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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Gnocchi and Pesto with Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia

Last night I made focaccia and gnocchi for dinner.


I used the recipe for Gnocchi in Poh's Kitchen recipe book. Firstly potatoes are boiled with skin on, and while still hot, skin removed and mashed with a fork. I then pushed it through a very fine sieve (very hard work - i had to call on reinforcements!). The potato is mixed with flour (i used 75% wholemeal 25% plain), an egg, finely grated parmesan and seasoning. I only mixed until everything came together and it was lovely and soft.


The mix is then rolled out on a floured bench and cut into pieces. I boiled salted water and added the gnocchi in batches, as soon as they floated (about a minute I would say) I moved them straight to a bowl containing the pesto sauce.


I used the recipe for the pesto and focaccia from Delicieux. The pesto is pretty straight forward with blended basil (loads in our garden - if anyone needs some.....), parmesan, toasted walnuts and pinenuts, garlic (I boiled in skin with the potatoes) and oil. Because I added the hot gnocchi to the pesto sauce it did brown very quickly. But it was so delicious, and the gnocchi was melt-in-your-mouth soft. The generous amount of pesto also worked well with the gnocchi.


The focaccia I could not have been more pleased with. I only made a quarter of the recipe (so one small focaccia) and instead of adding rosemary I topped with sliced sun-dried tomatoes. I also used half wholemeal flour and half plain flour. It worked perfectly. The best bread I made yet - I think I'm getting addicted!

9 comments:

  1. What a coincidence, we just made gnocchi too! Of the ricotta variety though, with a tomato and cheese sauce. Yum yum!

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  2. I love home made gnocchi!!! YOur focaccia looks good too!!!

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  3. I can practically taste these beautiful ingredients! It sounds wonderful. I can't wait to get my garden going to have some fresh basil myself. It seems like winter just doesn't want to take a rest. Blessings, Catherine

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  4. That looks like a very comforting gnocchi and bread dinner! It's getting chillier here and my body is just begging for dishes like this!

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  5. Absolutely interesting to make your own gnocchi! And must've been yummy too! Just like all good ol homemade dinners :)

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  6. Such a cute little row of gnocchi pillows. Your focaccia looks great too.

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  7. Oh yum...! Homemade gnocchi is the best :D)!!

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  8. Looks like a delicious feast Muppy! I love gnocchi that melts in your mouth. I'm glad you enjoyed the focaccia too. It's a great recipe and definitely one I will make again.

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  9. Yum! What a great Italian dinner!

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