Gnocchi Dish Variations

notyourcommodity

notyourcommodity

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Apr 14, 2015
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One of my favorite Italian foods is gnocchi. Reminds me of my Nonna, as she used to always make her own.

Whilst I don't make my own (it never seems to turn out right, for me!) I do love gnocchi, but I like mixing it up a bit. At my local delicatessen I found pumpkin gnocchi recently, and I have been loving it with burnt butter and sage! It's so good!

Do you have any gnocchi variations (whether it be the actual gnocchi themselves, or an interesting sauce variation) that you enjoy? I'd love to get your inspiration!
 
I quite like to use it in a bake instead of pasta and then top it with breadcrumbs. I use a tomato sauce with vegetables (chargrilled or roasted) and it's a change from pasta. I also use it in chowder because it's more of a meal that way.

I know people like a cheese sauce, but I find it too heavy and so a rich tomato and garlic sauce I find is much better for gnocchi.
 
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Gabe said:
I quite like to use it in a bake instead of pasta and then top it with breadcrumbs. I use a tomato sauce with vegetables (chargrilled or roasted) and it's a change from pasta. I also use it in chowder because it's more of a meal that way.

I know people like a cheese sauce, but I find it too heavy and so a rich tomato and garlic sauce I find is much better for gnocchi.
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Yum! I haven't used gnocchi in a bake before but that does sound good. I totally get what you mean about a tomato/garlic sauce being better - I think because gnocchi themselves are quite dense it's nice having a simpler, lighter sauce and not something so heavy.

You've inspired me with that idea of using it in a bake, now...that might be on my dinner menu sometime this weekend! :)
 
The important thing with gnocchi is not to over cook it, otherwise it's just mush. Unlike if it's fresh gnocchi you can use it in a bake, other wise you do need to pre-cook it before hand otherwise it remains a bit raw, even with the tomato sauce on it. Pasta absorbs the sauce, but not gnocchi in the same way. Sometimes I mix the two if I have some leftover pasta. Add some caramelized onions on top and it add some extra flavor.
 
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Gnocchi are probably one of my favorite dishes. Really simple to prepare and they taste amazing. They go with every sauce imaginable! I like how spongy they are, they resemble marshmallows :) And I agree with Gabe, if you overcook gnocchi it's just a big mush, you might as well eat plain mashed potatoes :D
 
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I always see different types of gnocchi when I go restaurants... pumpkin, squash etc. However, to be honest, I've never ventured out and tried any of them. I love the way classic gnocchi tastes and I am scared that if I order a special version I won't like it.
 
KimmyMarkks said:
I always see different types of gnocchi when I go restaurants... pumpkin, squash etc. However, to be honest, I've never ventured out and tried any of them. I love the way classic gnocchi tastes and I am scared that if I order a special version I won't like it.
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I have to admit I get like that too -- a lot of the time if I am at a restaurant I'll order what I know and love, because that way I know I won't be disappointed! I do like to try new things from time to time, but old favorites win out fairly regularly!
 
notyourcommodity said:
I have to admit I get like that too -- a lot of the time if I am at a restaurant I'll order what I know and love, because that way I know I won't be disappointed! I do like to try new things from time to time, but old favorites win out fairly regularly!
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Yes, I feel the only way I would try this was if I took a piece of someone else's dish or if I was at a place and it was buffet styles. Something like squash gnocchi is too different for me to order at a restruant with out knowing how it tastes.
 
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KimmyMarkks said:
Yes, I feel the only way I would try this was if I took a piece of someone else's dish or if I was at a place and it was buffet styles. Something like squash gnocchi is too different for me to order at a restruant with out knowing how it tastes.
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That's one big benefit of buffet type situations, or trying someone else's foods! It's often one of the ways that I determine whether I like a new dish, before committing to an entire main sized portion of it!
 
Gnocchetti salmon and nuts.

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