Ricotta Gnocchi With Artichoke Lemon And Mint Food

20-MINUTE RICOTTA GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Bring a large stockpot of generously-salted water to a boil over high heat.
• While your water is heating, place 3-4 paper towels on a large plate and spread the ricotta on the paper towels in an even layer. Place another layer of 3-4 paper towels on top of the ricotta. Then press down gently to let the excess moisture soak into the paper towels, trying to soak up as much of the excess liquid as possible. Transfer the ricotta to a large mixing bowl. (If it sticks to the paper towels, just use a rubber spatula to scrape it off.) The drained ricotta should now weigh about 12 ounces.
• Add the egg yolks to the ricotta and stir briefly to combine. Add in the flour, Parmesan, salt and pepper, and stir until evenly combined. Avoid over-mixing. The dough will be a bit moist and maybe a bit sticky, but it should be holding together well. If it feels too wet, just add in another few tablespoons of flour.
• Shape the dough into a round disk with your hands, then transfer it to a lightly-floured cutting board and sprinkle the dough with lightly with flour. Using a knife or a bench scraper, cut the dough into eight even pie wedges. Using your hands, gently roll out each wedge out into an even log, approximately 3/4-inch wide. Cut each log into individual bite-sized little gnocchi squares. Lightly dust the gnocchi with flour once more and give them a quick toss so that they are all lightly coated with flour. (This will help prevent them from sticking together.)
• Carefully transfer the gnocchi to the boiling water to cook. Then once they float - usually after 30 seconds or so - drain the gnocchi.
• Serve immediately, tossed with your favorite sauce and whatever other ingredients sound good!

ROASTED ARTICHOKES WITH RICOTTA AND PEAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Squeeze one lemon half into a large bowl of cold water. Pluck off all tough leaves from one artichoke, until you reach leaves that are pale and soft. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, peel stem and trim base of artichoke, then dunk it in lemon water to keep it from browning. Cut off the top 1/3 of artichoke and discard. Slice artichoke lengthwise into quarters; remove any inner purple leaves and scoop out the fuzzy choke if there is one. Put the quarters in the lemon water and leave them there as you cut remaining artichokes.
• Drain the artichokes, shaking them well to remove excess water. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss artichokes with oil and salt. Roast until golden and tender, 25 to 35 minutes, tossing them halfway through.
• Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Slip in peas; cook for 1 to 2 minutes until tender, then drain.
• In a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, lemon zest and kosher salt to taste. Spread out on a plate, and top with peas, artichokes, mint, flaky sea salt and lemon juice to taste. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Serve with crostini if desired.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH CRISPY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• If you cannot find imported dry ricotta or your ricotta is wet, place it in a fine mesh sieve set over a bowl. Refrigerate and let drain 3 to 4 hours to remove excess moisture.
• In a large bowl, stir together ricotta, egg, 1/2 cup flour, and 2 teaspoons salt until thoroughly blended and dough forms a soft ball. Spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip or a large plastic resealable bag, and refrigerate dough at least 30 minutes.
• Fill a large nonreactive bowl with 4 cups water and add lemon juice. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, snap off tough outer leaves until you are left with a small bullet-shaped artichoke with pale yellow leaves that turn green just at the tips. Cut off green tips crosswise. Cut stem flush with the bottom of the artichoke so that no green remains. Cut artichoke in half. Cut halves lengthwise into slices and add to lemon water; set aside.
• Sprinkle remaining cup of flour over a rimmed baking sheet. Remove dough from refrigerator. If using a resealable bag, cut a small hole in one lower corner of the bag. Pipe a 1-inch ball onto your fingers. Gently roll ball in flour until evenly dusted. Repeat process with remaining dough and flour.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until it begins to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain artichokes and add to skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until artichokes are golden and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, shake off excess flour from gnocchi add add to boiling water. Cook until outside of gnocchi is cooked and somewhat firm and the inside is still soft, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer artichokes to a plate and keep warm. Add vinegar, and using a wooden spoon, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of skillet; let simmer for 2 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to warmed plated and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Drizzle vinegar mixture from skillet over gnocchi and top with crispy artichokes. Serve immediately.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH DELTA ASPARAGUS AND MEYER LEMON

Steps:

• Line a colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth, then add the ricotta. Tie the corners shut. Let sit over a bowl so that the liquid can run out, refrigerated, 8 hours or overnight.
• Place a large pot of water on the stove; salt as you would for pasta and bring to a boil.
• Place the drained ricotta and 1/4 cup Parmesan in a large bowl. Add the eggs and whisk vigorously for a minute or two. Add a pinch of salt, a little pepper, and fold in the flour, a couple tablespoons at a time, just until incorporated.
• Turn the water down to a gentle boil, and with two spoons, form the batter into football shapes, then drop directly into the boiling water. (You will have to process the batter in two to three batches as you can cook about 12 gnocchi at a time.) Cook, stirring to flip them over, until the gnocchi float to the top and are firm to the touch, about 2 minutes. The gnocchi are delicate, so gently remove from the water and place on a sheet tray or baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and set aside.
• Peel the ends of the asparagus, then thinly slice. Place 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat and add the asparagus. Sweat until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the zest, chicken stock and butter, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Reheat the gnocchi by carefully adding to the asparagus mixture and let heat for a minute or 2.
• Place in a large serving bowl and top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

RICOTTA CHEESE GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Combine the ricotta, eggs and Parmesan in a large bowl, along with some salt and pepper. Add about 1/2 cup flour and stir; add more flour until the mixture forms a very sticky dough. Scoop up a spoonful of dough and boil it to make sure it will hold its shape; if it does not, stir in a bit more flour.
• Put the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When it melts and turns a nutty brown color, add the sage. While it fries, drop the ricotta mixture by the rounded tablespoon into the boiling water, working in batches of six or so at a time so as not to overload the pot.
• When the gnocchi rise to the surface, remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the skillet. When all the gnocchi are done, toss, taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve immediately.