Creamy Spätzle with Speck: A Delicious Comfort Dish
If you are a fan of hearty comfort food that delivers both flavor and indulgence, this Creamy Spätzle with Speck recipe is just what you need. This rich, creamy dish combines homemade spätzle with the smoky goodness of speck and a silky, flavorful cream sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a special meal, this dish will be a hit with your family and friends.
Ingredients for Spätzle:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour (00) | 250g |
| Eggs | 3 |
| Water | 150g |
| Nutmeg | to taste |
| Salt | to taste |
| Fresh cream (liquid) | 250g |
Ingredients for the Sauce:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Speck (smoked pork) | 150g |
| Chives | to taste |
| Butter | 30g |
| Salt | to taste |
| Black pepper | to taste |
Steps for Preparing Spätzle with Cream and Speck:
-
Prepare the Spätzle Dough:
- Start by sifting the flour into a large mixing bowl. This helps to prevent any lumps from forming in the dough. Add the eggs to the flour and stir to combine.
- Season the mixture with a pinch of salt and a dash of black pepper. Grate a small amount of nutmeg directly into the dough to infuse it with a subtle, aromatic flavor.
- Gradually pour in the water, stirring as you go. The consistency of the dough should be smooth but not too runny. If you’re using a spätzle press (Spätzlehobel), you can adjust the water quantity accordingly. If you don’t have a press, you can use a potato masher to form the spätzle, and in this case, the dough should be slightly thicker.
-
-
Prepare the Sauce:
- While the dough rests, it’s time to prepare the sauce. Begin by washing the chives and chopping them finely. Set aside.
- Roll up the slices of speck and cut them into small strips. This will allow the speck to cook quickly and release its smoky flavor into the sauce.
- In a large frying pan, melt the butter over low heat. Once the butter has melted and is bubbling slightly, add the speck strips to the pan. Sauté for a few minutes, allowing the speck to crisp up and release its delicious smokiness.
- Pour in the fresh cream, stirring to combine. Add the chopped chives to the sauce, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer gently, allowing the flavors to meld together while you cook the spätzle.
-
Cook the Spätzle:
- In a separate large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Once boiling, it’s time to cook the spätzle. If you’re using a spätzle press, place it over the boiling water, and use a back-and-forth motion to drop the dough into the water. The dough will fall through the holes, forming small dumplings that cook very quickly.
- If you’re using a potato masher, simply press the dough through the holes into the boiling water. Once the spätzle rises to the surface, they are cooked and ready to be removed from the water.
- Use a slotted spoon or a skimmer to remove the cooked spätzle from the pot. Transfer them directly into the pan with the creamy speck sauce.
-
Finish the Dish:
- Once all the spätzle is added to the sauce, gently stir to coat them in the creamy sauce. Let the spätzle absorb the sauce for a few minutes over low heat, ensuring they are well-coated and infused with the flavors.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed. You can also add a bit more cream if you prefer a richer sauce.
-
Serve:
- Once the spätzle is thoroughly coated in the creamy speck sauce, your dish is ready to serve. Transfer the spätzle to plates, garnish with a few more freshly chopped chives, and enjoy this comforting, flavorful dish!
Tips:
- If you don’t have speck, you can substitute it with pancetta or bacon, though speck provides a unique smoky flavor that is hard to replicate.
- For an extra creamy texture, feel free to add a splash of milk or extra cream to the sauce.
- You can also add a bit of grated cheese, such as Parmesan, on top for an additional layer of flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 550-600 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
Enjoy this decadent dish of creamy spätzle with speck as a comforting main course or a side dish. It’s rich, flavorful, and sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
