German Egg Dumplings With Chervil

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups All-purpose flour

3 larges Eggs, beaten lightly

3/4 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon White pepper

1 dash Grated nutmeg

1 tablespoon Minced chervil or

1 tablespoon Italian flat-leaved parsley minced

1/2 cup Milk or water or more as needed

1/4 cup Unsalted butter

Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except butter, adding enough liquid so that batter is the consistency of a thick crepe batter.

With a wooden spoon or spatula, beat batter in a circular motion, to incorporate as much air as possible into the dough (about 5 minutes). Allow dough to rest 10 minutes, then beat again another 5 minutes.

Bring lightly salted water (or stock) to a boil. Turn heat down so water just simmers. Using a large-holed colander, vegetable mill, spaetzle cutter or a pastry bag, drop small bits of dough into simmering liquid. (If using colander, press batter through holes. With pastry bag, break off small bits with a knife; or place a flat, large-holed cheese grater over top of pot and press batter through the openings with a spatula.) When cooked, spaetzle will rise to the surface (about 5 minutes).

Remove with a slotted spoon, rinse under cold water and drain well. (To keep ahead of time, place spaetzle on a damp towel and refrigerate, up to a day or two.)

To reheat, place butter on a large baking pan and place in moderate oven to melt butter. Spread spaetzle on pan and toss to coat with butter. Heat, uncovered, in 350 F. oven until golden brown and slightly crisp. Or saute in butter.