Potato Gnocchi with Sage Butter
Pillowy potato gnocchi that float rather than sink, dressed in nothing more than nut-brown butter and crisped sage. The whole recipe hinges on using floury baked potatoes and the least flour you can get away with.
Method
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Bake the potatoes whole, unwrapped, at 200°C / 400°F for 60 to 75 minutes until completely tender. Do not boil them.
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Halve them the moment they come out and scoop the flesh straight into a ricer while still steaming hot, pressing it onto a clean work surface in a loose, fluffy layer. Let the steam escape for 5 minutes.
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Scatter over the flour, salt and nutmeg, then drizzle on the egg yolk. Fold and press with a bench scraper just until a soft dough comes together — 30 seconds, no kneading.
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Cut the dough into six pieces. Roll each into a 2 cm rope on a floured surface and cut into 2 cm pillows.
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Roll each pillow down the back of a fork or a gnocchi board to make ridges, which hold the sauce. Lay them on a floured tray.
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Melt the butter in a wide pan over medium heat. Let it foam, subside and turn hazelnut brown, about 4 minutes, then add the sage and fry for 30 seconds until crisp. Take off the heat.
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Boil the gnocchi in well-salted water in two batches. They are done 30 seconds after they float, roughly 90 seconds total.
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Lift them straight into the sage butter with a slotted spoon along with a splash of cooking water, toss to coat, and serve with Parmigiano and black pepper.
Chef’s Tips
- Test one gnocco before shaping the whole batch. If it disintegrates, work in another 20 g of flour.
- The dough should feel tacky, not smooth. Smooth dough means too much flour and heavy gnocchi.
- Uncooked gnocchi freeze perfectly on the tray, then bag them — cook from frozen, adding 30 seconds.
Pairing Suggestions
- A light Pinot Grigio or Dolcetto
- Roasted butternut squash or wilted spinach on the side
- Affogato for dessert
Storage & Reheating
Cooked gnocchi keep 2 days refrigerated; pan-fry them in butter rather than reboiling. Raw gnocchi freeze for 2 months.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.