German Spaetzle Noodles

german spaetzle recipe

German Spaetzle is the ultimate “cheap” dish.  After all, it doesn’t get much more frugal than a dish mainly comprised of eggs, water and flour.  It’s the shape of these noodles that make them fun to eat.  Dress them up with gravy, herbs or freshly grated cheese.  My kids LOVE this dish and my daughter can make them all by herself.  Plus, they’re ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Frugal Tips:  We have a Spaetzle Maker, but you can make an impromptu spaetzle maker at home.  The first time my husband and I made these noodles we were newly married and broke – so we used a tin can with holes punched in the bottom.   A smaller can “squeezes” the spaetzle dough through the holes.  You can also use a colander to make spaetzle if it has wide enough holes.

German Spaetzle Noodles
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2-4
 
Ingredients
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 tsp. water
  • 1½ C. flour
  • ½ tsp. nutmeg

Instructions
  1. Combine ingredients to form dough. Press dough through the holes in a colander or spaetlze maker into boiling water. The noodles will rise to the surface when they’re done cooking. Serve with butter, gravy or other thick sauce. Garnish with parsley if desired

I first posted this recipe on Mommysavers.com

The Brauhaus Restaurant & Lounge: Authentic German Food in Northern Minnesota

the brauhaus akeley, minnesota

The Brauhaus:  Authentic German Food in Northern Minnesota

Situated between tiny Nevis and Akelely Minnesota in the heart of lake country, you’ll find a hidden gem known as The Brauhaus German Restaurant.  Despite its remote location, visitors flock here year after year for authentic German food they can’t get anywhere else.  We’ve been going there for over twenty years.  It’s as much a part of our summer cabin tradition as taking the dock in and out of the lake.  Owner Gabriele Kirschman, known to everyone as Gabi, always greets us warmly when we walk in.  The hospitality is second only to the great food.

Everything on the menu at The Brauhaus is good, but our family’s favorite dish is the jägerschnitzel: a delicious, lightly-breaded pork cutlet served with green peppers, mushroom and onion gravy.  We always order it with a side of spaetzle noodles (great with the gravy) and red cabbage. The spaetzle noodles are so good, we started making them at home years ago.  The kids have been raised having them at least once a month or so (here is our own spaetzle noodle recipe).   All the entrees are under $20 (with the glazed duck at $21 as the one exception) and the portions are large; so there’s no arguing about the value.  Other restaurant specialties include sauerbraten and schweinhaxe; as well as desserts like schwarzwälder kirschtorte.  If you’re in a group, the hostess is likely to bring you a free plate of liver pate (pictured below).  If you’ve got picky eaters or kids in your group, there are plenty of American specialties to choose from as too – although I believe you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not ordering anything German.

The decor is homey with a bit of kitsch, but stays true to the experience:  waitresses dressed in old-fashioned German dresses, posters of Germany, and the bar stocked with German beers.   It’s definitely a family favorite and worth the trip if you’re ever in the area.

Frugal Tip:  The portions here are huge.  For lighter appetites, the side dishes can be ordered a la carte.  Sometimes, I simply order a side and have a few bites from my husband’s plate.

The Brauhaus German Restaurant
http://www.brauhaus-german.com/
Akeley, MN 56433-8024
(218) 652-2478

the brauhaus restaurant akeley

the brauhaus german restaurant jaegerschnitzel

the brauhaus sauerbraten

the brauhaus german restaurant sauerbraten