German Soup Knoephle Dumplings Recipes

GERMAN DUMPLINGS (SPAETZLE OR KNIFFLES) FOR SOUP OR SAUTE

Steps:

• Mix these together until sticky.
• Drop into bubbling soup or stew, broth or water. (see below for ideas).
• Dumplings will rise to the surface as they cook; remove from liquid with a slotted spoon (if sautéing in another pan); set aside in a bowl (keep warm).
• MAKE THE DUMPLINGS #1: This method results in very small, stringy-ish dumplings and is great for soups or stews. Spoon several tablespoons of batter into a colander, then with the back of the spoon--press the batter through the holes into the bubbling liquid.
• METHOD #2: This method forms larger dumpling pieces (dime & quarter size) and is great for soups or stews, too -- but especially good if you want to saute the dumplings afterwards (more on that in a minute). Using a teaspoon and butter knife, scoop up a spoonful of batter, then use the knife to cut off little dibs and dabs, using the knife to also push the dibs into the hot liquid. If the knife or spoon gets messy, just dip into the hot liquid.
• SERVING IDEAS: We love these in chicken-dumpling soup (use your regular chicken soup recipe -- skip the egg noodles and make these dumplings instead). OR scoop out the larger dumplings (Method #2), and saute in butter or olive oil along with kielbasa or other sausage and LOTS of onion ring slices. OR saute some fresh veggies, then add the dumplings -- heaven!
• VARIATIONS: Add several pinches of your favorite herbs along with the flour to enhance the soup, stew or saute dish.
• Chef's Note: Altho' this is kind of putzy, it is well worth the effort and SO different from regular pasta-noodles.

KNOEPHLA SOUP

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter; cook potatoes and onion for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Add milk; heat through but do not boil. Set aside. In a Dutch oven, bring water and bouillon to a boil. , Meanwhile, combine first four knoephla ingredients to form a stiff dough. Roll into a 1/2-in. rope. Cut into 1/4-in. pieces and drop into boiling broth. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the potato mixture; heat through. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

GERMAN KNOEPHLE "NEFLA" SOUP

Steps:

• Put the broth, onion, bay leaf, salt,and meat in the pot to cook. Simmer until meat is done. Add remaining ingredients and cook until the potatoes are tender. (You can also cook on low in the crock all day and then add these remaining ingredients about an hour before serving to cook).
• Mix the knoephle ingredients together to form a stiff dough. Take ropes of the dough and cut with clean kitchen shears in pieces about the length of the end joint of your little finger and drop into the boiling soup. Boil about 5 minutes or until the dumplings rise to the top. You can cook it longer for a thicker "stew" if you like.

ROUND 2 RECIPE GERMAN DUMPLING SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium pot over medium heat, add the oil. When it is hot, add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cabbage, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the cabbage begins to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and cider, bring it to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until the cabbage and onions are soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the dumpling and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

KNOEPHLA SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; saute potatoes, onion, and 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper until just tender, about 20 minutes. Stir 3 cups milk into potato mixture and heat until almost boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
• Bring water and chicken bouillon to a boil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot.
• Combine flour, 7 tablespoons milk, egg, dill, parsley, 1 teaspoon pepper, and salt together in a bowl until dough is stiff. Add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed. Roll dough into ropes about 1/2-inch thick on a work surface. Cut ropes into 1/4-inch pieces and drop into boiling broth. Reduce heat, cover Dutch oven with a lid, and simmer until knoephla begin to float, about 10 minutes.
• Stir potato mixture into broth and knoephla; simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

KNOEPHLA

Steps:

• Mix flour, eggs, milk, melted butter, a pinch of salt, and and pinch of pepper into a ball of dough; let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Cut dough ball into quarters. Roll each piece into logs. Press each log flat.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add potatoes. Hold a flattened dough log over the water and use kitchen shears to diagonally snip 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces of dough into the water; repeat until all dough is in the water. Cook potatoes and dough, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the dough is cooked into small dumplings, 15 to 20 minutes; drain and transfer potatoes and dumplings into a large bowl.
• Crush the toasted bread into the noodles and mix with a spoon.