Dunderi with Lemon and Butter

Absolutely light and delicious, these little cheese dumplings melt in your mouth.  You might liken these to potato gnocchi, except instead of potato, you use ricotta cheese. Making a sauce with just butter and lemon, really showcases the dunderi.

Dunderi with Lemon and Butter

Recipe adapted from "Pasta by Hand: A Collection of Italy's Regional Hand-Shaped Pasta," by Jenn Louis

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

• INGREDIENTS
For the Dunderi:
480 grams (2 cups) whole-milk ricotta cheese
6 egg yolks
45 grams (1 cup) finely grated Parmesan, using a microplane
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon kosher salt
160 grams (1 cup), plus 2 tablespoons, all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Semolina flour, for dusting
For the Sauce:
1 stick unsalted butter
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
Kosher salt, to taste
Parmesan, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta and egg yolks until smooth. Stir in the Parmesan, nutmeg, salt and flour until the dough just comes together.

2. Dust a work surface with a ¼ cup of flour. Scrape the dough onto the work surface and sprinkle with an additional ¼ cup of flour to prevent the dough from sticking.

3. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with semolina flour.

4. Using a pastry cutter, divide the dough into 6 equal portions. With floured hands, roll each piece into a log about a ½ inch in diameter. Cut the log into ½-to-1-inch-long pieces. Place the dunderi on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough. Make sure the dunderi pieces are not touching, so they don't stick together. Make ahead: The dunderi can be made, covered and chilled in the fridge for up to 2 days or frozen on the baking sheet and transferred to a resealable plastic bag. Use within 1 month.

5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the dunderi and simmer until they begin to float to the surface, 45 seconds to 2 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until the butter becomes golden brown and turns toasty, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the lemon juice and zest, and season with salt. Add the dumplings and toss to coat. Top with Parmesan and serve immediately.

As Always,
ENJOY!