Name: Easy ricotta gnocchi
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: Gnocchi; 1 cup fresh ricotta; 2/3 cup flour; 2/3 cup Parmesan, grated; 2 eggs; small handful each of parsley and basil, chopped, plus extra basil leaves, to serve; 1 tsp sea salt; Tomatoes; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2-4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed; 200 g cherry tomatoes; pinch chilli flakes; 1 tsp lemon zest; grated Parmesan, to serve; squeeze of lemon juice, to serve

Easy ricotta gnocchi

Gnocchi has a reputation for being lots of work with unpredictable results. What we all want is soft little pillows of pasta eager to soak up whatever sauce we throw at it, yet so often it can turn out chewy. I have Donna Hay to thank for introducing me to gnocchi made with ricotta instead of potatoes, and it’s a dream come true!

Ingredients

Gnocchi

1 cup fresh ricotta

2/3 cup flour

2/3 cup Parmesan, grated

2 eggs

small handful each of parsley and basil, chopped, plus extra basil leaves, to serve

1 tsp sea salt

Tomatoes

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2-4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

200 g cherry tomatoes

pinch chilli flakes

1 tsp lemon zest

grated Parmesan, to serve

squeeze of lemon juice, to serve

Method

1.Mix the gnocchi ingredients together in a big bowl to form a sticky dough. Don’t overmix. Turn out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough in two, then roll each half into a 3cm-thick log. Cut into 2cm lengths, dusting with flour as you go. Set aside while you cook the tomato topping.

2.Heat the oil in a pan and add the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes, chilli and zest, cooking for 8 minutes or until the tomatoes soften and become juicy. Turn off the heat.

3.Cook the gnocchi in a large pot of well-salted water. Do this in batches, cooking for 2-3 minutes only and removing the gnocchi with a slotted spoon, transferring them directly to the pan with the tomatoes.

4.Toss the gnocchi in the pan juices and serve with grated Parmesan, a squeeze of lemon juice and basil leaves.