How to Make Quick German Pasta - Spaetzle

When I was a child at home, my mother used to make these German dumplings often for a fast and easy dinner. She used a special board that made it easy to scrape the dough into the boiling water, but I use a small cutting board. My children make these easily when they want to eat something fun and easy and fast! It is cheap to make and rather elegant when served alongside a nice roast with gravy. Try it with sausages and sauerkraut for an even more authentic German meal!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup cold water
• Large pot for boiling
• board
• metal spatula

1. Get a large pot of salted water heating.
2. Add flour and salt to mixing bowl. Pour fresh egg into center. Start to stir.
3. Now add your cold water and continue to stir.
4. Stir until smooth. Dough should be smooth and sticky.
5. Now place about 1/2 cup of dough onto wet small cutting board (about 8 x 10 is nice) and quickly dip the metal spatula into the pot of boiling water and then scrape off about a 1/4 inch 'slice' of dough right into the water. Continue to do this quickly, until all the dough on the board is used. Keeping the spatula wet will keep the dough from sticking to it.
6. The noodles are done when they float to the surface. Remove from water and set into covered serving bowl with a little butter. Continue with the rest of the dough until finished.
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Tips & Warnings

• Add instant chicken broth for a quick soup and dumplings
• Add finely chopped herbs to the dough for a gourmet dumpling
• Add a cheese sauce for German Noodles and Cheese
• Saute a little onion and green peppers and sausages. Add cooked noodles. Delicious!
• Don't overcook the spaetzle or they will get slimy.
• If your dough is a little runny - add a little more flour.