Ricotta Gnudi with Spinach and Dukka

You will absolutely love these big, fluffy pillows of creamy ricotta. Gnudi are wildly impressive and easy at the same time. The sprinkling of dukka, an Egyptian seed-and-nut mix, really makes the dish sparkle.

2 cups ricotta cheese
½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 large eggs
5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt
black pepper, freshly ground
¾ cup + 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, unbleached
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 (10 oz) bunch leaf spinach, stemmed or 5 oz baby spinach
Dukka, for sprinkling

In a food processor, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, 2 Tbsp. of the olive oil, 2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper and puree until smooth. Scrape down the side of the bowl and puree again. Add the flour and pulse until the flour is just incorporated. Scrape the gnudi dough into a medium bowl.

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a simmer over medium heat (it should be bubbling but not rapidly boiling) and then add a small handful of salt. Using a 1½ Tbsp. ice cream scoop, scoop half the gnudi dough directly into the simmering water. Simmer the gnudi until they rise to the surface, 1-2 minutes. Continue to simmer until the gnudi are cooked through, 5-7 minutes more. They should be pillowy but just firm (sacrifice 1 gnudi by cutting it in half to check the doneness). Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnudi to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining gnudi dough. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes.

In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter in 2 Tbsp. of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the gnudi and cook until browned on the bottom, 3-5 minutes. Give the pan a shake and cook until the gnudi are coated in the butter mixture, about 1 minute more. Using a slotted spoon, return the gnudi to the baking sheet.
In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the gnudi and lemon juice and stir gently to mix.

Season the gnudi and spinach with salt and pepper, then transfer to plates or a platter. Sprinkle with some dukka and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Cook's Notes:

• Dukkah, an Egyptian condiment typically served with bread or vegetables, is a mixture of nuts, seeds and spices that are dry toasted until very fragrant and then pounded (or ground). You can buy it online or make your own.
• How I make it: In a large skillet over medium heat, toast ¼ cup of coriander seeds with 2 Tbsp. each of cumin and sesame seeds and 1 tsp. of caraway, shaking the pan, until fragrant and the sesame seeds are golden, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Once cool, pulse the seeds in a food processor until finely crushed. Add ½ cup shelled pistachios (salted or not), ½ cup roasted almonds (also salted or not) and pulse until the nuts are finely ground. Transfer to a jar with a lid and stir in ¼ tsp. of cayenne, then season generously with salt and black pepper. The dukka holds in an airtight container for up to 1 month at room temp.
• Make-Ahead: The cooked gnudi can be refrigerated in an airtight container overnight. Reheat them in simmering water for about 1 minute and then let stand for 10 minutes before browning them in the skillet.