Fresh Cheese Spaetzle Recipes

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.

FRESH CHEESE SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the milk, cottage cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
• Stir in the flour until a smooth, thick, sticky batter forms.
• Spoon the batter into a colander with 1/4-inch holes.
• Set or hold the colander 1 inch above the boiling water and scrape the batter through the holes, using a rubber spatula.
• Stir the spaetzle once or twice to separate them.
• As soon as they rise to the surface, use a slotted spoon to transfer the spaetzle to a clean colander and drain well.
• Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet. Add the boiled spaetzle and cook them over moderately high heat, stirring and shaking the skillet occasionally, until the spaetzle are browned and crisp in spots, about 5 minutes.
• Add the quark and snipped chives, reduce the heat to moderately low and cook, stirring, until the sauce is creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Season the spaetzle with salt and pepper and serve right away.
• MAKE AHEAD:.
• The boiled cheese spaetzle can be covered in plastic wrap and kept at room temperature for up to 2 hours before sautéing.
• NOTES.
• INSTEAD OF COTTAGE CHEESE: Farmer cheese.
• INSTEAD OF QUARK: Crème fraîche, fromage blanc, lebneh or mascarpone.

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.

KAESE SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Sift together flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Beat eggs in a medium bowl. Alternately mix in milk and the flour mixture until smooth. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Press batter through a spaetzle press into the water. You may also use a potato ricer, colander, or a cheese grater. When the spaetzle has floated to the top of the water, remove it to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Mix in 1 cup of the cheese.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook until golden. Stir in spaetzle and remaining cheese until well blended. Remove from heat, and serve immediately.