Gnocchi

Submitted by DrGaellon

"Idaho or russet potatoes are dry and keep the gnocchi light; Yukon golds add flavor, color and soft texture. Egg helps bind the gnocchi so they don't fall apart, while keeping them tender by minimizing added flour. Serve with a quick simple sauce like sage-and-brown-butter, or a simple tomato-garlic-and-basil. You could even boil them, layer them in a dish, top with parmesan or fontina and broil until the cheese is melted and brown. Adapted from instructions (and a slideshow) at Serious Eats. http://bit.ly/fYqKep"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 34mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs idaho potatoes (about 3 large) or 1 1/2 lbs russet potatoes (about 3 large)
• 1⁄2 lb yukon gold potato (about 1 large)
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon grated nutmeg (optional)
• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• 3⁄4 - 1 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour

directions

1. Poke potatoes all over with a fork. Bake in preheated 400°F oven for 1 hour or until very tender (err on the side of overcooking). Beat together egg, egg yolk and salt; add nutmeg and/or parmesan, if using.
2. Once potatoes are cool enough to hold (but still very warm), remove the skin and pass through a potato ricer or a food mill fitted with a small-hole disc. Spread potatoes on a clean work surface which has been lightly floured.
3. Drizzle beaten egg over potatoes and sprinkle with about 3/4 cup flour. Using a bench scraper, lift and turn the potatoes over on themselves, mixing in eggs and flour. Continue to scrape and turn until it forms a soft mass. Add more flour as needed until it becomes a soft but workable dough and stops being sticky. Use the smallest amount of flour necessary to make a smooth, cohesive mass.
4. Shape the dough into a thick log. Scrape clean your work surface. Remove a quarter of the log, keeping the remainder covered with a damp towel. Lightly flour the work surface, and roll the small piece into a rope 1/2-3/4" thick. Roll from the center out to the edges; do not stretch or tear the dough.
5. Cut the rope into 1" pieces. Optionally, roll each piece over the back of a fork to form ridges. Transfer to a cookie sheet and cover with a damp towel while working with the remaining dough. Cut off 1/3 of the remaining dough and repeat last 2 steps, then cut remaining mass in half and repeat twice more.
6. Gnocchi can be frozen at this point - freeze on cookie sheet; when solid, transfer to airtight storage for up to three months.
7. Uncooked gnocchi can be held in refrigerator up to 2 hours; any longer and they will get mushy.
8. Cook gnocchi in heavily salted boiling water; if cooking the entire amount, divide into two batches. Cook 1-2 minutes, until they float. Serve immediately with a simple sauce, or shock in ice water, then toss with a little olive oil and refrigerate until needed. Reheat in boiling water, or saute until browned and a little crispy.