Potato Gnocchi With Lamb Gnocchi Di Patate Con Ragù Di Agnello Recipes

GNOCCHI DI PATATE

Steps:

• Scrub potatoes and cook in a large saucepan of boiling water until tender (35-40 minutes). Drain in a colander and set aside to cool slightly and steam until cool enough to handle (5-10 minutes).
• Peel potatoes (discard skin).
• Press flesh through a potato ricer onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour.
• Add three-quarters of flour, a pinch of nutmeg and a large pinch of fine sea salt.
• Lightly knead until dough just comes together and is smooth (add a little more flour if necessary). Take care not to overwork the dough.
• Form a 3cm piece of dough into a gnoccho and cook in simmering salted water until gnoccho floats (1-2 minutes). Taste and ensure the mixture isn't too floury (cook 30 seconds longer if so). If gnoccho disintegrates, add more flour to mixture, but do not overwork.
• Divide dough into four and roll one piece at a time on a lightly floured surface to a 1½cm-thick cylinder. Cut into 2cm pieces.
• If making ridged gnocchi, shape with a fork. Place on a lightly floured tray and repeat with remaining dough. Cook gnocchi in batches in simmering water until they float (1-2 minutes). Drain, transfer to a warm serving dish, season to taste and serve hot with your choice of sauce.

GATEAU DI PATATE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter the inside of a 9-inch spring form pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of the breadcrumbs and rotate the pan to coat the bottom and the sides completely. Set aside.
• Put the potatoes and garlic in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Season the water well with salt and 2 tablespoons butter and bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer until cooked through and easily pierced with the tip of knife, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining stick of butter. In a large bowl combine the melted butter, sour cream, 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well with a rubber spatula.
• Using a ricer, rice the cooked potatoes over the sour cream mixture. Use the rubber spatula to combine well. Add the beaten eggs and stir to combine. Scoop half of the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the finocchiona evenly over potato mixture and top with the provolone. Scoop the remaining potato mixture on top and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano and top with the remaining 5 teaspoons of butter. Bake until hot all the way through and golden brown on top, about 45 minutes. Allow the gateau to rest for 15 minutes before unmolding and serving.

LAMB RAGU WITH POTATO GNOCCHI: PASTICCIO DI AGNELLO CON GNOCCHI DI PATATE

Steps:

• Prepare the gnocchi according to the recipe. Keep the gnocchi covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the lamb, onion, bay leaves, garlic, and rosemary in a roasting pan (see Cook¿s Note for clay roasting alternative). Drizzle the lamb mixture with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, season with salt and pepper and mix well.
• Roast the lamb turning it after about 20 minutes. Cook until the meat begins to brown, about 40 minutes. Add the wine and stock, stir to coat, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Braise until the lamb is tender and cooked through, about 30 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, peel and trim the eggplant then cut it into ¼-inch cubes. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant, turning it frequently, until golden. Remove the eggplant from the skillet using a slotted spoon. Allow the eggplant to drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
• Add the eggplant and the gnocchi to the lamb stew. Top the stew with both the grated and broken pieces of Pecorino Romano cheese. Return the pot to the oven and cook until the liquid has reduced and is thickened by the melted cheese, about 15 minutes more.
• Remove the lamb from the oven and allow the stew to rest for 10 minutes. Spoon lamb with gnocchi, eggplant and sauce into warm bowls and serve.
• Place the potatoes in a medium size saucepan. Add a pinch of salt and enough water to cover the potatoes by 2 inches. Bring the contents of the pot to a boil over high heat. Reduce the temperature and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool just enough to handle. Peel, then mash or rice them.
• Place the flour and the salt in a mixing bowl. Add the warm smoothly mashed potatoes. Using a wooden spoon, mix the ingredients together. Drizzle the potato dough with olive oil and 1/4-cup of water. Mix well, incorporating all of the ingredients and forming a smooth ball. Set the dough aside for 10 minutes to relax.
• Working on a floured surface, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each portion of dough into a rope about 1/2-inch in diameter. Cut each rope into 1/4-inch pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a small ball. Roll the dough balls over the tines of a fork then set them aside on a lightly floured baking sheet.
• Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat so that the water is at a simmer. Working in batches, add gnocchi to the pot (shaking off any excess flour). Stir gently and cook the gnocchi until they float then remove them with a slotted spoon. They can be dressed and served at this point or chilled in an ice bath, drained then dressed with a little olive oil if they are to be held for several hours. Once cooked gnocchi can be stored in the refrigerator but should be eaten the same day they are made.