Austrian Meatballs Spaetzle Recipes

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.

SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. In another mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg-milk mixture. Gradually draw in the flour from the sides and combine well; the dough should be smooth and thick. Let the dough rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot, then reduce to a simmer. To form the spaetzle, hold a large holed colander or slotted spoon over the simmering water and push the dough through the holes with a spatula or spoon. Do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the pot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the spaetzle floats to the surface, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Dump the spaetzle into a colander and give it a quick rinse with cool water.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the spaetzle; tossing to coat. Cook the spaetzle for 1 to 2 minutes to give the noodles some color, and then sprinkle with the chopped chives and season with salt and pepper before serving.

AUSTRIAN KAESESPAETZLE (CHEESE SPAETZLE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. and place a smaller casserole dish (approximately 11 X 7) in the oven to warm before adding the spaetzle. Place a large pot on the stove and add 2 quarts salted water. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, add the flour eggs, milk and 2 pinches salt and stir vigorously until thoroughly incorporated. The dough should be runny but stable. Set aside and let dough rest.
• Grate cheeses and mix them together. Set aside.
• Pour the olive oil in a large pan and heat. Add the sliced onion, 2 pinches salt and the freshly ground pepper. Cook until the onions are nicely browned and soft. Set aside.
• Place the spaetzle maker or colander over the boiling pot of salted water. Pour in about 1/3 of the dough and move the speatzle maker back and forth, or push the dough through the colander with a spreader. Stir the spaetzle regularly to prevent sticking. Simmer gently until the spaetzle floats on the top of the water. It's done at this point. Remove with a medium size handled sieve, let the water drain out and place into the pre-heated casserole dish. Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheese and the onions on top of the spaetzle and repeat this step two more times until there are three layers of spaetzle, onions and cheese in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the parsley on top and let rest for 15 minutes until the cheese has melted.
• Serve with a green salad and a cold beer.

GERMAN MEATBALLS AND SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Begin with the German meatballs: Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and shape into about 24 (1 1/2-inch round) meatballs. Brown the meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat, making sure to drain well as you cook the meaty mixture. Add beef broth, mushrooms, and onion. Simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
• In a small mixing bowl, blend sour cream, flour, and caraway seed. Add to the simmering broth and meatballs.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, prepare the spaetzle by sifting together the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and milk and beat well. Place in a coarse-sieved colander and sieve (pushing the batter through the holes of the colander) directly over a rapidly boiling pot of lightly salted water. Cook for about 5 minutes, drain.
• Sprinkle spaetzle with a mixture of fine breadcrumbs, garlic powder and melted butter.
• Place a large portion of the spaetzle on a serving platter and hollow out a well in the center. Spoon meatballs and sauce in the center of the spaetzle and serve warm.

GERMAN MEATBALLS WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Cook spaetzle according to package directions. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan combine the meatballs, broth, mushroom pieces, and chopped onion. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine, stirring well, the sour cream, flour, and caraway seeds. Stir into meatballs mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook one minute longer.
• Spoon meatballs over the spaetzle and garnish with chopped parsley.