rice/potato question

[Kygal]

i want to make this italian thing called Gnocchi, but i do not understand the instructions.

 

http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/...y/pgnocchi.html

 

the part that confuses me is "Rice potatoes with a ricer" do they mean dice potatos with a dicer?

 

[rockncook]

No, they mean put them through a rice making machine to make them like pieces of rice. I've never done it, so I can't offer more than that, LOL.

[Guest Guest]

Pixie, a potato ricer is a small handheld kitchen device that holds about a cup of potatoes in the bowl area, and has a handle on it that's hinged with a round solid plate on it and a handle on the bowl part. . There are holes in the bottom of the bowl portion. When you pull the handle over the top and push the two handles together, it forces the potatoes out of the bottom in tiny little 'rice' pieces.

 

When you make gnocchi, you want the potatoes riced because you need the smallest pieces possible to mix with the rest of the ingredients, yet still be firm.

 

I hope this helped.

[Kygal]

ahhh....i see. i shall have to look and see what i can findfor ricers in town. (probably not a lot because it is an oh so very small town.)

 

 

[Guest Guest]

Great description, Nana!

[logcabinmama]

My mother had one and it was green, I have one and it is red. We used ours for mashed potatos to keep the lumps out. Both of mom's and mine have holes along the side too. I wonder who got my mom's.

 

 

[Guest Guest]

I just told my kids that finding a lump in the mashed potatoes meant good luck!

[Kygal]

for mashed potatos i use my hand held beaters. creamy, and no lumps.

 

so, a ricer is basically like a giant garlic press then. lol

 

 

i tell sapphire that bay leaves are good luck, make a wish and lick it off. hee hee. that way i dont have to fish them out of my spaghetti sauce lol

 

 

[ricardo]

When I make instant mashed potatoes, I know the horror.

I add a can of potatoes. This makes the instant taste

more real.

 

Store what you eat.

[Kygal]

i have never used instant anything. except soup. open can, add water, heat, soups on. lol

 

 

[Leia]

Barging in on this thread LOL!

 

We do use instant potatoes, simply because we do not eat fresh taters up quick enough......and I always like to have instant on hand as a thickener (works great if some things turn out too soupy).

 

What we have done for instants si either add sour cream or ranch dressing and beat to smooth it out. One of our friends, he HATES instant potatoes. He has eaten them heaven knows HOW many times at our house and always loves them (and not just by saying he likes them , he eats like 3 helpings!).

 

Another one is roasted minced garlic...yum, yum!

 

It is one of the very few things I buy instant.

 

Just thought I'd barge in here and add my .02 on instant taters

Shawna

[Guest Guest]

I keep instant potatoes on hand for those times when I misjudge the amount of milk I need in my mashed potatoes. I just stir some instant in, and they're rescued.

[Guest Guest]

If I didn't have a potato ricer, what I would do is press the cooked potatoes through a mesh strainer...I have a few strainers with smaller and larger sized mesh, so I would use the larger meshed one...

 

Alot of these gadgets are awesome, they save time and work, but if you don't mind using a little extra muscle, you can accomplish the same thing with usual and customary items you already have in your home...

 

Just something to think about.

[Freetobeme]

You can also use a fine cheese grater.

[Kygal]

coooool. good thinking.

[Daisygirl]

If you boil potatoes for supper, refrigerate the water and use in place of the water called for in the instant mashed potato recipe. This really helps the taste.

[Synn]

I guess I don't get it.. What's wrong with lumps? When I make potatoes my oldest dd complains if it's creamy. I know weird child..

 

(Edited to say how the heck do you spell weird? Weird or wierd? I know how to spell it weird.. That is one word that makes the i before e phrase incorrect..)

[ricardo]

Quote:

I guess I don't get it.. What's wrong with lumps? When I make potatoes my oldest dd complains if it's creamy. I know weird child..

I'm with you. I love lumps! That's why I add the can of
potatoes, to get the lumps!