Porcini Gnocchi Recipes

PORCINI GNOCCHI

Steps:

• For the gnocchi: Put the porcini in a large bowl and add enough hot water to cover the porcini. Allow the porcini to soak for a few minutes or until soft. Then finely chop the porcini to a paste-like consistency.
• On a work table, peel and mash the potatoes with the back of a fork or use a potato ricer. Add the porcini to the mashed potatoes and then add the flour, Parmigiano, salt, and pepper. Combine together and knead until the mixture becomes regular dough consistency, smooth and slightly sticky. Add more flour if needed, which will absorb any excess moisture.
• On a lightly-floured work surface, take pieces of the dough and roll them out into thin logs, approximately 1/2-inches thick. Cut them 1-inch long.
• Make the ridges on each gnocchi by using the back of a fork in a rolling action.
• Cook's Note: The imprints will allow the sauce to get trapped on the surface of the gnocchi.
• Put the gnocchi on a tray in a single layer and place a cloth over the top to prevent them from drying out. They may also be set in refrigerator or freezer until needed.
• Cook the gnocchi in a pot of boiling salted water for about 1 to 2 minutes or until they float to the surface.
• For the sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the fresh sage leaves. Remove the gnocchi from the boiling water with a slotted spoon or drain and add them directly to the saucepan with about 1/2 cup pasta water. Cook the gnocchi with the sauce for about 30 seconds and then remove them from the heat. Add the Parmigiano and mix well. Plate and serve.

GNOCCHI WITH CREAMY TOMATO PORCINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place porcini in medium bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over. Let stand until porcini are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove porcini from water, reserving soaking liquid. Finely chop porcini.
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add porcini and sauté 3 minutes.
• Add cream and 3/4 cup soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind in bowl. Simmer until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in marinara sauce; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to simmer before using.).
• Cook gnocchi in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain.
• Add gnocchi to sauce and toss to coat. Divide among 4 plates. Serve, passing Parmesan separately.

GNOCCHI WITH CREAMY TOMATO-PORCINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place porcini in medium bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over. Let stand until porcini are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove porcini from water, reserving soaking liquid. Finely chop porcini.
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add porcini and sauté 3 minutes. Add cream and 3/4 cup soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind in bowl. Simmer until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to simmer before using.)
• Cook gnocchi in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain.
• Add gnocchi to sauce and toss to coat. Divide among 4 plates. Serve, passing Parmesan separately.

POTATO GNOCCHI WITH PORK AND WILD MUSHROOM RAGù

Steps:

• Place dried porcini mushrooms in medium bowl; pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over. Let stand until mushrooms are soft, about 45 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to cutting board and chop coarsely. Reserve soaking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add crimini mushrooms and garlic; sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper and sauté until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup wine and simmer until crimini mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Set aside (there may still be liquid in skillet).
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with coarse salt and pepper. Add pork to pot and sauté until browned in spots, about 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to medium bowl. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot. Reduce heat to medium. Add coppa and stir 1 minute. Add sausages and cook until brown, breaking up into small pieces with back of spoon, about 3 minutes. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cover pot and cook vegetables until soft, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add remaining 2 cups wine; bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until almost all liquid is absorbed. Add tomatoes, 1 cup broth, bay leaves, reserved pork, and porcini mushrooms. Pour in reserved porcini soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind in bowl. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until pork is tender, adding more broth by 1/4 cupfuls if dry, about 1 hour.
• Stir crimini mushroom mixture in skillet into ragù. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cool. Cover; keep chilled. Rewarm before continuing.
• Spoon off fat from surface of ragù stir in basil. Add Potato Gnocchi; toss gently to coat. Simmer over medium heat until gnocchi are heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Divide gnocchi and ragù among bowls. Sprinkle with some of cheese and serve, passing remaining cheese alongside.
• Available in the produce section of many supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Italian markets.
• What to drink:
• Pair this rich dish with a medium-bodied red with good acidity, like the 2007 Danzante Chianti ($11, Italy).

PUMPKIN GNOCCHI WITH CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMS/PORCINI

Steps:

• Clean pumpkin, discard seeds and chop.
• Meanwhile preheat oven to 200°C.
• Butter a pan/casserole dish, add pumpkin chunks and let bake for about 50-60 minute (you could also roast them in a pan, for about 15 minute until soft, tastes a bit different, but saves quite some time).
• Cook potatoes until soft (for about 20 min).
• Take pumpkin chunks out of the oven and let cool.
• Rinse cooked potatoes under cold water and peel.
• Put pumpkin chunks through a (potatoe) ricer into a bowl.
• Do the same with the potatoes (cut in chunks first).
• Add flour, nutmeg, parmesan, salt and pepper, about 20g of butter and the egg.
• Knead to a medium to firm dough (add flour if necessary).
• Form small rolls out of Gnocchi dough and cut in about half inch size pieces (use some flour in case the dough tends to stick to your working place's surface. If you like your Gnocchi to soak up the sauce better, make slight indentations with fork rakes -- does look pretty as well).
• Heat water in a large pot.
• Meanwhiles melt the rest of the butter in a pan.
• Add chopped shallots and garlic. Fry until soft and fragrant.
• Add chopped chanterelles (or porcini or any other mushroom you like to use).
• Let fry until they loose water and turn soft.
• Let mushroom fry dry a bit and then add the white wine and cream. Let cook until sauce thickens and gets a very creamy texture.
• Meanwhile add Pumpkin Gnocchi to boiling water and let simmer until they come to the surface. (about 2-3 minutes).
• Strain gnocchi (or use a slotted spoon) and add to mushroom sauce.
• Toss carefully and add chopped parsley or sage.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer to deep dish plates and garnish with parmesan (shaves).