Sunday, August 21, 2011

Schnitzel und Spaetzle

SCHNITZEL
6-8 pork loin cutlets
1 1/2 cups flour
2-3 eggs beaten
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
3 sheets of wax paper (about 2 ft. long)
Salt
Lemon
Peanut oil

Take one slice of pork meat at a time

and place it on one side of a sheet of wax paper.  Fold over the wax paper other side onto the top of the meat.  With a meat pounder, pound the meat until it's very thin (about 1/8" thick)

Gently remove the top wax sheet and set meat aside 

until they're all done

Heat about 1/2 - 3/4 cup oil until hot

In the meantime, prepare the flour, eggs and bread crumbs.  Place them each in their own container.  I find that pie plates are a perfect size and height for dredging.  Dredge each slice one at a time into the flour, egg, bread crumbs and

then carefully add to hot oil.  Fry both sides for about 5 minutes.

Place the cooked pork on a platter with paper towels to drain excess oil

Once all the frying is done, place the platter of Schnitzel in a warm oven (about 175 degrees F).  Reserve the drippings for later.

SPAETZLE (German Noodles)
2 1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk

Mix flour and salt, add eggs and milk.  I made a mistake by trying to use this handheld mixer.  It didn't work as the mixture was too tough for it.  I used my faithful rubber spatula instead and it worked a whole lot better.

Stir until smooth.  This can be a little tough and difficult to stir because it's so thick and pasty but that's okay.  It's supposed to be like that.

This folks, is an authentic, Spaetzle maker.  I've had it for over 20 years.  We bought it while living in Germany when my husband was stationed there.  Nifty gadget, wouldn't you say??

It fit's perfectly on my pot.  It's like they were made for each other :)  If you don't have a Spaetzle maker, I'm told you can use a colander along with a rubber spatula (google it and you'll find an array of updated makers)

Over boiling water, squeeze mixture through Spaetzle maker

Carefully hold red handle with one hand and with the other hand hold onto the cupbox that holds the mixture and slide back and forth.  Mixture will squeeze through the holes and fall into the boiling water.  (My one hand wasn't holding onto the handle only because I was taking the picture).

Allow noodles to boil for 2 1/2 minutes until they float to the top

With a large slotted spoon,  scoop out the noodles that have floated to the top.  Shake of excess water and place in a large bowl.

SPAEZTLE SAUCE
16 oz. Sour cream
2-3 tsp onion powder
Drippings from the cooked Schnitzel

Drain all but about a 1/4 cup of the drippings.  Heat to med-low and pour in the whole container of sour cream, add the onion powder.  Stir and warm thoroughly.  Salt to taste.

Serve the sauce over the Schnitzel and Spaetzle.  Ist gut!

We moved into our new home around eight months ago and I think because of the move, I lost my original  Schnitzel and Spaetzle recipe.  My good friend Daphnee originally gave it to me when we were "military wives" back in Germany and I kept it all these years until now.  I was able to email Daphnee to ask her for the recipe and as always, she came through in no time.  The only thing she didn't send was the Spaetzle sauce so I had to 2nd guess the ingredients.  I remember the sour cream and onion powder but I feel like there's one more ingredient missing.  I wanna say it's worchestershire sauce but I'm not positive.  So I concocted what I think was the sauce and it came pretty close to it, it's still bugging me though that something's not righ I just can't seem to pinpoint it.  I hope I do find my original recipe, I'm so sad without it.

Anyway, I ended up making a recipe and half of the Spaetzle because I was feeding six people including two meat and potatoes men.  As you can see, I didn't use any lemons because I didn't have any.  I also didn't have bread crumbs so I ended up using "shake and bake".  Yea, not very authentic but oh well.  The family still loved it and ......it's all gone.
I rarely ever make this recipe in the summer time only because you really put in a good workout when making the Spaetzle.  But we were all in the mood for it and the workout was well worth it :)
This recipe is shared with:
StoneGable
Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays

3 comments:

  1. This brings back great memories of my stay in Germany. Your Schnitzel and Spaetzle look awesome. Just stopping by from OTMM, thanks for sharing!
    Miz Helen

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  2. Your Spaetzle looks delicious! I grew up in Germany and love it. Now to find a Spaetzle maker. Thank you for sharing this. I am visiting from stone gable!!

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  3. I am soooo impressed that you make your OWN Spaetzle! I buy it from a little Polish deli near my DH's old office. I can't wait to try your recipe for the sauce, as I've only served it with butter & onions.
    Thanks for the recipes & thanks, too for the sweet comments about my DGD's sundress. I just made the same pattern only the dress is entirely different looking due to a few changes I made.

    fondly,
    Rett

    ps. LOVE your Football Wreath & ROOM!! yea, YOU!!

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