Speckknödelsuppe (Bacon Dumpling Soup)

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) smoky bacon, finely chopped 200g (7 oz) smoky bacon, finely chopped
• 1 cup (100g) bread crumbs 1 cup (100g) bread crumbs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 cups (1.5 liters) beef or vegetable broth 6 cups (1.5 liters) beef or vegetable broth
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 1 leek, sliced 1 leek, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 3g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the chopped bacon, bread crumbs, onion, parsley, chives, eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes to allow the bread crumbs to absorb the liquid.
3. 3.
   With wet hands, shape the mixture into small dumplings, about the size of a golf ball.
4. 4.
   In a large pot, bring the beef or vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat.
5. 5.
   Carefully drop the bacon dumplings into the simmering broth and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through and float to the surface.
6. 6.
   Add the diced carrots, sliced leek, and diced celery to the pot and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
7. 7.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Serve the Speckknödelsuppe hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley and chives, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bacon — Choose a smoky bacon with good flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, you can use regular bacon instead.
• Bread crumbs — Fresh bread crumbs work best for this recipe, but you can also use store-bought bread crumbs. Make sure they are finely ground for a smoother texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the bacon with smoked tofu or tempeh.
• If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can add a splash of white wine to the broth while simmering.
• To make the dumplings extra fluffy, you can separate the egg whites and whip them before adding them to the mixture.
• Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making it even more delicious the next day.
• Feel free to customize the soup by adding other vegetables such as potatoes or peas.

Serving advice

Serve the Speckknödelsuppe as a starter or a light main course. Accompany it with freshly baked crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and chives to add a pop of color. Serve it in individual bowls, allowing the dumplings to be the star of the dish.