Fried Canederli (Canederli Pressati)

Step 1

Peel and finely chop the onion. Remove crusts from the bread and cut into cubes. Cut the cheese into very small cubes or grate it. Wash and chop the parsley and chives. Break the eggs into a bowl and beat them.

Step 2

The next step is to fry the onion in butter until it’s soft and translucent. Then set it aside to cool.

Step 3

Next, put the bread cubes into a large bowl, mix the eggs with the milk and pour over the bread. Then add cooked onions, then the flour, parsley and chives. Mix everything together gently and add the small cheese cubes. Mix again. Allow the mixture to rest for ten minutes.

Step 4

Once the canederli mixture has rested use wet hands to form balls about 5-7cm (2-3ins) in diameter. If the mixture is too wet add a little flour or breadcrumbs. Roll the canederli balls in a little flour and then press them with your hands to flatten slightly. They will look like thick patties or fritters. Place the ready canederli only a lightly floured surface while you make the rest.

Step 5

When you have made all the canederli, put the broth on to heat and melt butter in a frying pan. Fry the canederli in the butter until they have browned on both sides. You may have to do this in batches. Place the ready fried canederli on a plate covered with kitchen paper until you have fried them all.

Step 6

Bring the broth to a simmer and cook the canederli in the broth for 8-10 minutes. You may have to do them in batches. Then serve your canederli with some broth or remove them from the broth and serve with melted butter or a salad.