Nanas Ricotta Gnocchi Recipes

NANA'S RICOTTA GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt and ricotta; mix thoroughly.
• Knead dough on lightly floured board until dough is smooth.
• Set dough aside on corned of floured board.
• Cut small pieces from dough and quickly roll dough into a "finger thin" roll, and cut into pieces about 1/2 inch long.
• Flatten each piece gently with thumb and bring long sides together to form a hollow tube or shell shape.
• Arrange the gnocchi on a lightly floured cloth or board, dust them lightly with flour.
• After shaping all the dough, gently drop the gnocchi into a large pot of boiling, salted water.
• Cook them about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• When they rise to the surface, remove them from the pot with a strainer.
• Place in a heated bowl.
• Serve with your favorite pasta sauce and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Stir together the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan Cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl until evenly combined. Mix in 1 cup of flour. Add additional flour if needed to form a soft dough.
• Divide the dough into 3 or 4 pieces, and roll into 1/2-inch-thick ropes on a floured surface. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces, and place on a lightly floured baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in diced tomatoes and red pepper flakes; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in shredded basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• While sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Boil the gnocchi until they float to the surface, 1 to 2 minutes, then drain.
• To assemble the dish, stir the cubed mozzarella cheese into the sauce and allow the heat of the sauce to soften, but not melt the cheese. Place gnocchi into a serving bowl, and spoon sauce overtop.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Wash the spinach, then place in a pan with just the water that clings to its leaves. Cover. Cook over low heat for 6-8 minutes or until wilted. Drain well and set aside.
• Squeeze out as much liquid as possible then finely chop the spinach. A processor works well for this. Place the spinach in a bowl along with the ricotta cheese, half the Parmesan cheese, the eggs, nutmeg and season to taste with salt and pepper. Beat until thoroughly combined. Sift in the flour and lightly work it into the mixture, adding enough to make a workable mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
• With floured hands, break off small pieces of the mixture and roll into walnut-size balls. Handle as little as possible, they are delicate. Lightly dust the gnocchi with flour.
• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boiling point. Add the gnocchi and cook 2-3 minutes until they rise to the surface. Remove from pan and drain well.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter for the herb mixture in a large, heavy-bottom skillet over low heat. Add the oregano and sage and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the gnocchi and toss gently to coat. Transfer to serving dish and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

NANA'S POTATO GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Boil potatoes until well done.
• Cool just enough to handle, peel and mash thoroughly.
• Place mashed potatoes on a floured board and mix well with flour.
• Knead dough well.
• Roll dough into a"finger thin" roll, and cut into pieces 1-2 inches long.
• Flatten each piece gently with thumb and bring long sides together to form a hollow tube or shell shape.
• Arrange the gnocchi on a lightly floured sheet or board, dust them lightly with flour.
• After shaping all the dough, place about 20 gnocchi into a large pot of boiling, salted water.
• When they rise to the surface, remove them from the pot with a strainer.
• Place in a heated bowl.
• Keep water at a hard, rolling boil and continue cooking the gnocchi (20 at a time) until all are cooked.
• Add heated sauce, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

NANA'S SPINACH GNOCCHI

Steps:

• In a large pot, add 3 Tablespoons salt to 5 quarts of water, bring to a boil.
• Place spinach, potatoes, egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, salt and four in a large bowl, use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix ingredients together to form a dough.
• On a floured board, roll dough into long, finger-thin ropes.
• Cut ropes into pieces about 1-2 inches long.
• Flatten each piece gently with thumb and bring long sides together to form a hollow tube or shell shape.
• After shaping all the dough, place about 20 gnocchi into a large pot of boiling, salted water.
• When they rise to the surface, remove them from the pot with a strainer.
• Place in a heated bowl.
• Keep water at a hard, rolling boil and continue cooking the gnocchi (20 at a time) until all are cooked.
• Toss with butter and grated Parmesan cheese or your favorite sauce and serve.