Best German Bread Dumplings Semmelknodel Recipes

SEMMELKNOEDEL (BREAD DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Place the bread cubes into a large bowl. Heat the milk until it starts to bubble at the edges, then pour it over the bread cubes. Stir briefly to coat the bread. Let soak for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until tender. Stir in the parsley, and remove from the heat. Mix into the bowl with the bread along with the eggs, salt and pepper. Use your hands, squeezing the dough through your fingers until it is smooth and sticky.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. The water should be at least 3 or 4 inches deep. When the water is boiling, make a test dumpling about the size of a small orange or tangerine, by patting and cupping between wet hands. Gently drop into the boiling water. If it falls apart, the dough is too wet. In this case, stir some bread crumbs into the rest of the dumpling batter.
• Form the remaining dough into large dumplings, and carefully drop into the boiling water. Simmer for 20 minutes, then remove to a serving plate with a large slotted spoon. They should come out soft, spongy and delicious!

GERMAN BREAD DUMPLINGS (SEMMELKNODEL )

Steps:

• Break bread into small pieces; place in a medium bowl; Pour warm milk over bread.
• Heat oil in a medium skillet; Add onion; sauté until golden brown.
• Add sautéed onion, and remaining ingredients to bread mixture; blend well; mixture should be stiff; Add bread or milk to adjust consistency.
• Working with floured hands, form smooth paste into a roll about 2 1/2 inches in diameter; Cut roll into 8 pieces; form each piece into a dumpling.
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil; Add dumplings, one at a time, to boiling water, making sure they are not overcrowded; Do not cover; Simmer over low heat about 15 minutes.
• Dumplings are done when they float.
• Carefully remove dumplings with a slotted spoon; drain well.
• Serve immediately with roast meat and gravy or sauce and cooked kale; dumplings are excellent with roast goose or duck.

AUTHENTIC BAVARIAN SEMMEL KNOEDEL (BREAD DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Slice the rolls into 1/4-inch thickness.
• Place slices into a large bowl and pour the warm milk over; let soak for 10 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the parsley and season to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Pour parsley mixture into bread/milk mixture and knead together, then wet your hands and form the dough into four round dumplings.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
• Place dumplings carefully into the water and simmer (do not boil) for 15 minutes, until done.
• Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon into a colander to drain.
• Serve with stew or goulash or gravy.
• Note: You can make Bretzen Knoedel (Bavarian Pretzel Dumplings) by substituting about 2 cups of soft pretzels (large, soft bakery style), for the French rolls.