ox tails • onions, whole • garlic, with the top cut off • bay leaves • cans of tomato soup • medium barley (not "instant" barley") • carrots, peeled and sliced • celery, sliced • large onions, diced • cooked spaetzle (see spaetzle recipe)
soup pot • water • cubed chicken (I prefer half breast / half thigh -for flavor) • garlic paste or equivalent fresh garlic to taste • minced oregano (FRESH is Highly Recommended) • salt (I prefer Kosher/Sea salt) • ground pepper (I prefer fresh ground peppercorns) • large diced carrots or whole baby carrots • large chopped celery • Chicken Better Than Bouillon or equivalent (**Diluted broth is NOT a substitute**) • 12 to 16 ounce, Dry Uncooked Spaetzle (available in most groceries, sometimes in the Kosher section) • Butter (**This ingredient is OPTIONAL**) •
for the batter • x eggs • x plain flour • approx cold water • chopped herbs (opt) • salt and pepper • suggested additions • x rashers bacon • onion diced • x tbsp grated parmesan
all-purpose/plain flour (about 1 US cup) • whole wheat flour (about 1 US cup) • salt • nutmeg (optional) • eggs • cold or sparkling water, plus a bit more as needed