German: Spaetzle (Egg Dumplings) with Caramelized Onions
Recipe by Kayla Lammy <klamm3@illinois.edu>
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
- 2 Vidalia onions (sweet onions)
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups flour
- 10-20 grates of fresh nutmeg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp table salt for spaetzle batter
- Extra salt for onions and boiling water
Procedure:
- Cut onions in half through the root and peel, leaving the root intact; slice each onion half into thin strips (~ ¼”)
- Heat about 1 Tbsp oil in a cast iron skillet or sauté pan over medium heat; add onions and a generous pinch of salt to the skillet and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook onions (uncovered), stirring frequently until they’ve become soft and golden brown (about 20 minutes); if pan becomes dry throughout, add a couple tablespoons of water and stir, letting the water evaporate; repeat as necessary, remove from heat once done
- Prepare the spaetzle batter: Add flour to a medium sized mixing bowl and grate some fresh nutmeg on top; whisk milk, eggs, and salt in a separate bowl until combined, then add to flour
- Using a fork, combine wet and dry ingredients; once combined, beat mixture by hand for 5-10 minutes (batter should be stretchy and sticky, holes will form in the batter when stretched)
- Prepare a large pot of water, generously salted; let batter rest while waiting for the water to come to a boil
- Reheat the skillet with onions low heat; add in 2 tablespoons of butter, allowing butter to slowly melt
- Make the spaetzle: once water is boiling, scoop some batter onto a large, slotted spoon; using another smaller spoon, press the batter through the slotted spoon over the boiling water; repeat until pot is full of spaetzle (but not too crowded); cook for about 2-3 minutes, then scoop from water using a fine mesh strainer or spider and toss directly into the caramelized onions and butter
- Repeat with another batch until done (this process will take about 4-5 batches)
- Serve and enjoy!