Pumpkin Gnocchi With Basil Oil Recipes

CREAMY PUMPKIN GNOCCHI

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, bring 6 quarts salted water to a boil. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Using a fork, make a well in the potatoes; sprinkle with flour. Mix egg, pumpkin and minced sage; pour into well. Stir vigorously until blended. On a lightly floured surface, knead 10-12 times, forming a soft dough., Divide dough into 8 portions. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 1/2-in.-thick rope; cut crosswise into 3/4-in. pieces. Press and roll each piece with a lightly floured fork. Cook gnocchi in batches in boiling water until they float, 3-4 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon., In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook gnocchi until lightly browned, 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the skillet; keep warm. For sauce, in same skillet, discard melted butter, reserving 2 tablespoons; add sage leaves and cook over medium heat until sage is crispy, 2-3 minutes, turning once. Remove sage and set aside. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute., Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in cream, salt and 3/4 cup cooking water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 3-4 minutes. Add gnocchi; toss to coat. Serve with reserved sage leaves and Parmesan cheese. Freeze Option: Cover and freeze uncooked gnocchi in a single layer on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Transfer to freezer containers; return to freezer. To use, cook gnocchi as directed.

BASIL GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Make the gnocchi: Mix the instant potatoes with 1 cup hot water in a bowl using a fork; set aside until the potatoes absorb the liquid, 3 minutes. Meanwhile, puree the basil and 1/4 cup cold water in a blender until smooth. Stir the basil puree, egg, pecorino and 1 tablespoon salt into the potato mixture.
• Mound 3/4 cup flour on a surface; add the potato mixture and knead together until smooth, gradually adding the remaining 1/4 cup flour. Divide the dough into 3 portions; roll each into a 1-inch-diameter log (dust with flour, if needed). Cut each log into 1/2-inch pieces; place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate while making the sauce (or freeze up to 1 month).
• Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pine nuts; fry until toasted, swirling the pan. Transfer the nuts with a slotted spoon to paper towels and season with salt. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and cook until soft, 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and toss; cook until the tomatoes are just soft, 2 more minutes.
• Cook the gnocchi in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender, about 1 minute after they float to the surface. Drain and toss with the sauce. Top with the toasted pine nuts and more basil and pecorino.

HARVEST HERB GNOCCHI WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• 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.
• Meanwhile, coat a large pan in olive oil and allow to pool. Place over medium heat and wait for oil to warm. Add pine nuts with additional oil if needed; there should be excess oil. Cook pine nuts until golden brown on one side, 2 to 3 minutes. Add squash and pumpkin seeds, and additional oil if needed; keep in mind that as the squash thaws it will produce liquid.
• Cook until squash has thawed and warmed, 12 to 15 minutes. Add gnocchi and more oil if needed.
• Add carrot greens liberally. Add marjoram, thyme, basil, and black pepper. Season sparingly with rosemary and parsley. Cook until heated through. Remove from heat and serve.

PUMPKIN GNOCCHI WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Make the pasta. Sift flour onto a dry work surface. Make a well in the center of flour and add rice, salt, oil and pureed squash. Mix gradually, kneading into a smooth, soft dough by drawing small amount of flour in from the edges as you knead. Add more flour if the dough seems too sticky or more water if it feels too dry--but in both cases, add small amounts very slowly so as not to jeopardize the quality of the dough. Continue kneading until dough is a soft, workable ball, about 10 minutes. Set aside. Makes about 1 pound of dough.
• To make the gnocchi, flour a fork. Pinch off 1-inch pieces of dough and roll into balls between your fingers. Run the pasta ball on the fork to create ridges. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet that has been sprinkled with semolina. Repeat until you have made the desired amount of gnocchi. (The balance of the dough can be frozen.).
• Bring a pot of water to the boil, with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the gnocchi until just tender, about 2 minutes. The gnocchi will sink to the bottom of the pot. When it rises, it is done. Drain, but do not rinse.
• While the pasta cooks, make the oil. Place all ingredients in a sauce pan over low heat and cook for 3-4 minutes to develop the flavors. Strain the oil and toss with cooked gnocchi. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs and serve immediately.