Spatzle (Little German Noodle Dumplings)

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup milk or soymilk or water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 quarts water or vegetable broth or beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Directions

1. 1

   Mix eggs, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.

2. 2

   Batter will be thick.

3. 3

   Heat water and 1 teaspoon salt to boiling water.

4. 4

   Press batter through colander (preferably one with large holes), a few tablespoons at a time, into boiling water.

5. 5

   Stir once or twice while boiling to prevent sticking.

6. 6

   Cook until dumplings rise to surface and are tender, about 5 minutes; drain.

7. 7

   Pour butter over dumplings.

8. 8

   NOTES: These free-form dumplings make an unusual side dish, sprinkled with grated cheese or toasted bread crumbs.

9. 9

   They can be made in hot broth instead of water, and some recipes instruct forcing the Spatzle dough directly into a boiling soup to cook, just minutes before the soup is brought to the table.

10. 10

    Spatzle is also delicious drained and then fried in a little butter or margarine.