Simple Dumplings - Vol. II, Episode 9

One of the more perplexing ration items for a soldier to deal with in the field was flour. Flour is one manner in which the army could issue “bread.” How do you prepare it?
Episode 9 of presents a recipe that was made available for Union soldiers on one way to use flour - make dumplings. If you’ve got a mess kettle or a small pot to boil in then you can make dumplings. It’s quick and simple.
This episode is excellent by itself or used in conjunction with Episode 7, “General Casey’s Stew.”
Want to double-check our research? We have a book list for each episode we use printed materials for research. Find out more for yourself at allmichigancivi....

[@ww1soldier50]

It is 5AM and I’m watching this I’m happy

[@VictoryGardenHomestead]

My grandfather used to make plain boiled dumplings like this, and they were delicious. He called them sinkers or paste balls. The best was using leftover ones - cut them up into bite-sized pieces, fry them in a little bacon grease, and crack an egg over them. Sometimes he’d even throw in a cut-up hot dog too. This brought me back to my childhood!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Jeremy posted this in another forum answering this question - From my personal ration trials if I have hardtack instead of flour (usually do) I would just break it down into large chunks. Boiling those for a good amount of time. They will turn into a dumpling like product. Perhaps a little chewy and maybe crunchy in the center still. However, in my efforts to pulverize hard bread back into a flour was a lot of work and still resulted in larger pieces which would still cause the chewy/crunchy texture. I have used pulverized hardtack to make hellfire stew which is an earlier episode. Also a "cobbler" dessert type item. Something like that could be in a future ration shoot with the ever growing list!

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

Thanks for the video! I was thinking of experimenting with dumplings so this was very timely.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Let us know how it goes! Will

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

Civil War Digital Digest here’s how it went! I made a short video of it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKiUgZ2ogZirnrM

[@ack3145]

i imagine it tastes a bit plain but it is expected of a wartime ration. Very interesting.

[@AustrianTommy]

Will, Is this Sweater historically correct? Thanks for the Video!

[@simonmorse1785]

The tune is called Sussex Cotillion in the UK. What is it call in the US?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

It is “Chain Cotillion” here in the US. Will

[@simonmorse1785]

Thank you.@@CivilWarDigitalDigest

[@Kelsmith2]

It looks like you are using an all purpose flour like you would find in stores today. We're soldiers back then issued a refined flour like AP, or was it closer to a whole wheat flour?

[@ChrisPBacon-jl7oc]

I to wonder i know bleach flour was a rich person item in the 1700s

[@Albemarle7]

What size and type bowls is that Who sells one?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Tinware has been purchased over so many years from different venders and makers it is hard to recall where they can from! Hot Dip Tin and Axel Ulrich are two. Can see what S&S has in stock too.

[@Albemarle7]

I found one at Crazy Crow Trading Post.