Plain Dumplings Spatzen Recipes

MOM'S SIMPLE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in the shortening with a knife or pastry blender until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir the milk into the flour mixture until moistened. Dough will be pretty lumpy, but be sure to not over mix it!
• Drop dough by large spoonfuls onto any boiling stew. The dumplings should rest on top of vegetables and meat; it's okay if they stick out of the top a bit. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes; cover and cook another 10 minutes.

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.

DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in medium size bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk to make a soft dough.
• Drop by spoonfuls into boiling stew. Cover and simmer 15 minutes without lifting lid. Serve.
• To make parsley dumplings, add 1 tablespoon parsley flakes to the dry ingredients.

DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Measure the flour, parsley, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
• Cut the shortening into this mixture, using a pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until the mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the milk.
• Drop the dough by 10 to 12 spoonfuls onto hot meat or vegetables in a boiling stew (do not drop directly into liquid) Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Cover and cook another 10 minutes.

EASY HOMEMADE DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt and baking powder. Add oil and water and mix until smooth. Add a bit more water until dumplings are soft and not at all dry.
• Bring broth to a boil and add dumplings by spoonful. Reduce heat and cook dumplings 4-5 minutes. (Do in batches if you are using a small pan.)
• Serve dumplings in broth garnished with chopped parsley or chives as desired.

PLAIN DUMPLINGS (SPATZEN)

Steps:

• Beat egg well, add salt and water or milk and stir this into the flour until a smooth batter is formed.
• Drop by spoonfuls into boiling, salted water and let cook 15 minutes.
• Drain in a colander.
• Pour hot fat or meat gravy over them and serve.
• Garnish with fried onions, cracker crumbs, or any desired dressing.

SPAETZLE

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.

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.