Spinach Spaetzle In Game Hen Broth Food

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• OK let's be Hungarian.
• Firstly we don't call the dumplings "spaetzle" but I can't spell the word that Grandma always used so I've borrowed the German term. (I've since learned how to spell Nokedli.).
• Start by heating the oil in a large pot and browning your chicken parts.
• Remove the chicken and add the butter or margarine to the pot.
• Sauté the onion in the melted butter until transparent.
• Add paprika, chicken, and water, bring to a boil then reduce to simmer for 45 minutes. (NOTE: I've learned over the years that using a 32 oz box of broth adds a lot of flavor to the dish.).
• Chicken should be very tender and about to fall off bones.
• Remove chicken to bowl.
• Add enough fresh water to pot to bring back to original level.
• Check flavor of broth.
• If flavor is weak add enough bullion to produce a well flavored broth. (SKIP this step if you used broth.).
• Bring broth to boil.
• Combine flour, salt, and pepper with eggs (the more eggs the richer the batter but two is OK) to form a thick batter.
• Now comes the tricky (and boring) part.
• Drop batter in boiling broth in 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon amounts until all batter is in pot and cooked.
• Spaetzle is cooked when it floats on surface.
• You may need to remove some to get it all in the pot.
• With all spaetzle cooked and in pot you now add your sour cream to broth. The amount is individual according to how creamy you wish the sauce to become (and how much water you started with).
• At this point I usually add about three tablespoons of flour mixed with one cup of water to thicken the broth. Sorry I omitted this step in the original submission.
• The sauce and spaetzle is the best part of this dish so be sure to make enough! They will be coming back for seconds on that part of the dish.
• One of the most surprising things about this dish is it actually tastes better the second day. Sooo if you are making it for a special dinner prepare it the day before and simply reheat it one half hour before serving.

SPINACH SPAETZLE IN GAME-HEN BROTH

Steps:

• Broth: In a pot just large enough to hold hens snugly side-by-side, heat oil over medium. Add leeks, thyme, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are soft but have not developed any color, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a bowl. Season hens inside and out with salt and transfer to pot. Add enough water to just cover hens and bring to a boil, skimming any impurities from surface. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until hens are just cooked through, about 20 minutes.
• Spaetzle: Meanwhile, prepare an ice-water bath. Cook spinach in a pot of generously salted boiling water until wilted and darkened slightly, about 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, remove spinach and plunge into ice-water bath; let stand until cold, about 1 minute. Set pot of water aside for later.
• Thoroughly drain and squeeze spinach dry by pressing in a ricer or wringing out in a clean kitchen towel. Transfer spinach to a food processor with eggs, oil, nutmeg, cheese, and 2 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper and purée until smooth. Add flour and pulse until no dry flour remains (dough should have the consistency of thick pancake batter).
• Broth: Transfer hens to a cutting board; strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve. Return broth to pot along with leek mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove skin and bones from hens and shred meat into bite-size pieces.
• Spaetzle: Return pot of water to a boil. Press dough through a ricer or colander directly into water. Cook until spaetzle float to the surface, swell slightly, and are tender, about 5 minutes; drain.
• Stir 2 cups shredded meat and lemon juice into pot with broth. Spoon spaetzle into serving bowls and ladle broth mixture over top. Garnish with dill, a drizzle of oil, and serve with lemon wedges.

SPAETZLE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND MUSHROOM CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a steamer basket, steam the squash for 10 minutes, or until tender and puree in blender or with immersion blender. Set aside
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion, garlic and thyme until the onion is limp and translucent. Clean, trim and slice the shiitakes. Add them to skillet. Turn the heat up to high, and saute until the mushrooms are soft and golden. Add the squash puree, chicken broth and cream and season with salt and pepper. Bring the cream to a gentle simmer, gently tossing the ingredients to mix. Grate a handful of Parmesan cheese into the sauce and continue to cook until the cream reduces slightly.
• Meanwhile, (following the recipe below) cook the spaetzle in abundant boiling salted water until al dente.
• Quickly drain the spaetzle and place it in the pan with the sauce. Add the walnuts and gently toss the pasta with the sauce over low heat just until it has absorbed some of the sauce. Place the pasta in a serving bowl. Dust with more Parmesan cheese and serve.
• Sift flour into a large bowl. Add salt. Make a well in the center. In another bowl whisk together the eggs and water. Add to dry ingredients and beat with spatula until smooth and elastic.
• Push batter through spaetzle maker into a large pot of boiling salted water and cook, uncovered, just until spaetzle is firm, floats to the top and no longer tastes of raw flour, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain spaetzle well before using.

SPINACH BASIL SOUP WITH LEMON

Steps:

• In a large sauce pan, melt the butter over low heat and saute the onion until soft, about 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic, saute another minute or two; mix in the drained spinach, basil and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, approximately 10 minutes.
• Mix in the remaining ingredients.
• Heat and serve.

SPAETZLE II

Steps:

• Place flour in a medium bowl, making a well for the eggs. Introduce the eggs, and mix with a fork; then knead to form a stiff dough. Pinch off half-inch pieces of batter with fingers, and cook in a large pot of boiling water until dumplings float to the top, 5 to 15 minutes.

SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SOUP WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Whisk flour, salt, oregano, marjoram, parsley, chives, dill, and pepper together in a large bowl.
• Whisk milk, eggs, and mustard together in a small bowl. Gradually mix in flour mixture until just combined.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Place a spaetzle maker over the boiling water and pour spaetzle dough into the slider basket. Run the basket back and forth until bits of dough fall into the boiling water. Boil spaetzle until firm, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain.
• Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil, then onion. Sweat the onion for 3 to 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute until slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add spaetzle and stir to combine. Cook until spaetzle is heated through and crispy in spots, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.