Ingredients

  • Gnocchi
  • 1 1/2 lb. fresh ricotta (goat milk if possible)
  • 1 c. unbleached flour, or as needed
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 T chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
  • 1/4 c.olive oil
  • 1 Spanish onion, chopped in 1/4 inch dice
  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 3 T chopped fresh thyme (1T. dried)
  • 1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled whole tomatoes, crushed by hand and juices reserved
  • Salt, to taste
  • In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft. Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. Yield: 4 cups
  • SAUSAGE FENNEL SAUCE
  • 2 pounds Italian sausage, removed from casing and crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, toasted & ground
  • 1 tablespoon red chile flakes
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 bulb fennel, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 rib celery, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 2 cups basic tomato sauce (recipe follows)
  • Pecorino Romano, grated

Method

  • GNOCCHI
  • Drain ricotta in fridge at least 8 hours.
  • Place in medium bowl and gently stir in 1 c. flour, eggs, parsley, nutmeg, salt & pepper util a soft dough forms.
  • Forming gnocchi & place on baking sheet lined with a lightly-floured kitchen towel.
  • Refrigerate or freeze
  • BASIC TOMATO SAUCE
  • Heat olive oil over medium heat.
  • Brown onion and garlic .
  • Add thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more.
  • Add tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often.
  • Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes until thick. Season with salt.
  • (Makes 4 c. Keeps refrigerated 1 week, frozen up to 6 months.)
  • SAUSAGE FENNEL SAUCE
  • Brown sausage in heavy pan over high heat.
  • Add half fennel seeds and chile flakes.
  • Remove sausage from pan when cooked.
  • Brown onions, fennel, carrots, celery and garlic. Return sausage with remaining spices.
  • Stir in tomato sauce and simmer 30 mins.
  • Season well with salt and pepper.
  • Meanwhile, bring 6 quarts of water to boil and add 2 tablespoons salt.
  • Slip as many gnocchi at a time as will float freely into boiling water, stirring gently with a wooden spoon.
  • Cook until gnocchi rise to surface, about 5 minutes. (Cut into center - should be the same color and consistency all the way through.)
  • Scoop out & drain
  • Add to pan hot ragu, tossing gently to coat.
  • Top with Pecorino Romano and serve.