Grandma Gardner’s Peas and Dumplings
My Great Great Grandma Gardner died when I was 5 years old. She was born in 1894 and raised a family through the depression. She and her husband Jethro owned one of the first dairies in the Columbia, SC area and she wore many hats.
In addition to her dairy duties, she had 5 children, raised an additional child and a grandchild, all while acting as the unofficial community midwife.
She always had a house full and she fed everyone including family, neighbors, workers and travelers that passed through her small town of Dixiana, South Carolina.
I grew up eating Peas & Dumplings and later learned that this recipe had been passed down from Grandma Gardner. MawMaw says that Grandma Gardner added the dumplings to the peas to fill more bellies during the hard times.
She also told us that when canned biscuits were first created Grandma came down to their house with a can of biscuits wrapped up in a dish towel because she heard they would blow up. Luckily the canned biscuits didn't really blow up and we are still enjoying Peas & Dumplings today.
Yummy photo by Boss Kitchen
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 can of refrigerated
biscuits (I usually use Pillsbury Grands 8ct)
1.5 cans of water (*Use the peas can)
1 small individual pack of Goya chicken bouillon (*2.82oz pack)
¼ tsp pepper
Instructions:
1. Add 2 cans of peas (undrained), pepper, and a package of Goya bouillon to a medium pot.
2. Fill one and a half empty (peas) cans with water and add the water to the pot.
3. Bring peas to a boil over medium/high heat.
4. While peas are heating open the can of refrigerated biscuits.
5. Cut each biscuit into four pieces and set aside.
6. Once peas are boiling, drop cut biscuits into the pot, one by one, so they do not clump together.
7. Stir gently, so all biscuits are covered in liquid.
8. Once peas begin to boil again, reduce to a low simmer.
9. Simmer on low/medium for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not over stir.
10. After cooking time is complete, remove from heat, transfer to a serving dish, and enjoy!
