Cooking With Kids: Buddy Valastro's Easy Gnocchi Recipe

"I cook with my kids as much as possible. I teach them my favorite recipes and remind them of their Italian heritage."
 --Buddy Valastro

PREHEAT the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Scrub the potatoes; poke all over with a fork. Place on the sheet and bake until fork-tender, about 1 hour. Slice in half lengthwise; let sit on the baking sheet until cook enough to handle.

SCOOP out the potato flesh with a spoon.

Working in batches, PRESS through a ricer into a medium bowl.

MEASURE out 3 cups of potatoes by gently scooping the measuring cup in the bowl. Dump onto a work surface in a thin layer; let cool. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

SPRINKLE the potatoes with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg; drizzle with the egg yolks. Dust with 1/2 cup flour.

Using a bench scraper, gently FOLD in the yolks and flour.

PRESS the dough together in a ball; set aside. Scrape the surface clean; dust with flour. Clean off the bench scraper.

FOLD and knead the dough with our hands on the work surface for just 2 turns.

SPRINKLE a baking sheet with flour. Quarter the dough. Roll one-quarter of the dough into a long 3/4-inch-wide rope.

Using the bench scraper, CUT into 1-inch pieces; place on the baking sheet.

REPEAT with the remaining dough.

COOK the gnocchi in gently boiling water until they float to the surface and puff up slightly, about 1 1/2 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet.

SCOOP the gnocchi into the skillet using a slotted spoon. Add 1/4 cup cooking water and the cheese. Toss to combine adding more cooking water if too dry.

SPRINKLE with more cheese and the parsley and enjoy!

Time to eat! Get Buddy's entire Kid-Friendly Gnocchi recipe here!