The Lazy Girls Gnocchi

Lately I've been having major gnocchi cravings, but I always find rolling the gnocchi a pain. I even have a pasta maker and was desperately hoping for a gnocchi. No such luck for me. Then I happened to come across a cleaver trick on Food and Wine, which I decided to give a shot. First time I used to suggested bakers twine with some sweet potato gnocchi dough. Either the baking twine was too thick, the dough was too moist, or I simple couldn't get the angle down the gnocchi came out "fun shaped." That didn't discourage my attempt at being able to make gnocchi without rolling. So the second time I tried out my lazy gnocchi recipe and tried the same technique, but with unflavored dental floss. While it was far more effective the steam caused the dental floss to lose its tension. So far the most effective method has been using fishing line of all things.

 The next key factor for me was finding an easy recipe to use and a resourceful thought popped into my head, "there's leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge maybe that will make good gnocchi." With that thought I managed to create easy delicious gnocchi from leftovers.

  Lazy Girls Gnocchi Recipe 

Serves about 2

2 egg yolks 

1 cup flour (may need a little more depending on mashed potato moisture) 

13oz leftover mashed potatoes (I used Simply Potatoes garlic mash)

1. Place mashed potatoes in mixing bowl, slightly heat up if stiff. 
2. Then add egg yolks and flour. Gently mix and add extra flour till dough is no longer sticky to the touch. Then place in gallon or pastry bag. 
3. String your fishing line (twine or dental floss) across the handles of your shallow pasta pot and secure. Place water in a few inches below string. Bring water to boil.
4. Once the water is boiling bring down to medium heat. Cut a hole in the tip of your bag. 
5. Place the bag perpendicular and to the side of the string. Start pushing the dough out and cutting at the desired length on the string. Don't over crowd the pot. CATION: Be careful of the steam and any hot water that may splatter as the gnocchi drop. 
6. Wait for the gnocchi to rise to the surface then pull out with a slotted spoon. Repeat steps 5 and 6 till all dough is gone. 
7. Lastly top with gnocchi with something yummy. 

Topping wise for my gnocchi I like to toss them in a pan to get them a little crispy then add my favorite tomato sauce, spices, and cheese on them.

Oh Goodness! The Beginning of Food Porn!!

Sometime around September 2010 my little ocean town acquired a second organic grocery store. Years ago my mother introduced me to the most delicious thing ever (other than sushi and mint chocolate chip ice cream): Sesame seed candy! It was wonderful. A hard crunch that slowly turned into a stick to your teeth chew, and the underlying toasted tones that almost resembled peanuts. Just yum! There they were again at the front counter. We bought several and I realized I needed to make my own so recently I've been trying to recreate this delicious treat and I believe that I may have got it.

 First off, the ingredients:

• 6 tbs honey
• 6 tbs brown sugar
• 1 cup sesame seeds (or toasted if you want to cut out some work)
• a pinch of salt

Equipment:

• a small saucepan
• a large saute pan for toasting the seeds
• 2 stirring spoons
• a bowl scrapper
• large bowl
• oven pan to let candy cool on
• rolling pin
• parchment paper
• candy thermometer
• cookie sheet perferably with no edges
• a large knife

Steps:

1. Combine salt, honey, and brown sugar in the saucepan.
2. Put saucepan on low heat with candy thermometer. You'll have to wait till it says 302 degrees F to be done. (Make sure you picked a sauce pan that will give the honey/brown sugar mixture room to bubble, cause it does!)
3. Place seeds in saute pan on medium low heat. Continue to rotate and stir the seeds till they begin to slightly brown (tan) and begin to give off a lightly toasted scent. Remove from heat and place in large bowl.
4. Place a piece of parchment paper inside your cookie sheet.
5. Once the candy thermometer reaches 302 degrees F, remove the honey/brown sugar mixture from the burner and turn off heat. Immediately mix into the bowl that contains the seeds. Mix quickly then pour onto lined pan. (anything used so far place in sink and let soak, this stuff is sticky!)
6. Place another piece of parchment paper over the candy mixture.
7. Take the rolling pin and roll out candy to the desired thickness.
8. After rolling let cool slightly so that it's not too hot to the touch, but it still gives. At this point cut the candy into the desired size and shape.
9. Let cool to room temperature then place in refrigerator.
10. After an hour or so it is now time to enjoy!

Thank you and I hope everything goes well!