Chef John’s Potato Gnocchi

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Description

When I found one lone russet potato at the bottom of the bin, I decided to make a small batch of gnocchi–the perfect thing to do with one potato. I like a very potato-y gnocchi, so I go with just enough flour to form the dough. Other people prefer a denser, more pasta-like dumpling, and use much more flour. I know many of you hate it when I say this, but you’ll just have to figure it out as you go.

Ingredients

  • 1 large russet potato
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
  • 1 cup marinara sauce, heated, or more as needed, divided
  • Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Place potato in microwave and cook on high setting until cooked through
  2. about 7 minutes depending on the size of the potato.
  3. Split potato and remove flesh. Push flesh through strainer using the back of a wooden spoon in order to achieve a granular texture. Add a pinch of salt and let cool for about 10 minutes. Pour in beaten egg and stir
  4. using the tines of a fork and trying not to mash the potato. Add about 1/3 cup flour and continue gently stirring gently with the tines of a fork until mixture starts to come together. You may need another pinch or two of flour. Fold mixture with a spatula until dough forms a mass
  5. adding flour as needed. Using your fingers
  6. knead dough gently to form ball
  7. about 10 seconds.
  8. Shape dough into a fat log shape on a floured surface. Cut into 4 pieces. Gently roll each piece using your fingertips to form the “snake” or a long rope of dough
  9. starting from the center and rolling toward the end until dough is about 1/2 inch thick. Cut each rope of dough into 1/2-inch pieces.
  10. Roll each 1/2-inch piece quickly down the back of a fork’s tines to form ridges.
  11. Heat sauce in a skillet while you cook the gnocchi.
  12. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reduce heat so water continues to simmer. Add gnocchi to water. As soon as they float to the surface after half a minute or so
  13. cook for an additional 14 seconds. Transfer cooked gnocchi with a slotted spoon to the pan with the sauce. Stir until coated.
  14. Serve topped with grated cheese.

Prep Time: 40 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Servings: 2

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