Okey Gnocchi

Italian gnocchi has a special place in my heart. Those little heavenly dumplings that pass for pasta but are really potato and flour in disguise. I have to admit I don't remember having them until I moved to Wisconsin and dined at one of several Italian "supper clubs" in our area. Swimming in sauce, smothered in cheese. I fell in love immediately. You know its gotta be good when it makes cinematic history....

That's right. In The Godfather III,  ill-fated lovers Mary and Vincent, Michael Corleone's daughter and nephew, find their passion for each other is kindled while----you guessed it---- making gnocchi.
Next to the spaghetti-sharing scene in Lady and the Tramp , this is the most Oscar-worthy use of pasta in a supporting role.

I thought I'd be going without pasta for the month of August until some reconnaissance at Super One Foods unearthed an entire line of Dina Mia's Kitchen pasta dinners. Checking out the website I discovered that the pasta is actually handmade in their kitchens in Iron River, MI. Magnifico!

Tonight, the gnocchi with sauce and meatballs (just buttered gnocchi for me) was a hit with the kids. Even Alex,  who pleaded with me last night "no please! no noikees for me!", asked for seconds.
Naturally I've tried to make homemade gnocchi in my own kitchen- I mean, Andy Garcia makes it look so easy. But the mushy dumplings just floated to the top of the water like harpooned arctic seals begging be put out of their misery. I think this is one dish I will leave to the experts. Delizioso!

Cooking is like love; it should be entered into with abandon, or not at all.
                                                                                                              -Harriet Van Horne