posted by Verla 04-06-101 6:35 AM
Gnocchi alla Italiana
2 1/2 c. mashed potatoes (or put thru a ricer)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 c. flour
1 recipe tomato sauce
1 c. Parmesan cheese
Place potatoes, eggs, and salt in a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly. Add 1 1/2 c. flour. Place dough on floured board and add rest of flour. Knead dough for 3 to 4 minutes until all flour is mixed in. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with more flour.
Cut dough into 6 pieces. Roll dough into long sausage like strips and cut into pieces 2/3 to 1 inch long. Sprinkle dumplings lightly with flour. You can roll each dumpling across a floured dinner fork to make crinkle marks if desired.
Have ready a large pan with 4 qts of boiling water to which 1 T. salt has been added. Place gnocchi in water and remove with a strainer when they come to the top.
Place in a hot serving bowl. Add sauce to gnocchi and 2/3 of cheese, mixing well. Sprinkle rest of cheese on top. Serves 4 to 6.
Variation sauce: Heat 1 stick of butter to browning stage and add 1/2 cup of cream. Pour over gnocchi and add Parmesan cheese.