How to Make Spaetzle

Hello everyone today I am going to be sharing with you how to make a German egg noodle known as spaetzle.  These noodles typically are served with a meat dish, cheese and butter, or applesauce.  You may have seen spaetzle at the store to buy or ordered it in a restaurant, but trust me it's much better when you make it your self at home.  I know my dad really enjoys when I make spaetzle with our goulash especially sense his mom was from Germany and he grew up with quit a few German dishes.

When making spaetzle there is a few things you should know before you start.  The first is that you do not need a spaetzle maker in order to make spaetzle.  If you do that may help but I have made spaetzle quit a few times and did not use a spaetzle maker.  Another important thing to know is, that even though spaetzle isn't overly complicated or hard to make, it is quit messy.  So when you decide to try making spaetzle make sure to be prepared for a mess and just have fun with it.  I also recommend to be prepared and have all your supplies ready so your not doing to many things at once.

I hope this step by step instructions on how to make spaetzle inspires you to make your own.  It is super fun to make and it's a great feeling to be able to say you made noodles from scratch.  In this recipe it will make about 2-3 servings depending on portion size, although when I make it I triple it so we would have enough for my family of four as well as having extras.  Another great bonus to this dish is that the spaetzle takes about 5 minutes to cook, so it isn't overly time consuming.  Any way hope you enjoy and lets get started.



Step 1: The first thing that you will need to do in order to make spaetzle is to heat water in a large pan to a boil, and add some salt to it.

Step 2: Next you need to gather your ingredients.  These ingredients are 2 eggs, 1/4-1/2 cup of milk, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 2 tbsp of butter.

Step 3: Once you have  the ingredients mix together the eggs, flour, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup of milk.  When everything is combined together you should end up with a slightly runny dough, if the dough is to hard add in some more milk until it gets to a consistency that is liquid enough to go through the holes of your colander without being completely runny.

Step 4: Now that you have your dough taking a colander or other kitchen appliance that has about 1cm holes in it spoon the dough through (this is the part that you can also use a spaetzle maker for). Taking a colander hold it over top the boiling water. From their put some of the dough on top and using a flat spoon, or the bottom of a measuring cup push the dough through the holes into the water.

Step 5: Once you have dough in the pot move a spoon around the bottom so it doesn't stick.  Wait about 5 minutes or until the spaetzle floats to the top of the water.  This is how you will know your noodles are ready. When the noodles are floating at the top take a spoon with slats in it so you can pick up the noodles and let the water drain out, then place into a bowl.

Step 6: Now you may need to work in batches and repeat steps 2-4 until all the dough is gone. This will allow you to cook the noodles more evenly so you aren't trying to take out the noodles at the same time your trying to put more in. Once all the dough is gone wait until all noodles are done and in the bowl.

Step 7: Lastly taking your noodles place into a pan with butter, and season with salt and pepper until they get a nice brown to them.  Serve as a side, main dish, or any other way you'd like to and enjoy!


Hope this helps and feel to share any extra tips you have for making spaetzle.
-Megan

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1 Pan Curry Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

Today I'm here to share a super flavorful meal, that is simple and doesn't take a lot of effort.  This one dish meal is great, because once you put it it into the oven you don't have to worry about doing anything else until its done and time to eat. This dish is also great because it has the amazing flavors of curry, and the chicken stays really juicy enhancing the overall dish.  I hope you all enjoy and try this simple one pan curry chicken with sweet potatoes.

 Ingredients:

• 1lb of chicken breast cut into 3-4 slices
• 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp thyme
• fresh cilantro chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil and extra for coating sweet potatoes
• 2 sweet potatoes peeled and cut into cubes

Directions:
 To begin, pr-heat the oven to 450 degrees. Then taking a glass baking dish place the sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, and thyme in it.  Next, drizzle a little bit of olive oil over-top then mix together so everything is lightly coated. Once everything is mixed and coated, spread out the potatoes into a single layer in the pan.  It is ok if the potatoes overlap a little.

Next, you will need a small bowl to mix together the olive oil, butter, garlic powder, salt, paprika, curry powder, and cumin.  Once the seasonings are mixed together brush over-top the chicken then drizzle the extra over-top the potatoes as well.

Once everything is seasoned, and in your dish put the pan into the heated oven.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked with an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees and the potatoes are fork tender.  Once the dish is ready, take it from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then garnish with cilantro and serve.

Hope you enjoy and comment if you have anything you'd like to see.
 -Megan

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Banana Walnut Bread

A family favorite, this recipe is my go to when making banana bread.  Overall it has the perfect amount of sweetness from the bananas, and the walnuts add a great crunch.  This banana bread is great as its not to complex and can easily be changed to add a fun twist.  If wanted you can substitute the walnuts with any other nut, or dried fruit, or you can skip that part all together if you have allergies or don't want it. Any way you have it though your sure to have a delicious banana bread to have as a late night snack, for parties, dessert or any other time you would like it.  I highly encourage everyone to make this banana bread though as its easy enough and taste superb.

This recipe I also a great way to use up overly ripe bananas stored in the freezer. To use frozen bananas I take very ripe bananas that nobody ate in my family and when they are fully brown I put them into the freezer. When your ready to use the bananas though make sure to take them out a of the freezer a couple hours before you begin so they are defrosted.  I also recommend that the butter is at room temperature because it will allow the batter to get to the perfect texture.  This step of the process is important in getting the perfect banana bread. Now lets get into how to make this tasty bread.

The mashed bananas, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract

The combined banana and butter mixture

Adding Walnuts allows for a perfect crunch

The batter before it goes into the oven

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter (at room temp.)
• 2 eggs
• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 tbsp almond milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees
2. Beat together the sugar and butter until smooth, then add in the eggs 1 at a time. In a separate bowl mash the bananas, almond milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract with a fork until smooth.  Once mixed add to the butter mixture and combine.
3. In another medium bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt together.  Taking the flour mixture gradually add into the banana, and butter mixture then stir together until the flour disappears.
4. Once everything is well combined pour in the walnuts and mix into the batter.  Then taking the batter pour into a greased bread loaf pan.  Place the pan into  the heated oven and let bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 min or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.
5. When the bread is done take out the bread and let sit for 10 or more minutes or until the bread is cooled. When cooled you can then take the bread out of the pan slice and enjoy!

Hope everyone tries making this Banana Walnut Bread and feedback is greatly appreciated. Also If you would like some more recipes for overripe bananas check out our other blog with some more ideas here.

 -Megan

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How to Roast Your Own Coffee Beans

In class Jessie and I roasted some coffee beans with the help of our teacher.  When roasting the beans we used 2 different kinds, one was a Ethiopian Washed Yirgancheffe Gr.1 Dumerso, and a  2015 Mexican  Turruno Nayarita Washed Reserve bean. To roast these beans we used a west bends air crazy popcorn maker that had the heat gadget removed so it could get to a temperature of about 400°F.  To do this yourself you could also use a popcorn make with vents on the side not mesh, or a coffee bean roaster.

In order to roast the beans though first start with 1/3 cup of and green coffee bean. Place it into the popcorn popper and turn it on. The beans should be able to move around in a circle on their own, you then put the cap on top and wait.  You should also make sure to have a bowl where the opening is so the thin shell coating the bean can go into when it falls off.  

After the beans have been roasting they will begin to crack which is how you know what point their at in their process.

• 1st Crack- at this point the beans will make a loud sound similar to popcorn.  At the first crack your beans will be at a light roast.
• 2nd Crack- after the first crack if you keep going the beans will soon begin to crack again sounding similar to rice krispies popping.  At this point the beans will be at a medium roast.
• End of 2nd Crack- About 30 seconds after the 2nd crack the beans will then be at a dark roast. 

Now you can all try roasting your own coffee if you would like.  Let us know what your favorite type of coffee is.

-Meg and Jess

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Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

These sandwich's are super juicy, and have the perfect combination of spices.  Each bite provides a mouthful of flavor, and the au jus takes these sandwiches just one step further.  Super gooey and filled with flavor, I hope you enjoy this amazing slow cooker french dip sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 2-2 1/2 lb of chuck beef trimmed
• salt and pepper
• olive oil
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
• 1/4 tsp celery seed
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• sliced white onions 
• 3 cups low sodium beef broth
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• cheese (you can pick your favorite but I used provolone, and swiss)
• rolls or bread of your choosing

Directions:
1.Put olive oil in a deep pan, and season your meat with salt and pepper.  Taking the meat sear it in the heated oil.  Wait till the meat begins to brown slightly, then flip over and do the same on all sides.
2.  In a medium bowl mix together the onion powder, celery seed, parsley, beef broth, and the Worcestershire sauce.
3.  Taking the browned meat and place into the crock pot.  Then in the same pan you seared the meat, add the slice onions, and a little more oil if needed.  Cook the onions for 5mins so they become clear and soften, then and in the garlic and cook for 1-2 mins.  Once cooked add 1-2 tbsp of the broth mixture and taking a wooden spoon scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pot. Taking the onions transfer them to the crock pot, and add the juices from the pot as well. Lastly pour in the rest of the broth mixture, and top with the bay leafs.  Let the meat cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
4. When the meat is cooked, take it out and shred or slice the meat.  Then take the juice and put through a strainer but make sure you have a bowl underneath so to collect you au jus and set aside.  By doing this it will allow you to take out the bay leaves, and separate the caramelized onions from the sauce. Take the meat and onions then place back into the crackpot. Top with a little bit of the au jus sauce to keep the meat moist.
5. Next toast your bread, and top with your cheese.  This step isn't needed but if you want the cheese melted place the bread and cheese in the oven and roast for about 5min.
6. Now for the assembly place the meat and onions on top of the bread and cheese.  Serve with the au jus on the side and enjoy!

-Megan

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