Spaetzle are a traditional egg based dumpling / noodle combo that is found heavily in the cuisines of Hungary, Germany, Switzerland and Austria to name a few. Not only are they delicious, they are super versatile and fun to make too!
STEP 1
To a blender or food processor, add the spinach, eggs, milk and salt and blend until it’s bright green, smooth and the spinach has broken down.
STEP 2
Add the flour and blend again until just combined. Alternatively, you can combine the spinach mixture with the flour in a bowl with either a whisk or wooden spoon.
STEP 3
Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and using any kitchen utensil with small holes, push the batter through directly into the water. You can use something like a colander, slotted spoon, cheese grater or a tool specifically for spaetzle which you can find HERE. Make sure you don’t sit the tool too close to the boiling water, otherwise the batter will set and block the holes.
STEP 4
Boil the spaetzle for around a minute until they float to the surface of the water.
STEP 5
Save a cup of the pasta water and remove the spaetzle with a sieve. Serve it with any sauce you like or as a side dish and enjoy!
While the ingredients to make the two are quite similar, the processes aren’t so much. To make pasta, you form a firm dough that is kneaded, rested, rolled and shaped however you like. On the other hand, spaetzle is a sort of sticky, wet batter that doesn’t hold it’s shape like a ball of pasta dough would. Spaetzle is dripped into boiling water where their shape is formed as soon as they hit the hot water. This is what makes spaetzle so unique because no two pieces are the same.
Spaetzle are traditionally served alongside meats, stews, in soups or as the star of the show tossed with herbs and butter or stirred through a sauce. Otherwise, you can treat them like pasta and serve them with your favourite sauce or sub them in, in place of mashed potatoes. The possibilities are pretty much limitless with these ones!
That’s fine, I don’t have one either. You can use any kitchen tool with small holes in it like a slotted spoon, colander or even a cheese grater.
Mon Mack Food is my little space to share my passion for food. It is also a place to document the recipes I’ve created while cooking for friends and family! While it is now just a hobby, my absolute dream is to build this project into something I can one day call my job 🙂
