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Ricotta Cheese Gnocchi with Mushroom Sauce
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Ricotta Cheese Gnocchi with Mushroom Sauce

Gnocchi adapted from The New York Times. Sauce adapted from Epicurious.
Servings 4 servings
Author Brandon Matzek

Ingredients

For the gnocchi:

  • Kosher salt
  • 1 (15 oz. container) ricotta cheese (I used whole milk)
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/4 cup freshly grated Paremsan
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 to 1 cup all purpose flour

For the mushroom sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 oz. shiitake mushrooms, cleaned, stemmed and sliced
  • 1/2 cup sliced shallots
  • 1 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup good quality sherry
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups coarsely chopped arugula
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

To make the gnocchi:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt well (should taste like the sea). In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, parmesan, a pinch of salt and several turns of ground black pepper. Add 1/2 cup flour and stir. Continue to add flour (a little at a time) until the dough comes together (will be fairly sticky). Using a spoon, scoop a small bit of dough (about 1 teaspoon) and drop it into the boiling water. If the gnocchi holds it's shape, then you have added just the right amount of flour. If you see bits shedding off of the gnocchi, then you need to add more flour to the dough. Stir in a bit more flour and repeat the testing process above till your gnocchi holds together.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Scoop tablespoon sized gnocchi onto the baking sheet (I made quenelles). Set aside while preparing the sauce.

To make the sauce:

  • Warm butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook just until the butter begins to brown (about 2 minutes). Add sliced shiitakes and shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown (about 10 minutes). Add stock, sherry and sage, stirring to combine. Simmer until liquid is slightly reduced (about 6 - 8 minutes). Stir in heavy cream, then season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce heat to low to keep sauce warm while gnocchi are cooking.
  • Working in small batches (about 6 - 8 gnocchi at a time depending on size), drop gnocchi into the boiling, salted water. When the gnocchi rise to the surface, scoop out with a slotted spoon and add to the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Repeat until all gnocchi are cooked.
  • Return heat to medium, add chopped arugula and toss. Cook until arugula is wilted and everything is nicely heated through (about 1 minute). Finish with a healthy dusting of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.