Oma's Spaetzle Recipe

Spaetzle [SHPEHT-sluh; SHPEHT-sehl; SHPEHT-slee] Literally translated from German as "little sparrow," spaetzle is a dish of tiny noodles or dumplings made with flour, eggs, water or milk, salt and sometimes nutmeg. The spaetzle dough can be firm enough to be rolled and cut into slivers or soft enough to be forced through a sieve, colander or spaetzle-maker with large holes. The small pieces of dough are usually boiled (poached) before being tossed with butter or added to soups or other dishes. In Germany, spaetzle is served as a side dish much like potatoes or rice, and is often accompanied by a sauce or gravy. The cooked spaetzle can also be pan-fried with a little butter and onions (usually a good left-over idea).

So, now that you know what they are, and have had time to order your Spaetzle press from Target.com, here is the recipe:

Spaetzle (also known as Oma Noodles)

2 eggs
½ cup milk
1 ½ cup flour
½ tsp salt
2 to 3 tbsp. butter, melted

Fill a large pot 2/3 full with water, add about 1 tsp salt per quart and bring to a boil. Reduce heat for a gentle boil
Beat eggs and milk with a fork.
Combine flour and salt and add to egg-milk mixture and stir until flour is blended in and dough is smooth.
Fill dough into the Spaetzle press and suspend over pot of boiling water, then slowly press the dough into the pot of water.
Cook until Spaetzle rise to the top.
Remove with a slotted spoon, and place in a colander to drain thoroughly, then quickly rinse with cold water. Shake as dry as possible.
Turn the Spaetzle in the melted butter. Serve warm.

Spaetzle also freeze well.