Ingredients
Creating delightful gnocchi is a labor of love. Get ready to make some yummy gnocchi with just a few simple ingredients! You’ll need:
- All-purpose flour
- Potatoes
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Eggs
- Semolina flour
Gather these items and you’re ready to start cookin’!
Potatoes
When crafting traditional gnocchi, select the best quality potatoes you can find. Starchy potatoes like russet or Idaho work best as they have low moisture content and make a light, airy dough. Avoid waxy potatoes like new potatoes as they have too much moisture and won’t give you a fluffy finished product.
Remember to choose a potato that will turn dry when roasted; it will be easier to mash. When boiling the potatoes, don’t overcook them or the dough will end up gummy. Test them with a fork – if it goes in without resistance, they’re done! Allow them to cool completely before peeling and mashing. This will help them keep their shape when prepared later.
Flour
To make yummy gnocchi, you must have the right flour. High-protein flours absorb the most moisture, making them strong. Low-protein flours are light and delicate. It is best to mix different types of flour together.
Generally, when making gnocchi at home, use all-purpose or “00” flour. For every one cup of all-purpose or “00” flour, add half a cup of semolina flour too. This gives a creamy and velvety texture. Combine them in a 1:1 ratio for homemade gnocchi. Enjoy!
Salt
Salt is a must for making gnocchi. Too much or too little salt can ruin the taste and texture. To measure, use 1 teaspoon of salt per cup (250 milliliters) of liquid. But, account for the natural salts in other ingredients. Like Parmesan cheese, it will add salty flavor. Try a taste test before serving to make sure it’s right for everyone.
Preparation
Gnocchi from scratch? Before you start, check that you have all the ingredients and tools needed:
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Salt
- A fork
- A potato ricer or food mill
Helpful tip? Read through the recipe and instructions. Plan how you wanna make the gnocchi. There you go!
Boil potatoes
Peel and dice potatoes. Put them in a big pot. Fill with cold water. Put pot on stove. Heat it up to a boil. Add salt and mix.
- Put potatoes in.
- Lower heat to simmer.
- Cook for 20 minutes.
- Check if potatoes are soft with fork.
- Remove from heat.
- Drain in colander.
- Cool for 10 minutes.
- Then continue with recipe!
Mash potatoes
Mash your way to delicious gnocchi! Start by washing and peeling the potatoes. Place them in a pot of cold water on medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 15-20 mins. Drain off the excess water and let the potatoes cool.
Use a potato ricer or food mill to mash, instead of a hand mixer or potato masher. The finer texture will give the gnocchi a smooth flavor. Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper then let cool while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Add flour and salt
Mash the potatoes in a bowl. Add flour and salt. Use hands to mix ingredients. Slowly add more flour, until dough is slightly sticky.
Roll out dough. If too sticky, add up to one cup flour more. Knead lightly for a few mins. Roll dough into long rope-like shapes. Cut into individual gnocchi pieces. Check for large chunks of potato.
Place dough on floured surface. Take small pieces, shape into logs/patties. Measure roughly one inch by two inches long. This helps them cook evenly!
Knead into a dough
Kneading is an essential part of making gnocchi! Put together your cooked potato, shredded cheese and flour on a floured surface. Knead the mixture into a soft, pliable dough. Don’t over-knead though – it can make the gnocchi too tough. Stop when the ingredients are combined and smooth.
Depending on moisture content in your potatoes and cheese, you may need to adjust the recipe and add more or less flour during kneading. The dough should still be slightly tacky after kneading. This will stop it from sticking too much when rolling it into gnocchi shapes!
Cooking
Preparing gnocchi from the beginning is an enriching experience. It’s surprisingly easy and immensely fulfilling! You just need a handful of ingredients – potatoes, flour, and eggs. Follow the correct steps and techniques and these components will become tasty, home-made gnocchi. Let’s get going!
Roll dough into a log
Once the dough is mixed and kneaded, it’s time to make gnocchi. Divide the dough into three or four parts. Roll each part out into a log that is around one-half inch (1 cm) thick. Use a rolling pin or your hands. Roll the dough gently and lightly press down as you go. If the dough breaks, pat it back together with your fingertips. Flour the work surface, so the dough won’t stick.
Cut into small pieces
Knead the dough. Cut it into small pieces. Make sure they’re all the same size. If you have a pasta rolling machine, use it. Else, use a ruler. Cut segments of 1 inch wide and 0.5 inch thick.
- Make indentations with a fork on both sides of each piece.
- Cook or refrigerate/freeze before cooking.
Roll each piece into a ball
Once the dough is ready, divide it into pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Press the center of the ball lightly and make it around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size. Put the formed balls on a tray dusted with flour so they don’t stick together. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes before cooking.
Crafting gnocchi may take some practice. But this basic recipe is simple and can be mastered with practice:
- Divide the dough into pieces
- Roll each piece into a ball
- Press the center of the ball lightly and make it around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size
- Put the formed balls on a tray dusted with flour so they don’t stick together
- Allow them to cool for 10 minutes before cooking
Boil gnocchi
Gnocchi is an Italian dish made of small dumplings. It’s made with potatoes, wheat flour, and eggs. It can be tricky to make fresh gnocchi, but don’t worry – practice and patience will get you there! Here’s what you need to know:
- Gather ingredients and steps.
- Boil salted water over medium-high heat.
- Gently drop in shaped gnocchi.
- Use a skimmer to prevent sticking.
- Cook for 2 minutes for smaller shapes.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes for larger shapes.
- Once they rise, they’re done.
- Remove with skimmer and serve.
- Keep unserved gnocchi covered.
Serving
Gnocchi from scratch? Yes, please! Now it’s time to get creative with how to serve it. Tomato sauce and parmesan is the classic choice. But why not try something new?
Add some protein like chicken, sausage, or bacon. Vegetables like spinach and mushrooms also make great accompaniments. There are so many possibilities. Let’s explore!
Toss with sauce
Grab your cooked gnocchi with a slotted spoon and plop them into a bowl. Give them a good toss with olive oil, butter, or sauce. Get creative and add herbs, spices, and garlic powder for extra flavor. Sprinkle on Parmesan or your favorite grated cheese for an extra delicious version.
Plate up the gnocchi hot and fresh and garnish with fresh herbs if you like. Enjoy!
Sprinkle with cheese
Once the gnocchi are cooked, scoop ’em out from the boiling water with a slotted spoon. Place them in a bowl and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan. For extra flavor, combine Parmesan with Romano and Asiago. Serve warm and creamy gnocchi with butter and melted cheese on top. Family will love it!
Serve with a side dish
Gnocchi is cooked and ready for serving. Traditionally, it is served with a side dish, like marinara, pesto or butter and cheese sauce. These sauces have easy ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and herbs. Or, you can buy your favorite ready-made Italian-style pasta sauce.
Adding veggies turns gnocchi into a complete meal. Steam some veggies or roast tomatoes and bell peppers – these contrast the delicate texture and emphasize the flavor.
For a vegan option, dress the pasta in olive oil instead of butter or cheese. Sprinkle freshly chopped basil leaves and Parmesan cheese for extra flavors. Or, add roasted nuts for extra crunchiness. Lastly, some lemon zest makes classic gnocchi warm and zesty!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What ingredients do I need to make gnocchi?
A: To make gnocchi from scratch, you will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 eggs, 2 cups of mashed potatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt and some butter.
Q: How long does it take to make gnocchi from scratch?
A: Depending on how fast you work, it should take about 30-45 minutes to make gnocchi from scratch.
Q: How do I cook the gnocchi?
A: To cook the gnocchi, boil a large pot of salted water and add the gnocchi. Cook for about 3-5 minutes until the gnocchi is cooked and floating on the surface. Drain the cooked gnocchi and serve with your favorite sauce.
