VEAL RAGU WITH POTATO GNOCCHI

Veal Ragu with Potato Gnocchi image

The conundrum of perfect potato gnocchi: How can they be so light yet also so soulful and satiating? The accompanying veal ragu, a resonant, warming, slow-cooked variant on the classic Bolognese, was designed for a cold winter night and is worthy of your best bottle of Barbera.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

2 cups plus 2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 pounds russet potatoes
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 pound all-purpose flour (about 1 3/4 cups), plus more for surface
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 to 5 pounds veal shanks, cut 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 medium carrots, cut diagonally, 1/4 inch thick
1 celery stalk, cut diagonally, 1/4 inch thick
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups canned pureed tomatoes
2 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
1 dried bay leaf
5 sprigs thyme
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Steps:

Make the gnocchi: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread 2 cups salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Place potatoes on top of salt, and bake until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool slightly, then peel. Press potatoes through a ricer onto a clean baking sheet, and spread loosely. Let cool.
Turn potatoes onto a surface, shape into a mound, and form a well in the center. Pour egg into well, add remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and mix with a fork. Add flour gradually, kneading by hand until just combined.
On a lightly floured work surface, divide dough into 10 pieces. Roll each into a 1/2-inch-thick rope. Cut ropes into 1/2-inch pieces. Press each piece to make a depression in the center, or press gently against tines of a fork. Arrange on a lightly floured baking sheet in a single layer. Cover with plastic, and freeze for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 months).
Make the ragu: Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season veal generously with salt and pepper. Working in batches, cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots and celery, and cook for 4 minutes. Stir in wine, bring to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.
Add browned veal, tomatoes, stock, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to oven. Cook until veal is very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Using a slotted spoon, transfer veal to a dish, reserving liquid. Skim fat from liquid. Discard bay leaf and thyme. Remove meat from bones, shredding into bite-size pieces. Return to pot. Season with salt and pepper.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook a few gnocchi at a time, stirring gently. Cook just until they float, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer gnocchi to a colander to drain. Divide gnocchi among bowls, toss with ragu, and sprinkle with Parmesan.