Spaetzle Swabian Style Food

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.

ORIGINAL GERMAN SWABIAN SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. While this is heating, sift the flour into a bowl.
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the salt and water.
• Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour and whisk together by hand or using an electric mixer until the batter is well beaten and bubbly, without any clumps of flour.
• Using a spaetzle maker or cutting board and bench scraper (or a long, think chef's knife) spread a thin layer of dough onto the board and slowly scrape strips directly into the boiling water.
• After 3-5 minutes, the first spaetzle that were added to the pot will begin bobbing to the top. This means they are cooked. They can be taken out with a skimmer and put into a colander to drain.
• Toss to coat with butter and add a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Serve hot.
• Lightly pan fry in butter until light brown and a bit crispy.
• Serve sprinkled with grated cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped fresh herbs, or sautéed onions.

SPAETZLE SWABIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Add flour to a stand mixer bowl.
• Add salt and nutmeg and blend into flour.
• Add the eggs and mix on a medium-low setting until well combined.
• Slowly add the water and mix well until the batter is smooth and shiny.
• Let batter rest for about 5-10 min.
• In the meantime, heat water in a large pot.
• Stir dough one more time.
• Add about 1 ½ tbsp. salt to the boiling water.
• Press about 1/3 of the batter through a spaetzle maker or strainer.
• Wait until spaetzle float to the top, then let them cook additional 2 - 3 minutes.
• Now scoop them out with a mesh skimmer or slotted spoon into a strainer.
• Repeat until all batter is used.
• Toss them in melted butter directly before serving.

SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk the flour with the nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the eggs and milk. Gradually mix the milk and eggs into the flour to make a sticky batter.
• Spray both sides of a colander with 1/4-inch-wide holes (see Cook's Note) with cooking spray then spoon the batter into the colander. Hold the colander directly above the pot of boiling water (using an oven mitt if necessary) and working quickly, use a rubber spatula to push the batter through the holes into the water. Simmer until all of the spaetzle float to the surface and are tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Toss the spaetzle with the butter and sprinkle with herbs, if using.

SWABIAN NOODLES (SPATZLE)

Steps:

• Fill large kettle half-full of water and bring to a boil. Combine flour, salt and eggs in a medium-sized mixing bowl, stirring with a fork. Add water until batter stretches 6 - 7 inches before tearing when pulled up on a spoon. Place large spoonful of batter on wooden cutting board, tilt it over kettle and slice thin strips of batter off into the boiling water. Dip knife into cold water between slices to prevent batter from sticking. Cook for 1 - 2 minutes and remove from a slotted spoon. Drain and place in a warmed serving bowl. Continue until batter is gone.

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.