Spaetzle German Food

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.

GERMAN SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Mix eggs, flour, and milk. Add seasonings to taste. (Batter will be pretty thick.).
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Using a spaetzle maker or colander (or anything that has holes in it), push batter through the holes into boiling water.
• Spaetzle is ready when it floats. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain the water out.
• Add butter to a saucepan and melt over medium-high heat.
• Add spaetzle and saute. (Add onions and garlic for extra flavor.).
• Serve and enjoy!

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

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.

GERMAN CHEESE SPAETZLE (SCHWäBISCHE KäSESPäTZLE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9x13 (or a little smaller) casserole dish.
• To make the caramelized onions: Melt the butter in a medium-sized heavy stock pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions and stir occasionally for 20-30 minutes until deeply caramelized. Halfway into it sprinkle with a little salt and sugar to help with the caramelizing. Get the onions nice and brown.
• Layer 1/3 of the Spätzle in the bottom of the dish followed by 1/3 of the cheese and 1/3 of the caramelized onions. Repeat, sprinkling each layer with some salt, ending with cheese and onions on top.
• Bake for 10 minutes or longer until the cheese is melted and the edges are just beginning to get a little crispy.Serve immediately. This makes great leftovers!

SPAETZLE - GERMAN

Steps:

• Beat eggs well; add remaining ingredients and beat until the dough blisters.
• Drop from the tip of a wet teaspoon into boiling salted water.
• Cook until tender (about 15 minutes). Drain.
• Toss with melted butter.

GERMAN EGG NOODLES: SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Combine flour, eggs, and salt. Add enough water to make a batter the consistency of light cookie dough. Beat well until some air bubbles develop. Let the batter rest.
• Prepare a large pot with salted water. Bring to a boil. Scrape thin rolls of batter from a chopping board or run the batter through a sieve or spaetzle maker into the boiling water.
• Remove cooked spaetzle from the boiling water with a strainer and serve immediately or place in warm water if you are using the noodles soon but not immediately, or place noodles in cold water if you will be refrigerating or freezing.

HOW TO MAKE GERMAN NOODLES OR SPAETZLE OR SPäTZLE

Steps:

• Mix flour and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center of the flour and add eggs.
• Using a sturdy wooden spoon mix together pulling in flour from the sides. Not all of the flour will be incorporated.
• Gradually add just enough water to make a thick, sticky, stiff dough that incorporates all the flour. It will be a stretchy big lump.
• Cover with towel and let rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Fill spaetzle press or potato ricer with dough and press into boiling water. Only add one batch at a time to allow plenty of room for noodles to cook. Or, place a bit of dough at a time in a colander and push through holes using the back of a spoon.
• Allow noodles to cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they rise to the top and float.
• Remove with slotted spoon into a colander to drain well. Place in serving dish and add a pat of butter to prevent them from sticking.
• If serving later, rinse freshly cooked spaetzle with cold water.

GERMAN SPAETZLE WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
• Using a sharp knife and cutting board, chop the onion. Coarsely shred the cabbage.

HERBED SPAETZLE (KRäUTERSPäTZLE)

Steps:

• Prepare Spätzle according to directions on the package, boiling for the recommended time. Place in large serving bowl.
• While Spätzle are still hot, melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat; continue to cook butter until nut-colored brown. Pour browned butter over the Spätzle; toss with chives, parsley, nutmeg, and sea salt and white pepper to taste.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"SPAETZLE" GERMAN EGG NOODLES

Steps:

• Put the flour and salt into a large bowl. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil
• Add the eggs, and start mixing with a wooden spoon, gradually adding water as you go.
• When you have reached a thick consistency (dough should only slowly fall off the spoon) "beat" the dough hard until it forms some bubbles and is well blended.
• Make the Spaetzle by either using a special press (looks like a potato ricer with larger holes) or by scraping small parts of dough off a chopping board with a knife.
• Let each noodle drop into the boiling water (don't overcrowd the pot).
• Once they rise to the surface they are cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and enjoy!