Potato gnocchi

The word "gnocchi" means "lumps".It is a soft noodle or dumpling which is usually thick.Gnocchi can be made from Semolina,wheat flour,potato and bread crumbs.The smaller forms are called gnocchetti.Gnocchi are eaten as entrees in Italy or as an alternative to soups or pasta.Gnocchi is made in one continuous process: cooking the potatoes, making the dough, forming the gnocchi.

Here's how you can make "Potato Gnocchi":




What you need:

* 4 large potatoes
* 2 cups all purpose flour and some more for dusting
* 2 tbsp plus 2 1/2 tsp of salt
* 2 eggs
* 1/8 tsp of freshly ground black pepper

How to make:

Step I

* Take a large saucepan and out unpeeled potatoes.
* Cover the potatoes with 2 inches of cold water
* Add a tsp of salt and bring to a boil.
* Reduce heat to a medium high and cook for 40 minutes

Step II


* Fill another large saucepan with cold water
* Bbring to a boil after adding 1 tablespoon salt
* Fill a large bowl with ice cold water

Step III

* Drain the potatoes and peel while still hot
* Blend the potato with mixer or potato ricer with its finest disk
* Take out the mound of potatoes so formed and make a well in it
* Sprinkle flour on the potatoes evenly and mix eggs,2 1/2 tsp salt and pepper into it
* Lightly beat the eggs,putting otheringredients to form a dough
* Knead lightly until the dough becomes soft and smooth


Step IV


* Lightly dust the work surface with flour. Divide dough into four balls, and shape each ball into a rope 3/4 inch in diameter.
* Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces.
* Shape the gnocchi: Hold a dinner fork in one hand, and use your index finger to hold a cut edge of a piece of gnocchi against the curved back of the tines of the fork. Press into the center of the gnocchi with your index finger to make a deep indentation. While you are pressing the piece against the tines, flip it away over the tip of the fork, allowing the gnocchi to drop to the work surface. If the gnocchi becomes sticky, dip fork and index finger into flour. The finished gnocchi will have ridges on one side and a depression on the other. At this point, gnocchi can be refrigerated on a lightly floured baking sheet for several hours before boiling and serving.


Step V

* To cook gnocchi, immerse half of them into boiling water, and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until they start floating on the surface
* Remove with a slotted spoon, and place in the ice cold water for about 20 seconds.
* Transfer from ice bath
* Repeat procedure with the other half of the dough

Rissotto

Rissotto, a Northern Italian dish is conventionally prepared in a heavy bottom skillet,preferably made of cast iron.A certain type of rice is used to prepare Rissotto (usually a aft,starchy,medium ) grain rice. Italian Arborio is the most common rice used to cook it as it is available in all the grocery store in Italy. Other rices that can be used are Roma,Vialone, Carnaroli,Nano and Maratelli.




Here's how you can make a basic Rissotto

What you need:

* 400 grams risotto rice
* 1.1 litres stock (chicken, fish or vegetable as appropriate)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 large onion, finely chopped
* 1 knob of butter
* 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
* ½ a head of celery, finely chopped
* 2 wineglasses of dry white vermouth
* sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 70 grams butter
* 115 grams freshly grated Parmesan cheese


How to make:

I Stage

* Heat the stock
* Take a seperate pan and heat butter and olive oil
* add onions,garlic and celery
* Fry very slowly for 15 minutes
* Add the rice when vegetables have softened and turn up the heat.





II Stage

* Keep stirring the rice as it starts to lightly fry
* Add vermouth and keep stirring when the rice starts to look translucent
* Any harsh alcohol flavours will evaporate leaving a pleasent smell and taste behind.


III Stage

* Once the Vermouth has cooked,add a ladle of hot stock and a good pinch of salt
* Turn down the heat so that the rice does not cook too fast on the outside
* Keep adding ladlefuls of stock,stirring massaging the creamy starch out of the rice.
* This takes around 15 minutes.
* Continue adding stock until the rice becomes soft.
* If you run out of stock before the rice is cooked, add some boiling water.

IV Stage

* Remove from the heat and add the butter and Parmesan.
* Stir well
* Place lid on the pan and let it cook for 2 minutes.
* Eat it as soon as possible, while the risotto retains its beautiful tex