Hi out there, today I made chicken and duplings for the first time. I was doing good until I left the kitchen for a few minutes. I put the dumplings on top and turned the heat all the way up hoping it would cook the dumplings. When I came back five minutes later the bottom of the pot was burned and the chicken and dumplings tasted like ash. I give up.

Well joyjohn - that was an error - which we all make! LOW boil - that's the way to do it. The dumplings will cook just fine on a low boil - low flame. Try covering after you place the dumplings in the broth, cook about 10 minutes; uncover and continue to cook until done on a low boil - DON'T GIVE UP!