Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi







Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi! These are light, melt in your mouth delicious pillows of cooked dough made by hand using an easy recipe.


First, begin by preparing your favorite tomato sauce and have it simmering. I have meatballs cooking in mine. Also, have a large pot of 6-8 quarts of salted water ready to prepare to boil as you prepare the gnocchi dough.



Ingredients:

1 pound whole milk ricotta, drained to remove excess moisture
10 ounces finely chopped cooked spinach, squeezed very well to remove excess moisture
2 large eggs yolks
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg


In a large bowl combine the ricotta, spinach, Parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, and nutmeg and mix thoroughly. Add 1 cup of the flour to the bowl and mix well. The remaining 1/4 cup of flour should only be used if the dough is too sticky, as you will be rolling out the dough by hand on a well-floured surface, using well-floured hands.


Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and divide the dough into workable pieces.
With your hands, roll the pieces of dough into long cylinders approximately 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Cut the cylinders into 1-inch pieces.
I roll mine on a gnocchi board that makes ridges on them, but you can just use your thumb and make a little impression in the middle of each to add some shape to help hold the sauce.


Lay the prepared gnocchi on a floured pan. When all the gnocchi dough is completed, add about half of the gnocchi to the boiling pot of water (do not crowd), and gently stir to prevent sticking.



As gnocchi start to cook they will float to the surface (that takes around 3-4 minutes according to size) Cook approximately 1 minute more.



Remove gnocchi with slotted spoon or strainer and place in a large bowl and cover with some of your prepared sauce. Add the rest of the gnocchi dough to the salted water and cook until all are cooked, drained and covered with sauce.


Serve along with extra grated cheese.


Portions depend upon whether this is a full meal or served as a primo course, but they are so light and delicious you'll find yourself going back for more! Leftovers, if any, are also good the next day.

We had our spinach ricotta gnocchi along with a few meatballs that cooked in the sauce.


It was certainly an Italian feast at our home that evening!



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46 comments:

Barb said...

Wish I had been there for supper....Barb

Junie Moon said...

The past couple of months have certainly been full of the idea of food -- making, eating and celebrating food in various forms. Maybe it's the time of year, but I'm fascinated with food lately. Your gnocchi looks divine! Thanks for sharing it.

Unknown said...

I love thi Pat, I have seen it cooked so many times but never eaten it, it looks just too yummy. You wont want me to be there..I'll have too many helpings :P

steviewren said...

I've never had Gnocchi, but it sounds good, sort of like Italian cheese dumplings, huh?

~Cheryl said...

I would never think of gnocchi as easy to prepare. You make it sound so simple....there has to be a catch! Your background music made this even more fun to read, but for some reason, I am starving. :)

Anonymous said...

Brava! Your gnocchi are beautiful! Thanks for joining us at the festa!
Maryann xox

Joanne Kennedy said...

Oh Pat, I should know better then to come read your blog before I go to bed. I'm always so hungry after I do. I get tempted to eat when I see your yummy dishes.

You always make it look so easy but you do some some mighty fine dishes!

This is one dish you tape to pass down to your kids and grandkids!

Hugs,
Joanne

Anonymous said...

My mother in law uses the same recipe, but instead of the tomato sauce she serves them with butter and sage, so very good, next time you have to try it!

Bo said...

Hi pat...this dish looks delicious...but I must tell you when I hear the words "roll out the dough" I get intimidated...LOL
;-) Bo

Sharon said...

Wow, looks like a fantastic recipe for a small dinner party! Must bookmark it!

I don't know how I got here, but I loved your blog!

- Sharon
www.thekeybunch.com

Anonymous said...

You are such a wonderful cook. Everything you prepare makes my mouth water.

Paz

Anonymous said...

p.s. i love how your grandson's hair is growing in such a short time. so cute!

paz

Sue said...

OMG Pat, this looks so good! You may just have inspired me to do some cooking this weekend. Thanks for visiting my new blog! ~ Sue

Proud Italian Cook said...

My mouth is watering just looking at that plate of gnocchi Pat! I'm definitly going to try this at home after the festa. Thank you for joining us and bringing this beautiful dish!!!
xox, Marie

Lora @ my blessed life said...

Wow. That looks so good!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I'm planning to come to the festa and will go straight for your dish. It looks fabulous.

Judy said...

I've seen it on menus...never really knew what it was...but you make gnocchi look most appealing!

Anonymous said...

Pat, I decided to stop by for a visit as I sit here at work eating my container of Activia.

Need I say more. My Activia has lost any appeal that it might have had.

Will you adopt me?

Strider said...

Thanks for leaving the kind words on my last blog. I appreciate it very much. I'll be checking in from time to time to see how things are going and how "Leo the Lion Hearted" is progressing. So, until then, remember....it is Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Strider

GMG said...

Hi Pat!
Sorry I couldn’t visit you for the last two weeks! I’m trying to catch-up and see the wonders you have around!

And there goes my diet with all these marvels I find here... ;))

Meanwhile, one of the most beautiful Forts in India waits you and your comments at Blogtrotter: – The Amber Fort! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Barbara GF said...

Oh my, Pat. Your spinach gnocchi make me drool just looking at them - bella! I am going to try your recipe this weekend. Nice to meet you at the Festa! : )

a woman who is said...

I do a potato gnocchi. But I have always wanted to try a ricotta based one. This looks fabulous.

Arlene Delloro said...

Oh, Pat, even though we're southern Italian, I adore gnocchi. I've made ricotta gnocchi, but never with spinach. I'm going to bookmark this to try very soon. We had shrimp and white beans with garlic spinach over fettuccine tonight. I think I'll have to add that to the festa tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me.

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious, Pat!!

Vee said...

Okay, I don't even like spinach, but that looks so wonderful that I would definitely try some...at your house. Too labor intensive for mine!

Sue said...

Hi Pat....well I know what I'll be cooking up this weekend...they look terrific...You always have the best recipes....Thanks!!

Kathy said...

Oh Pat I have to try these we love Spinach, Ricotta and Gnocchi. Perfect. Hope you are well, hugs, Kathy.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Pat, I am STARVING! I would give anything to have some gnocchi right now, but the closet I'm going to come is waiting till Mario's opens! But yours look a thousand times better! OH YUM!

xo,

Sheila :-)

Linda Lou said...

I can taste those gnocchi and they are melting in my mouth----great recipe Pat!

Tracy said...

Oh, soooo good, Pat! You know, I like gnocchi byt have never made it before?! I like yours here with the spinach...mmm...Lovely! Happy eating...and happy weekend, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

black eyed susans kitchen said...

This looks so yummy Pat! We may have to try this one too. Have you considered putting these recipes into your own cookbook? I would absolutely add it to my collection.
♥, Susan

supplies overflowing! said...

Oh Pat, I haven't had breakfast yet- but I wouldn't think twice about eating these right now! My mouth is watering!!
jenny

Fifi Flowers said...

That looks incredible... amazing recipe and preparation... much too much work for moi... could I please just come for dinner? I will bring a couple bottles of wine!
ENJOY your day!
Fifi

Brenda said...

I have no doubt your gnocchi is deeelicious! Wish I had some now...

Betsy Brock said...

Oh Pat ~ that looks so very yummy! You know I've never had gnocchi! I know we would love this...

Lavinia said...

Pat, it is posts like yours today that make me wish my computer had 'scratch-n-sniff" ! These look mouthwateringly yummy and beyond!

Just A Girl said...

Hi Pat,
I think all true Italians add nutmeg to their dishes. We used to have a favorite Italian restaurant here that used it in all their dishes. The chef said all his recipes were from his great grandmother who was 100 % Italian. I adore gnocchi, but have never had it with spinach. Yours looks so delicious!
Are you staying warm over there?

xoxo cori

Louise said...

An extra helping for me please! x

imjacobsmom said...

Pat, you make this look so simple - I've not made gnocchi, but I've made raviolis and I know that they are a multi-step process. I'm going to have to have italian food for dinner tonight. This looks delicious! I can just smell the sauce cooking. ~ Robyn

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Your food always looks soooo good!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Oh my, I have to make these. I've made them before and have them in an older blog post, but definitely need to make your recipe....they look absolutely delish! Roz

Ruth Daniels said...

One of these days I do hope you plan on joining in a Presto Pasta Night event. Your gnocchi looks awesome.

http://www.prestopastanights.com/

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Oh....MY!! You make it look so easy. :-) I totally want to try this recipe! Or better yet, I'll just come over with the vino. :-)

Brigitte said...

Yeah, this looks really fantastic! Italian's enjoy their food with long, long dinners. Once we had a 8 hours dinner celebrated at the Country-side in Sicily! Never will forget about that. Italian families are great!

La Petite Gallery said...

I bet no one refuses an invitation
for dinner at your house. Looks
delish. Lots of work. Does your Hubby hang out in the kitchen when you cook?

yvpnne

La Petite Gallery said...

I would never refuse an invite
to your house for dinner. Looks
devine, a lot of work. Just think you saved the time on the sauce.
I wonder if your Hubby hangs out in the kitchen when you cook. Mine did, he was always grabbing a taste. I use Bertolli,
their Olive oil is great.
Good post as always. yvonne