Following a season of birthdays and Christmas, my toddler has developed a fascination for unwrapping presents. A few days ago I harnessed this, and felt like a genius I must say, by teaching her to play in her room with her toys by setting a timer and promising a “prize” or “surprise”. I set it to 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, then 30, and finally 40 minutes. I was completely amazed and shocked with how quiet the house was. I kept straining my ears to hear what she was playing with, and I would creep to her door and peer around the corner to see how she was entertaining herself. When the timer went off and she was playing nicely, she knew she would get a prize. Which was only a few dried cranberries, pretzels, or 1/2 an orange, but it was the presentation that got her extra excited.
I pulled out our stack of coffee filters and wrapped each “prize” with a twist on the top, or I folded it into a little present. Not only did she have the anticipation of receiving a prize, but it was hidden until she unwrapped it. I enjoyed watching her excited smile and hearing her giggles as she expertly unwrapped her “prize.” Next, I would reset the timer, and go about my chores for the day rejoicing that she wasn’t glued to the tv, and that her toys were actually being played with!
Anyhow, there is something about unwrapping a hidden nugget of goodness whether it is wrapped in paper, fabric, or food. That is why I developed these simple sweet and sour chicken dumplings. I came across a new way to use baking mix from The Daily Meal by just adding boiling water. The combination of chicken wrapped in dough is so simple and quick, that it will delight the child in all of us!
Sweet and Savory Dumplings
Print Recipe
Quick and easy sweet and sour chicken dumplings use only 4 ingredients, perfect for a game day appetizer or toddler approved lunch or dinner!
Preheat oven to 425° Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Combine boiling water and baking mix in a bowl until water is mostly absorbed. Turn it onto a surface sprinkled lightly with baking mix. Knead 20 times.
Using a rolling pin, roll dough until 1/4" thick. Cut dough into 3 1/2 inch circles a large biscuit cutter, or a large coffee cup as I did.
Place dough circles into a muffin tin to form a small dip in the middle of the dough. Do not press all the way in. Place 1 teaspoon sauce onto the dough and then 1 piece of popcorn chicken.
Lightly brush a bit of water on the outer edge of the dough, then pick up the dumpling, pinching both corners and the middle to seal. Pinch the remaining dough together and use a fork to press the edges to a complete seal.
Bake in a preheated oven for 7 minutes. Drizzle more sweet and sour sauce on the top and serve warm!
Hi Momma, This is me. I am 7 years old now and by the way I’m using your computer. I laughed about “being glued to the tv”.