It's been a nutty week. In the past five days I got a 'Dear Jane' kick in the behind from Handsome & Brave, found out that my sweet, darling friend J-L has three metastatic tumors in his liver, and that my house in Dallas may be about to sell.
Well, that last bit is good news but the other stuff is just awful.
I can't make the cancer go away, and I don't really want H&B back, so I cope with the things I can't change by (drinking) cooking. I do what I do, I cook damnit.
And I have many to cook for -- if I feel so inclined. There's an open house/family meeting at J's place tonight so I'm bringing fresh corn and bacon mac n cheese and a new dish (to me), Blueberry Grunt. I *hate* the name so I'll call it Blueberries and Dumplings.
Blueberry Grunt, AKA Blueberries and Dumplings
5 cups blueberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar (divided use)
1-1/2 cups AP flour
2 tspns baking powder
2 tspns lemon zest
1/4 tspn nutmeg
1/2 tspn cinnamon
1/4 tspn salt
3/4 cups milk
Place the berries, water and half the sugar (1/4 cup) in a heavy (cast iron) skillet with a lid. Simmer until thick, about 10 minutes.
Mix remaining sugar and all dry ingredients. Add milk and stir until just incorporated. The dough will be sticky and just barely wet.
Drop onto the berry mixture and simmer -- covered -- for 45 minutes. Cool slightly and serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Happy 100th Birthday Julia Child!
Bon Appetit!
