Homemade Gnocchi
for BCLiving
May 03, 2021
I started making gnocchi about a year and a half ago. It’s a great Sunday afternoon activity as it’s a bit of work, but oh-so worth it. Usually, you find gnocchi on the store shelf in a sealed plastic package and it’s gummy and just doesn’t satisfy the itch.
When you make it from scratch, you can roll them in bulk and freeze them, so you have some fresh ones for dinner that night, and then the next time you want it, just pull the bag out of the freezer and toss some handfuls in the pot.
The soak up the sauce they’re in so well, be it pesto, alfredo, or – my mom even says she makes them into a mac-and-cheese. Um, yum.
Makes about 60 Gnocchi (depending on the size you make them)
You can double this but mix in separate batches of the following.
INGREDIENTS:
- about 4 to 4 1/2 cups riced potato
- 1 tsp, or a bit more salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (more on hand)
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour (make sure you get high quality flour)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Scrub and then pierce the potatoes a few times with a fork and bake either covered in foil or uncovered in the oven at 425 degrees, for at least 45mins, checking to see if they are done by piercing with a knife or fork. This should be easily done, or else they need more time.
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, rice them.
Usually if you’re using a ricer, there’s no need to peel, as it remains behind (like magic), if you’re mashing with a fork or masher, remove the peel.
Try not to over mash them as they will get gummy – but aim for no lumps – or else you’ll feel them in the gnocchi and they won’t blend.
Place the riced potatoes in a large bowl, and then add the flour, salt and olive oil.
Using your hands squeeze everything together until it makes a ball. If it’s too dry, it might need a bit more olive oil, and if it’s too sticky, give it a bit more flour.
Keep the dough covered with either a clean tea towel, or plastic wrap while you form the dumplings.
You’ll need about 1 to 2 tsp of the dough, rolled into a ball in your hands, and then roll it into an oblong shape.
The pattern that lots of gnocchi has can be achieved by rolling it down the backside of a fork, or buying a special board for them (they’re in expensive and save time and effort.
You don’t HAVE to do this step, but the ridges will help capture whatever sauce the gnocchi go into.
Plus, it’s prettier.
Place the gnocchi on a flat surface and keep it covered in the fridge as you go.
Because you’re making such a big batch, it’s a great idea to freeze some of it while you’re going through this effort.
To do so place them, separated, on a lined baking sheet flat for at least a few hours in the freezer, and then toss into an air tight container or baggie.
To cook it, place a pot with heavily salted water on the stove and bring to a boil, and then tossing the gnocchi in in batches. It’s done after about a minute of it floating to the top (whole process takes about 5 minutes). For the frozen gnocchi, it may take slightly longer to cook.
Toss in your favourite sauce. I may even try making a gnocchi pizza soon.
ENJOY!
