 Tablespoon cornstarch 64 ounces grape juice Sugar to taste Let’s Make It Place flour in a bowl. Make a well in center of flour and crack an egg into center. Using your fingers, begin mixing the egg into the flour and add water as you go. Form the dough into a ball and roll out very thin. Cut into 1-inch squares. In a large pot place grape juice and sugar to taste. Bring to a rolling boil. Drop dumplings into boiling grape juice. Mix 1 Tablespoon cornstarch in 1 cup water. Add to hot grape juice. Cook for a few minutes so it thickens a bit and serve hot. Kitchen Tip: There are two different versions I’ve seen. One uses water for the dough. They other uses grape juice. Next time I make them I’ll be trying it with the juice! Serve warm in a bowl. You can top with whipped cream or ice cream or just eat them plain.
There’s a video of how to make these on Chickasaw-TV. THIS VERSION uses grape juice to make the actual dumplings. You should check out the video just to hear the wonderful reminiscenses by the tribal elder. She’s all kinds of awesome! I’m pretty sure all of the Five Civilized tribes have their own version but I like this one. I’m not the only one. Savannah Wolfe, the heroine in CONVENIENT COWGIRL BRIDE is Choctaw and she loves grape dumplings. Savvie proves that Indians can be cowgirls too! When she joined the Barron family, she got all them hooked on them too. You can read all about her “fake” wedding to Chase Barron and the way he roped her into making it permanent in their story. Just click on the pic or the title to head over to the Harlequin page where you can buy it from them (psst, I get more royalty that way) or find the link to your favorite on-line book seller. What about y’all? Any traditional recipes you cook up this time of year?
Silver James 
Interesting recipe.
I am in the middle of prep for Tday along with cleaning up my painting mess and such. Thankfully it will be us plus 2 of Jim’s kids and a friend. No one needs to do anything but wear their Thanksgiving Pants!!!
Ugh
It’s easy to make and really yummy with either whipped cream or ice cream. And this time of year, Thanksgiving pants are a must! Hope you get organized and I’m all for smaller gathering. We’re headed to one with about 25. Too many people in too small an area so poor Jake has to stay home. 😦 But…🦃 and ham and hot rolls and pie. Then it’s home to hide and nap!