>> source: Joy of Cooking
>> serves: 10

Note: Here is ingenuity at its best-light but substantial and delicious, amiably matched with other flavors, well worth the effort. It is traditional to cook and sauce potato gnocchi like pasta and eat them as a first course or one-dish meal.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub well: 2 pounds @all-purpose or boiling potatoes{2%lbs}.

Prick each potato in a dozen places with a fork. Bake directly on an oven rack until easily pierced with a #fork{}, about ~{1%hour}. While the potatoes are still hot, split therm lengthwise and scoop out the pulp. Push it through a #potato ricer or sieve{} with the back of a #spoon{}. There should be about 2.66 packed cups. Combine the potatoes in a bowl with 1.33 cups @all-purpose flour{1.33%cup}, 1 teaspoon @salt{1%tsp}, and 1/4 teaspoon @nutmeg{1/4%tsp}.

Stir vigorously, then turn out onto a work surface knead until smooth and blended. Bring 3 to 4 inches of well-salted water to a simmer in a #large pot{}. Have ready. 3 tablespoons @unsalted butter, melted{3%Tbsp}, or olive oil. Roll about 2 tablespoons of the dough into a 3/4 inch thick cylinder. Cut into 3/4 inch pieces. Roll each piece against the tines of a fork while pressing a small dent on the opposite side with your finger. Test the gnocchi by dropping a few into the simmering water and cooking until they float, about ~{2%minutes}. They should hold a firm shape and be chewy to the bite. If they are too soft or dissolve in simmering water, knead into the dough: (Up to 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and Some beaten egg.

Both of these have binding properties. Test again. When the dough is right (keep the water hot), roll it into three or four 3/4 inch thick ropes. Cut the ropes into 3/4 inch pieces, shape the dough on the fork as below, letting them drop onto a lightly floured #baking sheet{}. Bring the water back to a simmer. Drop one-third to half of the gnocchi into the pot and simmer, uncovered, until they float, then remove with a #slotted spoon or skimmer{} to a #wide bowl{}. Drizzle some of the melted butter over the gnocchi. Toss to coat. Repeat until all the gnocchi are done. Serve hot with: Additional melted butter and grated Parmesan, a tomato sauce or ragù or Pesto Sauce.

Note: To make gnocchi ahead, spread the uncooked gnocchi on a lightly floured baking sheet and refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 12 hours. To keep them longer, freeze the gnocchi on the baking sheet until hard, then remove to a freezer bag or container; they will keep frozen for up to 1 month. Cook directly from the freezer, adding about 1 minute to the cooking time.