Knodles German Bread Dumplings Recipes

SEMMELKNöDEL (GERMAN BREAD DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Chop the hardened bread into small cubes and place them in a large bowl. Pour the hot milk over the bread, cover and let sit for 20-30 minutes or until softened.
• Heat the butter in a frying pan and cook the onions just until transparent, do not brown them. Add the cooked onions to the bread mixture along with the eggs, cooked bacon (if using), parsley, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Knead the mixture together with your hands until very thoroughly combined, breaking up as many of the bread cubes as you can until it's a soft and chunky-smooth consistency. If the dough is too wet, add breadcrumbs (not flour).
• Wet your hands to prevent the dough from sticking and form Knödel about the size of a tennis ball (they will expand slightly when cooked). Press the Knoedel between your palms to make sure they're nice and compact. Bring a large, wide pot of lightly salted water to a very light simmer - not boiling but just on the verge of boiling with tiny fizzy bubbles floating up. Carefully drop the Semmel Knoedel in the water and let them "steep" 15-20 minutes. Do not at any point let the water boil or you risk your Knödel losing shape or falling apart. Carefully lift them out with a slotted spoon. Serve with Rouladen, Sauerbraten, Senfbraten, Geschnetzeltes, Jaegerschnitzel, etc.
• To Freeze The Knödel: Let them cool completely, place them spread apart on a cookie sheet and freeze them, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To reheat, let them thaw and reheat them covered (to create some steam) in the microwave.
• Makes 6-7 Semmelknödel, depending on the size.

KNODLES (GERMAN BREAD DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• 1. Put the diced up bread in a bowl. Bring the milk to a boil and pour over the bread. Cover with foil or if you are using a pan, put the lid over the pan for 1 hour.
• 2. Beat the two eggs together in a cup. Add to the bread mixture after the hour is up and also now add the tablespoon of flour and the teaspoon of salt and mix all together. If mixture is too soft, add some breadcrumbs.
• 3. Shape the bread into balls about the size of your palm or about the size of a baseball and drop each ball into a pan of simmering salted water (I just add 1 teas of salt to the water) Put the lid on and leave covered for 20 minutes as it continues to simmer. NEVER LIFT THE LID during the cooking time.
• 4. Take dumplings out of the water and serve with your favorite gravy over them. This will make 6 or 7 dumplings.

KNODEL

Steps:

• Butter one 9x11 inch baking dish.
• In a skillet over medium heat, combine the onion, parsley and butter. Cook until onions begin to brown. Pour over bread cubes and toss well.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over the bread and onion mixture; mix well and allow to stand for 1 hour.
• Firmly press mixture into baking dish; tightly cover with aluminum foil.
• Place baking dish on a rack in a larger pot with 3 inches of water. Cover pot and steam for 1 hour. Remove from pot and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Drizzle with melted butter before serving.

SEMMELKNOEDEL (BREAD DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Place the bread cubes into a large bowl. Heat the milk until it starts to bubble at the edges, then pour it over the bread cubes. Stir briefly to coat the bread. Let soak for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until tender. Stir in the parsley, and remove from the heat. Mix into the bowl with the bread along with the eggs, salt and pepper. Use your hands, squeezing the dough through your fingers until it is smooth and sticky.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. The water should be at least 3 or 4 inches deep. When the water is boiling, make a test dumpling about the size of a small orange or tangerine, by patting and cupping between wet hands. Gently drop into the boiling water. If it falls apart, the dough is too wet. In this case, stir some bread crumbs into the rest of the dumpling batter.
• Form the remaining dough into large dumplings, and carefully drop into the boiling water. Simmer for 20 minutes, then remove to a serving plate with a large slotted spoon. They should come out soft, spongy and delicious!

GERMAN BREAD DUMPLINGS (SEMMELKNODEL )

Steps:

• Break bread into small pieces; place in a medium bowl; Pour warm milk over bread.
• Heat oil in a medium skillet; Add onion; sauté until golden brown.
• Add sautéed onion, and remaining ingredients to bread mixture; blend well; mixture should be stiff; Add bread or milk to adjust consistency.
• Working with floured hands, form smooth paste into a roll about 2 1/2 inches in diameter; Cut roll into 8 pieces; form each piece into a dumpling.
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil; Add dumplings, one at a time, to boiling water, making sure they are not overcrowded; Do not cover; Simmer over low heat about 15 minutes.
• Dumplings are done when they float.
• Carefully remove dumplings with a slotted spoon; drain well.
• Serve immediately with roast meat and gravy or sauce and cooked kale; dumplings are excellent with roast goose or duck.