Spaetzle

Have you ever heard of spaetzle? I was shocked when I first saw a recipe for it. First of all, because I had no idea what it was. Second, because it looked really easy and yummy. I was determined to make it. Then only a few days later, I got the new Daring Cook’s challenge. Sure enough, it was spaetzle.

Steph from Stephfood was our Daring Cooks’ July hostess.  Steph challenged us to make homemade noodles without the help of a motorized pasta machine.  She provided us with recipes for Spätzle and Fresh Egg Pasta as well as a few delicious sauces to pair our noodles with!

I chose to make the delicious spaetzle featured on Tasty Kitchen. Spaetzle is a German pasta that is made by dropping the dough into boiling water, where it cooks on the spot in irregular little squiggles. It is very fun and  easy to make.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 C. water, plus water for boiling
• 1 1/2 C. flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt, plus some from boiling water
• 1 cube bullion or 1 TBSP. mustard powder
• chopped fresh herbs (parsley, sage, or basil)
• 1/4 C. bread crumbs ( I used Panko)
• salt and pepper to taste
• butter or oil

Directions:

1. Place the flour in a large bowl and add the salt and bullion or mustard powder. Mix it all together.

2. Beat the eggs and add them to the flour. Add the water. Mix together with a fork and work out all the lumps. The batter will be pourable, but a little bit elastic.

3. Bring some water or stock to a rolling boil. Add some salt to the water.

4. Have ready a colander with large holes and spatula ready. You can also use a spaetzle maker, but not very many people have one of those. Hold the colander over the boiling water and pour a little bit of the batter into the colander. Keep it above the steam or the pasta will cook to soon. Push through with the spatula. Let the drops boil for about 3-4 minutes.

5. Fish out with a sieve or slotted spoon and set aside. Continue this process until all of the batter has boiled. I did it in about 4 batches.

6. You can serve it tossed in a little bit of olive oil or butter, or you can toast it, which I like to do. Brown the spaetzle over medium heat in olive oil or butter. Toss in some chopped fresh herbs, the bread crumbs, and a little bit of salt and pepper. Stir occasionally until the spaetzle has little bit of crispiness to it. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe from Tasty Kitchen.