British Dumpling Recipe

Ah, dumplings – the crowning glory of any hearty British stew or casserole. Those fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth clouds of comfort, soaking up all the rich flavours from the pot, are the secret weapon for turning a simple dish into something rather marvelous. Today, we’re sharing a foolproof British dumpling recipe that’ll have you feeling like you’re back in Blighty with every bite.

And yes, we’re keeping it proper – using Atora Vegetable Suet from Parker’s, because it’s the best way to achieving the perfect texture.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup plain flour

• ½ cup Atora Vegetable Suet

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp dried thyme 

• Cold water, enough to bring it all together

Method:

1. Mix the dry ingredients – flour, suet, baking powder, baking soda, and thyme – in a large bowl.

2. Add water, little by little, just until you have a soft, sticky dough with a dropping consistency – soft, but not runny.

3. Form into balls – roughly the size of golf balls, but no need to be precious. They’ll puff up beautifully when cooked.

The Best Bit – Cooking the Dumplings:

Drop your dumpling balls right into the bubbling stew or casserole during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Keep the lid off – this lets the tops crisp slightly, adding a lovely texture to the fluffy interior. They’ll soak up the rich flavours from your dish below while steaming to perfection.

Serving Suggestions:

Dumplings are best served with hearty, meaty stews like beef and ale, sausage and vegetable, or even a rich lentil casserole for our veggie friends. They’re brilliant for:

• Mopping up gravy – spoon some stew over your dumplings for extra indulgence.

• Making any midweek meal feel special – just one bite and you’ll be transported to a cosy British pub.

• Warming your cockles on a chilly day – these are comfort food at its best.

Pro tip: Leftover dumplings (if you have any!) are equally delicious reheated the next day in the stew, or even pan-fried with a bit of butter for a crispy exterior.

Why not give this classic recipe a go? You’ll soon see why British dumplings have been the unsung heroes of comfort food for generations. And remember, the secret’s in the suet – get your Atora Vegetable Suet from Parker’s and taste the difference for yourself.