Gnocchi is probably my favorite among so many other Italian dishes. It's been a long time since I started making my own gnocchi but it wasn't always like that. In the busy times when meals were made in a hurry so that all errands would fit in the mere 24 hours of a day, it wasn't possible to make gnocchi dough, roll and cut it, flour everywhere, praying they wouldn't start sticking to each other before cooking, I just couldn't make it... until the day I found this gadget. It may be familiar to you, but if you haven't tried it, and have access to buying one, I highly recommend you do. It was bought in a dollar shop in Brazil and was very cheap. It makes it so much easier to have homemade gnocchi more often. I even bought a spare one to bring to Korea!
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| The person who invented this gadget is genius! |
I have always made my gnocchi without precise measurements, but this time I measured everything so that I could share with you :o)
GNOCCHI
500g potatoes (aprox. 4 medium) (the potatoes I used were similar to Russet)
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour (aprox.)
Cook the potatoes with enough water to totally cover them until tender. Strain and add cold water to help cool them down a bit.
Cook the potatoes with enough water to totally cover them until tender. Strain and add cold water to help cool them down a bit.
Peel the potatoes and mash them. I used a potato ricer.
Stir in the egg and salt.
Add flour gradually mixing with a wooden spoon.
The dough must be slightly sticky but hold the shape of a ball, that is, the consistency immediately before the one ideal for rolling. Depending on the flour used, you may need a bit more or a bit less than called for.
Fill the gadget with the dough and use its "legs" to hold to a pot of boiling water. Press the plunger until a little bit of dough comes out of the holes. When they get to the desired size, cut them with the help of the curved spatula that comes with the gadget.
Be careful, as the boiling water may splash on your hands when the dough balls fall into the water, so it would be a good idea to wear gloves (the thin latex ones are enough)
When the gnocchi's start coming up to the surface, remove them to a dish, using a slotted spoon. Drizzle with olive oil.
When the gnocchi's start coming up to the surface, remove them to a dish, using a slotted spoon. Drizzle with olive oil.
TOMATO SAUCE WITH SPINACH
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce with basil, or your favorite (homemade or store bought)
100g fresh spinach leaves, washed, drained, and coarsely chopped
Bring the sauce to a boil and add the spinach. Boil for a few minutes until the spinach is cooked.
Bring the sauce to a boil and add the spinach. Boil for a few minutes until the spinach is cooked.
Pour over the reserved gnocchi in a baking dish.
CHEESE SAUCE
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tbsp corn starch
50g good quality Parmesan cheese (I used Grana Padanno)
Salt and white ground pepper to taste
Boil 1 cup of milk.
Boil 1 cup of milk.
Dissolve the corn starch in the remaining 1/2 cup of cold milk and add it to the boiling milk, stirring constantly until it thickens to a sauce texture, over moderate heat.
Stir in salt, pepper and cheese and remove from heat.
Pour over the reserved gnocchi with tomato sauce.
Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese and broil for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
OMG Renata the "Gnocchi Machine" is great!
ReplyDeleteLOL
What a fantastic little gadget! Your gnocchi looks scrumptious.
ReplyDeleteI want that gnocchi maker! And your dish looks so delicious. I want that gnocchi maker! (Had to say it twice.)
ReplyDeleteWhy Renata, you took a simple fast food dish to a higher level, I love your homemade gnocchi, they look delicious! I will search for this engine, it is fantastic, looks so helpful. Big hug my dear.
ReplyDeleteI really want that gadget. Gnocchi looks so easy now. What a great quick meal.
ReplyDeleteLove Gnocchi and wish I had that gadget. Never saw it but will keep an eye out. Great dinner.
ReplyDeleteThat gnocchi gadget is so cool! I usually just line some baking trays with baking paper and lightly dust with flour, and the gnocchi doesn't stick. But it is messy :) Looks like a really yummy dinner!
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks so scrumptious! I'm drooling. A very easy way of making gnocchi.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Although I really enjoy rolling gnocchi on a fork or gnocchi board, I LOVE that gadget! Such a brilliant idea! I also LOVE how you baked your gnocchi with tomato and cheese sauce. Decadent - I would love to dive into that whole dish - just me, a napkin and a fork :)
ReplyDelete