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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Gnocchi bathed in Brown Butter and Thyme

I've mentioned before how I enjoy the sensuousness of tender gnocchi pillows.  And how adding the deep nuttiness of browned butter makes them downright sexy (especially when paired with earthy sage).  Now...thyme may not be quite as seductive as sage, but there was something else that elevated this particular bowl of gnocchi to another level.  Making the gnocchi from scratch.  Getting your hands involved.  Feeling the dough come together with seamless effort.  While I have no problem with picking up a package of gnocchi that was made by other hands, I definitely think that taking an extra 20 minutes to nurture your own turns sexy into euphoric.
Gnocchi bathed in Brown Butter & Thyme
adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
makes ~60 gnocchi

¼ c. butter
1 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves
1 (1 lb.) russet potato
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. finely ground black pepper
1 large egg, beaten
¼ c. all-purpose flour (+ more as "kneaded")
 Parmesan, freshly grated

Prick your potato all over, place on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for ~12 minutes, turning halfway through.  Put a large pot of water on to boil.  Let the potato cool for a couple of minutes, then carefully cut it in half and peel away the skin, or scoop the flesh from it.  Place potato in a large bowl and mash it well with a fork.  Add salt and pepper and mix.  Measure out three tablespoons of the egg and mix that into the mixture, as well (discard remaining).  Sift the flour over the top and begin to work it in gently.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface to finish kneading all of the flour in. Dough should not be sticky...add a bit more flour, if needed.
Put the butter in a heavy skillet over low heat until it begins to brown and smell nutty and amazing, ~5-7 minutes (but keep a close eye on it). Turn off the heat and stir in the thyme leaves.  Set aside for now.
Turn your attention back the dough, then divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece between your palms and the work surface into a rope (about 15" long & ½" in diameter). Cut the dough into 1" pieces. Roll each piece of dough over a wooden gnocchi paddle with ridges (if you're lucky enough to have one) or simply over the tines of a lightly floured fork (if you're not) to form grooves in the dough.  I just push down lightly with my thumb or finger and roll it down the tines.
By now your water should be boiling, so salt it liberally and then gently the gnocchi in and cook until the gnocchi rise to the surface, about 1 minute...then continue cooking until the gnocchi are tender, about 4 more minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi to the warm browned thyme butter skillet and toss gently to coat.
Transfer to serving bowls and grate Parmesan over each serving.

Sharing this post with:
~ IHCC  where our theme this week is Spuds! (One week left to cook with Giada, then we welcome Jamie Oliver. Yay!)
~Claire at Chez Cayenne who is hosting PPN this week.


Would you like to comment?

  1. Me encantan los ñoquis, estos se ven fantasticos.

    Saludos

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  2. How are you still able to walk? I put on weight just reading your recipes! These look amazing (and I am making that garlic and tomato soup today)

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  3. Bathed in brown butter. I adore the way you think! I get it. =)

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  4. Wow your gnocchi looks AMAZING!! I wish I had that for dinner tonight. :)

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  5. Beautiful! I've made this before and the brown butter sauce is wonderful. Great choice for spud week!

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  6. I have not noticed a recipe of this small amount before for gnocchi. This is wonderful! I love love love browned butter and the with fresh thyme this would be wonderful. I need to get this on the menu. thanks.

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  7. Those look amazing! I'll have to try your recipe- I made gnocchi for the first time recently and my recipe did not call for egg. I'd like to see how it changes the texture. And I love the simple brown butter!

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  8. Brown butter sauce with fresh thyme...Wonderful!!!

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  9. I really need to try making some gnocchi someday. Yours are lovely. Thanks for sending these over to Presto Pasta Nights.

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  10. Now I want to make gnocchi, and I will one of these days :) I've made your ciabatta 3 times already but I can't get a good picture of it, so I'm going to have to make it again... dang! ;) I *love* it - the dough is so silky and the ciabatta toasts to perfection! One of these days I'll get a good pic and post it!

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  11. It looks delicious! I love it and must try making gnocchi myself. Thanks for the recipe!

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  12. Gnocchi looks absolutely marvellous..

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  13. I've attempted homemade potato gnocchi once and they were good, but I think I needed some practice. Yours look like the perfect little pillows of heaven!

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  14. I've been wanting to make Gnocchi! This sounds absolutely delicious.

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  15. I have got to try my hand at making my own gnocchi, you make it look so easy. Thanks for the explanation.

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  16. oh yum, is there anything better than butter? especially butter on gnocchi?

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  17. Ciao Heather ! Your gnocchi are a work of art !!!

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  18. I started drooling just when I saw the title of this post! How delicious!! Hope you are enjoying the first day of spring :-)

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  19. wow looks amazing simple and Italian :-)

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  20. Love homemade gnocchi with brown butter! I like the idea of adding thyme.

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  21. i wish i were your neighbor...these look incredible!

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  22. There's not much that's better than homemade gnocchi, unless it's homemade gnocchi with brown butter sauce!

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  23. So sexy!!!
    I copied you and made them too, I couldn't help it - they are so good!
    Great looking gnocchi. ☺

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  24. Gorgeous gnocchi and of course the brown butter and thyme sauce is the icing on the cake. Perfect! ;-)

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  25. Gnocchi is heaven to me! Just beautiful presentation and ingredients! Both Kim and you selected gnocchi for IHCC, which I missed this week, but so glad to read your recipes! Like I said . . . heaven!

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  26. This pleases all the senses. And combines the creamy, the nutty and the earthy. Utter deliciousness.

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  27. Gnocchi, very impressive! It looks absolutely delicious.

    -Brenda

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  28. I love making my own gnocchi as well. The method you suggest with the microwaved potato is by far the easiest one, because the potatoes stay really dry and sticky. Brava!

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  29. Damn…I feel like I need a cigarette after reading that post!!! (And I don’t even smoke)

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  30. I am yet to make gnocchi, this one really tempting one.

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  31. I need to put on my big girl boots and make gnocchi.I know its amazong and yours look tasty!

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  32. I am into pastas with brown butter lately so I am adoring this recipe. And by the way, your photos are looking fab!

    Angie @ Cocina Diary

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  33. i was never in to gnocchi, but after this i have to try anytime soon. thanks

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  34. Wow! I have never even eaten a gnocchi. But yours look so delicious that I MUST have one. How do you measure out part of an egg? Can't wait to try this.

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  35. Ohhh heather! You had me at sexy! Wonder if you could bake the potato first or boil it? I dont have a reliable microwave! I know, LOL silly me! I adore gnocci and have been lucky to try home made before but I think I am going to have to try making this sexy food! Thanks for sharing it on the hearth and soul hop this week! Hugs! alex

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  36. Permanen Posies...simply beat the egg first, then sort of "dip" the measuring spoon into it!

    Alex...yes, I'm sure you could. Probably baking would be best to keep the potato dry...although you could boil it and then dry it out...but... ;)

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  37. Hello again, I am sharing this wonderful recipe on my Wednesday post. thanks.

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  38. Dude, you could bathe just about anything in brown butter, and I'd come to the party. But lawdy! Tender like pillows, mmmm yes please. Thanks for bringing the butter to the Hearth and Soul hop.

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  39. Homemade pasta is the best! That looks so yummy, I think you can't go wrong with a butter sauce haha! I did sourdough raviolis, and they were bathed in browned butter and basil (:

    http://mummyicancook.blogspot.com/2011/01/pumpkin-ravioli-with-basil-browned.html

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  40. Holy yum! I want to "bathe" in brown butter too.

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  41. Oh wow! You've totally combined many of my favorite flavors. Thanks for linking up to my blog hop! Pinned :-)

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