Recipe

These Cornbread Chili Dumplings Will Take You to Flavortown

By Arden Sarner at Spoon University

Peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, dumplings and chili – some pairings are just better together. This ingenious recipe features sweet corn meal pasta that’s filled with hearty chili and then steamed to perfection. The end result can only be described as taco bombs. These babies are well worth the effort. Talk about some serious fusion.

Cornbread Chili Dumplings

  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Servings: About 32 dumplings
  • Medium
Ingredients
  • 1 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup fine ground cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 7.5 oz navy beans
  • 7 oz fire roasted tomatoes

Photo by Arden Sarner

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix the flour, fine corn meal, sugar and salt.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 2

Lightly beat the eggs and add to the flour mixture until it forms a shaggy dough.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 3

Add in the oil.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 4

Add just enough water until the dough almost comes together.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 5

Empty the dough on a table and use your hand to bring the dough together.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 6

Knead for 10 minutes, and then cover and let rest for 1 hour.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 7

Meanwhile, begin the chili by sautéing the onions in the butter until translucent.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 8

Add the ground beef, making sure to break it up, until completely browned.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 9

Add the fire roasted tomatoes, salt, pepper, fajita seasoning, and navy beans.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 10

Pour in the beef broth and let simmer for 5-10 minutes until reduced.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 11

When the chili is almost cool, refrigerate for 2 hours.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 12

Cut the dough into equal quarters.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 13

Roll one piece into a log and divide the log into 8 pieces.

#SpoonTip: Be sure to cover the dough not being used to keep it from drying out.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 14

Take one piece and turn it cut side up. Use your thumb to push the dough down and then flatten it into a patty with your fingers.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 15

Roll the dough about 5 inches wide, making sure the edges are as thin as possible.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 16

Spoon out a heaping teaspoon of chili in the center of the dough.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 17

Fold and crimp the edges, and then firmly pinch the edges together to seal.

GIF by Arden Sarner

Step 18

Steam the dumplings on parchment for 20 minutes or until plump.

GIF by Arden Sarner

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