Q1: What is crème fraîche, and can I use sour cream instead?

Crème fraîche is a classic French cultured cream. It has a high fat content and a wonderfully rich, slightly nutty, and less tangy flavor than sour cream. It is also more stable and less likely to curdle when heated. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with an equal amount of full-fat sour cream or a full-fat, plain Greek yogurt.

Q2: Can I make this side dish ahead of time for a holiday dinner?

While the creamy noodle portion is at its absolute best when it is served fresh, you can save a lot of time by making the crispy noodle topping a day or two in advance. When you are ready for your dinner, the noodles and the sauce will come together in just about 15 minutes.

Q3: Can I add a protein to make this a main course?

Yes! This dish is a wonderful base for a simple main course. It would be fantastic with some shredded rotisserie chicken, some seared and sliced sausages, or some crispy, pan-fried prosciutto tossed in at the end.

Q4: Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Yes! This delicious, creamy sauce would also be fantastic with other rich pastas, like a classic pappardelle or a fettuccine.

Q5: What is the best way to crush the egg noodles for the topping?

The easiest way is to simply place them in a resealable plastic bag and use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan to gently crush them into smaller, coarse pieces.

Creamy Poppy Seed Noodles (An Easy & Elegant Side Dish!)

A simple yet elegant recipe for creamy Poppy Seed Egg Noodles. This comforting vegetarian dish features boiled egg noodles tossed in a rich, no-cook sauce made from crème fraîche, poppy seeds, and fresh chives, seasoned with a hint of nutmeg. The dish is finished with a unique and delicious crunchy topping made from crushed egg noodles that have been pan-fried in butter until golden brown.

Author: Grace

Ingredients

1 pound plus 1 cup egg noodles, divided
6 tablespoons butter, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup crème fraîche
2 tablespoons chopped chives
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

First, prepare the crispy topping. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Crush 1 cup of the egg noodles and add them to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes, until the noodle pieces are browned and crispy. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and season with salt and pepper.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the remaining 1 pound of egg noodles and cook as the label directs until al dente.
Before draining the noodles, reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain the noodles and return them to the pot, off the heat.
To the pot with the hot noodles, add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, the crème fraîche, chopped chives, poppy seeds, and nutmeg.
Add 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water and stir until a creamy sauce forms and coats the noodles, adding more cooking water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Season the pasta with salt to taste.
Serve immediately, topped with the prepared fried noodles for a crunchy finish.

Notes

This is a quick and sophisticated pasta dish, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
The crispy topping, made from pan-fried crushed noodles, is a key element that provides a wonderful textural contrast to the creamy pasta.
Using the starchy, reserved pasta water is crucial for creating the creamy sauce without it being too heavy or thick.
Crème fraîche provides a rich, tangy flavor that is characteristic of this dish.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/creamy-poppy-seed-noodles/