Spaetzle (German noodle bits)

This was from a Spaetzle maker package and is supposed to be enough to serve 6 people. However, it is easy enough to make this without a Spaetzle maker- just put the mixture into some type of a larger-holed sieve or pasta drainer and push the mixture through the holes using a spatula over a pot of boiling water or over a brothy soup. This is really quite easy to make.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter

Beat eggs lightly, add milk and water. Place flour and salt into a bowl and gradually add the egg mixture. "Grate" your soft dough mixture directly into a pot of boiling water. Cook about 4-5 minutes- test a piece and see if it seems cooked through. Remove from water.

As mentioned above, it may also be added to a soup in place of noodles, rice or other starch. It may also be served with melted butter, tomato sauce and grated cheese, sour cream, olive oil and basil (or a pesto mixture)....  You can also experiment with adding different herbs to the spaetzle mixture - 1 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp oregano, saffron, 1 tsp dill, curry, italian blend, greek or french herb blend, etc........Use your imagination!