Regional gourmet recipe: nettle dumplings

Cooking on vacation? Absolutely - if it's as relaxed and delicious as in an AlpenParks apartment with a fully equipped kitchen. Especially when you use regional ingredients such as the powerful nettle to conjure up a hearty dish like nettle dumplings. A perfect recipe for anyone who loves nature, indulgence and self-catering on vacation.
 

Cooking like at home - or even better

A vacation in one of the AlpenParks Apartments, Chalets & Hotels not only offers pure nature right on your doorstep, but also modern vacation apartments with spacious eat-in kitchens. Whether it's breakfast with a panoramic view or dinner together after an active day - the freedom to cook for yourself makes your vacation particularly flexible and comfortable.

Especially after a day of hiking, mountain biking or skiing, a warm, home-cooked meal like these nettle dumplings with brown butter is just the thing.

Why nettles?

Stinging nettle is much more than just a “weed” - it is a real nutrient bomb. Rich in iron, magnesium, vitamin C and protein, it has an anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect. In spring and summer, the young leaves are particularly tender - perfect for cooking. It is best to use fresh, young nettle tips - either picked by yourself (e.g. on a hike around our locations - don't forget your gloves!) or from the local market.

Recipe: Nettle dumplings with brown butter

Ingredients for approx. 4 portions:

• 250 g bread cubes or dumpling bread
• 1 large bowl of fresh nettle leaves
• 1 onion
• 150 ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 50 g grated cheese (e.g. mountain cheese or Emmental)
• Salt, pepper, garlic to taste
• Fresh herbs of your choice
• 50-100 g butter

Preparation:

• Prepare the nettles: 
  Using disposable gloves, pluck the leaves from the nettles, wash well. Bring water to the boil in a large pan, then remove from the heat. Blanch the leaves for 2 minutes (the stinging hairs will be lost), strain, leave to cool, squeeze well and chop finely.
   
• Sauté the onion:
  Sauté the finely diced onion in a little oil until translucent, add the milk and heat gently.
   
• Mix the dumpling dough:
  Place the dumpling bread, cheese, spices, fresh herbs, eggs, nettles and the onion and milk mixture in a large bowl. Mix well and leave to stand for about 10 minutes.
   
• Form the dumplings and steam:
  Form even dumplings with damp hands. Cook in a pan with a steamer insert for approx. 30 minutes in hot steam. Alternatively, place in slightly simmering salted water and leave to stand for approx. 15 minutes.
   
• Prepare the brown butter:
  While the dumplings are steaming, melt the butter in a pan until it starts to smell slightly nutty.
   
• Serve:
  Pour the brown butter over the finished dumplings (and sprinkle with a little parmesan/cheese) - it goes well with a crisp salad or a glass of local white wine.

Fancy cooking this dish on your vacation? Then discover our apartments with kitchen in the most beautiful places in Austria - from Zell am See to Maria Alm - and experience a gourmet vacation with freedom and taste.

And for all those who prefer to relax on vacation instead of cooking: In selected AlpenParks resorts, in-house restaurants are also available - breakfast or half-board can be conveniently booked depending on the location. Request your vacation now.