Potato Gnocchi


* 3 pounds Boiling potatoes -- -=OR=-
* 5 1/2 cups -Mashed potatoes
* 3/4 cup Flour (or more)
* 5 Egg yolks
* 1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg
* 1 teaspoon Salt -- or as desired
* White pepper -- to taste
* 1/3 cup Olive oil


USING UNCOOKED POTATOES, boil them, unpeeled, in salted water until soft. Or cook them in a microwave according to oven directions or bake in a conventional oven. Drain boiled potatoes.

Peel potatoes when they are cool enough to handle and puree them through a food mill or potato ricer while still warm. Do not use a blender or food processor for this because it excites the gluten in the potato and makes a sticky mess. If using leftover mashed potatoes, place in a small pot and heat them until they are warm.

Transfer potatoes to a mixing bowl, add the yolks and mix. Add nutmeg, salt, pepper and 3/4 cup of flour. Knead together and add the remainder of the flour if necessary, bit by bit, kneading until a slightly sticky consistency is attained. Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Form the dough into sausage-like rolls about the thickness of your thumb. Cut into pieces about 1-inch in length. Using a fork, flatten the pieces so that the tines leave an imprint in the gnocchi!

Keep a glass of water nearby to clean the fork. Meanwhile, fill a 3-quart pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat so that the water is boiling at a gentle roll. Drop the gnocchi into the boiling water, about 16 at a time. They will sink to the bottom but will rise to the surface after a minute or so. Continue to cook for another 15 seconds. Immediately remove with a slotted spoon to a colander. Sprinkle with a little olive oil, mix gently and transfer to a heated platter.

Continue until all the gnocchi are cooked. Serve the gnocchi ungarnished as a side accompaniment to roast meat or poultry