Buckwheat Dumplings

2 cups pure buckwheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted shortening

Combine first 4 ingredients; sift into bowl. Combine milk, egg and oil or melted shortening; beat. Add to dry ingredients; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop tablespoonsful of mixture into simmering stew. Cover pan tightly; cook until done, about 15 minutes, without lifting cover.