MOTHER MARY’S GNOCCHI W. GRAVY
Mother Mary’s Gnocchi with Gravy (Tomato Sauce)
THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA reference: “Aroma of tomatoes, onion, and garlic, putting fresh basil on top of a delicious-looking platter of gnocchi covered with tomato sauce.” – Chapter 23
Mother Mary’s Gnocchi
INGREDIENTS
- 3 cups sifted flour
- 1lb. Italian ricotta (not skim)
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup water
DIRECTIONS
Put flour and salt on work board (or kitchen table), make a hole in the middle. Put eggs and ricotta into the hole. Knead the mixture until smooth. Cover with a pot (or a clean cloth) for about 1/2 hour.
Cut dough in half. Knead on the floured board. Cut off strips (enough to roll each into a foot-long piece), then cut each long strip into one-inch chunks.
Roll each chunk on the floured board by pressing down on each chunk under your index and middle finger.
Fill a large pot with water and 4 tablespoons of salt. Cover pot and bring water to a boil. Once water is boiling, drop all the gnocchi into the pot. Stir (slowly). Cover pot until water boils again, then lower the flame. Stir occasionally to prevent
gnocchi from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Cover for 15 minutes. Pour into a colander to drain. Do not run cold water over the gnocchi.
Mother Mary loved her rolling pin, which doubled as a lethal weapon, and it’s now in my kitchen.
Tomato Sauce
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch of red pepper flake, or to taste
- 1 28 oz. can crushed tomato
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley, plus more for sprinkling
- 1 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS
1. Warm olive oil in a 10-inch sauté pan (with high sides). Once you see the oil shimmering, add the chopped onion and sauté for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and pinch of red pepper flake then continue to sauté until onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally (about 4 minutes more).
2. Add crushed tomato, oregano, sugar, a few pinches of kosher salt and several turns of freshly ground black pepper, stirring to combine. Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat to low then simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes. Stir in chopped parsley and basil, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Mix gnocchi in the sauce and then and serve.
Source: Mother Mary’s personal gnocchi recipe
Source: Tomato Sauce: https://www.kitchenkonfidence.com/2021/05/gnocchi-with-tomato-sauce-recipe
Recipe featured in THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline
One awful night, Julia Pritzker witnesses the murder of her beloved husband during a mugging on a Philadelphia street. Later, while grieving him, she’s suddenly fearful that her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands.
Her luck seems to change when stunning news arrives from Italy, informing her that she’s inherited a fortune, a Tuscan villa, and a vineyard. But she’s mystified by her Italian benefactor, a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. She flies to Tuscany for answers.
There, Julia learns that Rossi suffered from delusions of grandeur, believing herself to be a descendant of Caterina Sforza, a powerful Renaissance duchess. Julia doubts that is true, but she can’t deny the uncanny resemblance between her, Caterina, and Rossi. She starts to unearth eerie parallels between them—and disturbing secrets.
Before long, Julia suspects she’s being followed and experiences disorienting delusions of her own. Even meeting a romantic Florentine doesn’t quiet her unease. Then events turn deadly, and Julia finds herself in a harrowing struggle for sanity and survival.
One awful night, Julia Pritzker witnesses the murder of her beloved husband during a mugging on a Philadelphia street. Later, while grieving him, she’s suddenly fearful that her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands.
Her luck seems to change when stunning news arrives from Italy, informing her that she’s inherited a fortune, a Tuscan villa, and a vineyard. But she’s mystified by her Italian benefactor, a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. She flies to Tuscany for answers.
There, Julia learns that Rossi suffered from delusions of grandeur, believing herself to be a descendant of Caterina Sforza, a powerful Renaissance duchess. Julia doubts that is true, but she can’t deny the uncanny resemblance between her, Caterina, and Rossi. She starts to unearth eerie parallels between them—and disturbing secrets.
Before long, Julia suspects she’s being followed and experiences disorienting delusions of her own. Even meeting a romantic Florentine doesn’t quiet her unease. Then events turn deadly, and Julia finds herself in a harrowing struggle for sanity and survival.