Do You Wanna Gnocchi?

Gnocchi is a delicious potato pasta that is surprisingly easy to make. Time-consuming, yes. But it's worth the effort! The turmeric in the dough gives the gnocchi a cheesy taste, so I like to compare it to a ravioli.. minus the dairy products. Gnocchi is delicious with a red sauce or just tossed in a garlic olive oil. Try your gnocchi in my pasta dish listed below. Have fun!

Italian Potato Gnocchi

Serves 2-4

Prep Time 25 min

Cook Time 5 min

Ingredients

Two large baking potatoes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose baking flour

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp turmeric

Directions

Microwave or bake potatoes until fully cooked. About an hour in the oven on 400 or five minutes in the microwave on high. Place 1 cup of flour in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and make a well in the center; set aside. Peel potatoes while hot and mash in a medium bowl with a potato masher. Stir in the turmeric gently to blend.

Place the potato mixture in the center of the flour.

Using a spoon, slowly draw flour into potatoes until a sticky dough is formed.

Separate into six pieces.

On a floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a 1/2 inch-thick rope.

Cut into 3/4 inch pieces.

Roll pieces gently with fingers until rounded.

Press one side of each gnocchi with the tines of a fork to flatten slightly.

If storing for later use, place gnocchi on a cookie sheet and freeze for several hours or until ready to cook. In a large pot, boil salted water and lower to medium-high heat. Slowly drop 1/3 of gnocchi and cook for about 3 minutes, until they are all floating to the top. Work in batches and keep cooked gnocchi warm in the oven on 275 until all batches are cooked.

Basil and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Broccoli

Ingredients

Dry pasta or gnocchi, enough for 2 people

Fifteen sun-dried tomatoes

5 cloves garlic

4 cups uncooked broccoli

EVOO

S&P

1/4 cup fresh basil

3 tbls vegan margarine

Directions

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Steam the broccoli while pasta is cooking, until bright green. In a food processor, blend tomatoes, garlic, basil, about 1/4 cup EVOO and S&P to taste. Add more EVOO if needed to make mixture blend easier. In a medium skillet, heat margarine on low heat. Add the tomato blend and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add broccoli and stir. Toss in pasta and another turn of EVOO.

Ray's Tip of the Day

Don't keep the tomatoes and butter on the stove for too long! Mine turned black the first time around... boo.

Cooking with Kids

They love gnocchi. It's in their blood I think.

Cooking for the Non-Vegan

Serve gnocchi with grilled or lightly breaded chicken and top with fresh parmesan cheese.

Ray