Potato dumplings secrets: How ricotta transforms a classic comfort food

Potato dumplings are the easiest type of dish to make. They are not labour-intensive, and the recipe requires just a few ingredients. All you need are cooked potatoes, an egg, and flour. The classic recipe can be enriched with one more addition to make the dumplings even tastier.

The base of potato dumplings is... potatoes. If you don't choose the right ones, unfortunately, no addition will save this dish. This vegetable significantly influences the flavour of the dish. To make the dumplings truly delicious, starchy varieties are necessary. Such potatoes need to be cooked, cooled and pressed through a potato ricer. The next step is combining them with the other ingredients and kneading the dough. The flour needs to be added gradually, carefully observing the dough's consistency. Too much flour will make the dough hard.

What else can be added to the dough? Some people opt for semolina, which binds the mixture well during cooking. This will undoubtedly help retain a nice shape, and their texture will be delicate. Another popular addition is chopped greens. Finely chopped dill or parsley will make the dumplings look attractive on the plate. You can also add a dairy addition to the potato mixture. Just add a tablespoon of sour, creamy curd cheese or Italian ricotta to give the dumplings an almost velvety texture and a pleasant aftertaste. It's important not to overdo it so the mixture isn't too runny, and you should choose cheese with a firm consistency.

Ingredients:

• About 1 lb of potatoes,
• 1 tablespoon of ricotta,
• 1 egg,
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour,
• 1 tablespoon of potato starch,
• Salt to taste.

Method of preparation:

1. Peel, rinse, and cook the potatoes in slightly salted boiling water. Drain them and put them through a ricer. Allow them to cool well.
2. Transfer the prepared potatoes onto a board. Add ricotta to them and mix with some of the potatoes. Then add an egg, all-purpose flour, potato starch, and a little salt. Mix the ingredients and quickly knead them into a smooth dough.
3. Divide the dough into 3-4 parts. Roll each into a long log, slightly flatten it, and cut into slanted dumplings.
4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, and add the dumplings. Cook them for about 3 minutes from the moment they rise to the surface.