Potato Gnocchi with Peas, Prosciutto and Ricotta
- 2 pounds (about 4) russet potatoes, or similar starchy/white variety
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 egg white
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 1/4 pound prosciutto
- 1 large shallot, finely diced
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Grated Parmesan
- 2 cups Lemon Ricotta, recipe follows
- 2 cups good quality ricotta cheese
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Salt
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Scrub potatoes, pierce the skin with a fork, drizzle with olive oil and salt and place on a sheet pan.
- Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until they are easily pierced with a pairing knife.
- Allow the potatoes to cool slightly then peel the potatoes while they are still hot and press them through a potato ricer.
- Put the potatoes in a large bowl with salt, nutmeg, baking powder, grated cheese and egg white.
- Add the flour a little at a time and mix with your hands until the mixture forms a rough dough.
- Do not over-work the dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
- Gently knead the dough for 1 or 2 minutes until smooth, adding a little bit more flour, if necessary, to keep it from sticking.
- Break off a piece of the dough and roll it back and forth into a rope, about the thickness of your index finger.
- Cut the rope into 1-inch pieces.
- Gently roll each piece down the prongs of a fork while pressing a small dimple with your finger in the back.
- The gnocchi should be slightly curved and marked with ridges.
- This will allow the pillows to hold sauce when served.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
- Boil the gnocchi in batches in plenty of salted water.
- The gnocchi are done about 2 minutes after they float to the surface, remove with a slotted spoon.
- Reserve about 1/2 cup cooking water.
- If not cooking immediately, place the gnocchi in a single layer on a baking pan dusted with flour.
- Note: If the gnocchi start to feather and fall apart in boiling water, you need more flour.
- If the gnocchi don't float after 2 minutes and are hard, you used too much flour.
- Blanch peas in hot water and set aside.
- Place 4 strips of prosciutto on a sheet pan and place in a preheated 350 degree F oven.
- Cook until the bacon is crispy, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add chopped shallots to a pan over medium high heat with 2 counts of olive oil pan of and gently saute until fragrant and translucent.
- Dump in the peas and toss gently to coat.
- Season with a little salt and pepper.
- Add boiled gnocchi to the pan and gently toss.
- Add a ladle of gnocchi water to the pan, add 1 tablespoon of butter, sprinkle with Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve topped with crispy prosciutto and a scoop of fresh lemon ricotta.
- (Optional: finish with a drizzle of white truffle oil)
- Place the ricotta cheese in a mixing bowl and add the lemon zest and juice.
- Season with salt and serve with the gnocchi.
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
russet potatoes, salt, freshly grated nutmeg, baking powder, egg, flour, frozen peas, shallot, extravirgin olive oil, salt, butter, parmesan, lemon ricotta, ricotta cheese, lemon, salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/potato-gnocchi-with-peas-prosciutto-and-ricotta-recipe.html (may not work)