**Spaetzle: A Scrumptious German Egg Noodle Dish**
Spaetzle, pronounced "shpet-zluh", is a traditional German egg noodle dish that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. Originating in the southern regions of Germany, this delectable creation is characterized by its unique texture and versatility. Made from a simple batter of flour, eggs, salt, and nutmeg, spaetzle can be boiled, pan-fried, or baked, offering a myriad of culinary possibilities. Join us on a delightful journey as we explore two enticing spaetzle recipes that showcase the true essence of this beloved dish.
**1. Classic Swabian Spaetzle:**
Our first recipe takes you to the heart of the Swabian region, where spaetzle is a culinary icon. This classic rendition features a tender and slightly chewy texture, making it the perfect accompaniment to hearty stews, rich sauces, or simply melted butter and cheese. With step-by-step instructions, you'll learn the traditional technique of pressing the spaetzle batter through a spaetzle maker or a colander to create those distinctively shaped noodles.
**2. Crispy Pan-Fried Spaetzle:**
If you seek a delightful twist on the classic, look no further than our crispy pan-fried spaetzle recipe. This innovative dish transforms the humble spaetzle into a golden-brown delight. After boiling the noodles, they are pan-fried in butter until they achieve a crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior. Serve them as a main course with a side salad or as a delectable side dish to complement your favorite protein.
Whether you prefer the classic boiled spaetzle or the crispy pan-fried version, these recipes will guide you in creating an authentic German delicacy that will tantalize your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.
SPAETZLE
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. In another mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg-milk mixture. Gradually draw in the flour from the sides and combine well; the dough should be smooth and thick. Let the dough rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot, then reduce to a simmer. To form the spaetzle, hold a large holed colander or slotted spoon over the simmering water and push the dough through the holes with a spatula or spoon. Do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the pot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the spaetzle floats to the surface, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Dump the spaetzle into a colander and give it a quick rinse with cool water.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the spaetzle; tossing to coat. Cook the spaetzle for 1 to 2 minutes to give the noodles some color, and then sprinkle with the chopped chives and season with salt and pepper before serving.
GERMAN SPAETZLE
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.
- Meanwhile, prepare the spaetzle batter. In a medium bowl, combine the flour and salt; stir to blend.
- In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of milk with the eggs.
- Add the milk and eggs to the flour mixture and beat with a wooden spoon or whisk until the batter is smooth and elastic. It will have a consistency similar to pancake batter. When you lift the spoon, it shouldn't flow; it should drip from it slowly. If too thick, add some milk, and if too thin, add more flour. Let the batter rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Place your spaetzle maker or another slotted utensil over the simmering water; add some of the spaetzle batter, and press it through the holes and into the gently boiling water. The spaetzle cook quickly, so it's best to cook them in two or more batches depending on the method you use.
- The spaetzle will take from 1 to 3 minutes to cook, depending on their size. The dumplings will float to the top when done.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the spaetzle to a bowl and toss with a teaspoon or two of butter. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- At this point, you may sauté the cooked spaetzle (see below) or refrigerate until it's time to sauté and serve. If you're skipping the sauté step and are serving them immediately, taste and add more salt and butter, as needed, along with the freshly ground black pepper and herbs. Toss and serve hot. Sauté the Spaetzle
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat until lightly browned.
- Add the spaetzle to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Sauté the spaetzle, stirring frequently, for about 3 to 7 minutes, or browned as desired. Taste the sauteéd spaetzle and add salt, as needed, along with freshly ground black pepper and fresh herbs. Toss and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 225 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Cholesterol 130 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 424 mg, Sugar 2 g, Fat 5 g, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
SPäTZLE (AKA SPAETZLE)
Apparently spätzle translates to little swallows in German, which makes a lot of sense when you consider their shape. These micro-dumplings cook in a just a few minutes, and are great plain with browned butter or topped with slowly braised meat.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Side Dish
Time 20m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place flour, egg, salt, cayenne, cream fraiche, and milk in a mixing bowl. Whisk together until batter drips slowly off the whisk. If batter seems too thin, add a bit more flour; if too thick, add a bit more milk. You can test the thickness using the smooth side of a cheese grater with fairly large holes. If a dollop of the batter does not drip through the grating holes, it's the right consistency.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Use a spatula to push a spoonful of batter through the holes of the smooth side of the grater into the simmering water.
- When dumplings rise to the surface of the water, they are done. This will take just a few minutes. Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon, and repeat in batches with remaining batter.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 186.7 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 7.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 527.6 mg, Sugar 1.6 g
TRADITIONAL SPäTZLE
Spätzle (pronounced "shpetz-luh") is a German-Austrian version of fresh pasta. Austrian chef Wolfgang Ban uses plenty of eggs, which makes the noodles very fluffy, and adds a pinch of nutmeg. This recipe makes 4 cups, which you can serve immediately with Ban's silky crème fraîche sauce, or toss with a bit of oil before freezing.
Provided by Wolfgang Ban
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Spätzle: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add 4 egg yolks, 4 whole eggs, and a pinch of salt. Mix on medium-high until combined, 10 seconds. Turn off mixer and grate a bit of nutmeg into the eggs (just a hint will go a long way!); add the flour. Start mixing on low, then on medium-high until combined, 20 seconds. Check the consistency: the mixture should have the viscosity of thick pancake batter. To achieve this, add ½ cup water, and use the whisk attachment to beat the batter on high; with the mixer on, add more water as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, until batter reaches proper consistency, another 1-2 minutes. (Makes 2½ cups batter.)
- Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl and set aside. To the boiling water, add 2 large pinches salt and 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil. Working in batches, cook the spätzle: Set the spätzle-maker over the pot. Add two ladles of batter to the sliding box; move the box back and forth over the grate and allow the batter to fall into the boiling water. Once the water comes to a boil again, stir the spätzle a few times to prevent clumping and to finish cooking, 1 more minute.
- When all the spätzle are fluffy and floating on the surface of the water, use a strainer to transfer them to the ice bath to stop the cooking, about 1 minute. Next, strain them from the ice bath, place in a bowl, and stir in ½ tablespoon oil to prevent sticking. Set aside. Repeat with remaining batter. (At this point, you can freeze the fully cooked spätzle in an airtight container. Bring to room temperature before using. Makes about 4 cups.)
- Cream Sauce: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup water, followed by ¼ cup crème fraîche, two pinches of salt, and a few gratings of nutmeg; stir to combine. Add 1 cup of spätzle in an even layer (note: sauce and spätzle can be doubled in a larger skillet). Add a few grinds of black pepper, and gently simmer to reduce the sauce, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes. As the water evaporates, the spätzle will become evenly coated with sauce and plump up. Meanwhile, finely mince the chives. Set aside.
- When almost all the liquid is gone and the sauce has thickened up, taste and adjust seasoning. Add two tablespoons of minced chives and toss or stir to combine. Repeat with remaining servings of spätzle. Plate and serve immediately.
GERMAN SPAETZLE DUMPLINGS
Traditional German dumplings. You can also mince a few pieces of bacon in a pan, and heat the cooked spaetzle in the bacon drippings-only omit the butter, if preparing recipe with bacon.
Provided by MARBALET
Categories Main Dish Recipes Dumpling Recipes
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Mix together flour, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg. Beat eggs well, and add alternately with the milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.
- Press dough through spaetzle maker, or a large holed sieve or metal grater.
- Drop a few at a time into simmering liquid. Cook 5 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
- Saute cooked spaetzle in butter or margarine. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 140.9 calories, Carbohydrate 16.8 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Fat 6 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 4.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 268.6 mg, Sugar 0.7 g
TRADITIONAL GERMAN SPAETZLE
Steps:
- Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir to combine. Crack the eggs into a small bowl and whisk them. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the eggs in it. Add the milk (start with using slightly less and add more as needed). Attach a dough hook to the stand mixer and "knead" the dough for 16-20 minutes, or until bubbles appear (see pictured instructions for details). After 15 minutes or less of beating, use a wooden spoon to scoop and pull the dough. If bubbles/holes appear, the dough is done.
- Bring at least 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Using a Spätzle maker of your choice (I use and prefer the Spätzle press), press the noodles into the simmering water and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles float to the top. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the noodles to a colander, and then dump the noodles in a large bowl of ice water. Drain the noodles again, toss with some melted butter and serve warm.
- Make Ahead: The Spaetzle can be stored in the fridge for at least a couple of days and then reheated. Melt some butter in a large skillet and toss the Spätzle in it to heat through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 345 kcal, Carbohydrate 63 g, Protein 12 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 109 mg, Sodium 237 mg, Fiber 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SPAETZLE
Noodle-meets-dumpling: An Eastern European staple, spaetzle are tender and eggy and a great side dish for saucy mains or even a roast chicken.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Whisk the flour with the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the eggs and milk. Gradually mix the milk and eggs into the flour to make a sticky batter.
- Spray both sides of a colander with 1/4-inch-wide holes (see Cook's Note) with cooking spray then spoon the batter into the colander. Hold the colander directly above the pot of boiling water (using an oven mitt if necessary) and working quickly, use a rubber spatula to push the batter through the holes into the water. Simmer until all of the spaetzle float to the surface and are tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Toss the spaetzle with the butter and sprinkle with herbs, if using.
ONE SPECIAL SPAETZLE
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, combine water, flour, eggs and salt with a wooden spoon. Place dough mixture on a clean cutting board. Flour both sides of the dough and roll into a long rectangle, approximately 12 by 2-inches and 1/8-inch thick. With pizza cutter, cut into strips, 2-inches in length and 1/4-inch wide.
- Bring chicken stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Drop spaetzle in batches into boiling stock and cook until pasta floats to the surface. Remove pasta to the ice bath. Drain spaetzle and hold on sheet pan. Continue with the other batches.
- In a medium saute pan, add butter, and melt over medium heat until butter turns a light brown. Add garlic and cook until it becomes lightly colored. Add spaetzle to the pan to heat through. Add parsley, cheese, salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve in a bowl, garnished with Parmesan.
SPAETZLE
This traditional German dish is one of the most popular dishes in our family restaurant. It is so delicious when served with schnitzel or Parmesan cheese.-5;Essen Haus, Bob and Gail Worm, Madison, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 35m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Add eggs and milk; stir to mix well (batter will be thick). In a Dutch oven or large kettle, bring chicken broth to a boil. Drop batter by 1/2 teaspoonfuls into boiling liquid. Boil until spaetzle rise to the surface; remove to ice water. Drain well. In a skillet, heat spaetzle in butter until lightly browned. Serve with schnitzel and gravy or with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 326 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 190mg cholesterol, Sodium 920mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 14g protein.
Tips:
- Use a spaetzle maker or a colander with large holes: This will help you create evenly sized spaetzle.
- Make sure the water is boiling before adding the spaetzle: This will help prevent the spaetzle from sticking together.
- Cook the spaetzle for 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the top of the water: Overcooking will make the spaetzle tough.
- Drain the spaetzle and rinse them with cold water: This will stop the cooking process and prevent the spaetzle from sticking together.
- Serve the spaetzle immediately, or store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days: You can also freeze the spaetzle for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Spaetzle is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and cheese, and it is also a fun dish to make with kids. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect spaetzle every time.
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