12.06.2011

FOOD : EuroGrub : Gnocchi (No-chi)

Something I was thinking while i was back in India... when i wasn't really introduced to this. Was basically comparing it with our traditional fresh pasta, where the dough is kneaded with egg and salt and the fresh pasta was ready. Was trying to re-adapt the same, by adding potato into the Flour and egg base, and was sure that it would churn out into something definitely interesting, cause ultimately anything with Potato is 'Bliss Anyday'. But this time when I got to Germany, i realized Gnocchi is something exactly what I was trying to attempt.
so getting down to making the Gnocchi :
You will need
For the Basic Gnocchi:
2 boiled potatoes
Flour (adjust till it becomes a nice soft dough)
Egg white-1
Salt
Olive oil-1 spoon

Mash the Potato real fine. Add egg white, flour, olive oil and salt, and make a soft dough. Now by Soft, I don't mean really soft, something that you can work on. Make sure it's not hard.. Make Little balls of it and roll it thin into 3/4" dia long ropes. Cut them into 1.5" bits and keep them aside.
Even better, if you can pick up a ready-made packet of Gnocchi.

For the Sauce :
Mushrooms-7-8 sliced
Beans-halved and cut
Butter 4-5 spoons
Flour 1 spoon
Milk 1 cup
White Wine 1/4 glass
Oregano
Garlic 4-5 pods finely chopped
1/2 Onion slit lengthwise
Pepper and Salt
Gouda Cheese

In a pan, add 1 spoon of butter and saute the mushrooms and beans with a little salt. Add half of the Garlic chops and onion and let it be on the flame till they are just about done. Add the white wine and let it evaporate on high flame. Let the beans not lose its crispness. Keep aside.

Meanwhile, in another Pan, add the remaining butter. Once hot, add Flour and immediately mix well, so that no lumps are formed. Add the milk, remaining garlic chops, salt and pepper. Mix well, remove from flame and then add the cheese. Add the cheese once its out of the flame, otherwise it may stick to the pan.
Put it back on the flame, add the sauteed veggies, and mix well.

Meanwhile in a pot, boil water with a little salt in it, and add the Gnocchi once the water starts boiling. The gnocchi will rise to the top like in within 2 minutes..  Remove and add to the above mix and mix well. Check for salt. Your Gnocchi is ready.

For the extra zing, Add oregano over it. If you want it more elaborate, Assemble in a Casserole, top it with cheese and Bake for a while. Serve with some Red wine!


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