Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Gnocchi

"Spinach and ricotta gnocchi are a first course reserved for my very favorite guests…and they are a traditional Tuscan favorite! These have a vibrant forest green color and are light and fluffy. As with most dough preparations for gnocchi, it is the amount of flour used that will determine if their texture is light or leaden. Be sure to really squeeze as much water as possible out of the spinach or you will end up using too much flour. Patience is a virtue when making gnocchi."
 
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photo by MsPia photo by MsPia
photo by MsPia
Ready In:
30mins
Ingredients:
11
Serves:
8-10
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ingredients

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directions

  • Drain the ricotta cheese in a cheesecloth-lined strainer set over a bowl until it is very dry. Transfer the cheese to a large bowl and set it aside.
  • Cook the spinach in batches in a covered large soup pot with no additional water until the spinach has wilted. Drain it in a colander, and when cool enough to handle, squeeze the spinach as dry as possible with your hands to remove excess water. You should have about 2 cups of squeezed spinach.
  • Chop the spinach coarsely, then purée it in a blender or food processor until it is very smooth. Transfer the spinach to the bowl with the cheese and stir in 1/3 cup of the grated cheese, eggs, mint, salt, nutmeg and pepper, and mix well. Begin adding the flour a little at a time until a soft dough is obtained and is not sticking to your hands.
  • It is easier to form the gnocchi if the dough is refrigerated for several hours or overnight.
  • Lightly flour a work surface. Using two soupspoons, shape heaping tablespoons of the dough into an oval or egg shape then gently slide the dough off the spoon onto the floured surface.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. With a spoon, scoop up about 8 to 10 gnocchi at a time and add them to the water. Boil them until they float.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large sauté pan and stir in the sage leaves. Cover the pan and keep the sauce warm.
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove and transfer the gnocchi to the sauce tossing them gently until well coated with the sauce.
  • Divide between 8 individual plates and sprinkle with the remaining 1/3 cup of cheese. Serve hot.

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Reviews

  1. Loved these gnocchi, though they did take me longer to prepare than 15 minutes and I had halved the recipe! I'm generally slower in my preparation than most Zaar recipes indicate! Since I love spinach, ricotta and sage, I knew I'd love these as soon as I tagged the recipe for Newest Zaar Tag. Since I don't make gnocchi often - it's something I've very much got to be in the mood for making - I was glad of the wonderfully clear instructions, especially the advice in step 4. I refrigerated the dough for the several hours suggested - 7 hours actually - and these proved to be the lightest and most delicious gnocchi I've ever made, so that this is very much a recipe I'll be making again - but never on a week night! LOVED the sage sauce! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, MsPia!
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I'm lucky to have had two amazing grandmothers with a passion for cooking.My Nona was from the north of Italy and Lolo was from Spain. Lolo used to make pickle fish. You would think that is a kids worst nightmare, but it was fabulous. I would kill for that recipe.My mother was also a wonderful cook. I grew up eating the most amazing food; her lasagna and Bolognese sauce are out of this world. I am originally from Argentina and living in Colorado for the past 25 years. As you can imagine, I love to cook, eat and entertain. I read cookbooks like novels. There is nothing that I enjoy more than traveling. I love the challenge of a new culture and a foreign language. Of course all my traveling is culinary oriented. Eventually I would love to move to Italy. Italians, in my opinion, have the perfect life style; Hard work in the morning, good food for lunch, nice siesta and out for a "giro" (go for a round) in the afternoons to visit with your friends over a cup of coffee. My daughter is a great baker; she has a natural talent for it. We can make the exact same recipe and hers ALWAYS tastes much better. My favorite products are seasonal, organic and fresh; I stay away from cans and pre-mixed stuff. I'm a proud member of the Slow Food movement. www.slowfood.com
 
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