Gnocchi with Meat Ragù sauce

Gnocchi al Ragù di Carne

This is the first recipe I publish since I moved in Florida, USA. I had a lot to do to adjust my life and the life of my kids in this great Country, where I am happy to stay. For a while, I haven't been able to write and I didn' t have the right inspiration to create new recipes. But then I have decided that I can't abandon my followers, so I will go on to publish, not every day, but every time I have a good dish to show to the public. Today, I want to start with this succulent dish that I hope you all can enjoy.

Gnocchi

Preparation time: about 40 minutes

Cooking time: about 30 minutes

Serves 4-5

Ingredients:

1 ½ lb. (700g) potatoes

About 2 cups (500ml) all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

Ragù sauce

Preparation time: about 15 minutes

Cooking time: at least 2½ hours

Serves 4–5

Ingredients:

6 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, peeled and chopped

2 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

1 lb. (450 g.) beef, cut into large cubes

2 cans Italian peeled tomatoes, approximately 28 oz (800 g.) each, blended or mashed with a fork

Salt, about 2 tsp.

Pepper to taste

To boil gnocchi:

Water, about 10 cups (2 ½ L)

2 tbsp. Salt

About ½ cup (120 ml) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (or Grana Padano) cheese

Method:

         Prepare the gnocchi:

1. Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water and bring to the boil over high heat. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until just tender. Drain well, cool and peel them. Then mash with a fork or a potato masher.
2. In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, flour and salt. Then use your hands to knead until a soft dough forms. If the dough is still sticky, add a little more flour.
3. Prepare a work area and dust it with flour. Take a small piece of dough at the time, and roll it out gently with your hands until you have rolls about the thickness of your thumb.
4. With a knife, cut the rolls into pieces about 1 inch (2 ½ cm) long. To shape the gnocchi, hold a fork in one hand and using your fingertip, roll each piece of gnocchi over the tines of the fork pressing gently to form a slight “C” (good for catching the sauce).
5. Set each gnocchi in a flat serving plate, dusted with flour. Dust with a bit more flour and then place the plate in the refrigerator.
   Prepare the Ragù sauce:
6. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté gently. Add the meat and brown on all sides.
7. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, and then lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours or more, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon and adding a little bit of water if the ragù sauce starts to stick to the pan. When cooked, taste the sauce and add more salt if needed
   At this point, boil the gnocchi:
8. Bring 10 cups (2 ½ L) water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 tbsp. salt. Add the gnocchi to the boiling water, two-three at the time, to avoid that they can stick together, and boil them, gently stirring occasionally, until they rise to the surface of the water. Continue cooking gnocchi at the surface for about 1 minute, then remove with a large slotted spoon, drain well, and put into a large bowl. Add most (about ¾) of the Ragù sauce and stir well.
9. Put the gnocchi in the plates and spoon the remaining sauce on top of each serving. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve immediately.