Gnocchi
I just love Gnocchi and this recipe has a creamy vegetarian sauce that I often add small chicken pieces or chicken mince to if I want some extra substance. The sauce is quite extraordinary with the pine nuts flavor really adding some depth to it. It’s a very simple recipe to put together if you are using store bought gnocchi but if you really want to go the whole hog, tru this gnocchi recipe and make the whole dish from scratch, there is something quite therapeutic about making gnocchi and the sense of achievement is wonderful, let alone the awe your friends and family will regard you with when you tell them you made the gnocchi as well. (4 people)
What you need
750g cooked gnocchi
3/4 cup cream
1 tin chopped peeled tomatoes (425g)
1 heaped teaspoon crushed garlic
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes chopped (use the ones in oil and drain them)
1/2 cup black olives drained and chopped
500g chopped spinach (always wash even if it says washed)
1/2 cup pine nuts
salt and pepper
The process
First you want to toast the pine nuts by placing a pan on a medium to high heat, adding the pine nuts and letting them toast. Toss them around until they begin to brown and there is a beautiful aroma in the kitchen. remove them and set aside.
In a large pot add the cream, the whole tin of tomatoes with all of its juice and the garlic and bring it to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 4 or 5 minutes allowing some of the fluid to evaporate. It will begin to thicken and you know that this is the time to add the sund dried tomatoes and olives. Let it simmer for another 2 or 3 mintes to heat everything through.
Taste it at this stage and season with salt and pepper.
Now add the cooked gnocchi, the spinach and the pine nuts to the sauce and allow to simmer until the spinach has wilted and heated through.
That is that, a fantastic Italian meal.
if you are using chicken in your dish, add cooked chicken that has been lightly salted with the sun dried tomatoes.
I tried this recipe yesterday and it was my 1st time to have gnocchi as it is always served with cheese wherever I go, and I don’t eat cheese.
Anyway, I found it to be very creamy and sour. So I added some honey to it and found it more palatable. Carried the left overs today for lunch and yes, added honey to that as well.
Not sure if I did something wrong, considering cheese is not a sweetener.
Hi loise, I’m so sorry to hear that.. Can’t imagine what made it sour unless the cream was turning. It is most often served smothered in loads of cheeses but I really enjoy this one. It could also be the tomatoes which adding a littkle sugar to balances out. Cheers for now G
Hi, Graham
Tried this recipe last night using Gnocchi bought at our local fruit & veg store (Imported Italian Gnocchi), cheated a wee bit, and used green olives and some parmesan. This is another recipe that is a winner when it comes to my family meals, so thanks a mill for the fabulous recipes…h
Thats so great to hear Helen W, thanks for letting us know. Have a fantastic evening G
aah wow, thanx coz where we stay is no woolworths, so i realy appreciate it.
hello graham, i saw nigella made something with gnocchi..where can i buy it or do you perhaps have a recipe on how to make it myself, i would love that
Hi Brigitte, Gnocchi is available from any woolworths but here is a recipe if you want to make your own. Cheers G
https://cookbook.co.za/pasta-recipes/gnocchi-with-bolognese-sauce/