SPINACH SPAETZLE IN GAME-HEN BROTH

Spinach Spaetzle in Game-Hen Broth image

Somewhere between a pasta and a dumpling, these spaetzle are tender, toothsome, and fun to make. Meaning "little sparrows" in German, it's especially fitting that a spaetzle recipe found its way into this elegant soup that features game-hen.

Provided by Greg Lofts

Categories Food & Cooking Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 leek, white and light-green parts only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise, well washed, and drained
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Kosher salt
2 Cornish game hens (each 1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
2 bunches spinach (12 ounces total), tough stems trimmed
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 ounce Pecorino Romano, grated (1/3 cup)
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus wedges for serving
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Broth: In a pot just large enough to hold hens snugly side-by-side, heat oil over medium. Add leeks, thyme, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are soft but have not developed any color, about 5 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a bowl. Season hens inside and out with salt and transfer to pot. Add enough water to just cover hens and bring to a boil, skimming any impurities from surface. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until hens are just cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Spaetzle: Meanwhile, prepare an ice-water bath. Cook spinach in a pot of generously salted boiling water until wilted and darkened slightly, about 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, remove spinach and plunge into ice-water bath; let stand until cold, about 1 minute. Set pot of water aside for later.
Thoroughly drain and squeeze spinach dry by pressing in a ricer or wringing out in a clean kitchen towel. Transfer spinach to a food processor with eggs, oil, nutmeg, cheese, and 2 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper and purée until smooth. Add flour and pulse until no dry flour remains (dough should have the consistency of thick pancake batter).
Broth: Transfer hens to a cutting board; strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve. Return broth to pot along with leek mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove skin and bones from hens and shred meat into bite-size pieces.
Spaetzle: Return pot of water to a boil. Press dough through a ricer or colander directly into water. Cook until spaetzle float to the surface, swell slightly, and are tender, about 5 minutes; drain.
Stir 2 cups shredded meat and lemon juice into pot with broth. Spoon spaetzle into serving bowls and ladle broth mixture over top. Garnish with dill, a drizzle of oil, and serve with lemon wedges.