Chive Spatzel Recipes

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 DUMPLINGS

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.

PEA SPAETZLE WITH MINT, CHIVES, AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups peas, eggs, 1/2 cup broth, 2 tablespoons chives, 2 tablespoons chopped mint, and salt in blender. Puree until smooth. Pour into large bowl. Stir in flour.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Working with 1/3 cup batter at a time, and using rubber spatula, press spaetzle batter into pot through 1/4-inch holes of coarse grater, colander, or wide ladle. Boil each batch 3 minutes. Using strainer,transfer spaetzle to large colander; drain and place in large bowl. Toss spaetzle with 2 tablespoons margarine. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover spaetzle and remaining 1 1/2 cups peas separately and chill.
• Melt 4 tablespoons margarine inlarge skillet over medium-high heat. Add spaetzle and 1/2 cup broth. Simmer until broth is almost evaporated and spaetzle are heated, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups peas,4 tablespoons chives, sliced mint leaves,nutmeg, and tomatoes. Toss until heated. Season with salt and pepper.

SPäTZLE (AKA SPAETZLE)

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.

HERBED SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the milk, eggs, flour, 2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, the nutmeg, and 1 Tb each of the parsley and chives. Whisk until smooth.
• Fill a large pot 2/3 full of lightly salted water and bring to a brisk simmer over medium-high heat. Set a large bowl of ice water near the stove.
• Put the batter in a spaetzle maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, slide the hopper and drop the spaetzle directly into the simmering water. Alternatively, hold a colander with large holes over the simmering water. Using a rubber spatula, push 1 cup of the batter through the holes directly into the water. Repeat with the remaining batter.
• Drain the spaetzle well in a colander with small holes so noodles do not slide through. The spaetzle may be refrigerated, covered, for up to 4 hours.
• Just before serving, in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the spaetzle and saute, stirring frequently, until the noodles are golden brown and crispy, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, and add the remaining 2 Tbs each of parsley and chives.
• Transfer to a warmed large serving bowl and serve immediately.

CHIVE SPATZEL

Steps:

• Combine all the dairy ingredients and mix. Combine all of the wet ingredients and add them to the dry ingredients in a steady stream, while mixing. Once the ingredients are combined use a whisk and beat well to develop the gluten. Let the flour rest for a half-hour.
• Heat a pot filled 2/3 full of salted water. Bring to a boil with a perforated pan on top. Pour a small amount of the batter into the perforated colander on top and work it through the holes with a scrapper.
• Let the spatzel cook for about one minute. Remove with a strainer and shock in salted ice water. Remove from the ice water and allow to dry slightly on absorbent paper towels. Store in Refrigerator.
• For service, sear the spatzel in whole butter. You will want to develop color without burning. Turn only once.