My Noodle Hands! - Daring Cooks July 2011 Challenge

Blog-checking lines: 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 decided to make the Spatzle because I had never had it before, and to be honest I had no idea what it was! I do plan on trying to make fettucini or ravioli too, if I have them ready before July 14 I will put them up in this post as well.

It turns out that Spatzle is incredibly easy to make! It requires simple ingredients, and comes together very quickly.

I decided to add dill and parsley to my spatzle and I really liked the flavour of the dill in them.  I topped them with the Butter and Breadcrumb sauce that was provided and it was really tasty.

You can add any herbs or spices that you wish to jazz these up.  I halved the recipe, but if you make the full recipe (listed below) it makes about 4 servings.

German Spatzle

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp dill (I used dried dill)
• 1 tsp parsley flakes

1. In a bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, dill, and parsely
2. Add the flour about 1/2 cup at a time and mix until smooth after each addition. After the last of the flour is added the dough will become very thick and elastic
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil
4. Dip a spoon in the hot water, and then scoop about half a spoonful of the dough
5. Drop the dough into the boiling water, and repeat with the remaining dough (they will puff up a lot)
6. Boil for 15 - 20 minutes.  While the spatzles are boiling you can make the sauce
7. Drain well before serving
8. Enjoy!

Butter and Breadcrumbs Sauce

• 6 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• herbs and spices of your choice (optional)

1. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl 
2. Stir in the breadcrumbs (and any herbs or spices you may be using)
3. Dab onto the drained spatzle
4. Enjoy!