Kaesespaetzle

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. Sea salt

1 1/2 tsp. Ground nutmeg 

1/4 tsp. Black pepper 

6 eggs

6 oz. milk

Water 

Salt

Butter 

3 cups grated cheese:

Elam, Gruyere, Swiss or combination 

Carmelized onions (see below) 

2 tbs. fresh parsley diced 

Tools:

Medium bowl

Large bowl

Large stock pot

Spaetzle maker or large holed cheese grater 

Large slotted spoon 

Large deep casserole dish

Directions:

Sift together dry ingredients in medium bowl. Set aside. In large bowl beat three eggs well. Alternate flour and milk while whisking until dough is smooth. It will be a very moist dough about the consistency of porridge. Let dough rest for 20 minutes. 

In large stock pot bring salted water to a full boil. Spray spaetzle maker with Pam. Hold spaetzle maker over pot. Fill spaetzle maker bowl about half to 3/4 full and slowly move bowl back and forth as the dumplings drop into the water. Repeat until all dough is used. Using slotted spoon stir dumplings. When all are floating to the top remove with slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl. 

Butter large deep casserole dish and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Layer dumplings and cheeses in three layers. Placed caramelize onions on top. Bake 20-25 minutes until all cheese is melted.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley. 

To make Carmelized onions: slice very thinly, two large sweet onions. You can use canola oil and butter, but I prefer using bacon fat to sauté the onions in. You just need enough to coat the bottom of the pan. I normally cut about 1/2 a pound of bacon into chunks and cook until crisp. Then I set the bacon aside. I am also normally making this at the same time that I am making beef roulade so I am already cooking bacon for that. Cook onions over medium heat stirring every five minutes. Cook for 20-30 mins until onions are soft and golden in color. The left over bacon is good sprinkled on top of your spaetzle or you can save for another recipe. The onions can be made ahead of time and refrigerated since they will bake in the oven they will reheat.