GNOCCHI ALFREDO

GNOCCHI

• 1 pound Idaho Russet potatoes
• 1 cup all purpose flour, extra for rolling the dough
• a little butter for the saute pan

ALFREDO SAUCE

• 4 slices lean bacon
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
• grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper

1. MAKE THE GNOCCI:
2. Put the whole potatoes into a large pot of water and cook for about an hour. Do not poke holes in the potatoes. We want the potatoes to be dry inside, not absorb any water through piercing.
3. Remove the potatoes from the pot. When cool enough to handle, slip the skin off.
4. With the back of a fork, mash the potatoes into a large bowl.
5. Add the flour and with your hands mix the potato and flour together. Work fast and don't keep kneading the mixture too much. Less fussing will produce a light gnocchi.
6. Dust the work surface with flour to prevent the dough from sticking to it.
7. With your hands, form the dough into a long (manageable) rope about 3/4 inch thick.
8. With a sharp knife cut off 3/4 inch segments of the rope. Using a fork , press the flat side of the tines gently on the segments, one at a time, leaving one side "fat and the other side impressed with fork tines. The purpose of the tine impression is to give the gnocchi more surface to absorb flavors.
9. In a large pot of simmering water, put the gnocchi in a few at a time so they don't stick. After a few minutes they will float to the surface...let them cook a minute more and remove to a warm plate. Repeat until all gnocchi are cooked.
10. The gnocchi are cooked...I usually put a small bit of butter in a saute pan and lightly carmelize the gnocchi.
11. ALFREDO SAUCE
12. In a pan, fry the bacon until fully cooked and very crisp. Remove from pan and put on a paper towel. Crumble or cut the bacon into very small pieces
13. In a sauce pan, put the cream and heat to a boil. Remove from flame and very slowly add the beaten egg yolks, continually stirring to prevent them from curdling. Add the black pepper and more to taste.
14. Place the gnocchi on a plate. Pour the alfredo sauce over the gnocchi. Sprinkle the bacon and parmesan over the gnocchi and sauce.
15. Serve with more freshly grated parmesan cheese and more fresh black pepper.