Preparation:
Cook and mash the potatoes however you choose. Don't add butter or seasonings to the final product. In a bowl, mix the egg yolks, salt, nutmeg, and grated cheese; mix well. Add the mashed potatoes, then the flour, a little at a time, until a dough forms and holds together. (It will be moist and somewhat sticky) On a floured board roll small amounts of dough into cylinders about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, adding more flour as necessary to keep it from sticking. Cut each cylinder into 1/2 inch pieces keeping the cutting utensil floured. When all the pieces are cut, flour a hand and with the knuckle of your index finger make a dent in each piece by applying pressure to the center of each piece. This will make them cook more evenly and make a dent to hold butter or sauce. Boil a large pot of lightly salted water and gently drop the dumplings into it. Do not over crowd the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes, the dumplings should float to the top. Pull them out of the water and drain, if you pile them into a bowl, butter them to keep from sticking to each other. Top with desired sauce or just butter them and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. I like to make an Alfredo type sauce and pour it over the gnocchi in a casserole dish, then I sprinkle with cheese and put in the oven for 15 minutes or so to make it bubbl |
