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Ricotta Gnocchi with Herbs

Ricotta Gnocchi with Herbs
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY
Cook Time:
40 mins
Servings:
6
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(111)

Chef notes

Don’t panic if you’ve never made homemade pasta before! Here to the rescue, Justin Chapple, the test kitchen pro behind Food & Wine's Mad Genius Tips, shares an ingenious way to turn gnocchi dough into perfect bite-size pieces.

The cooked gnocchi can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat in simmering water for 1 minute before serving.

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 2 cups fresh ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, plus more for sprinkling
  • Freshly ground pepper, snipped chives, chopped parsley and small basil leaves, for garnish

Preparation

1.

Tie a length of thin kitchen twine tightly across a large, two-handled saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water and bring to a simmer. Add a generous pinch of the salt.

2.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the ricotta with the egg and cheese until smooth; scrape down the side of the bowl as necessary. Add the flour and 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt and pulse until just incorporated.

3.

Scrape the gnocchi dough into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2- to 3/4-inch round tip. Alternatively, use a large sturdy resealable plastic bag; press the dough into a corner of the bag to remove as much air as possible, then snip off the corner to make a 1/2- to 3/4-inch opening.

4.

Using steady pressure and working over the pot of simmering water, pipe out 1/3 of the gnocchi dough into 3/4-inch pieces, using the twine to cut them into the saucepan. Simmer until the gnocchi rise to the surface, then continue simmering until they're plumped and just cooked through, about 5 minutes total. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi to a lightly oiled rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough in 2 batches.

5.

Transfer the gnocchi to a platter. Add the olive oil and the lemon zest and gently toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper and toss again. Serve in shallow bowls, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, grated lemon zest, snipped chives, chopped parsley and small basil leaves. Serve right away.