Italian teardrop dumplings (chnèfflènè)

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Resting time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    725 kcal

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Italian teardrop dumplings (chnèfflènè)

Also known as gnocchetti dalla Valle D’Aosta, these teardrop dumplings (chnèfflènè) are a wonderful example of Italian mountain fare. They are made with a thick batter similar to spaetzle cooked in boiling salted water and dressed with onions sautéed in butter,wine and a little broth.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the dumpling batter

  • 1.1 pounds Italian '00' soft wheat flour or all-purpose flour
  • 17 floz whole milk
  • 1 egg large
  • salt to taste

For the condiment

  • 2 onions peeld and sliced
  • 2 ounces butter unsalted
  • 2.5 flozs white wine
  • ½ ladle meat broth vegetarians should use vegetable broth
  • salt to taste

For serving

  • 2 ounces grana padano or Parmigiano Reggiano vegetarians should use vegetarian parmesan

Optional for non-vegetarians

  • 3.5 ounces guanciale or pancetta fried
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Instructions

Make the batter.

  1. Break the egg into a bowl and beat it with a whisk. Add the milk, whisk again then sift in the flour. Stir it all together until you have a fairly thick but gloopy batter with no lumps. Add salt to taste and then let the batter stand for 30 minutes.

Make the braised onions.

  1. Put the butter in a pan over a medium heat and, when it has melted, add the two onions cut into slices. Stir with the help of a wooden spoon until the onions turn golden and soft. Add the white wine and let the alcohol burn off.  Add half a ladleful of meat stock to the onion and continue stirring. Add salt and pepper as needed.

Cook the teardrop dumplings (chnèfflènè)

  1. Bring plenty of salted water to a boil and then place a wide-hole grater or spaetzle maker over the pot and drop the dough into the water through the grater holes. I used a rubber spatula to help push the batter through the grater holes. The result should be many small teardrops of dough dropping into the boiling water.
  2. Once all the batter has dropped into the water, allow it to all come to the surface and then remove the dumplings with the help of a slotted spoon. Transfer them to the pan with the braised onion. Mix gently and serve immediately with some grated grana or Parmigiano if required.

Notes

  • Meat lovers can add some crispy fried guanciale, pancetta or bacon to the dumplings before serving.
  • To keep this recipe vegetarian use vegetable broth and vegetarian parmesan.
  • For leftovers see main text.
  • You can serve this dish as a starter, or for lunch or dinner.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 725kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 107g (36%) Protein 24g (48%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.5g Cholesterol 96mg (32%) Sodium 387mg (16%) Potassium 434mg (12%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 729IU (15%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 363mg (36%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 725 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 725kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 107g 36%
Protein 24g 48%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.5g 25%
Cholesterol 96mg 32%
Sodium 387mg 16%
Potassium 434mg 9%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 729IU 15%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 363mg 36%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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