Gnocchi With Dried Apricot Brown Butter And Crispy Sage Food

GNOCCHI WITH BROWN BUTTER AND SAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Pour a mound of kosher salt onto a rimmed baking sheet. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork and nestle them in the salt; this prevents the potatoes from browning and draws out their moisture. Bake the potatoes until fork-tender, about 45 minutes. Let sit until just cool enough to handle.
• Halve the potatoes lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a potato ricer; discard the skin. Press the flesh through the ricer onto a floured counter or cutting board; let cool 3 to 4 minutes.
• Spread out the potatoes slightly. Beat the egg with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl and drizzle over the potatoes.
• Sprinkle the potato mixture with 1 cup flour and knead until a smooth dough forms, adding up to 1/2 cup more flour if the dough is sticky. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest 10 minutes.
• Lightly flour your surface. Divide the dough into 6 pieces and roll into "snakes," about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut into 1/2-to-1-inch lengths with a bench cutter or knife; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly dust with flour.
• Make the sauce: Melt the butter in a large skillet over high heat. Cook, stirring, until the butter develops brown flecks and smells nutty. Watch it closely to keep the butter solids from burning. Remove from the heat.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi; wait until they float to the surface, then simmer 30 more seconds. (Taste one to make sure it's cooked through.) Return the brown butter to medium-low heat. Scoop the gnocchi from the pot with a spider or slotted spoon, transfer to the skillet and toss until some of the brown-butter flecks stick to the gnocchi. Add the red pepper flakes, sage and a few tablespoons of the gnocchi cooking water; toss again. Remove from the heat and add half of the cheese. Divide among bowls and top with the remaining cheese.

GNOCCHI WITH BROWN BUTTER AND SAGE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine potatoes, egg yolk, lemon zest, olive oil, flour, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir until incorporated. Divide dough into fourths. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll 1/4 of the dough into a 3/4-inch-diameter log. Cut the log into 3/4-inch-long pieces. Pick up one piece of dough, and press onto the back of a fork with your thumb. Still using your thumb, roll dough off fork, forming a "C" shape; the indentations from the tines should be visible. Place the gnocchi on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with the remaining pieces of dough, arranging finished gnocchi in a single layer. Repeat with the remaining 3 portions of dough.
• Fill a large saucepan with water, and add 2 teaspoons salt; bring to a boil. Have ready a colander set over a bowl. Add 1/4 of the gnocchi, and cook until they float to the top, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cooked gnocchi to the colander. Cook the remaining gnocchi.
• Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add butter. When butter begins to brown, about 2 minutes, add pepper and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Increase heat to high. Add the gnocchi and sage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sage has wilted and the gnocchi have heated through, 1 1/2 minutes. Serve immediately, with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH SAGE AND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• For the gnocchi: Combine the flour, Parmesan, lemon zest and salt in a medium bowl. Add the ricotta and egg. Mix well with a wooden spoon or your fingers until the dough just comes together, taking care not to overwork the dough, which could cause it to become tough.
• Scrape the dough onto a well-floured work surface and pat into a rough square. Cut the dough into fourths with a bench scraper or knife. Gently roll each piece into a foot-long rope about an inch in diameter, flouring as needed to prevent the dough from sticking to the work surface. Cut each rope into 1/2-inch pieces with a bench scraper or knife and set aside.
• For the sauce: Heat 6 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat in a skillet large enough to accommodate all of the gnocchi without crowding. When the butter begins to foam, add the gnocchi to the skillet and cook, turning as necessary, until they're browned and crisp on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the sage leaves and cook until crisp, 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in 1/2 cup water, the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Remove from the heat and sprinkle in the Parmesan while turning the gnocchi. Let the sauce ingredients emulsify and form a silken coating, about 1 minute. Add more water if the skillet looks too dry. Spoon the gnocchi and sauce into shallow bowls and serve immediately.

GNOCCHI WITH SAGE AND BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat butter in a large heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides and butter begins to brown. Add sage; cook, stirring, until leaves are crisp and butter is golden brown. Transfer sage leaves to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve brown butter in skillet with heat off.
• Lightly brush a rimmed baking sheet with oil; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add the salt. Add half the gnocchi; when they rise to the top (after about 2 minutes), continue to cook until tender, about 15 seconds more. Transfer gnocchi with a slotted spoon to oiled baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining gnocchi.
• Reheat reserved brown butter over medium heat. Add gnocchi; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Add reserved sage leaves, and gently toss.