Perfect gnudi
Prep 15 min
Drain 30 min
Chill 3 days
Cook 5 min
Serves 4
500g ricotta
50g parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to serve
Nutmeg, to grate
Salt
500g semolina
40g butter
8 sage leaves
Put the ricotta in a sieve or muslin bag set above a bowl and leave to drain, preferably in the fridge, for at least 30 minutes, then stir in the parmesan and a really generous grating of nutmeg. Taste and season with a pinch of salt if necessary.
Put about a fifth of the semolina in a small bowl, and tip half the rest into a medium container or baking dish. Scoop out portions of the ricotta about the size of a small walnut, then roll them between damp hands until smooth and vaguely round.
Roll each ball in turn in the bowl of semolina to coat, then arrange them spaced out in the container or dish. Once all the gnudi are made and on their bed of semolina, tip the remaining semolina all over the top to submerge them, cover and chill for three days.
When you’re ready to cook, put the butter, sage leaves and 75ml hot water into a wide shallow pan, heat until the butter has melted, stir to combine and set aside.
Bring a large pan of well salted water to a boil. Cook the gnudi in batches, shaking off excess semolina first, and stirring gently and only once after dropping them in, until they float to the surface. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and transfer to the pan with the butter. Once they’re all in there, turn the heat back on and cook gently for a couple of minutes, shaking the pan gently to turn them in the butter.
Divide between shallow bowls and finish with a final grating of nutmeg and asprinkle of parmesan.