A Gnocchi Review...

I have done pretty well with most of the recipes that Rita taught me during our year long sojourn.  One area that I didn't do so well with was making gnocchi....and, true to the Master, Rita knew it.  She just out of the blue announced that she would be making gnocchi and was sure that I wanted to help!  She was very correct..                                                     

The correct potatoes are important.  She recommended either yellow or red.

To cook them, this time she microwaved them. 

In my lesson 3 years ago, she had boiled them, I'm pretty sure. (well maybe)

She also said not to peel them prior to cooking; this keeps in some moisture.

We peeled them while h o t and then ran through the masher.

 She adds flour by feel and talent.

 Watching her knead is hypnotic and magical....

 Before I knew it, she was beginning to form the dough....

 Before I knew it, she had begun to roll....

 

Chiara and I were give the task of pressing the small pieces of dough against the fork tines.

This makes a nice little indentation.  Rita had us drop the small pieces in some semolina flour prior to rolling along the fork tines.

Before we knew it, we had two full trays.

Can you see the fork tine indentations?

Time to cook.  Add some oil and salt to rolling, boiling water.
Add the gnocchi and let cook a couple of minutes.
When they rise to the top of the boiling water, they are cooked.
Remove with a strainer and add to your favorite sauce.

 In our case, we used a Bolognese sauce but you can use pesto,
or try a Gorgonzola sauce--YUM!

Rita's daughter Stefania and grand daughter, Chiara, waited for our feast.
Kim was waiting too but busy behind the camera!

I can't tell you what a joy it was to be in Rita's kitchen again; such an amazing gift.  And after we had finished our gnocchi, Chiara stepped right in and began making her own recipe.

As Chiara makes her own creation, the Master conveys knowledge that only a grandmother can convey. As a fly on the wall, I listened as they spoke about baking techniques but then easily segued into talking about life and questions that a 10 year old girl has.  Rita answers with patience, conveying valuable lessons with love and a gentle firmness from a life time of her own lessons learned.

I entered the afternoon ready to learn how to make gnocchi---I got so much more from my lesson.  

Rita and Chiara spend a lot of time in that little kitchen on that wooden baking board.  I can't help but think how lucky they both are to have each other. They each are teaching one another.  I smiled as I watched Rita try to direct Chiara in portion amounts; Chiara said no, and did it her own way....Rita quickly and quietly accepted Chiara's self direction and creativity.

One thing that I do know.

Someday, that wooden board is going to be a very prized possession of Chiara's.
The stories it will tell.