Käsespätzle (Cheese spaetzle)

Luxurious main course

Ingredients for 4 portions:

500 g (1.1 lbs or about 4 cups + 2.5 Tablespoons) flour
salt
4 eggs
200 g (7 oz) Emmentaler cheese
2 onions
3 T butter
freshly ground black pepper

Prep time: about 1 hour

Per portion: 810 calories

Directions:

Place the flour in a bowl, add the eggs, 1 teaspoon salt and about 1/8 liter (a smidgen over 1/2 cup [actually, more water may be needed than this, dough should be only somewhat thicker than pancake batter] lukewarm water, and mix forcefully until the dough is bubbly. Let the dough rest for a few minutes.
Grate the cheese. Peel the onions and cut into thin slices. Melt the butter in a pan, then add the onions and saute until golden brown. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
In a pot, bring 2 liters (2 quarts) salted water to a boil. Spread the dough in portions on a damp cutting board, smooth it out and with a knife, cut thin slices over the water so they drop in as you cut (here’s a video showing how this is done). (You can also press the dough by portions through a Spätzlepresse into the water.) As soon as the Spätzle float to the surface of the water, remove them with a slotted spoon, drain the water well, then place them in an oven-proof casserole dish. Sprinkle with pepper and a little of the cheese and place in the oven.
Proceed with the preparation of the next portion, layer it on top of the portion in the oven, and add pepper and some cheese. Atop the final layer of Spätzle, distribute the onions and butter. Raise the temperature to 250°C (480°F) and bake the Spätzle for about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with more pepper and the rest of the cheese.

Read about the challenge results on the Real German Cuisine: Käsespätzle post. Want more Real German Cuisine? Check out the full recipe list organized by German state. Do you have an alternative recipe for this dish or helpful hints? Please let us know in the comments!