Lamb Ragu with Potato Gnocchi: Pasticcio di Agnello con Gnocchi di Patate

• Potato Gnocchi, recipe follows
• 2 pounds boned leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 large yellow onion, sliced thinly
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 2/3 cups dry red wine (recommended: Montepulciano)
• 1 cup lamb or veal stock
• 1 small eggplant
• 6 ounces Pecorino Romano (4 ounces grated and the rest broken into medium to large pieces )

1. Prepare the gnocchi according to the recipe.
2. Keep the gnocchi covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
4. Combine the lamb, onion, bay leaves, garlic, and rosemary in a roasting pan (see Cook's Note for clay roasting alternative).
5. Drizzle the lamb mixture with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, season with salt and pepper and mix well.
6. Roast the lamb turning it after about 20 minutes.
7. Cook until the meat begins to brown, about 40 minutes.
8. Add the wine and stock, stir to coat, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Braise until the lamb is tender and cooked through, about 30 minutes more.
9. Meanwhile, peel and trim the eggplant then cut it into 1/4-inch cubes.
10. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
11. Fry the eggplant, turning it frequently, until golden.
12. Remove the eggplant from the skillet using a slotted spoon.
13. Allow the eggplant to drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
14. Add the eggplant and the gnocchi to the lamb stew.
15. Top the stew with both the grated and broken pieces of Pecorino Romano cheese.
16. Return the pot to the oven and cook until the liquid has reduced and is thickened by the melted cheese, about 15 minutes more.
17. Remove the lamb from the oven and allow the stew to rest for 10 minutes.
18. Spoon lamb with gnocchi, eggplant and sauce into warm bowls and serve.
19. Cook's Note: Cooking this stew in a clay roasting pan makes for particularly delicious results.
20. Soak a 10 to 12-inch clay or earthenware baking dish in cold water for 15 minutes.
21. Drain the water (the inside of the pot should feel damp).
22. Brush the inside of the pot with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
23. Spread the ingredients evenly over the pan surface and roast according to the recipe).
24. 1 pound potatoes Idaho or russet (about 3 to 4 medium to large potatoes)
25. Pinch salt, plus 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
26. 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for rolling and shaping
27. 2 teaspoons olive oil
28. 1/4 cup purified water
29. Place the potatoes in a medium size saucepan.
30. Add a pinch of salt and enough water to cover the potatoes by 2 inches.
31. Bring the contents of the pot to a boil over high heat.
32. Reduce the temperature and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
33. Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool just enough to handle.
34. Peel, then mash or rice them.
35. Place the flour and the salt in a mixing bowl.
36. Add the warm smoothly mashed potatoes.
37. Using a wooden spoon, mix the ingredients together.
38. Drizzle the potato dough with olive oil and 1/4-cup of water.
39. Mix well, incorporating all of the ingredients and forming a smooth ball.
40. Set the dough aside for 10 minutes to relax.
41. Working on a floured surface, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
42. Roll each portion of dough into a rope about 1/2-inch in diameter.
43. Cut each rope into 1/4-inch pieces.
44. Shape each piece of dough into a small ball.
45. Roll the dough balls over the tines of a fork then set them aside on a lightly floured baking sheet.
46. Bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil over high heat.
47. Reduce the heat so that the water is at a simmer.
48. Working in batches, add gnocchi to the pot (shaking off any excess flour).
49. Stir gently and cook the gnocchi until they float then remove them with a slotted spoon.
50. They can be dressed and served at this point or chilled in an ice bath, drained then dressed with a little olive oil if they are to be held for several hours.
51. Once cooked gnocchi can be stored in the refrigerator but should be eaten the same day they are made.
52. Yield: 6 generous servings

lamb, yellow onion, bay leaves, garlic, rosemary, olive oil, kosher salt, red wine, lamb, eggplant, romano

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/lamb-ragu-with-potato-gnocchi-pasticcio-di-agnello-con-gnocchi-di-patate-recipe.html (may not work)