Basic Potato Gnocchi

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the potatoes in the oven directly on the rack and bake for 1 hour. Let the potatoes cool enough to handle then peel and mash them. Place the mashed potatoes in a bowl.

Add the egg yolks salt, and nutmeg to the potatoes. Mix well. Add the flour, a little at a time, until the mixtures forms a dough that holds together.

Lightly flour a work surface. Roll small amounts of the dough into logs about 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Cut each log into 1/2-inch slices and roll each into a cylinder. Roll the tines of a fork over the cylinder to create grooves.

Press a small dent (the size of a fingertip) in the center of each potato gnocchi.

Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the gnocchi, in batches so they aren't crowded, to the water and boil for 5 minutes. Remove the gnocchi with a slotted spoon and place in a serving dish. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi.

Top the gnocchi with your favorite pasta sauce and grated cheese, if desired. Serve the potato gnocchi hot.