Chicche alla Crema al Parmigiano

Adapted from a recipe by Chef Marco Forneris, from Alba’s Osteria Lalibera

Chicche alla Crema al Parmigiano are a version of gnocchi that are so very good and simple to roll.  They’re a bit messy to make, which is why they’re so fun!  And the sauce is simple.  Let your kids break up the cheese while you peel the hot potatoes.  Mixing the dough and shaping is fun for everyone!

1. For the pasta: Boil the potatoes in their skins in salted water until the skins crack and a slender knife goes in without resistance. While wearing gloves, peel while hot.

2. Cut the cheese into pieces, and pulse the potatoes and cheese in a food processor until blended.

3. Scoop onto a work surface, and make a small well in the center. Add the egg and yolk, salt, and flour. Using a bench scraper or wooden spatula, cut the flour into the potato to gently incorporate everything without making the potato gluey. Once it’s all homogeneous, test the dough as follows:

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cut a small wedge of the dough, roll it gently into a 2 cm (¾ inch) thick rope, and cut on a slant into 5 cm (1 inch) pieces.
   • Using floury hands, roll the pieces to look like French rolling pins, with a slightly fatter center and tapered ends, 4 to 5 cm (1½ to 2 inches) in length. Dredge in a bit more flour, and cook in the boiling water until they’ve risen to the top, plus about 15 seconds. Watch to see if they stay intact, or start fuzzing at the edges — if they’re fuzzy, they need a bit more flour worked in. The dumplings should be light and pillowy when done.
   • Form the rest of your dough and place on well-floured pans, so they don’t touch. (Note: The cicche may be wrapped and frozen, but do not refrigerate.)
   • Before cooking the remaining cicche, make the sauce.

4. For the brown butter sauce: Melt the butter. Add the sage and stir until the butter is well browned but not burned. Add the cream to stop the cooking and remove from heat. Add cheese to taste.

5. To finish, cook the gnocchi and toss with the sauce. Serve with additional cheese if you wish.