makes for 4
INGREDIENTS:
Gnocchi
  • 8 oz / 250g ricotta – ordinary supermarket ricotta, not expensive fresh Italian ricotta (Note 1)
  • ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (Note 2)
  • ¾ to 1 cup plain flour, plus more for dusting (Note 3)
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg ground
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Black pepper
Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ brown onion, finely diced
  • 28 oz / 800 g canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp mixed dried Italian herbs (or any combination of dried parsley, basil, oregano and thyme)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Black pepper
Garnish
  • Freshly grated parmesan
  • Fresh basil, finely chopped (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Gnocchi
  1. Combine the gnocchi ingredients in a bowl except the flour.
  2. Use a rubber spatula to mix until the egg is partially mixed into the ricotta. Then add ¾ cup of flour and mix until just combined so it is a sticky very soft dough, but not like batter. Use the remaining flour, 1 tbsp at a time to get the dough consistency right. I find ¾ cup is enough. (Note 3)
  3. Turn it out on a work surface lightly dusted with flour, sprinkle a tiny bit of flour on top then pat it down to a disc about 1″/2.5cm thick. Cut it into 8 pieces.
  4. Roll a piece into a log about 3/5″ / 1.5 cm in diameter and about 10″/25cm long. Repeat with remaining dough.
  5. Line 4 logs up, then cut them into 3/5″ / 1.5cm pieces. Repeat with remaining 4 logs. (Note 4)
  6. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Tumble the gnocchi in and cook for around 2½ minutes, or until the gnocchi is floating on the surface for around 30 seconds.
  7. Reserve 1 mug of cooking water. Then drain and add the gnocchi into the frypan with your sauce of choice (you only need one of them, not both).