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Kristine Kittrell

gnocchi
S3E4 Italian · 2014
Where to find them
  • Weather Up Austin · Austin, TX

gnocchi

30 min Prep
35 min Cook
4 Serves
  • 2 lbs russet potatoes, unpeeled
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus 2 tbsp for dusting
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 0.25 tsp white pepper
  • 0.25 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 8 fresh sage leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 2 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano for finishing
  • Fleur de sel for garnish
  1. Boil unpeeled potatoes in salted water at a rolling boil for 18-22 minutes until a knife passes through with slight resistance—they should be cooked but not waterlogged. Drain thoroughly and let cool for 5 minutes until handleable.
  2. While still warm, peel potatoes and press through a ricer onto a clean work surface, creating a mound. Make a well in the center and add egg yolk, 1 oz grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg.
  3. Gently fold 1 cup flour into the potato mixture using a bench scraper, incorporating gradually until a soft dough forms—do not overwork or gnocchi will be tough. The dough should be slightly sticky but hold together.
  4. Dust work surface lightly with flour. Roll dough into a 0.75-inch thick rope, then cut into 0.75-inch pieces. Press each piece with a fork tine to create ridges (this helps sauce cling). Arrange on a parchment-lined sheet tray.
  5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Working in batches, gently drop gnocchi in and stir once. They are done when they float to the surface and hold there for 30 seconds—approximately 2-3 minutes total. Transfer to a colander with a slotted spoon.
  6. While gnocchi cooks, melt 6 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browning. Add sage leaves and cook 30 seconds until crisp.
  7. Reduce heat to low and whisk in 0.5 cup whole milk until emulsified, creating a silky brown butter sauce. Season with salt and white pepper to taste.
  8. Add cooked gnocchi to the brown butter sauce and gently toss to coat. Plate immediately, finishing each portion with fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and a pinch of fleur de sel.
Inspired by Kristine Kittrell’s winning gnocchi. This is a plausible recreation, not the chef’s original recipe.
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