German Spaetzle Dumplings Recipes

GERMAN DUMPLINGS (SPAETZLE OR KNIFFLES) FOR SOUP OR SAUTE

Steps:

• Mix these together until sticky.
• Drop into bubbling soup or stew, broth or water. (see below for ideas).
• Dumplings will rise to the surface as they cook; remove from liquid with a slotted spoon (if sautéing in another pan); set aside in a bowl (keep warm).
• MAKE THE DUMPLINGS #1: This method results in very small, stringy-ish dumplings and is great for soups or stews. Spoon several tablespoons of batter into a colander, then with the back of the spoon--press the batter through the holes into the bubbling liquid.
• METHOD #2: This method forms larger dumpling pieces (dime & quarter size) and is great for soups or stews, too -- but especially good if you want to saute the dumplings afterwards (more on that in a minute). Using a teaspoon and butter knife, scoop up a spoonful of batter, then use the knife to cut off little dibs and dabs, using the knife to also push the dibs into the hot liquid. If the knife or spoon gets messy, just dip into the hot liquid.
• SERVING IDEAS: We love these in chicken-dumpling soup (use your regular chicken soup recipe -- skip the egg noodles and make these dumplings instead). OR scoop out the larger dumplings (Method #2), and saute in butter or olive oil along with kielbasa or other sausage and LOTS of onion ring slices. OR saute some fresh veggies, then add the dumplings -- heaven!
• VARIATIONS: Add several pinches of your favorite herbs along with the flour to enhance the soup, stew or saute dish.
• Chef's Note: Altho' this is kind of putzy, it is well worth the effort and SO different from regular pasta-noodles.

SPAETZLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir the flour, eggs, milk and salt until smooth (dough will be sticky). In a large saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil. Pour dough into a colander or spaetzle maker coated with cooking spray; place over boiling water. , With a wooden spoon, press dough until small pieces drop into boiling water. Cook for 2 minutes or until dumplings are tender and float. Remove with a slotted spoon; toss with butter. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.

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.

GERMAN SPAETZLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together flour, salt, and nutmeg.
• Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add eggs. Scramble the eggs slightly with a fork, mixing them with the flour mixture. Add the water, a little at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. (Your dough should be somewhere between a drop biscuit dough and a stiff muffin batter. It should be spoon-able, but not pour-able.)
• Cover the dough loosely with a tea towel and set it aside to rest for 15 minutes.
• While dough is resting, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil with 2 tsp salt. (You can add 1 Tbsp of oil to your water if you would like, to keep the cooked Spaetzle from sticking together. If you will be sautéing your Spaetzle after boiling, this is not necessary.)
• Scoop your rested batter into your Spaetzle pressing tool. (Any metal kitchen gadget with holes roughly the diameter of a pencil will work well. Don't have anything? Grab a cutting board and a spatula and check out this recipe for making Spaetzle using the board cutting method.)
• Press the Spaetzle dough through the press into the boiling water. Once the Spaetzle bobs to the top of the water, it is done. Remove it using a slotted spoon. (But, not the one you're using to press the Spaetzle dough!)
• Place the boiled Spaetzle into a bowl and continue with the rest of the dough.
• Serve immediately.

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. When Spaetzle come to the top they are done. Remove with a slotted spoon. It is best to cook a small amount at a time.
• Saute cooked spaetzle in butter or margarine. Sprinkle chopped fresh chives on top, and serve.

AUTHENTIC GERMAN SPAETZLE WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a separate large measuring jug, whisk together the water, milk and eggs until smooth.
• Add the egg mixture to the bowl with the flour, stir, then vigorously beat the batter with a wooden spoon until there are no more lumps, you see air bubbles forming and the batter rips off the spoon when trying to scoop it up. This will take around 5 minutes of continous beating. Cover and rest the batter for 30 minutes.
• When ready to make the Spaetzle, bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Reduce the heat to a good simmer. Place a large wooden board on top of the pot, then place 1/2 cup of batter on the board. Using a blunt knife, scrape slivers of the batter into the pot.
• Once the spaetzle float to the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon and place in a lightly buttered casserole dish to keep warm. Proceed the same way with the remaining batter.
• While the spaetzle batter is resting, place a large, deep skillet over medium high heat and melt the butter in it. Add the onion, garlic and mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms have fully softened - about 5-10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium. Evenly sprinkle the seasoning and the flour over the mushrooms, then stir well. Pour the white wine into the skillet, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Pour the beef broth into the skillet, stirring well. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the gravy has thickened. Finish with the cream, if you like.
• Serve the finished gravy over the finished spaetzle.

GERMAN SPAETZLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• 1. Mix together flour, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg. Beat eggs well, and add alternately with the milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. 2. Press dough through spaetzle maker, or a large holed sieve or metal grater. 3. Drop a few at a time into simmering liquid. Cook 5 to 8 minutes. Drain well. 4. Saute cooked spaetzle in butter or margarine. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve.

TRADITIONAL GERMAN SPAETZLE

Steps:

• of salted water to boil
• flour and salt
• to flour and combine well. It should be the texture of a very thick pancake batter.
• hopper (or similar tool - see notes)
• and the drops should be about the size of a solid macaroni noodle or a large orzo pasta.
• on top of water, remove with slotted spoon and place in covered container.
• in pan over medium-high. All steps from here forward are optional. This is spaetzle. From here forward is a simple and easy way to serve these as a stand-alone dish.
• (optional), pepper, and season with any more salt you might want.
• until desired temp and crispiness