Moose Spätzle (serves 3)

delicious moose spaetzle
(photo taken by android phone)

I still had some thawed ground moose so I decided to make a sauce to use up some of the other ingredients in my kitchen.  I made spätzle to go with this sauce since it was quick, easy, cheap and light.  We invited our neighbor, Inge over for a late dinner.  My husband made a nice fire to keep us all warm and toasty.  We are lucky to have a  fireplace.  We certainly made good use of it since we bought our home!

Also thank you Holly for the tasty moose meat.  It has certainly forced me to be a little more creative with my meals!  

Spätzle (makes about 15 1/4 oz)

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup cake flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
1 egg, room temperature, lightly beaten

Method:

1)  In a medium bowl whisk all the dry ingredients (flour and salt) with water.
2) Add egg and mix well until all ingredients are blended.
3) Let the mixture rest for 5-10 minutes.
4) In the meantime heat a large pot with 5 cup water (may add a pinch of salt if desire) over high heat until the water boils.
5) Turns heat to medium high and use a large pan or colander with large holes (about 1 cm or 3/8-inch in diameter) to place on top of the pot.
6) With a flexible spatula take a small amount of dough and force through the holes.
7) When the dumplings float to the top, scoop them out to a clean bowl.
8) Continue this process until all the dough is gone.

Moose Spätzle (serves 3)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
2 oz pancetta, diced
1 lb ground moose meat
10 oz white button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 lb tomatoes, deseeded and diced
10 oz spinach, washed and sliced in strips
1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp of fish sauce (or according to your taste)
A large pinch of freshly ground black pepper
A small handful of chopped parsley leaves
One batch of prepared spätzle (see recipe above)

Method:

1) Heat a large pot over medium high heat.  Once the pot is hot add 1 tablespoon of oil, garlic and onion.  Saute for about a minute.
2) Add pancetta and saute about a minute.
3) Scatter in the moose meat and 1/2 tablespoon oil.  Cook for about 2 minutes.
4) Add mushrooms and tomatoes, saute about 1-2 minutes.
5) Add spinach and stir occasionally for another 5 minutes.
6) Add fish sauce, pepper and parsley.  Cook for about a minute.
7) Add the spätzle and mix everything together.  Cook for another minute or until everything is heated thoroughly.  Turn off heat.

*I served this dish with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and it was delicious.
*If you do not have access to moose meat you can easily substitute this with another ground meat.
*You may use salt instead of fish sauce; add according to your taste.

addendum:  This is the next day's meal.
The liquid has been absorbed but still very tasty.
I sprinkled grated Parmesan cheese and
some chopped parsley for a prettier presentation.