Van Camping Appalachia | Chicken & Dumplings with Killed Salad

[@conniecornelio147]

Ryan, you need to try this recipe that we call wilted endive. Boil a few eggs, peel and cut in half. Fry 6 strips of bacon, cut into 1" pcs., set aside bacon and bacon grease still in the pan. In a mason jar, combine 1/2 cup vinager, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, salt and pepper and shake well. With bacon and grease on medium heat, pour mixture in the grease and continuously stir until it comes to a boil and thickens. Pour over endive or leafy lettuce, add eggs and enjoy. This is a four generation recipe from my late mom, grandmother and great grandmother. my son is now in charge of making this for our family holidays. Soo good!

[@suzibenz6430]

like this. different from my family but that is what makes it fun. Now I have a new way to try it. thank you

[@liloreoinya]

My arteries just hardened. Bet it's delicious.

[@charlenewolford2887]

Ryan, I am originally from WV. Thank you so much for showing the beauty I grew up in. Almost heaven..

[@Kairheen]

From Kentucky here. Next time for your dumplings, add about 2 tablespoons of butter and toss a slice of bacon into that broth, you'll get that nice creamy salty broth that just seeps into those dumplings for that nice little kick. Add some paprika if you want a bit of smokey heat to 'em too. Other than that, you did good!

[@riwoof]

Try mixing a little bit of vinegar (or lemon juice) with the bacon grease . The added acid will help immensely.

[@josephmoore7511]

I've been watching you for awhile, and as a West Virginian it's awesome to see you enjoy our state!

[@GenGenChilling]

Originally from Kimberly. Love seeing this.

[@carriesee8547]

Wilted lettuce uses some vinegar and sugar and salt and pepper. And water mixed into the bacon grease.

[@nielventura]

I watch this while I eat dinner every other night. Really something I am grateful for. Feels like home.

[@annetteforner6984]

Ryan - you need to add some red wine vinegar in the pan with the bacon grease, then pour over salad greens.

[@cleansweep999]

So cool you went to WV! I was born in WV. It's secretly the best place to live. Iv rock climbed and repelled right below that bridge! And white water rafting down the new river, SO MUCH FUN! Honestly I thought you'd be eating pepperoni rolls sense they were invented in WV. ✌️👍 ⬇️

[@brennanm5766]

gotta add vinegar, shallots/onions, etc to the bacon fat to make a vinaigrette. try looking up warm bacon vinaigrette to make a salad next time, its very good dont miss out

[@m3gaz3n]

Was gonna say.. vinegar man.

[@firsttimecaller]

LOL at all the people in the comments not understanding the basics of Appalachian food. Y'all need to visit us more often and you'll fall in love with our food. It's not all pork fat, so don't worry. And no, Ryan didn't get everything right but at least he tried and did an okay job, so 10/10 for that. Protip to outsiders: If you're gonna cut corners by using Bisquick, you'll want to use buttermilk instead of regular milk. Or just use White Lilly self-rising flour and buttermilk - the only two ingredients you need for dumplings or biscuits. Maybe some added butter added to each if you aren't trying to be healthy.

[@billthomas6296]

Yes indeed, buttermilk and White Lilly flour. Growing up I watched White Lilly flour being made in Knoxville, TN home of White Lilly. That is our family favorite.

[@lisaatchley3328]

I'm from Knoxville, too. Bless his heart, he did his best, but White Lily and buttermilk would have saved it. I do understand not having the space to roll out dumplins and boiling a whole chicken though

[@mcdanielbrothers]

Awesome to see you're on the East Coast! If you have time I highly recommend coming by on the finger lakes region of NY during peak foliage (oct.13) let me know if you do! Also if you are in the area try the "garbage plates" in Rochester NY I'd love to see your take on it!

[@poetpeacegraceandlove]

Yessssssss you are in my hometown. Fayette County, WV. There's a reason it's called Almost Heaven. There's no place like my place of birth. And our best feature is that bridge 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@shelleymflorida]

My favorite video yet! I’m originally from West Virginia (in Florida now!) and no one gives it the attention it deserves. It’s beautiful and way more natural than most states. Wilted lettuce is one of my favorite dishes!❤️❤️oh, and real wilted lettuce also has vinegar and sugar (green onions too, if you like them!) make it again and see how awesome it is!

[@emileegreenwood4601]

Ryan, you HAVE TO ADD vinegar and green onions to the kilt salad (also called lettuce and green onions)?

[@janecriner2492]

Also apple cider vinegar, throw a hand full of sugar over your greens

[@nancylocke1352]

Wilted lettuce salad - only differences to your recipe is to add ground pepper to lettuce/ green onions, and after removing bacon from pan, add 1/4 cup each white vinegar and water. Heat liquid then pour over lettuce. Delicious!!

[@patsymurabito1926]

YES, vinegar completes the dressing🎉

[@sculpter100]

Yes for sure, it's Apple cider vinegar and I think a little sugar. But there's no way he should judge this recipe without vinegar

[@ChrisFinck]

Thought that place looked familiar. Every year, New River Gorge has an event called Bridge Day where BASE jumpers from around the world come to jump off of it!

[@DenaInWyo]

You got the Better than Bullion! That stuff does wonderful things. You're getting better with your timing when cooking multiple things, good job!

[@levipck]

Glad to see you exploring my home state!

[@Bossdup]

in the thumbnail that bridge lining up with the sliding door is very satisfying.

[@trevorNYC]

I’ve followed you around North America, and even played Modern Warfare with you, but I never thought I’d see you film the best restaurant on earth, Tudor’s Biscuit World. Welcome to Appalachia! Go get a Herd biscuit.

[@Md-le1qy]

Ryan, you should definitely try out Green Ridge State Park in the western Maryland Appalachians. I would also recommend trying out many more of the parks in the northern Appalachians of the new england states above the mason-dixon (Pennsylvania included), even the southern Appalachians.

[@JohnKimbler]

Great video! My only .02 (Missouri expat here) is use melted butter instead of cooking oil in your biscuits, and add fresh ground pepper to the batter.

[@barbarashirland9078]

The New River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places there is. I camped the whole Blue Ridge Parkway once. It was beautiful! You might really enjoy it. I was born in West Virginia. My mom made that wilted salad. Yum!

[@-...Patricia...-]

I'm seriously craving chicken and dumplings now. It sounds delish!

[@Nexcium]

i live right around the new river george bridge. absolutely beautiful! glad my favorite youtuber visited!

[@austin70127]

West Virginia is an amazing state I live here an I think you should travel around the state and explore the small towns they are the best!

[@hosscb84]

Something that my mother in law does to kick the kilt lettuce up a notch is adding vinegar to it as part of your dressing. So essentially everything you did just add some vinegar, makes all the difference!

[@markg3025]

Great idea cooking the local foods found during your travel.

[@basshead7582]

By far the best video yet I’ve been watching you now for about 4 months and to see you go to Fayetteville where my mom lives felt amazing, i have driven that little road down to the little bridge lots of times and each drive was amazing I miss the years spent in West Virginia keep up the great work on your videos Ryan! You passed so many places It felt like I was home.

[@James-sir]

I’m making marinated salmon it’s a butter Lemmon herb in a cast iron and steaming some artichokes with a side of garlic and herb butter sauce and white rice

[@e.v.emmons8567]

To chop veggies...keep the tip of the knife down, don't lift it off the board...just use the middle and heel of the blade to chop. Then it goes more quickly, almost like paper cutter fashion. :)

[@brendakoutroulakis9498]

Ryan you forgot to add apple cider vinegar to the bacon grease before you pour it over the lettuce cuz it cuts the fatty taste of the oil (sort of like a vinaigrette) I’m an avid wilted lettuce fan and can eat it for breakfast,lunch and dinner… The AC vinegar makes all the difference in the flavor of your salad !!! Give it a try, you’ll like it even more 😉

[@justincherry3967]

Great stuff, Ryan! Thank you for showcasing our beautiful state!

[@jacquelineacosta4291]

I do agree and truly believe W. Virginia is a hidden treasure within Appalachia!

[@zanebolin]

I’ve went white water rafting in the gorge. When directly underneath that bridge. Beautiful scenery! Love the Appalachia! Born and raised in it.

[@MathiasGreenwalde]

Should have made a vinaigrette with the bacon grease. Man that would be bomb. Also I havent had chicken and dumpling soup in ages. My mom used to make it all the time and it was so good.

[@BrentJaxEllijay]

The most manly salad I ever seen! Straight bacon grease on it ! Love it hahah

[@thickernell]

LOL. I wonder if there are trains. That's a fairly busy CSX line. Depending on which side of the river you were on, it may also carry the Amtrak Cardinal from Chicago to NYC. Next time through, you should stop at the National Park on that line at Thurmond WV. Very interesting history.

[@bikerpaul68]

I think the Amtrak station is on the line on the other side of the New River. I have read something about a tourist train through the New River Gorge from Huntington to Hinton, maybe it uses one of those lines.

[@Morgan.Bentley]

The splat at 13:37 had me weak! Another great video man

[@KingSlayerzz]

Ryan, love your videos man and all the content you've been putting out. I do wish though sometimes in these videos that we could see more of the different areas you're in. A lot of this was food focused and I would've loved to have seen more of the New River Gorge area and some of the other places you went to that are nearby.

[@BeardWinsTV]

Ryan, on your way back if you pass through west virginia again, black water falls and spruce knob (the highest point in west virginia) is a must visit!! absolutely beautiful scenery and easy drives. you will not regret it!

[@BeardWinsTV]

Also Seneca Rocks is in the area too!

[@stacimentus316]

My parents called it "Lettuce, Grease & Onions" it was a favorite at our house growing up in the 80's in N Georgia!!

[@athletesonspot3591]

I loved when you used the drone footage you should keep on doing that

[@chrisstapleton-ChalkPrintProd]

Cool spot to cook and hang. But, Camping is not allowed down there. In the NRG, camping is restricted to designated camping areas. There are currently 8 primitive camp grounds in the park. All of them are first come, first served, and free. Unfortunately, none of them are that close to Fayetteville. There are several campgrounds ( like the one u filled your tank at , AOTG), or the climber camp ground , the AAC, right before you get to AOTG , that are close to town and the bridge.. just some information for future endeavors to the area, and those who may be curious. Cool to see you in Fayetteville though. It’s a badass little town. Cheers

[@killswitch0827]

Keep posting these vidoes i love it and i love the van build too

[@CCrafford]

Ryan, Wilted lettuce and chicken and dumplings is a Missouri Ozarks meal too. My grandmother made both while I was growing up. I always enjoy your videos. Safe travels.

[@bigrasta69]

Love the show Suits!!! That shot cooking out if the van with the railroad and bridge. Epic. Great video brother! Your Chicago brother!!!

[@travelvlogs4458]

Suits is the ultimate comfort show

[@suzibenz6430]

add vinegar and a pinch of sugar to your salad before you add the bacon grease. At least that is how my mom and grandma makes it. Looks like your dumplings turned out good. These are two of my favorite dishes to make. My mom always made that salad with greens from her garden. so yummy. I have made it with spinach as well. Trick for the dumplings to always come out fluffy is to make sure the liquid is bubbling when adding them. so put them in slow to keep it boiling. Love your video's. Suzi

[@suzibenz6430]

oh and we are from Minnesota

[@Tzippi]

I moved to and left and moved back to Appalachia for the same reasons you mentioned. The people are Ginuwine, and the beauty is breathtaking. I’m in VA. ❤

[@lukewolfe3951]

Hey, you're in my home state! Don't forget to grab a pepperoni roll while you're here. Also, if you're in southern West Virginia near White Sulphur Springs, check out the Greenbrier and take the bunker tour. You won't regret it.

[@Makeouthill2102]

You should go to the town they filmed the movie “IT” in 💯 & stealth camp Ryan it’s in port hope near Toronto, Canada

[@dracomaster4]

Fayetteville is my favorite place to stop when going from Western PA down to NC. Specifically the Sheetz on Whitewater across 19 from the Walmart.

[@BrandonPleasants-c4n]

Man been enjoying the videos hell I have been going back and watching all the videos

[@Marci629]

I’ve killed a few dishes in my life but I’ve never killed a salad. Also I went shopping for a few necessities today which included Coors Light. Loved your video, as always.

[@elijahcallender6423]

Keep it up your videos are helping me with my van life journey I just started out

[@MHarenArt]

Hey Ryan, you make really good videos. The cooking segments are excellent too. AND!! I love your new apron. I have a bad habit of doing the same thing, wiping my hands on the pants! It would be a cute idea, as you mentioned, to make and sell those! LOL! Been following you for a few months now, and I'll keep coming along as long as you keep turning out the shows! Good luck - stay safe and healthy.

[@joyd3598]

Bravo! I love the Better Than Boullion…I don’t use broth or boullion anymore. Also, I agree with adding vinegar to your bacon grease to make a vinegrette. Sometimes I add a little dijon mustard too. For variety, I sometimes make it with arugala instead of lettuce, shallots instead of green onion, and diced pancetta instead of bacon. Sometimes, I’ll add a boiled egg or two, especially if the salad is all I am making. The videos just keep getting better! Enjoy the wedding and time with the girlfriend.

[@SabreAZ]

Hi Ryan. Love your videos. Me and my wife are thinking of doing this once our daughter graduates and goes out on her own. It has been inspiring. We want to travel, and go more off grid, have less financial burden. I was curious if you have a video of your monthly finances of this lifestyle on average? Would love to hear.

[@theathjr]

Ryan I’ve been around this rock a time or 50 and I can honestly say I have NEVER seen a salad dressed with bacon grease. Thank you for reminding me there are SO MANY “other “ ways of cooking . I mean. Salad dressing in itself is basically oil based so I guess it makes perfect sense. The best tasting oil is bacon grease. LOL !!!

[@Flonger805]

Love your videos. Put a wet towel underneath your plastic cutting board. It’ll keep it from moving so much. Keep it up. Cheers.

[@sherryreinhardt3845]

That bridge is beautiful!!

[@Sanflo78]

New River Gorge Bridge area is beautiful. I have been there once and folks were bungee jumping and parachuting off the bridge. 😬

[@brokelegbum]

Man I’ve been binging suits as well ! Great show

[@jedired-i3384]

the bacon grease on the salad is fucking crazy

[@latoyatv]

Time to relax and watch!! Love your videos 😊

[@kfeldinAZ]

The chicken and dumplings looked great!

[@zulu912]

I always roll and cut my dumplings in missouri! My great grandma Frannie called what you made Ruffels(I think trchincally they're called drop dumplings?) To make rolled and dumplings I think you'll need a tougher/drier dough then that. I always found ruffles to be nore chewy and rolled dumplings to be more noodle-like. But both are awesome. Bone in chicken makes a huge difference you'll have to do that next time!

[@ms7168]

I love how you follow the local traditions that's great.

[@NickKnack]

My wife, son, and I just missed you while we were in West Virginia! Wish we could have seen you at New River Gorge 😂 Keep up the great content and safe travels!

[@Pdblee]

I’m in the try state Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, area and your apron is great, ham and dumplings is my favorite that my late wife fixed for me a lot my grand pa called them ham and hounds ears. The view from your door is amazing. Also I noticed that you were watching Suites a great show just a shame it didn’t go on a little longer I binged watched it in about a month. I Enjoy all your videos, can’t wait to see the next one you build.

[@beefage]

My Great Grandmother was from Oklahoma and she loved killed salads. Awesome stuff.

[@weirdworld3874]

Ahhh the memories, my mom made chicken and dumplings all the time!

[@daenas]

You need some sort of acid like lemon juice, balsamic vinegar or something similar for the dressing. My mother used Bisquick for her chicken and dumplings and now that's how I make mine as well.

[@carolscarborough3804]

for the salad we use raw onions diced and salt after you pour the grease on it

[@CaptainKush420]

I say "Pote-able" specifically because of "Potent Potables" from Celebrity Jeopardy on SNL when it was funny

[@katanari3278]

I'm in a major east coast city and I've been DYING to go out camping this year, but sadly haven't had an opportunity. I'll be living vicariously through you a little bit! All the best!

[@quickbrown2]

I've brought trains through there while on a transfer with csx. They also have bridge day there they let people base jump from the bridge into the river.

[@AlaskaNavigator]

Usually I'm so impressed with your cooking, but when you poured all that bacon grease on that Salad I almost lost it! LOL Well you can't win um all Ryan

[@RSVong23]

Ryan, I think you could do the dishes while filling up the water tank. That meant you have full tank of water for next dishes.

[@Fmrlt9a]

If you ever make it to NEPA go to a town called Nicholson, they have the largest man made bridge in the world. It's a train bridge, but its really cool.

[@Giveyyy]

Dropping a video right at dinner time?!? DONT MIND IF I DO!!!!

[@travisbro]

how early do you have your dinner 😂😂

[@Jawwaad1111]

@@travisbroWell, it is after 6pm here on the East coast of the U.S. so I think that’s a good time if that’s where they’re located.

[@Deli_Jelly]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@wavymizu]

​@@travisbroTimezones exist bro

[@HF1.0]

@@Deli_JellyNot that funny. Relax.

[@TubeJonny]

I think the salad dressing needs acid to cut thru the richness of the bacon fat. Like a balsamic vinegar or even lemon juice. Great vlog!

[@thtshiicray297]

Been playing fallout 76 a lot lately and it’s based in Appalachia it’s so cool seeing you visit there

[@AndeePandCompany]

LOVE how you stick to pronouncing potable! 😂❤ Never change Ryan!

[@kathleenhannigan2487]

Hey, swing up to Pittsburgh PA Spend a night at Raccoon State Park ! It is beautiful. Nice camp ground. And there is some history around here to check out.

[@rokbotem1]

Boil chicken first. Reserve the broth you boiled it in. Sauté veggies. Add the Reserve to that. Plus bullion. Reduce broth by 30 percent. Then add the dumplings. S/P to taste. Makes a world of difference. Your recipe still looks bomb tho! Keep the videos rollin man 🤘🤘

[@shigrblizm]

Hey Ryan I just noticed you facing difficulties while filming with one hand occupied. Their is this product called phone mouth mount I don't know the exact brand but it allows you to film and work at the same time while you put your phone or go pro in recording position. Thank me later. Love from pakistan.

[@HonestJerkWil]

Brave man....after seeing Wrong Turn I get nervous as hell driving through WV.

[@antoinettehenley2459]

😊AWESOME wow that bridge is so beautiful . Enjoy many of your cooking videos.👨🏻‍🍳Thanks so much for letting us hang out with you 🤙🏼🫶🏻

[@sojourner7310]

In Kansas we call that wilted lettuce but we also add vinegar. 😊

[@karenr67]

To the bacon grease, you should have added vinegar water, sugar, green onions salt and pepper

[@jennifercole6045]

My family farm is in Virginia on the New River. The railroad tracks that border the river have been torn down and is now part of the New River Trail. You should check it out. There is a bridge over the river on our property that looks just like the one in your video. People come from all over the US to hike or ride horses on the New River Trail.

[@darky1376]

Love Suits too👌I think if you used less bacon grease with the salad, then maybe it would taste better idk

[@MotivateShortz]

Ryan why don’t you get a magnetic bug net for the side door like you have for the back?? That would help you be able to keep that side door open so much more! Love the vids! Hopefully you could link up with Mav sometime! I love his videos also

[@user-Lee2925]

Love watching u cook. I have lived in GA all my life 53 years. I had never heard of wilted lettuce before until I started watching Facebook cooks. I want to try it. I love chicken and dumplings and I also use bisquick but I season them with S&P garlic and onion powder and Badia seasoning I prefer my dumplings seasoned and I always add green English peas to my chicken and dumplings. I love cooking but I am disabled with a paralyzed hand and arm so it is not easy for me to cook I am homebound due to disability. I would love to do van life but I am on oxygen due to several brain surgery so I live vicariously through your videos. You are an amazing chef and person. Thanks for your entertainment Please stay safe my friend

[@dreddtheviking3928]

I went to West Virginia University and knew nothing of WV when moved their. Now that I left, I can't wait to go back.

[@DanaThomas-e7x]

Awesome video! If I had known you were going to be so close, I would have come and introduced myself. Summersville, WV here. I enjoy your videos.

[@laraoneal7284]

Ty Ryan. I pick up tips from u on cooking. Love the short cuts.

[@bretts7694]

3:00 I was about to say, we missed out on content between Colorado and West Virginia?? Looking forward to that vid