Crispy Gnocchi With Basil Pesto Recipes

SHEET-PAN GNOCCHI WITH SAUSAGE AND PESTO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Line large rimmed sheet pan with cooking parchment paper. Make gnocchi as directed on package; drain.
• Meanwhile, in 8-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown; remove from skillet.
• In large bowl, add gnocchi, remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, the salt and pepper, tossing thoroughly to coat. Add tomatoes and bell pepper; gently stir to coat. Spread mixture in sheet pan; make room on one end for sausage links, and place them slightly apart.
• Roast 15 minutes; stir gnocchi mixture, and rotate sausage links. Return to oven; roast 12 to 15 minutes longer or until gnocchi are light golden brown and meat thermometer inserted in sausage reads 165°F.
• Remove sausage to cutting board; cut at angle into 1/2-inch pieces. Add sausage back to sheet pan. Spoon pesto on top of gnocchi and sausage mixture; gently stir to incorporate. Top with bread crumb mixture before serving.

GNOCCHI WITH SWEET BASIL PESTO AND GARLIC BUTTER SHRIMP

Steps:

• Combine basil, 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, olive oil, whole garlic cloves, salt, and pepper in a blender; puree until pesto is smooth.
• Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic; cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add shrimp; cook and stir until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi in the boiling water until they float to the top, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain. Mix pesto into gnocchi and serve with shrimp. Garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese.

POTATO GNOCCHI WITH PESTO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, place the potatoes and cover with cold salted water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Using a ricer, rice the potatoes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer (don't pile the riced potatoes into mounds). Set aside to cool.
• Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and, using a rubber spatula, gently mix in the flour, yolks, salt, nutmeg, and pepper until just combined and a soft dough is formed. Don't over mix the dough or the gnocchi will be unpleasantly dense.
• On a well-floured work surface, turn out the potato dough, and divide into 6 equal parts. With the palms of both hands gently roll each part into a "rope" 3/4-inch in diameter. Using a sharp knife cut each "rope" on an angle into 3/4-inch-long pieces.
• Shape the gnocchi: Hold a salad fork in one hand so it rests on the work surface at a 45-degree angle with the tines curving up. Place a piece of the dough at the top of the tines and hold it in place with your free thumb. In one gentle motion, quickly press and roll the dough along the tines. The gnocchi should have a small dent in one side and shallow grooves on the other, perfectly suited for holding a sauce. Repeat with the remaining pieces and transfer to a lightly floured baking sheet pan. Store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours before cooking.
• When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a medium skillet, over medium-high, heat the heavy cream until just hot. Remove from the heat and whisk in the pesto. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the pesto mixture into a large bowl. Set aside in a warm spot.
• Add half the gnocchi to the boiling water and cook for 1 1/2 minutes or until they rise to the top. (Take care not to overcook the gnocchi or they can disintegrate during cooking.) Using a slotted spoon or strainer, transfer the gnocchi to the bowl with the pesto and toss. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi. If the sauce seems too "tight", add some of the cooking water a tablespoon at time until a saucy consistency is reached. Season with pepper to taste. Divide among warm bowls and serve immediately.
• In a food processor, combine the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and salt and puree. While the motor is running, drizzle in the oil until incorporated. Season with pepper to taste. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap placed right on the surface of the pesto to prevent discoloration, for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
• Yield: about 2/3 cup

CRISPY GNOCCHI WITH TOMATO AND RED ONION

Steps:

• Heat a large (about 12-inch), well-seasoned cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high; add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the gnocchi to the pan, breaking up any that are stuck together. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, tossing every 1 ½ to 2 minutes so they get golden and crispy all over.
• Meanwhile, prepare your tomatoes: If you are using small ones like cherry or grape varieties, simply slice them in half. For larger tomatoes, quarter them or slice into bite-size chunks. (It is good to have a mix of shapes and sizes.) Place the tomatoes and onions in a large serving bowl. Add the balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt; season with pepper and gently toss.
• When the gnocchi are golden and crispy, add them to the tomatoes, along with 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil and a handful each of parsley and basil. Toss and taste, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
• Top with more parsley and basil, and eat immediately or at room temperature.

CRISPY GNOCCHI WITH BURST TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Heat the broiler with a rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• In a large (12-inch) skillet on the stovetop, heat enough olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan (about 1 tablespoon) over medium-high. Add half the gnocchi to the pan, breaking up any that are stuck together. Cover with a lid or baking sheet and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown on one side, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi and olive oil.
• Add the butter to the skillet and cook over medium-high, stirring often, until golden-brown and toasty, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic, red-pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper, reducing the heat slightly if necessary to avoid scorching. Add the tomatoes and 3 tablespoons water and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the tomatoes have softened and the liquid has slightly thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Smash the tomatoes as they burst to help them along.
• Add the seared gnocchi and 1/4 cup basil (if using), stir to coat, then shake into an even layer. Top with the mozzarella and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Broil until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, 2 to 4 minutes. Top with more basil, red-pepper flakes and black pepper as desired.