lavender basil dumplings

this super frigid weather we're having lately has had me wanting something hearty and comforting.  so, i decided to make some dumplings.  i don't know if you've guessed by now, but i don't like doing the "traditional" kind of thing...  

this was my first shot at making dumplings, and i thought they turned out fairly decent.

what you'll need...

2 eggs

2 cups feta or ricotta cheese ( i used feta)

2 cups flour

zest of 1 lemon

1 tsp lavender

2 tbs chopped basil

salt and pepper to taste

in the kitchenaid mixer with paddle attachment, mix the eggs, cheese, basil and lavender.  then add the lemon zest and salt/pepper.  add flour slowly until just combined.  dump it out onto a cutting board and should look like this...

now, grab a piece of dough and shape it however you like..and however large you prefer.  i did about 2 oz portions in sort of egg-ish shapes...

now, get a pot of salted water.  bring to boil and drop in some dumplings.  let boil for about 10 minutes.  "they" say that when they float, they're done....  


you can pair your dumplings with whatever you like, but i chose to make a spicy tomato ragout.  here's the finished product.  it was pretty amazing.  the lavender really stood out.

i think i still need some practice on the dumplings, but overall, not bad.