Gnocchi Allo Safferano

Ingredients

• 1 pound flour
• all-purpose semolina
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil olive
• extra virgin
• 1 each onions chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley leaves fresh
• chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 3 ounces pork fat chopped
• 7 ounces pork ground
• 7 ounces lamb lean
• ground
• 1 1/2 pound tomatoes chopped fine in food processor
• 2 each bay leaves
• 6 each sage leaves
• fresh OR 1/2 ts dried
• 1 x salt to taste
• 1 x black pepper to taste
• 3/4 cups romano cheese pecorino cheese
• aged
• optional

Instructions

1. To make gnocchi, pour flour onto work surface and make a well in the centre.
2. Pour in the olive oil.
3. Dissolve saffron in a bit of warm water and add to well.
4. Mix liquid with flour, adding enough water to form a firm, not sticky, dough.
5. (You'll have to add the water 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is the right consistency.)
6. Cut dough into pieces and roll into long cylinders, about 1/2 inch diameter.
7. Cut into 1-inch chunks and press your finger into each gnocchi to make a deep dent.
8. Set gnocchi aside on a floured surface to dry while you make the sauce.
9. Heat pork fat in saute pan and cook the onion and parsley until tender.
10. Stir in the ground meat and cook until no longer pink.
11. Add the chopped tomatoes, bay leaves, salt and pepper.
12. Cook, uncovered, for an hour or until the sauce is thickened.
13. Cook gnocchi in boiling salted water until cooked al dente.
14. Drain and arrange in pasta dishes.
15. Pour sauce over top and garnish with a handful of grated cheese.
16. Serves 4-6.