Gnocchi with chicory and saffron

• 5 minutes to prepare • 15 minutes to cook • Serves 4

10 MINUTES RECIPE

 

Gnocchi are a typical Italian culinary preparation, used primarily as a first course. Generally, the term gnocchi identifies potato gnocchi; however, countless nuances of local versions are documented.
Especially in the traditional recipe, the quality of the raw ingredients and the careful preparation are directly related to the final quality of the dish. Potato gnocchi are prepared by mixing the potatoes, peeled and mashed, with flour; the base dough is then divided into small pieces to be cooked in boiling water. The division of the dough in various bits is a characterising factor itself: gnocchi have different shape and size according to the type of dumplings. Chicche are, for example, a miniature version of them; in some areas gnocchi have a smooth surface, in other regions they look striped, to better capture the sauce.
Preparing potato gnocchi is an art deeply influenced by local and family traditions.

Today's recipe exploits gnocchi's super fast cooking time to accelerate the preparation of a fabulous first course. It is enough to add some chicory, few tablespoons of cream, and saffron...to be delighted in 10 minutes!

Here are ingredients for the 4-serving recipe:

 

1 kg gnocchi
200 g chicory
50 ml liquid cream
50 g grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon saffron
EVO oil
salt and pepper

1. Braise chopped chicory with 2 tablespoons of EVO oil and salt. Perfume with a pinch of pepper  
2. Boil water in a pot, add salt and once started to bubble, pick up a ladle of water and use it to melt the saffron in a small bowl
3. Add the cream and the saffron to the chicory in the pan and mix well. Cook for about 10 minutes until the cream is smooth and tasty. Add salt if necessary
4. Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi in boiling salted water
5. Drain gnocchi when afloat and pan-fry for a few moments with the saffron and chicory sauce
6. Serve hot with a spoon of Parmesan cheese on top. Grind black pepper and serve immediately!

Nutrition Facts are listed for this recipe in the table below. Data is provided per serving.

Mom made the gnocchi.