Ricotta Gnocchi With Crispy Artichokes Recipes

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH ARTICHOKE, LEMON AND MINT

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together 3/4 cup of the flour, the ricotta, salt and egg yolks. Dust a work surface with the remaining 1/4 cup flour. One cup at a time, roll the ricotta mixture into 1/2-inch-thick ropes. With a dough cutter or pasta knife, cut the ropes into 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer the gnocchi to a cookie sheet and freeze until ready to use.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly browned. Add the artichoke hearts and saute for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and mint and salt and pepper to taste. Remove the sauce from the heat and add half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano; stir to thicken the sauce.
• Boil the gnocchi in a large (6-quart) pot of salted water until they float to the top. Remove the gnocchi with a slotted spoon and add to the sauce. Garnish with the remaining Parmigiano.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan, olive oil, eggs and 1 teaspoon salt with a whisk in a large mixing bowl. Add the all-purpose flour in 3 parts, stirring with a rubber spatula.
• Bring the dough together in a ball and cut off one-quarter of it. Dust the work surface with all-purpose flour to prevent sticking, and roll the cut-off piece of dough into a dowel shape about 5/8 inch in diameter. Cut the dowel into 5/8-inch pieces. Dust some parchment paper with semolina flour and place the gnocchi on it to prevent sticking. Repeat with the rest of the dough, quarter by quarter.
• Cook the gnocchi in the boiling water for 2 minutes. Serve tossed with a bit of the Pancetta Tomato Sauce. Alternatively, you can freeze the uncooked gnocchi for up to 2 weeks.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until the fat has rendered and the pancetta is crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the pan and reserve, leaving the fat behind.
• Add the diced onions to the hot pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onions have softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the crushed tomatoes, cover and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, then remove the lid, add the reserved pancetta and cook an additional 10 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, stir in the basil and serve.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH CRISPY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• If you cannot find imported dry ricotta or your ricotta is wet, place it in a fine mesh sieve set over a bowl. Refrigerate and let drain 3 to 4 hours to remove excess moisture.
• In a large bowl, stir together ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup flour, and 2 teaspoons salt until thoroughly blended and dough forms a soft ball. Spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip or a large plastic resealable bag, and refrigerate dough at least 30 minutes.
• Fill a large nonreactive bowl with 4 cups water and add lemon juice. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, snap off tough outer leaves until you are left with a small bullet-shaped artichoke with pale yellow leaves that turn green just at the tips. Cut off green tips crosswise. Cut stem flush with the bottom of the artichoke so that no green remains. Cut artichoke in half. Cut halves lengthwise into slices and add to lemon water; set aside.
• Sprinkle remaining cup of flour over a rimmed baking sheet. Remove dough from refrigerator. If using a resealable bag, cut a small hole in one lower corner of the bag. Pipe a 1-inch ball onto your fingers. Gently roll ball in flour until evenly dusted. Repeat process with remaining dough and flour.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until it begins to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain artichokes and add to skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until artichokes are golden and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, shake off excess flour from gnocchi add add to boiling water. Cook until outside of gnocchi is cooked and somewhat firm and the inside is still soft, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer artichokes to a plate and keep warm. Add vinegar, and using a wooden spoon, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of skillet; let simmer for 2 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to warmed plated and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Drizzle vinegar mixture from skillet over gnocchi and top with crispy artichokes. Serve immediately.