Ingredients
1lbricotta cheese
1largeegg
1½tspkosher salt
¼tspnutmeg,freshly grated
1cupall-purpose flour
1cupvegetable nage
2tbspbutter
1tbspchives,chopped
¾cuphazelnuts
¼cupPecorino Romano cheese,grated
20sage leaves,dried
Preparation
Combine the ricotta, egg, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl and mix well until all the ingredients are incorporated. Add the flour all at once and, with a fork or a pastry cutter, gently but swiftly work the mixture into a soft dough. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as it could become tough when cooked.
Lightly dust a medium bowl with flour. Add the dough and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Lightly flour a clean work surface and a large plate. Divide the dough into 3 or 4 parts, then roll each piece between the palms into a log.
Using a small knife or a pastry scraper, cut each log into ten to twelve 1-inch pieces, then transfer this gnocchi to the plate and refrigerate them for 30 minutes, until chilled.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on high heat. Add the gnocchi and cook them until they float, about 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and rinse the gnocchi.
Transfer the gnocchi to a sauté pan, add the vegetable nage and heat on medium heat until the nage has nearly reduced by half.
Turn off the heat and stir in the butter, chives and hazelnuts. Add half the pecorino Romano and toss gently.
Divide the gnocchi and sauce among 4 bowls. Garnish with sage leaves and the remaining Pecorino Romano.