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Two Peas and Their Pod: Recipe for Homemade Gnocchi

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Recipe for Homemade Gnocchi



I love Italian food. It is my favorite...ok, I have a lot of favorites, but it is up there for sure! My brother lived in Italy for 2 years and I was lucky enough to go back with him for a fun trip after we graduated college. We had a great time touring the country. I loved everything about Italy, but the food was my favorite. Gelato number one and gnocchi number two!

My favorite meal was in Cinque Terre, which is along Northern Italy's Rivera coast. After a long day of hiking, we settled down at a fine restaurant. We had a table outside with a lovely view. With my brother's assistance, I ordered hom
emade gnocchi with pesto. The little potato dumplings were fresh and oh so tasty. I had the perfect meal, in the perfect place.

Ever since then, I have had a longing for good gnocchi, b
ut it is hard to find. The store bought stuff doesn't do it justice. Since we are newlyweds and can't afford to travel to Italy every week to eat gnocchi...we decided to make it ourselves. How hard could it be, potatoes, flour, salt???

We purchased a potato ricer for this cooking adventure. You want to make sure the potatoes are really smooth!! You don't want chunks in your gnocchi! The recipe is basic, but getting the right combination of flour and potatoes is the tricky part. You don't want the gnocchi to be mushy, but you don't want them to be dry and tough either.

We rolled out one rope and tested the gnocchi. I recommend doing this. Ours were mushy at first so we had to add
more flour. Once you get the right consistency you can roll out the rest of the ropes and cut away! It was fun! We did the traditional "fork" trick so they would look authentic:) It only took a couple of minutes to boil them. We served the gnocchi with a roasted pepper sauce. So good!!

All said and done, I was impressed with our first gnocchi adventure. Of course, it didn't beat my meal in Italy, but I don't know if I can ever top that one!! We will be making these again...and again!











Homemade Gnocchi

2 pounds Russet potatoes
1 1/2 cups flour (you might need more, add it slowly though)

1 ½
teaspoons salt (or to your taste)

Wash potatoes and place them in a large pot of boiling water. I salted the water. Boil until tender, about 45 minutes. When soft remove them from the water and let cool.

  1. Peel the potatoes, and then pass them through a potato ricer, into a large bowl. (If you don’t have a ricer, use a food mill or try grating them. I hear it works.) Let the potatoes cool to room temperature.
  2. Add salt to the potatoes. Next, add the flour a little at a time, using only as much as you need so that the dough will not stick to your hands. When the flour has been incorporated, bring the dough together with your fingertips.
  3. Dump the dough and any remaining floury bits onto a slightly floured surface. Knead the dough as you would bread dough
  4. Form the dough into a ball and then divide it into six smaller balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the six pieces using your fingertips into a long rope about 3/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into 1 inch pieces. Before we did all of the dough we tested the gnocchi. Roll out one rope and cut a piece off. Place it in salted boiling water. If it is too mushy, add more flour to the rest of your dough. We had to add more flour so I am glad we tested it outJ
  5. When all of your gnocchi is cut, press each piece of dough against the tines of a fork. With your finger, gently roll the pressed dough back off the fork. This takes a little practice. If you find the dough sticking to the fork, dip the fork in flour before you press the dough against it. It gives the gnocchi a nice look!
  6. To cook the gnocchi, place them into a pot of boiling and well-salted water. After a few minutes the gnocchi will float to the top. Continue to cook for one minute then remove and set aside.
  7. To freeze gnocchi-lay them out on a baking sheet, in a single layer. Freeze for about one hour and then place into freezer bags. When you are ready to cook them, don’t defrost, just follow the cooking instructions above.

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48 Comments:

Blogger Josh said...

I don't get how this didn't top your trip to Italy. UNBELIEVABLE! LOVE YOU!

6:35 AM  
Blogger Erica said...

I love Gnocchi! I have made it once (without a ricer) and it was a little mushy. I got a ricer right before we moved (its hanging out in storage) and I can't wait to get it out to try again! Such a fun and delicious dinner. Yours looks beautiful!

6:41 AM  
Blogger Meg said...

I love gnocchi! You did an amazing job. It looks delicious!

6:45 AM  
Blogger Liz said...

They look awesome!

7:07 AM  
Blogger Stacey Snacks said...

We have so many great places in NYC that have different gnocci on their menus.
Pumpkin gnocchi? was the latest!
I have never attempted making my own.
Yours looks authentic, as in Cinque Terre!

7:11 AM  
Blogger Balance, Joy and Delicias! said...

I love gnocchis. I've been wanting to make them for a while, but never reunite enough courage to do it. Yours look so good.
And thanks for the tips to freeze them since I'm sure I won't make them just for one meal.

7:12 AM  
Blogger Culinary Wannabe said...

How fun!! First the HM ravioli and now gnocchi - you are on a pasta making roll!!

7:17 AM  
Blogger Barbara Bakes said...

I love Cinque Terre! I had gnocchi for the first time in Italy just this year. It was great! Yours looks really delicious!

7:19 AM  
Blogger Kirsten said...

I also love gnocchi and have never made it at home. We've done homemade pastas and what not, but will definitely need to try this! Yum! Also love your new picture up top!

7:45 AM  
Blogger Audrey said...

This is something I've always wanted to try making! Yours look delicious.

7:55 AM  
Blogger Mary Bergfeld said...

What a spectacular recipe. You've inspired me.

7:58 AM  
Blogger Mary Ann said...

Wow- this looks great too! The ravioli was good, but very time consuming on the rolling out. I wish I had a pasta roller because that would have made it easier and I think that mine was still a little too thick, but still very delicious. I actually had leftover filling so I made a lasagna with chicken and marinara. I also threw together the ricotta biscuits this morning and they were yummy! Thanks for sharing so many great recipes. I can't wait to try the gnocchi!

8:12 AM  
Blogger Emily said...

Maria they look so good! I found a recipe for spinach gnocchi and have been wanting to make it . . . I'll have to try it now!

8:13 AM  
Blogger Cathy said...

Oh, this looks amazing! Like you, I love Italian food, and I can't even imagine how good these had to be. As usual, your dish looks beautiful, colorful and delicious! Irresistible!

8:19 AM  
Blogger Amy Beatty said...

I can't believe you guys made that. We also had it the other night but it was not homemade. You guys are amazing!

8:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh I'm going to try this after the first of the year when things calm down! YUMMY!

8:47 AM  
Blogger Pam said...

You have no idea how happy I am to find this recipe. I love gnocchi but have been too scared to make it myself. I'll be grabbing a potato ricer soon so I can try this recip.

8:48 AM  
Blogger Evan and Rebecca Jones said...

Your pasta posts are my favorite. They look so yummy. I need to get myself to Italy one of these days!

8:52 AM  
Blogger Live.Love.Eat said...

I love gnocchi and all pastas. I know I won't ever make this homemade so I am just going to keep coming back to stare. It truly looks awesome. And your hubby's comment to you is so sweet!

8:59 AM  
Blogger The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

Yum. Gnocchi are quite easy to make, so I never see any excuse not to make them yourself if you have a little time. I like mixing up the recipes a bit. I love adding spinach or arugula. I love ricotta gnocchi too.

I'm envious of your travels in Italy. I took a tour of Italy when I was 14, but it was the basic tourist stuff. I didn't experience any small towns or special restaurants. One day I'm going to go back. One day...

9:00 AM  
Blogger Jodi said...

I always wanted to try gnocchi. Thanks for posting this recipe! :)

9:02 AM  
Blogger Finla said...

Wow you made gnochi at home.
And it looks so yumm.
You sounds like my daughter, when ever i make a dish she say , yeah this is my favourit untill i make simething next day which she love, then it is yeah my favourite.
So now like you tell i tell her you have lot of favourit dishes :-)

9:20 AM  
Blogger vanillasugarblog said...

this was your first? wow! you should be proud here, this is perfect. I'm with you, I love Italian food, way too much at times.

9:37 AM  
Blogger Peggy said...

That looks delicious Maria! I've never had gnocchi but would love to try it.

9:38 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

i never tried this... yours are simply tempting me to try... :)

9:38 AM  
Blogger Colleen said...

These look great! I have tried gnocchi before with less than successful results - so congrats!

10:20 AM  
Blogger Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I love gnocchi too and haven't made it in ages. I used to be able to find it in the grocery but not where I live now. Yours looks great.

10:22 AM  
Blogger Cristine said...

Looks fantastic! I'll have to give it a try!

10:29 AM  
Blogger Megan said...

My husband and daughter made gnocchi last year - and I loved them. But I loved my trip to Italy more - although it's been 12 years since I've been - but I've never forgotten the food!

12:35 PM  
Blogger Lisa magicsprinkles said...

I'm so impressed. Making gnocchi has always intimidated me. Glad you did it!

1:52 PM  
Blogger Debbie said...

Wow does the meal look delicious! I love Italian food too.....homemade is the best kind.

1:53 PM  
Blogger emily said...

These. Look. Incredible. I cannot WAIT to try these!

2:56 PM  
Blogger bakingblonde said...

I have never made gnocchi, yours looks so great!

5:07 PM  
Blogger Michelle said...

Hi Maria!

Thanks for visiting me. :) Okay, you have posted one of my FAVORITE pasta!! I love, love, love gnocchi but have never made it on my own. I will someday. I used to get this wonderful gnocchi in my hometown and (if I remember right) it came with white clam sauce. Oh so good! Your gnocchi is gorgeously plump! :)

5:41 PM  
Blogger LizNoVeggieGirl said...

DELISH!!

5:49 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

these look so much better than any of mine have!!! i asked for a potato ricer for xmas to try again though :) let's hope santa comes through

6:41 PM  
Blogger Rach said...

I made gnocchi once years ago and I remember it seeming more complicated that your recipe...I can't wait to try this one!

6:52 PM  
Blogger test it comm said...

Making gnocchi is fun though it can be a bit time consuming. Those gnocchi dinner look tasty!

6:59 PM  
Blogger Darius T. Williams said...

I love gnocchi - but I'm a whimp and wouldn't dare make it myself...yours looks great!

-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

7:58 PM  
Blogger Manggy said...

Thanks for the tips Maria! I never thought to do a test batch beforehand! :)

8:55 PM  
Blogger Amber said...

I love gnocchi. My favorite is with a cream and sage sauce. Not near as healthy as yours.
Yes it was so warm. I have been in June also and warm would not be the word to use. How about hot hot hot and humid. The lemon ricotta muffins sound great also. I think Giada is one of the TV chefs that I would like.

9:49 PM  
Blogger anudivya said...

Wow! A trip to Italy and now Gnocchi! I am green with envy... But I could make these, looks pretty straight forward. Thanks!

9:53 PM  
Blogger Cakelaw said...

Yum! You can come and cook dinner for me any time!

2:12 AM  
Blogger grace said...

so ambitious, so impressive. frankly, i just like to say gnocchi, and eating it is an added bonus. :)

5:14 AM  
Blogger Allie said...

I'm a huge gnocchi fan! Great post.

6:41 AM  
Blogger Navita (Gupta) Hakim said...

Hi Maria, love ur gnocchi...there is a dish eaten in the west part of India, called "gatte ki sabzi", the method for making that is almost same...only difference being skipping of the potato and using chick pea flour instead of the regular flour. See the whole world's so so so similar..we take and give from and to each other :)
thanks 4 stopping by at my place.

7:18 PM  
Blogger Jaime said...

i've been wanting to try to make my own too but haven't found the time. if you still have some left (or the next time you make these) - you should try the gnocchi pomodoro recipe in my blog :)

8:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yum! Looks absolutely delicious!

4:46 AM  

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