Are gnocchi really hard to make?

[abigboydidit]

DD (8 months) had some of mine last night and absolutely loved them but a quick scan of the nutrients showed they were fairly salty. Had a google for recipes and they all seem a bit technical -needing to use a potato ricer and the like. Has anyone made them and are they likely to be a disaster if I use the wrong type of potatoes or boiled them for a second too long? Any feedback and fail safe recipes much appreciated

I tried to make them but it didn't work for me - and I'm generally a very good cook (make bread and other pasta from scratch, etc). Mine came out really gummy and disgusting so we went back to buying them from the chilled section of the shop. Sorry. Are they all really salty - maybe look at other makes?

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jul/10/how-to-make-the-perfect-gnocchi

Haven't tried these, but I always find this particular series reliable and informative.

I've made them pretty easily in the past. I think like lots of things, it is easy to make edible gnocchi, harder to make really good gnocchi.

Thanks. Don't think DD would be too critical but I don't fancy spending ages making something that's only fit for the bin Saw a recipe for semolina gnocchi so considering that as seems less factors that can go wrong..

I think you'll struggle to make anything that tastes as bad as the bullets of gnocchi you buy in the shops. The trick is to use only enough flour to bind, over flouring will make them too dense but given the shop bought ones are bought regularly by many people, I don't think you'll have many complaints.
You've just reminded me of a dish my kids love - spinach and ricotta gnocchi with a tomato sauce. Thanks I'll be slotting that in the menu this week!

There's a butternut squash gnocchi recipe on allrecipe.com that's very easy and very good drenched in sage butter.

That sounds lovely. Will google it now..

I use Jamie Oliver's recipe (in his Cook book). The trick is to bake, not boil, the potatoes, so that they aren't too wet. Mine generally come out ok, but I did once end up with potato soup when I put them on to boil .
Jamie's gnocchi

Ricotta dumplings are easier to make and very nice. These are easy and lovely.