Creole Cream Cheese Spaetzle Food

CREOLE CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepot over medium heat with a kitchen thermometer attached to the rim, warm the milk and buttermilk to 85°F. Add one-quarter of the rennet tablet and transfer the mixture to a plastic container or bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and then poke a few holes in the plastic to allow the steam to escape. Let stand at room temperature in a cool spot in your house for 48 hours.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the solids to a double layer of cheesecloth set over a bowl and discard the liquid. Wrap the solids in the cheesecloth and hang it over the bowl (to catch the whey) in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Discard the whey. Pack the cheese into an airtight plastic container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

TRADITIONAL SPäTZLE

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.

CREOLE CREAM CHEESE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs until fluffy and pale yellow. In a saucepot, combine half-and-half and cream. Bring to a simmer, but do not boil. Remove from heat. Stirring constantly, slowly blend cream mixture, 1 ladle at a time, into the egg mixture. Stirring will ensure that the eggs will not scramble. Add vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Strain through a fine sieve and chill overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours. When ready to use, whisk Creole cream cheese into the custard mixture until all lumps are removed. Pour into a home-style ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. Place ice cream in the freezer for 2 hours prior to serving.

CREOLE CREAM CHEESE SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Place the flour in a bowl and stir in the Creole cream cheese. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until you have a smooth batter. (If you still have too many lumps, you can strain the batter through a fine sieve.) Stir in the herbs and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Select a colander with fairly large holes (about 1/4 inch). Pour in about a third of the batter and, with a plastic spatula, scrape the batter through the holes into the simmering water. The spaetzle will rise to the surface when they are ready, in about 3 minutes. Let them simmer on the surface for another 30 seconds or so, then use a slotted spoon or strainer to transfer them to a bowl of ice water. Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
• To reserve the spaetzle until serving, drain them and toss with a little oil, then store them in a covered container (don't pack too tightly) and refrigerate until needed.
• To serve, sauté the spaetzle in a hot nonstick skillet, with a little olive oil or butter, until they are lightly browned and crusty.

CREOLE - CREAM CHEESE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine the Cream, Milk, Sugar, and Vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Heat until the mixture just starts to boil, remove from the heat.
• Put the egg yolks in a large mixing bowl, then temper the yolks with a little of the milk mixture.
• Combine the two mixtures. then return them to the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Cook the custard until it coats the back of a wooden spoon, 2-4 minutes, DO NOT BOIL.
• Strain into a mixing bowl and refrigerate until chilled, at least a few hours (you want it very cold before it enters the ice cream machine).
• Meanwhile, combine the Creole Cream Cheese and Sour Cream then put them through a fine mesh sieve, mashing them through with the back of a wooden spoon.
• When the custard is cold, fold in the Creole Cream Cheese and Sour Cream.
• Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• For a soft ice cream serve as is or freeze overnight for a firmer ice cream.
• Beautiful with fresh fruit sauce of your choosing.

CREOLE CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• Pour milk into a completely sanitized, 3 to 4 quart container, preferably stainless steel. Cover milk and place it in the warmest spot in your kitchen or on top of a warmed clothes dryer, until it reaches a temperature level between 70 - 80 degrees F. The milk may be heated slowly on the stove on very low heat, but do not allow its temperature exceed 80 degrees F.
• When milk reaches the correct temperature, pour the buttermilk into a small bowl and add the liquid rennet, or if you are using dry rennet, dissolve the 1/4 tablet in the buttermilk. Pour buttermilk into warmed milk with skim milk. Stir mixture well and set it aside, covered with cheesecloth, to allow the liquid to form solid, but very soft, curds. Good drainage is necessary. The container should not be placed near heat or directly exposed to an airflow. The cheese should form curds in 24 to 36 hours. Avoid stirring or the curds will break.
• When the curds are formed, line a large strainer or colander with cheesecloth and carefully pour the curds into the cloth. Place the strainer or colander over a bowl to hold the watery whey as it drains from the curds. When the curds no longer drip water, the cream cheese is ready to be chilled in the refrigerator. Keeps refrigerated for about 2 weeks.