While people sometimes think of making fresh pasta as daunting, it's really quite easy. Many types of fresh pasta are surprisingly simple to make, but pasta dumplings, or gnocchi, are really an entry-level pasta. Besides being easy, pasta dumplings are filling and delicious, and make a great accompaniment to a variety of sauces.
Instructions
1. Start with mashed potatoes. This recipe is a great way to use up extra mashed potatoes (just add a little extra liquid first if they're dry), but if you don't have any, start by peeling and cubing a few raw potatoes and putting them in a pot of boiling water. Boil until tender (about 20 minutes), then remove from water and mash with a potato masher or other utensil. Add some milk, oil, and/or butter (or water in a pinch) to create a creamier texture. Also throw in a generous dash of salt.
2. Add flour to the mashed potatoes, a little at a time, until the mixture turns into a thick dough. The dough should be soft and somewhat moist, but not so sticky that it's very hard to work with. If it sticks to your fingers instantly, add some more flour. You can start this process by stirring with a spoon, but by the end you will probably have to use your hands (you'll be using them for the next part, in any case).
3. Boil a large pot of water. Even if you're not making that pasta, the process works better in a fairly large pot.
4. Pinch off small pieces of the potato dough, one inch across or less, quickly roll them into balls, and flatten each somewhat by pressing a thumb into it or squishing it against the tines of a fork.
5. As you finish shaping each dumpling, throw it into the boiling water.
6. The dumplings will start to float when they are done. After shaping a few dumplings, check to see if any are floating on the surface of the boiling water yet, and if they are, scoop them off with a slotted spoon. Place the finished dumplings in a bowl with some oil, so they don't stick together too much. Keep shaping dumplings, boiling them, and checking every few minutes to remove any that are done cooking.
Tags: boiling water, mashed potatoes, fresh pasta, pasta dumplings, shaping dumplings
