RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH TOMATO, MUSHROOM AND PANCETTA SAUCE

Ricotta Gnocchi with Tomato, Mushroom and Pancetta Sauce image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 1h15m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

6 cremini mushrooms, sliced
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces guanciale, diced into lardons
1 yellow onion, diced
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups water
8 ounces ricotta, hung to drain in cheesecloth in the fridge for at least 2 days
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated pecorino, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3 large eggs
1 small bunch chives, thinly sliced

Steps:

Preheat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. In batches, add the mushrooms in a single layer and cook until the moisture releases, 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle with kosher salt to taste. Flip the mushrooms and add a drizzle of olive oil and continue cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the pan and repeat with the remaining mushrooms. Remove the final batch of mushrooms from the pan and add the guanciale and a drizzle of olive oil. Reduce the heat to low and cook until golden brown and crispy, 5 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the guanciale and set aside, but keep the fat in the pan. Add the onions, red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-high heat until translucent, 5 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the cooked mushrooms.
To a large bowl, add the ricotta, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 1/2 cup grated pecorino and mix to combine. Stir in the flour and eggs and mix until the dough comes together. It shouldn't be too wet. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface that's dusted with flour. Gently knead the dough, adding flour until it's no longer sticky and form it into a log. Sprinkle some flour onto a half sheet tray. Cut a small portion from the log of dough with a bench scraper and roll the dough into a long snake shape. Cut the dough into 1/2-inch pieces and toss in flour. Place them on the prepared sheet tray in a single layer.
Set up a large pot of boiling water and season generously with salt. Add the gnocchi and cook until they're puffy and rise to the top of the water, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the gnocchi and place directly into the sauce. Add a ladle of pasta water and toss to combine. Add in most of the crispy guanciale (leave some extra for garnish) and the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan and 2 tablespoons of pecorino. Add a nice big fat drizzle of finishing oil and toss to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining crispy guanciale, more Parmesan, pecorino and the chives.