RICOTTA GNUDI WITH OXTAIL RAGOUT

Ricotta Gnudi with Oxtail Ragout image

Provided by Food Network

Time 15h45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ricotta Gnudi:
1 cup grated Parmesan
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons fresh minced chives
4 cups semolina flour
Ragout:
5 pounds oxtail
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
6 bay leaves
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 onions, diced
1 bunch fresh thyme
3 cups ruby port wine
6 cups veal stock, reduced

Steps:

For the gnudi: Mix together the Parmesan, ricotta, salt, nutmeg, pepper, eggs and egg yolk until light and airy. Fold in the flour and chives. Roll the gnudi dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Cover completely with the semolina flour and refrigerate overnight.
For the ragout: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Saute the oxtails on all sides in a braising pan until rendered crispy, and then remove from the pan. Add the peppercorns, bay leaves, carrots, celery, onions and thyme and saute for 5 minutes, and then return the oxtails to the pan. Pour in the port and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the veal stock and return to a simmer.
Transfer the pan to the oven and cook, uncovered, until tender and the meat easily pulls off the bone, turning the oxtails every 30 minutes, about 2 hours total. Remove the oxtails from the liquid and cool to room temperature. Pick the meat from the bones. Meanwhile, simmer the braising liquid over high heat until it becomes a think sauce consistency, and then strain through a fine mesh sieve. Add the oxtail to the sauce and keep warm.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Poach the gnudi until they float to the top, about 5 minutes. Drain and serve on top of the oxtail ragout.