Discover the traditional recipe for South Tyrolean cheese dumplings, served with nutty brown butter and crispy Parmesan chips. A classic dish from the Alpine region, perfectly refined for a gourmet experience at home. Easy-to-follow steps and helpful tips included.
Calories & Effort
- Calories per serving (3 dumplings): approx. 450 kcal
- Preparation time: approx. 40 minutes
- Total time: approx. 1 hour
- Servings: For 4 people (12 dumplings)
Ingredients
For the cheese dumplings:
- 250 g white bread (day-old), cut into small cubes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 150 ml milk
- 3 eggs
- 150 g grated cheese (e.g. South Tyrolean mountain cheese)
- 50 g flour
- Salt, pepper, nutmeg
- Fresh herbs (parsley, chives), finely chopped
- Butter for frying
For the brown butter:
- 100 g butter
For the Parmesan chips:
- 100 g Parmesan, finely grated
Preparation
1. Prepare the cheese dumplings
- Place the white bread cubes in a bowl and pour the milk over them. Let soak for about 10 minutes until soft.
- Heat some butter in a pan and sauté the onion until golden brown. Let cool afterwards.
- Add the onion, eggs, grated cheese, flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and chopped herbs to the soaked white bread cubes. Mix everything well until a homogeneous mass is formed. If the mixture is too liquid, add some more white bread.
2. Shape and cook the dumplings
- With wet hands, shape the mixture into dumplings.
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot and let the dumplings simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes until they rise to the surface.
3. Make the brown butter
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and heat until it develops a golden brown color and a nutty aroma.
4. Prepare the Parmesan chips
- Spread the Parmesan in small heaps on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (top/bottom heat) for about 5–7 minutes until the chips are golden brown and crispy. Let cool.
5. Serve
- Remove the cooked cheese dumplings from the water and let them drain well.
- Plate them, drizzle with brown butter, and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan and chives.
- Garnish with Parmesan chips and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cheese Dumplings
- White bread: Ensure that the bread is well-soaked so that the dumplings retain a juicy consistency.
- Dough consistency: The mixture should be easily moldable. If it sticks, you can slightly wet your hands or add a bit more flour.
- Brown butter: Heat the butter slowly so it doesn't burn, and use a light-colored pot to easily monitor the color.
- Parmesan chips: The Parmesan heaps should be spread thinly to become nice and crispy.
Product Knowledge: South Tyrolean Mountain Cheese
What makes South Tyrolean mountain cheese so special?
South Tyrolean mountain cheese is traditionally made from fresh hay milk from cows grazing in alpine pastures. The cheese has an aromatic, slightly spicy note that perfectly harmonizes with the ingredients of the cheese dumplings. Its excellent melting properties make it the ideal choice for this dish.
Nutritional values:
Mountain cheese is rich in protein and calcium, making it particularly valuable for a balanced diet. It also contains valuable vitamins such as B12 and D.
Why love this recipe?
Cheese dumplings with brown butter and Parmesan chips are a true highlight of alpine cuisine. The combination of fluffy dumplings, the nutty aroma of brown butter, and crispy Parmesan chips is a delight for the senses. This dish combines simplicity and sophistication – perfect for special occasions or a cozy evening at home.
Interactive Conclusion
How did your recipe turn out? Did you vary it with a different cheese or additional herbs? Share your experiences and tips in the comments – we look forward to your feedback and are happy to help with any questions!
What can go wrong when preparing cheese dumplings – and how can you avoid it?
1. Dumplings fall apart in water
Cause:
- The mixture is too wet or not sufficiently bound.
Solution: - Ensure that the white bread is well-soaked but not mushy.
- If necessary, add more flour or additional dumpling bread to make the mixture firmer.
2. The dumplings are too firm or dry
Cause:
- Too much flour or too little liquid was used.
Solution: - Use an exact amount of milk and let the mixture rest well so that the white bread fully absorbs the liquid.
3. Brown butter burns
Cause:
- The butter was heated too long or at too high a temperature.
Solution: - Heat the butter over medium heat and watch the process closely. As soon as the butter is golden brown and smells nutty, remove it from the heat immediately.
4. Parmesan chips are not crispy
Cause:
- The chips were applied too thickly or not baked long enough.
Solution: - Sprinkle the Parmesan thinly and evenly on the baking paper. Bake the chips at 180 °C and let them cool completely after baking.
Storing and Keeping Cheese Dumplings
1. Freshly prepared:
- The dumplings taste best freshly cooked and served immediately.
2. Refrigerator:
- Cooked cheese dumplings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Store in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
3. Freezing:
- Freeze the dumplings before cooking. To do this, freeze the raw dumplings on a tray and then place them in a freezer bag.
- Shelf life: Up to 3 months.
4. Reheating:
- Gently sauté cooked dumplings in a pan with some butter or warm them in a pot with some hot broth.
Tips for Perfectly Storing Ingredients
- White bread:
Use dry white bread from the day before. If it is too dry, you can lightly moisten it with water before processing. - Cheese:
Store grated cheese in the refrigerator in an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from drying out. - Parmesan:
Whole Parmesan stays fresh longer. Store it in wax paper or special cheese paper.
Important Notes for Perfect Cheese Dumplings
- Cooking temperature:
The water should not be boiling vigorously, as the dumplings may fall apart. Let them simmer in gently boiling water. - Resting time:
Always let the mixture rest before shaping the dumplings so that the liquid is fully absorbed.
With these tips, you will be able to avoid typical mistakes and prepare your cheese dumplings perfectly. Give it a try and enjoy this traditional treat in perfection!
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