Creole Cream Cheese Gnocchi with Crawfish

Instructions

1. Method for the Gnocchi: In a medium saucepan, cover the whole potato with salted cold water. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat and cook until tender. Drain. Hold the hot potato in your hand with a kitchen towel and peel away only the skin with a knife. Run the potato in a ricer or a food mill.
2. Combine potatoes with 1 ¼ cups flour, butter, Creole cream cheese, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and stir with a rubber spatula for about 15 seconds until smooth and the flour is completely incorporated. Add the egg yolks and stir for 15 seconds more, being careful not to overwork the dough.
3. Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and cut it into eight portions. Working with one portion at a time, and rolling your hands back and forth, outward from the center to the ends, roll the dough into a long thin strand, about ½ -inch in diameter. Cut each dough strand into ½-inch pieces and sprinkle the tops lightly with flour. (Add as little flour as possible to prevent sticking.) Lift gnocchi from the work surface using the edge of a large knife or bench scraper and transfer on a baking sheet.
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add all of the gnocchi to the water, stirring, and cook, undisturbed, for 3 to 3 ½ minutes, until the gnocchi start to float. Remove with a slotted spoon or strainer and place in an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain the gnocchi, transfer to a large bowl, and toss with oil. Gnocchi can be made up to 1 day ahead, covered, and chilled or frozen. Toss the gnocchi with extra vegetable oil to prevent sticking if you are making it ahead.