Ricotta Gnocchi

Directions

1. 1
   Beat the eggs together in a small bowl.
2. 2
   Place 2 cups flour, 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and the ricotta in a large mixing bowl.
3. 3
   With a dinner knife in each hand, cut the ricotta into the flour.
4. 4
   When he flour and ricotta are combined, make a well in the center and pour in the eggs.
5. 5
   Use a fork and, starting in the middle of the mixture, incorporate the eggs into the flour and ricotta.
6. 6
   Knead the dough with your hands briefly, just to bring it together while being careful not to overwork it.
7. 7
   Shape the dough into a ball, and place it on a lightly floured cutting board.
8. 8
   Cut the ball into four pieces, and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
9. 9
   Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
10. 10
    One by one, take each piece of dough out from underneath the towel, cut it in half, and roll it into a 3/4-inch-thick rope on a lightly floured cutting board.
11. 11
    The amount of flour on the board is very important: if you have too much the dough is difficult to roll, and if you dont use enough, the dough will stick to the board.
12. 12
    Cut the ropes into 1-inch-long pieces, and sprinkle a little flour over them.
13. 13
    Using your thumb, roll each piece of dough over the back of the tines of a fork, leaving an indentation from your thumb on one side and the markings from the fork on the other.
14. 14
    Plunge the gnocchi into the boiling water in batches.
15. 15
    Once they rise to the surface, cook them for 1 minute more.
16. 16
    Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a baking sheet or platter.
17. 17
    Drizzle the cooked gnocchi with the olive oil, and toss to coat them well.