8ozs Self raising flour,4ozs Suet,i teasp baking powder,salt. Mix with water to form dough. Shape into balls either add to soup or bake in hot oven. Cameo have you mixed your flour and suet measurements up.
I cheat....
Jane Ashers' ready mix.
Mix as per instructions, divide into golf ball sizes, leave space to expand , place in a non-metallic bowl, add a little stock, cover with cling film and microvave full power for 1 min. They turn out like clouds, all fluffed up. Then add to the stew or whatever for 10 mins or so to absorb flavour. I suppose this method will work with home made recipe as well.
Put a bit of gravy in an ovenproof dish or tray, not too much. Put your dumplings in that and cook in the oven. Gas 7 for about 25 minutes. You'll get nice crispy tops. Make sure the gravy does not come more than � way up the dumplings.
I use 1 part suet to 2 parts self-raising flour - the amount depends on how many people I'm cooking for. Add salt to taste and I then add either dried onions (fresh are ok but need to be finely chopped and cooked for longer) or chopped mushrooms to add a lovely flavour.
Dumplings are also really nice baked in a hot oven (200 degrees) and served as an alternative to yorkshire pudding - crispy and golden on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle.