Austrian Meatballs Spaetzle Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. and place a smaller casserole dish (approximately 11 X 7) in the oven to warm before adding the spaetzle. Place a large pot on the stove and add 2 quarts salted water. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, add the flour eggs, milk and 2 pinches salt and stir vigorously until thoroughly incorporated. The dough should be runny but stable. Set aside and let dough rest.
• Grate cheeses and mix them together. Set aside.
• Pour the olive oil in a large pan and heat. Add the sliced onion, 2 pinches salt and the freshly ground pepper. Cook until the onions are nicely browned and soft. Set aside.
• Place the spaetzle maker or colander over the boiling pot of salted water. Pour in about 1/3 of the dough and move the speatzle maker back and forth, or push the dough through the colander with a spreader. Stir the spaetzle regularly to prevent sticking. Simmer gently until the spaetzle floats on the top of the water. It's done at this point. Remove with a medium size handled sieve, let the water drain out and place into the pre-heated casserole dish. Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheese and the onions on top of the spaetzle and repeat this step two more times until there are three layers of spaetzle, onions and cheese in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the parsley on top and let rest for 15 minutes until the cheese has melted.
• Serve with a green salad and a cold beer.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, 2 onions, curry powder, Italian seasoning, egg, garlic, salt and pepper. Gradually mix in the milk until you have a nice texture for forming meatballs. You may not need all of the milk. Form the meat into balls slightly smaller than golf balls. Place them in a greased baking dish.
• Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Once the meatballs are in the oven, start making the sauce straight away.
• Melt the margarine in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining onions, and cook until browned. Stir in the ketchup, beef stock, steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, instant coffee, brown sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are done.
• Remove the meatballs from the oven, and drain any excess grease. Pour the sauce over them, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 30 minutes.
• These meatballs taste even better after they have been left to rest for a while to soak up the sauce. I usually make the recipe at lunchtime and let it cool. I put it back in the oven at about 200 degrees for approximately 15 minutes to reheat for dinner. This is not necessary but it makes it taste even better!

Steps:

• Cook spaetzle according to package directions. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan combine the meatballs, broth, mushroom pieces, and chopped onion. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine, stirring well, the sour cream, flour, and caraway seeds. Stir into meatballs mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook one minute longer.
• Spoon meatballs over the spaetzle and garnish with chopped parsley.

Steps:

• Begin with the German meatballs: Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and shape into about 24 (1 1/2-inch round) meatballs. Brown the meatballs in a large skillet over medium heat, making sure to drain well as you cook the meaty mixture. Add beef broth, mushrooms, and onion. Simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
• In a small mixing bowl, blend sour cream, flour, and caraway seed. Add to the simmering broth and meatballs.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, prepare the spaetzle by sifting together the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs and milk and beat well. Place in a coarse-sieved colander and sieve (pushing the batter through the holes of the colander) directly over a rapidly boiling pot of lightly salted water. Cook for about 5 minutes, drain.
• Sprinkle spaetzle with a mixture of fine breadcrumbs, garlic powder and melted butter.
• Place a large portion of the spaetzle on a serving platter and hollow out a well in the center. Spoon meatballs and sauce in the center of the spaetzle and serve warm.