Spaetzle Baked with Ham and Gruyère

These dumplings help to make a satisfying main-dish casserole.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1 2/3  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 1/4  teaspoon  baking powder
• 2 1/4  cups  1% low-fat milk, divided
• 4  large eggs, divided
• 2  quarts water
• Cooking spray
• 1  cup  finely chopped onion
• 3/4  cup  finely diced ham (about 4 ounces)
• 2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
• 3/4  cup  (3 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Sift together 1 2/3 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and baking powder. Combine 3/4 cup milk and 2 eggs, stirring with a whisk. Add milk mixture to flour mixture, stirring with a whisk until combined. Let stand 10 minutes.

Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a large saucepan. Hold a colander with large holes (about 1/4-inch in diameter) over boiling water; spoon about 1/2 cup dough into colander. Press the dough through holes with a rubber spatula (droplets will form spaetzle); set colander aside. Cook 3 minutes or until done (spaetzle will rise to surface). Remove with a slotted spoon; drain in a strainer (spaetzle will stick to a paper towel). Repeat procedure with remaining dough.

Heat a medium nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add onion; cook 5 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in ham. Combine spaetzle and onion mixture in a 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray, tossing gently.

Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, and pepper, stirring with a whisk. Pour milk mixture over spaetzle mixture. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake at 375° for 35 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

310 (28% from fat)

Fat:

9.6g (sat 4.4g,mono 2.9g,poly 0.9g)

Protein:

18.8g

Carbohydrate:

35.7g

Fiber:

1.5g

Cholesterol:

165mg

Iron:

2.4mg

Sodium:

786mg

Calcium:

288mg