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Spargel mit Kratzete
Asparagus with torn pancake
Spargel mit Kratzete: Baden white asparagus with torn, butter-fried pancake
GermanIn the asparagus villages near Bruchsal and Schwetzingen in Baden, Kratzete is what goes on the plate beside the spears: a thick egg pancake that is torn ('scratched') into ragged pieces in the pan with two forks and fried in butter until crisp at the edges and soft inside. Melted butter or hollandaise goes over everything, and in spring inns serve it as a full vegetarian main. Many families add raw ham on the side, but it is complete without. Keeping the batter thin is the mistake; it needs to be thick enough to coat a spoon, or the pieces fall apart. Chef's tip: let the batter rest for 20 minutes so the flour swells and the Kratzete turns out fluffy.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the Kratzete
- 7 oz plain flour
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 4 eggs
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ⅜ oz butter, for frying
For the asparagus
- 3 ⅓ lb white asparaguspeeled, woody ends removed
- 3 litres water
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
To serve
- 2 ⅞ oz butter, melted
- 2 tbsp chivessnipped
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Whisk 7 oz plain flour, 1 ¼ cups milk, 4 eggs and ½ tsp salt into a thick, smooth batter that coats a spoon. Leave to rest for 20 minutes.
25 minStep 2: Bring 3 litres water with 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp sugar and 1 lemon slice to the boil in a wide pan.
5 minStep 3: Lower in 3 ⅓ lb white asparagus and simmer for 12–15 minutes until a knife meets slight resistance at the thickest point. Keep warm in the water off the heat.
15 minStep 4: Meanwhile heat half the 1 ⅜ oz butter, for frying in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Pour in half the batter and cook for 3 minutes until set and golden underneath.
8 minStep 5: Turn it in sections, then tear it into rough bite-sized pieces with two forks and fry for 3–4 minutes more until golden at the edges and cooked through. Keep warm and repeat with the remaining butter and batter.
4 minStep 6: Drain the asparagus, lay it on warm plates with the Kratzete, pour over 2 ⅞ oz butter, melted and scatter with 2 tbsp chives.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 31 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does spargel mit Kratzete take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
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