Porcini Gnocchi Recipes

HOMEMADE RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Mix and knead all the gnocchi ingredients together ( I did it in a bowl). First using a fork and then by hand. Put the dough in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for half an hour.
• While the dough is resting prepare and cook the mushrooms. If using dried porcini, soak them in warm water for 20-30 minutes first. Then drain them but keep a bit of the water to add to the sauce. Clean the other mushrooms and cut into slices. Peel the garlic and chop finely. Was the parsley and chop finely.
• Heat the olive oil and half the butter in a frying pan or skillet. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to soften. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until they start to brown slightly. Add more butter if they start to dry out. When the mushrooms are almost cooked add the parsley and the rest of the butter. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Put a pot of salted water on to boil. In the meantime, with the help of plain flour or semolina, take a tablespoon of the dough and roll it between your hands into a ball (you will probably need to flour your hands. Then roll the ball out into a rope/snake on a floured board. Cut the pasta into gnocchi of about 2cm in length and roll them across a fork or gnocchi board if you have one to create ridges. You can also leave them without ridges.
• Add a little olive oil to the boiling water and then carefully put a few gnocchi at a time into the boiling water. They will sink to the bottom and rise to the surface when cooked. Once they rise, remove them from the water using a slotted spoon and add them to the mushrooms. You will probably have to cook the gnocchi in batches.
• Sauté the gnocchi and mushrooms together for a couple of minutes. If the sauce seems dry add some of the gnocchi cooking water or more butter. Serve immediately with a little more chopped parsley and grated cheese.

PORCINI GNOCCHI

Steps:

• For the gnocchi: Put the porcini in a large bowl and add enough hot water to cover the porcini. Allow the porcini to soak for a few minutes or until soft. Then finely chop the porcini to a paste-like consistency.
• On a work table, peel and mash the potatoes with the back of a fork or use a potato ricer. Add the porcini to the mashed potatoes and then add the flour, Parmigiano, salt, and pepper. Combine together and knead until the mixture becomes regular dough consistency, smooth and slightly sticky. Add more flour if needed, which will absorb any excess moisture.
• On a lightly-floured work surface, take pieces of the dough and roll them out into thin logs, approximately 1/2-inches thick. Cut them 1-inch long.
• Make the ridges on each gnocchi by using the back of a fork in a rolling action.
• Cook's Note: The imprints will allow the sauce to get trapped on the surface of the gnocchi.
• Put the gnocchi on a tray in a single layer and place a cloth over the top to prevent them from drying out. They may also be set in refrigerator or freezer until needed.
• Cook the gnocchi in a pot of boiling salted water for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they float to the surface.
• For the sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the fresh sage leaves. Remove the gnocchi from the boiling water with a slotted spoon or drain and add them directly to the saucepan with about 1/2 cup pasta water. Cook the gnocchi with the sauce for about 30 seconds and then remove them from the heat. Add the Parmigiano and mix well. Plate and serve.

GNOCCHI WITH CREAMY TOMATO-PORCINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place porcini in medium bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over. Let stand until porcini are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove porcini from water, reserving soaking liquid. Finely chop porcini.
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add porcini and sauté 3 minutes. Add cream and 3/4 cup soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind in bowl. Simmer until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to simmer before using.)
• Cook gnocchi in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain.
• Add gnocchi to sauce and toss to coat. Divide among 4 plates. Serve, passing Parmesan separately.

PORCINI GNOCCHI

Steps:

• For the gnocchi: Put the porcini in a large bowl and add enough hot water to cover the porcini. Allow the porcini to soak for a few minutes or until soft. Then finely chop the porcini to a paste-like consistency.
• On a work table, peel and mash the potatoes with the back of a fork or use a potato ricer. Add the porcini to the mashed potatoes and then add the flour, Parmigiano, salt, and pepper. Combine together and knead until the mixture becomes regular dough consistency, smooth and slightly sticky. Add more flour if needed, which will absorb any excess moisture.
• On a lightly-floured work surface, take pieces of the dough and roll them out into thin logs, approximately 1/2-inches thick. Cut them 1-inch long.
• Make the ridges on each gnocchi by using the back of a fork in a rolling action.
• Cook's Note: The imprints will allow the sauce to get trapped on the surface of the gnocchi.
• Put the gnocchi on a tray in a single layer and place a cloth over the top to prevent them from drying out. They may also be set in refrigerator or freezer until needed.
• Cook the gnocchi in a pot of boiling salted water for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they float to the surface.
• For the sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the fresh sage leaves. Remove the gnocchi from the boiling water with a slotted spoon or drain and add them directly to the saucepan with about 1/2 cup pasta water. Cook the gnocchi with the sauce for about 30 seconds and then remove them from the heat. Add the Parmigiano and mix well. Plate and serve.

POTATO GNOCCHI WITH PORK AND WILD MUSHROOM RAGù

Steps:

• Place dried porcini mushrooms in medium bowl; pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over. Let stand until mushrooms are soft, about 45 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to cutting board and chop coarsely. Reserve soaking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add crimini mushrooms and garlic; sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper and sauté until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup wine and simmer until crimini mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Set aside (there may still be liquid in skillet).
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with coarse salt and pepper. Add pork to pot and sauté until browned in spots, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to medium bowl. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot. Reduce heat to medium. Add coppa and stir 1 minute. Add sausages and cook until brown, breaking up into small pieces with back of spoon, about 3 minutes. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cover pot and cook vegetables until soft, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups wine; bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until almost all liquid is absorbed. Add tomatoes, 1 cup broth, bay leaves, reserved pork, and porcini mushrooms. Pour in reserved porcini soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind in bowl. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until pork is tender, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if dry, about 1 hour.
• Stir crimini mushroom mixture in skillet into ragù. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cool. Cover; keep chilled. Rewarm before continuing.
• Spoon off fat from surface of ragù stir in basil. Add Potato Gnocchi; toss gently to coat. Simmer over medium heat until gnocchi are heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Divide gnocchi and ragù among bowls. Sprinkle with some of cheese and serve, passing remaining cheese alongside.
• Available in the produce section of many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.
• What to drink:
• Pair this rich dish with a medium-bodied red with good acidity, like the 2007 Danzante Chianti ($11, Italy).