Parmesan Crusted Semolina Gnocchi Recipes

GNOCCHI ALLA ROMANA

Steps:

• Whisk together milk, semolina, and 1 teaspoon salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking. Simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until very stiff, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano. Beat in egg.
• Spread gnocchi mixture 1/2 inch thick on an oiled baking sheet and chill, uncovered, until very firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Cut out rounds from gnocchi mixture with a 2-inch round cookie cutter (push scraps into remaining mixture as you go) and arrange, slightly overlapping, in a well-buttered 13- by 9-inch baking dish. Make a small second layer in center of dish with any remaining rounds. Brush gnocchi with remaining 1/4 cup melted butter and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Bake in middle of oven until gnocchi are beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

PARMESAN-CRUSTED SEMOLINA GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Whisk together semolina, milk, and salt in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until very stiff, 8 to 10 minutes. Spread mixture in a lightly oiled 8-inch square nonstick baking pan and chill, uncovered, until very firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Unmold semolina mixture by inverting pan over a cutting board and rapping pan sharply on board to release mixture. Cut mixture into 16 squares.
• Lightly brush 4 (4-ounce) gratin dishes or 1 (13- by 9-inch) baking dish with melted butter and overlap gnocchi in dishes or dish. Brush gnocchi with remaining butter and sprinkle with cheese. If using gratin dishes, transfer to a shallow baking pan. Bake in middle of oven until cheese is golden around edges, about 15 minutes. Cool in dishes or dish on a rack 5 minutes before serving.
• *Available at Italian markets, natural foods stores, and some supermarkets.