Lately, I’ve been walking through a stretch of days that feel heavier than usual. Nothing dramatic or catastrophic — just the quiet kind of sadness that settles in your chest when life has taken a lot out of you all at once.
Those moments when you look around and realize you’re a little bruised inside, a little tired, isolated, voiceless, and a little homesick for a version of yourself you haven’t seen in a while.
Grief does that.
Life does that.
Being human does that.
And when those blue-tinted days show up — uninvited, unannounced — I’ve found myself reaching for the simplest, oldest forms of comfort. The things that don’t require explanations or performance. The things that just… hold you.
For me, now that I've got more time on my hands, it leads me back into the kitchen.
There’s something healing about stirring a pot of something warm and familiar. Something that reminds you of a person who once made you feel safe just by being in the room. For me, Grandma Clark’s chicken and dumplings is one of those recipes. It’s not fancy. It’s not complicated. It’s the kind of food that doesn’t ask anything of you — it just shows up and warms you from the inside.
As I’ve been navigating my own waves of grief and transition lately, I’ve realized how important it is to let ourselves have these kinds of comforts. We spend so much time trying to push through, stay strong, show up, keep going… that sometimes we forget there’s softness available too. That feeling weak isn't actually weakness.
Comfort food isn’t just food.
It’s memory.
It’s connection - and you know I'm all about connection.
It’s grounding.
It’s a warm hand on your back saying, “Just breathe.”
It doesn’t fix everything — but it reminds us we’re still here, still human, still allowed to rest.
So today, as I share this BTS-themed version of Grandma Clark’s chicken and dumplings, know that it comes from a very tender place in my heart. A place that needed warmth. A place that needed permission to slow down. A place that needed the reminder that healing can start with one small, gentle thing.
If you’re in a season like that too — if life feels heavy or your grief is louder than usual — you’re not alone. Pull up a chair. Grab a bowl. Let’s sit together for a moment. There’s enough comfort here for both of us.
-Stef
INGREDIENTS (THE BTS CASTING CALL)
Namjoon = Chicken Stock
Warm, grounding, intellectual depth.
He’s the foundation of the whole pot — strong, steady, comforting.
Yoongi = Chicken
Quiet, reliable, deeply flavorful.
Looks simple but brings the whole dish its soul.
Jin = Vegetables (Carrot, Celery, Onion)
Essential. Bright. Balanced. Keeps the whole dish honest.
Also the first to judge if you chop unevenly.
J-Hope = Herbs + Seasoning
Adds life, lift, and sunshine.
Turns “good” into “wow.”
Jimin = The Dumplings
Soft, tender, comforting, melts into everything with love.
Taehyung = The Simmer
Slow, gentle, patient.
Brings out depth, nostalgia, and warmth.
Jungkook = The Final Stir + First Taste
Enthusiasm. Energy. The finishing touch.
He burns his mouth but swears it’s worth it.
🍲 STEP-BY-STEP: GRANDMA’S CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS WITH OT7
STEP 1 — Start the Base (Namjoon + Jin + Yoongi)
You heat a big pot and Namjoon pours himself (the broth) in like he’s settling into a deep philosophical conversation.
Jin enters with armfuls of chopped veggies and says,
“Symmetry matters. Don’t disrespect your onions.”
Yoongi slips in the chicken pieces with quiet confidence.
He sits down. He’s done his part. The pot already smells like home.
STEP 2 — Season Generously (Enter Hobi)
J-Hope bursts into the kitchen like a beam of light carrying herbs, salt, pepper, maybe a pinch of something extra “for good vibes.”
He sprinkles with flair and says:
“This is how you make memories taste good!”
Everyone feels happier immediately.
Seasoning: complete.
STEP 3 — Bring to a Simmer (Taehyung’s Moment)
Tae adjusts the heat like he’s tuning an art installation.
“Gentle… warm… slow… yes, like this.”
He watches the pot quietly, almost poetically.
The whole kitchen feels like a soft filter has been applied.
This is slow-cooking as an aesthetic experience.
STEP 4 — Shred the Chicken (Yoongi Returns)
Once the chicken is tender, Yoongi stands up,
tears it apart with calm precision,
and tosses it back into the pot.
He says nothing.
He doesn’t need to.
The broth deepens immediately.
STEP 5 — Mix the Dumplings (Jimin Becomes Batter)
Jimin steps forward wearing an apron and the softest energy known to mankind.
As you mix flour, milk, butter, and a little salt,
he says,
“Make it gentle… dumplings need kindness.”
The dough comes together like a hug.
STEP 6 — Drop the Dumplings (Everyone Stops to Watch)
Using a spoon, you drop little clouds of Jimin into the simmering pot.
The boys react:
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Hobi: “THAT’S SO CUTE!”
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Jungkook: “Can I eat one now?”
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Tae: Films slow-mo for no reason
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Jin: “Make them even!”
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Namjoon: Whispering metaphors
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Yoongi: Pretends not to care but absolutely cares
The dumplings puff and float, soft and beautiful.
STEP 7 — Slow Cook to Perfection (Taehyung Keeps the Peace)
Taehyung hovers near the pot,
hands behind his back like a museum docent.
He keeps the simmer steady and whispers,
“This is how you cook comfort.”
The broth thickens.
The dumplings become tender pillows of joy.
The pot smells like childhood and safety.
STEP 8 — The Final Stir (Jungkook Takes Over)
Jungkook grabs the spoon with enthusiasm levels bordering on danger.
He does a dramatic stir like he’s winning an award.
Steam hits his face.
He tastes it too early, burns his tongue, and still says:
“THIS IS INSANE.”
Which is how you know it’s done.
STEP 9 — Serve Family-Style (OT7 at the Table)
When you ladle the chicken & dumplings into bowls:
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Yoongi takes the quiet first bite.
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Namjoon starts analyzing the meaning of comfort food.
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Jin is critiquing plating (but eating seconds).
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Hobi can’t stop smiling.
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Tae takes a photo that looks like a painting.
-
Jimin tells you he’s proud of you.
-
Jungkook finishes his bowl before anyone sits down.
Congratulations.
You have created Grandma Clark’s Chicken & Dumplings — Bangtan style.
Warm, nostalgic, and absolutely made with love.
Traditional chicken & dumplings inspired by Grandma Clark’s recipe. No formal original source available — this is a family classic passed down through generations.
For the "chicken" portion of chicken and dumplings, I simply buy a petite uncooked chicken (whole), remove the giblets from a bag (if in one) and then boil it all in a large pot of water until the meat is falling off the bone. You can add onion, celery, and carrot if you want to add a little more nutrition to the meal, but Grandma Clark never did.
Remove all of the chicken, bones, etc and add only the meat back into the broth. Feed the rest to your chickens - they love it. OR toss in the trash.
🥣 Old-Fashioned Flat Dumplings (Handmade & Simple)
Ingredients:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon salt
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3 tablespoons cold butter (or shortening), cut into small pieces
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¾ cup milk or buttermilk (or enough to bring the dough together)
Instructions
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, stir together:
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flour
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baking powder
-
salt
This is your classic dumpling base.
2. Cut in the Butter
Use your fingers, a fork, or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs.
(Grandmas call this “working it in until it feels right.”)
3. Add the Milk or Buttermilk
Pour in the milk and gently mix until a soft dough forms.
It should be slightly sticky but still hold together.
If it’s too dry → add a splash of milk.
Too wet → sprinkle a bit more flour.
4. Roll and Cut
Turn the dough onto a floured counter.
Roll it out to about ¼-inch thick.
Cut into strips or squares — truly, grandma-style.
No need to be perfect. Imperfect dumplings are the charm.
5. Drop into Hot Broth
Bring your chicken broth to a gentle boil.
Drop in the dumplings one at a time, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick together.
6. Simmer
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, or until the dumplings are tender and slightly puffy.
They’ll thicken the broth as they cook — exactly what you want.
7. Serve With Love
Stir in shredded chicken, season to taste, and ladle into bowls.
Soft, simple, comforting.
Thanks for being here with me. Truly.
If you like this kind of heart-work mixed with real life — the healing, the humor, the rediscovering-who-we-are — you might love my book I Just Woke Up.
It’s just me, telling the fuller version of the story.
If you ever feel like grabbing a cup of coffee and reading along, it’s there waiting for you. Just click the tab at the top of the page.
