Ok so before we get into this Pesto Potato Gnocchi recipe, I just want to start this off by thanking serious eats. A huge food site that gives so much great advice and I read their article about how to make light and tender potato gnocchi. So feel free to click the link and check it out because you could get some great insight.
The article mentions that potato gnocchi is never a full proof recipe, and I have to agree with that. The amount of moisture and how the flour reacts etc. Always changes each time you make it. I believe that using starchy potatoes is the best way to go. However, I used royal blue potatoes because they are versatile. They are great for both mashing and roasting. And although this recipe worked out well, I still think it’s important to also rely on your own instincts. Feel the dough, give it some love, care and attention, make sure it is smooth and pliable. I like my potato Gnocchi dough the way I like my women
As you can see I just tossed this gnocchi with a simple pesto and that’s it, nothing more. I didn’t add any meat because I honestly don’t think it is necessary. I haven’t had gnocchi that many times, but every time I do end up eating it, I notice how it looks deceiving because it seems like too little of a portion. Then before I know it I wind up being super full. Obviously, because the potato is very starchy and filling. So I don’t think any gnocchi dish needs to be bulked up. In fact, I think the complete opposite, making it as light as possible is what you should aim for. But of course, making sure it still tastes good.
I didn’t blend the pesto and make it smooth either, I just bashed it up a bit in a pestle mortar to get the oils and the flavour extracting for the ingredients. And also because I wanted the pesto to have some texture. But feel free to prepare it how you wish.
Thanks for checking out this post, hope you enjoy it if you choose to make it. Have a wonderful day and I will be posting again soon. Oh and stay tuned for Christmas recipes because they’re coming!
- 3 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1.5kg starchy potatoes or royal blue potatoes washed then dried
- 1 garlic clove peeled
- 30g pine nuts
- 60g basil leaves shredded
- Parmesan cheese 40g
- 150g plain flour
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- Half a lemon juiced
- Salt and black pepper for seasoning
- Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees Celsius.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over your potatoes and coat them well. Put them on an oven proof wire rack, then put the rack onto a baking tray. Bake the potatoes in the oven for 55 minutes until cooked.
- Meanwhile, put your garlic clove in a pestle mortar with a pinch of salt, and bash until pureed. Then add your put your pine nuts, basil and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and continue to bash until the mixture is broken down and starts going paste like but still has some texture. Add your parmesan and stir through.
- Sift your flour in a large bowl, then add your egg, egg yolk and a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
- Take your potatoes out of the oven once they are done, and then cut them in half. Scoop the flesh out with a spoon and discard the skins.
- Put the potato flesh through a drum sieve or a potato ricer if you have either to finely mash the potato. Otherwise you can just push the potato flesh though regular sieve. Put the mash potato in the bowl with the flour and egg.
- Use your hands to bring all the ingredients together, then lightly dust your work surface with flour. Knead the gnocchi dough on the work surface for no longer than a minute, and if the dough gets a bit sticky, you can add a touch more flour. Stop kneading as soon as you have a smooth dough.
- Start bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. (about 3 litres of water to half a tablespoon of salt works nicely).
- Cut the dough in half, then roll each half out into a sausage that is about half an inch thick (keep dusting with flour if need be). Use a small knife to cut your gnocchi as long as it is thick. Lightly dust a large tray with flour and transfer your gnocchi pillows on top.
- Add half of your gnocchi to the boiling water. While the gnocchi is cooking, get a cup and scoop out some of the starchy cooking water.
- Once the gnocchi floats to the top, wait about one more minute then use a slotted spoon or your sieve to transfer your gnocchi to a large bowl. Cook the other half of the gnocchi and again once it's cooked, put it in the same bowl.
- Put your lemon juice in with your pesto mixture and give it a good stir, then add to your gnocchi and start mixing together. You can also add some of the cooking water that you scooped out earlier to make sure that your gnocchi doesn't get klaggy and start sticking together.
- Season to taste with salt, pepper and possibly more lemon juice. Serve and enjoy you pesto potato gnocchi!
If you liked this pesto potato gnocchi then you will definitely love these prosciutto wrapped prawns with pesto dipping sauce.
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